Which system configuration file is used to define user account defaults?

The file that defines user account defaults is /etc/login.defs. This configuration file provides a variety of settings that govern the behavior of user account creation and management. It specifies important parameters such as the default path for user home directories, the minimum and maximum age of passwords, and user ID ranges for normal users and system accounts.

When creating new user accounts, the settings in /etc/login.defs are applied automatically unless overridden by other tools or specific commands. For example, it can control the behavior of commands like useradd, setting defaults for expiration, inactivity periods, and more, ensuring that users are created with standard policies in a consistent manner.

The other files listed serve different purposes:

• /etc/passwd contains user account information such as usernames, user IDs, and home directories but does not set defaults for account management.

• /etc/shadow holds secure password information for each user account, protecting password hashes but again does not define defaults for account settings.

• /etc/group lists group information on the system, including group names and membership, but does not pertain to user account defaults.

Understanding the role of /etc/login.defs in managing user account settings is crucial for maintaining a secure and organized Linux environment.