- A
Enforcing password complexity via pam_pwquality.
Complexity reduces risk of weak passwords.
- B
Disabling SSH root login by setting PermitRootLogin no.
Prevents direct root SSH access.
- C
Granting all users sudo access to run all commands.
Why wrong: Widens attack surface.
- D
Setting the password expiration to 0 days.
Why wrong: 0 means passwords never expire, which is less secure.
- E
Using SSH key-based authentication instead of passwords.
Keys are more secure than passwords.
Question 481 of 537
Enhancing User Account Security 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.
Which three actions enhance security for user accounts on a Red Hat Enterprise Linux system? (Choose three.)
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
✓
Enforcing password complexity via pam_pwquality.
Option A is correct because pam_pwquality (formerly pam_cracklib) enforces password complexity rules such as minimum length, character classes, and reuse restrictions. This module is configured in /etc/pam.d/system-auth or /etc/security/pwquality.conf and directly reduces the risk of weak passwords being chosen by users.
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.
- ✓
Enforcing password complexity via pam_pwquality.
Why this is correct
Complexity reduces risk of weak passwords.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Disabling SSH root login by setting PermitRootLogin no.
Why this is correct
Prevents direct root SSH access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Granting all users sudo access to run all commands.
Why it's wrong here
Widens attack surface.
- ✗
Setting the password expiration to 0 days.
Why it's wrong here
0 means passwords never expire, which is less secure.
- ✓
Using SSH key-based authentication instead of passwords.
Why this is correct
Keys are more secure than passwords.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think granting all users full sudo access is a convenience feature for administration, but Red Hat exams emphasize security best practices, so any option that violates least privilege or introduces unnecessary risk is automatically incorrect.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, pam_pwquality uses the CrackLib library to check passwords against dictionary words and common patterns, and its enforcement can be tuned via parameters like minlen, dcredit, ucredit, lcredit, and ocredit. SSH key-based authentication (Option E) leverages asymmetric cryptography (RSA, ECDSA, Ed25519) where the private key never leaves the client, making it resistant to brute-force and phishing attacks that target password-based logins. Disabling root SSH login (Option B) forces administrators to authenticate as a regular user and then use sudo or su, which provides an audit trail and limits exposure of the root account.
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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Red Hat Certified System Administrator EX200 study guide
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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: Enforcing password complexity via pam_pwquality. — Option A is correct because pam_pwquality (formerly pam_cracklib) enforces password complexity rules such as minimum length, character classes, and reuse restrictions. This module is configured in /etc/pam.d/system-auth or /etc/security/pwquality.conf and directly reduces the risk of weak passwords being chosen by users.
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
This EX200 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Red Hat certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the EX200 exam.
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