Which file stores user account information on Unix-like systems but is said not to contain password data?

• A. /etc/passwd
• B. Shadow file
• C. Pwdump
• D. Botnet Trojans

Answer: (A)

In Unix-like systems, user account details such as the login name, user ID, group ID, home directory, and default shell are stored in a central file. Modern setups keep the password data in a separate, protected location, so the main account file no longer contains the actual password hashes. Instead, that file shows a placeholder (often an x) and the real password information lives in a restricted file that only privileged users can read. That separation is why this file is said not to contain password data, even though it holds the essential account information used to log in. The other options aren’t the correct source of account data: the shadow file stores password hashes, pwdump is a tool for dumping credentials, and botnet trojans are unrelated malware.