Quick Answer
The answer is `usermod -s /sbin/nologin apache`. This command works by changing the user’s login shell to `/sbin/nologin`, a special program that prints a polite message and immediately exits, preventing the user from obtaining any interactive shell via SSH or console login. The key technical concept is that the system executes the user’s configured shell at login; by setting it to `/sbin/nologin`, you deny shell access while leaving the apache user’s other services—like the web server—fully functional. On the Red Hat Certified System Administrator EX200 exam, this tests your understanding of user account security and the `/etc/passwd` shell field. A common trap is confusing `nologin` with locking the account via `usermod -L`, which only disables password-based login but still allows SSH key authentication; `nologin` blocks all interactive logins regardless of method. Remember the mnemonic: “No shell, no login—nologin is the shell that tells them to go away.”
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of manage security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A junior admin needs to ensure that the 'apache' user (UID 48) cannot log in via SSH or console. Which command achieves this?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
usermod -s /sbin/nologin apache
Sets shell to nologin, blocking interactive login.
passwd -l apache
Why wrong: Locks password but doesn't prevent SSH key login.
chage -l apache
Why wrong: Lists password expiry; does not restrict login.
usermod -e 1 apache
Why wrong: Sets account expiration; doesn't prevent immediate login.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
usermod -s /sbin/nologin apache
Option A is correct because setting the user's login shell to `/sbin/nologin` prevents the user from obtaining an interactive shell via SSH or console login. When the user attempts to log in, the system executes `/sbin/nologin`, which prints a polite message and exits immediately, effectively denying shell access while leaving other services (e.g., Apache) functional.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
usermod -s /sbin/nologin apache
Why this is correct
Sets shell to nologin, blocking interactive login.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
passwd -l apache
Why it's wrong here
Locks password but doesn't prevent SSH key login.
chage -l apache
Why it's wrong here
Lists password expiry; does not restrict login.
usermod -e 1 apache
Why it's wrong here
Sets account expiration; doesn't prevent immediate login.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse password locking (`passwd -l`) with shell restriction, not realizing that SSH key authentication or console login via `su` bypasses password locks, while changing the shell to `/sbin/nologin` blocks all interactive login methods.
Detailed technical explanation
The `/sbin/nologin` shell is a standard system shell that simply exits with a non-zero status after printing a configurable message (defined in `/etc/nologin.txt` if present). Unlike locking the password or expiring the account, changing the shell preserves the user's ability to run processes via systemd, cron, or other non-interactive mechanisms. This is critical for service accounts like `apache` that must remain functional for the web server but should not allow interactive shell access.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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
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Manage security practice questions
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FAQ
Manage security — This question tests Manage security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: usermod -s /sbin/nologin apache — Option A is correct because setting the user's login shell to `/sbin/nologin` prevents the user from obtaining an interactive shell via SSH or console login. When the user attempts to log in, the system executes `/sbin/nologin`, which prints a polite message and exits immediately, effectively denying shell access while leaving other services (e.g., Apache) functional.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which THREE factors determine whether a local user can SSH into a Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 system? (Choose three.)
hardWhy C: Option C is correct because SSHd validates that the user's login shell is listed in /etc/shells before allowing authentication. If the shell is not present in /etc/shells (e.g., /sbin/nologin or a custom script), SSHd will deny the connection, even if the user has valid credentials. This check is controlled by the 'AllowUsers' and 'DenyUsers' directives but is a fundamental security measure to prevent users with non-standard shells from gaining interactive access.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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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