The correct answer when talking about mount points is that every existing directory can be used as a mount point. A mount point is a directory in the Linux file-system where a file system, partition, or storage device can be attached and accessed1. To create a mount point, you need root privileges. Mounting meansmaking the contents of the attached file system, partition, or storage device available in the mount point directory1.
The other options are incorrect for the following reasons:
Only empty directories can be used as a mount point. This is not true, as any directory can be used as a mount point, regardless of whether it contains files or not. However, if the directory is notempty, the files inside it will be hidden by the mounted file system until it is unmounted2. Therefore, it is recommended to use empty directories as mount points to avoid confusion and data loss2.
Directories need to have the SetUID flag set to be used as a mount point. This is not true, as the SetUID flag is a special permission that allows a file to be executed with the privileges of its owner, regardless of who runs it3. This flag has nothing to do with mounting file systems, and it is not required for a directory to be used as a mount point4.
Files within a directory are deleted when the directory is used as a mount point. This is not true, as the files within a directory are not deleted when the directory is used as a mount point. They are only hidden by the mounted file system until it is unmounted2. The files are still present on the disk and can be recovered by unmounting the file system or using another mount point to access them2.
References:
What Is Mount Point In Linux Install? – Systran Box
What Mount Points Exist on a Typical Linux System - Baeldung
Linux File Permission Tutorial: How to Check and Change Permissions
