- A
Add alice's public key to ~alice/.ssh/authorized_keys and set PubkeyAuthentication yes in sshd_config.
This enables key-based authentication for alice.
- B
Add alice's private key to /etc/ssh/authorized_keys.
Why wrong: Private keys are never placed in authorized_keys.
- C
Set PasswordAuthentication no in /etc/ssh/sshd_config and restart sshd.
Why wrong: This disables password auth but does not configure key-based auth.
- D
Set PermitRootLogin prohibit-password.
Why wrong: This is specific to root, not a regular user.
Question 522 of 537
Setting Up SSH Key Authentication for RHCSA
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of manage security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
An administrator wants to allow user 'alice' to SSH into the server using key-based authentication only. Which configuration change is required?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add alice's public key to ~alice/.ssh/authorized_keys and set PubkeyAuthentication yes in sshd_config.
Option A is correct because SSH key-based authentication requires the user's public key to be placed in the user's `~/.ssh/authorized_keys` file, and the SSH daemon must have `PubkeyAuthentication yes` set in `/etc/ssh/sshd_config` to allow public key authentication. This configuration ensures that only users with the corresponding private key can authenticate as 'alice'.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Add alice's public key to ~alice/.ssh/authorized_keys and set PubkeyAuthentication yes in sshd_config.
Why this is correct
This enables key-based authentication for alice.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Add alice's private key to /etc/ssh/authorized_keys.
Why it's wrong here
Private keys are never placed in authorized_keys.
- ✗
Set PasswordAuthentication no in /etc/ssh/sshd_config and restart sshd.
Why it's wrong here
This disables password auth but does not configure key-based auth.
- ✗
Set PermitRootLogin prohibit-password.
Why it's wrong here
This is specific to root, not a regular user.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often think disabling password authentication alone is sufficient for key-based access, but they forget that the public key must be placed in the correct location and that `PubkeyAuthentication` must be explicitly enabled if it was previously disabled.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, SSH key authentication uses asymmetric cryptography: the server verifies the client's possession of the private key by encrypting a challenge with the public key stored in `authorized_keys`. The `PubkeyAuthentication` directive in `sshd_config` controls whether this method is allowed; it defaults to 'yes' in many distributions, but explicitly setting it ensures the configuration is intentional. A real-world scenario where this matters is in automated deployments where password authentication is disabled entirely, and only key-based access is permitted for all users.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Manage security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Manage security practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX200 question test?
Manage security — This question tests Manage security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add alice's public key to ~alice/.ssh/authorized_keys and set PubkeyAuthentication yes in sshd_config. — Option A is correct because SSH key-based authentication requires the user's public key to be placed in the user's `~/.ssh/authorized_keys` file, and the SSH daemon must have `PubkeyAuthentication yes` set in `/etc/ssh/sshd_config` to allow public key authentication. This configuration ensures that only users with the corresponding private key can authenticate as 'alice'.
What should I do if I get this EX200 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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