LFCS Question #23: Real Exam Question with Answer & Explanation

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

Explanation

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.

Common mistakes.

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

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

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

Topics

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

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