RHEL Linux - Red Hat System Administration Practice Exam

Which configuration file controls the default behavior of user account settings in Linux?

1. /etc/passwd

2. /etc/shadow

3. /etc/login.defs

4. /etc/group

The correct answer is: /etc/login.defs

The configuration file that controls the default behavior of user account settings in Linux is /etc/login.defs. This file is essential for defining user account properties and system-wide settings that impact the creation and management of user accounts. It specifies parameters such as the minimum and maximum age of passwords, default UID and GID ranges for new users, and other account-related policies that are applied during the user account creation process. In contrast, /etc/passwd is primarily a user account database that contains basic information about user accounts, such as usernames, UIDs, GIDs, home directories, and default shells. It does not dictate default settings or behaviors for user accounts. The /etc/shadow file holds secure user account information, specifically passwords and password expiration data. While it is crucial for security, it does not govern user account policies or defaults. Similarly, /etc/group is utilized to define groups on the system, including group names, GIDs, and member user accounts. Like /etc/passwd, it does not influence the overall behavior of user accounts beyond group management. Thus, /etc/login.defs is the file that centralizes various default user account settings that are applied when managing user accounts in a Linux system.