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Linux User Management: Managing User Files and Processes

Removing users, as well as files and directories owned by specific users, is a routine task for most Systems Administrators. In this lab, we will remove a user and their home directory from the system, then search for any other files or directories owned by them and transfer ownership of those to a new user. Then we will search for and kill any processes owned by that user as well.

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Lab platform
Lab Info
Level
Beginner
Last updated
Sep 23, 2025
Duration
15m

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Table of Contents
  1. Challenge

    Search for Any Running Processes Owned by the test User. Kill the Process by the Process ID (PID)
    $ ps U test
    $ kill < PID > 
    
  2. Challenge

    Search the System for All Files Owned by the test User, Then Change the Owner and Group to ec2-user on Any Files That Are outside of the Home Directory and the Mail Spool
    $ find / -user test
    $ chown ec2-user:ec2-user /var/tmp/appconfig.sh
    $ chown ec2-user:ec2-user /tmp/list.txt
    
  3. Challenge

    Remove the test User and Home Directory from the System
    $ userdel -r test
    
  4. Challenge

    Verify That the Home Directory and the Mail Spool Were Removed. Also Verify That There Are No Other Files Owned by the test User on the System
    $ find / -user test
    
    $ ls /home
    
    $ ls /var/spool/mail
    
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