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Linux Users and Groups Lab
Create an account with useradd, add it to a group without losing its other groups, and lock a leaver’s account.
Last updated
Linux command line · Beginner · About 10 minutes
The scenario
Two changes came in from HR this morning. Priya Shah starts today as a developer and needs an account on the build server. Tom, a contractor, finished last week, and his account is still active.
Create Priya’s account, give her the access developers have, and make sure Tom can no longer sign in.
A practice Ubuntu terminal that runs in your browser. It understands real commands, and nothing you type can break anything.
Your tasks
0 of 4 doneCreate the user priya with a home directory and /bin/bash as her shell. (not done yet)
Add priya to the developers group, keeping the groups she already has. (not done yet)
Lock tom’s account so his password no longer works. (not done yet)
Check which groups priya is in. (not done yet)
student@build01Practice terminal · simulated
Practice terminal: real commands on a simulated Ubuntu server. Type help to see what it knows.
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About this lab
What you’ll practice, and where it’s tested
What you’ll practice
- Creating an account with a home directory and a shell
- Adding a user to a group with usermod -aG
- Locking an account
- Checking the result with id and groups
Exams it helps with
- CompTIA Linux+Domain: Services and User Management
- CompTIA Security+Domain: Security Operations
- CompTIA Server+Domain: Server Administration
Free performance-based questions: Linux+, Security+, Server+
Walkthrough
One way to complete the lab, with the reason for each step. Try it yourself first.
Show the worked solution
- 1Create the account with a home directory and bash.
sudo useradd -m -s /bin/bash priya - 2Add her to the developers group.
sudo usermod -aG developers priya - 3Lock the leaver’s account.
sudo passwd -l tom - 4Confirm her groups.
id priya
Guide
How to get the most from a lab
Type the commands yourself
Typing a command, getting it wrong and fixing it is what makes it stick. Use the hints when you’re stuck, not before.
Check the walkthrough afterwards
Every lab has a worked solution with the reason for each step. Read it even when you finished: there is often a shorter way.
Do it again from memory
Reset the lab a day later and do it without hints. If you can, you know it. If you can’t, you’ve found what to study.
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FAQs
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Is this a real Linux machine?
No. It’s a practice terminal that runs in your browser. It understands the real commands the lab needs, and many more, and it answers the way an Ubuntu server would. It isn’t a full operating system: nothing is installed, and nothing you type can break anything.
Which commands does the practice terminal understand?
The everyday ones: ls, cd, cat, grep, awk, sed, sort, uniq, find, chmod, chown, useradd, usermod, passwd, systemctl, journalctl, ip, ping, dig, ss and ufw, with pipes, redirects and sudo. Type help in the terminal for the full list. Text editors and package installs aren’t included.
Which exams does this lab help with?
It practices skills from CompTIA Linux+ (Services and User Management), CompTIA Security+ (Security Operations) and CompTIA Server+ (Server Administration).
Do I need an account?
No. The labs run in your browser and nothing is saved. Sign up only if you want OpenpassAI’s full labs and progress tracking.
