Which file stores user account information in Linux?

The file that stores user account information in Linux is /etc/passwd. This file contains essential details for each user account on the system, including the username, user ID (UID), group ID (GID), home directory, default shell, and more. The format of each line in the file follows a specific structure, which makes it easy for various system utilities and applications to read and understand user-related information.

User account management tools and services reference this file to authenticate users and to determine their configurations. However, while /etc/passwd holds generic account information, it is important to note that it does not store sensitive password information. The passwords are typically hashed and stored in a separate file for security reasons.

The other options serve different purposes:

• /etc/group manages group account information, detailing the groups users belong to.

• /var/log/syslog is a logging file capturing system messages and logs, which is unrelated to user account information.

• /etc/shadow contains the hashed passwords and additional security settings for user accounts, providing an added security layer by restricting access to sensitive information.

Understanding the functions of these files is crucial in managing user accounts and maintaining system security in a Linux environment.