What does the encryption type '5' indicate when used with an enable secret in Cisco IOS?

What does the encryption type '5' indicate when used with an enable secret in Cisco IOS?

• A. It indicates an MD5 hash was used for the secret
• B. It indicates a plaintext password
• C. It indicates a SHA256 hash
• D. It indicates a reversible encryption

Answer: (A)

In Cisco IOS, the enable secret’s stored form is indicated by a type value, telling you how the password is protected. A type value of five means the secret is stored as an MD5 hash. That makes it a one-way representation: when you enter the password, the system hashes your input with MD5 and compares it to the stored hash to verify you’re correct. It isn’t stored as plaintext, and it isn’t reversible encryption. For contrast, plaintext would be a type zero, and reversible encryption would be a different type (not five), with SHA256 represented by another type value.

In Cisco IOS, the enable secret’s stored form is indicated by a type value, telling you how the password is protected. A type value of five means the secret is stored as an MD5 hash. That makes it a one-way representation: when you enter the password, the system hashes your input with MD5 and compares it to the stored hash to verify you’re correct. It isn’t stored as plaintext, and it isn’t reversible encryption. For contrast, plaintext would be a type zero, and reversible encryption would be a different type (not five), with SHA256 represented by another type value.