Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Practice Exam

Which command configures the enable secret password?

1. (config)#enable secret PASSWORD

2. (config)#line enable PASSWORD

3. (config)#enable password PASSWORD

4. (config)#set enable PASSWORD

The correct answer is: (config)#enable secret PASSWORD

The command to configure the enable secret password is indeed “enable secret PASSWORD.” This command is used in the global configuration mode of a Cisco router or switch to set a password that is encrypted and provides a higher level of security compared to the traditional enable password. When you use the "enable secret" command, the password is stored in an encrypted form, using a stronger hashing algorithm, making it more secure from unauthorized access. This is critical in network environments where protecting access to privileged EXEC mode is essential. In contrast, the other options provided either do not pertain to the configuration of the enable secret password or utilize incorrect command syntax for setting up passwords. For instance, "line enable PASSWORD" suggests configuring a password for a specific line, which is not the same as setting the enable secret. The command "enable password PASSWORD" refers to setting a plain-text password instead, which is less secure, and the command "set enable PASSWORD" does not exist in Cisco IOS command syntax. Thus, using “enable secret PASSWORD” is the correct method to ensure secure access to privileged commands on a Cisco device.