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LFCS · Question #23

Which character in the password field of /etc/passwd is used to indicate that the encrypted password is stored in /etc/shadow?

The correct answer is D. x. The character 'x' in the password field of /etc/passwd indicates that the user's encrypted password is not stored there, but instead in the more secure /etc/shadow file.

Submitted by mateo_ar· Apr 18, 2026User and Group Management

Question

Which character in the password field of /etc/passwd is used to indicate that the encrypted password is stored in /etc/shadow?

Options

  • A
  • B
  • Cs
  • Dx

How the community answered

(25 responses)
  • A
    4% (1)
  • B
    4% (1)
  • D
    92% (23)

Why each option

The character 'x' in the password field of `/etc/passwd` indicates that the user's encrypted password is not stored there, but instead in the more secure `/etc/shadow` file.

A*

The `*` character usually indicates a locked or disabled account, or a password that cannot be used for login.

B-

The `-` character is not a standard indicator for shadowed passwords in `/etc/passwd`.

Cs

The `s` character is not used to indicate a shadowed password in `/etc/passwd`.

DxCorrect

The `x` character in the second field (password field) of a user's entry in `/etc/passwd` is a standard indicator that the user's encrypted password is stored separately in the `/etc/shadow` file, enhancing system security by restricting access to password hashes.

Concept tested: Shadow password file indication in /etc/passwd

Source: https://linux.die.net/man/5/passwd

Topics

#/etc/passwd#/etc/shadow#Password storage#User accounts

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