Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) — Question 60

How does an operating system protect the passwords used for account logins?

Answer options

• A. The operating system performs a one-way hash of the passwords.
• B. The operating system stores the passwords in a secret file that users cannot find.
• C. The operating system encrypts the passwords, and decrypts them when needed.
• D. The operating system stores all passwords in a protected segment of non-volatile memory.

Correct answer: A

Explanation

The correct answer is A because a one-way hash ensures that passwords cannot be easily retrieved or reversed, enhancing security. Option B is incorrect as merely hiding passwords in a file does not provide adequate security. Option C is also wrong because while encryption can be secure, it involves reversible processes, which poses risks if the decryption key is compromised. Option D is misleading since storing passwords in non-volatile memory does not inherently protect them from unauthorized access.