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On most Linux distributions, LOCAL passwords are stored in one of two places: /etc/passwd, or /etc/shadow. They are simple text files containing user information.

Some systems are configured to authenticate using LDAP or other methods (typically over a network to some type of server) - those will be dependent on the specific setup.

Almost all distributions store passwords encrypted, so you won't be able to edit or see the password, but you can clear the field out and/or reset it if need be.

If you are trying to reset a password, you will need to log in as root and issue the command 'passwd <username>' to change it. If you are trying to log in as root and forgot the password, you will need to start the system in single-user mode and reset it manually - you can Google "Reset Linux Root Password" for instructions, it's a common procedure.

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Q: Where are Linux passwords stored?
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Which Linux distro is best for learning Linux OS?

Linux Mint to learn. Ubuntu for gamers/programmers &amp; Kali Linux for penetration testers and hackers.


What are the types of Linux?

"Types" of Linux are Called Linux Distributions. Linux by itself is only a kernel, you need more than that for a full system, to get this, distro's were develpoed to include all of this to make a Linux system easier to install. Popular Distro's Are Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, RHEL, Linux Mint, Arch Linux, OpenSUSE, etc, you can find more at distrowatch


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Yes, I think that Linux is safer. You should use Ubuntu for gaming/programming and Kali Linux for hacking/penetration testing.


What has the author Bill Counts written?

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What is Linux based on?

Linux is not "based" on anything per se. Its kernel is all original code and the software included in the average Linux distribution is non-centric to a given system. However. Linux is inspired by and readily identified as being "related" to UNIX, to the point many Linux users consider it to be UNIX.

Related questions

How do you view passwords in Linux?

Most Unix systems no longer store the passwords in the password file; it is stored in a private file called /etc/shadow, only accessible by the root account. The passwords are stored in encrypted form in that file.


How do you recover your password for Linux on the Acer Aspire One?

You can't recover passwords in Linux; you can only reset the passwords on various accounts.


Where are passwords stored on novell?

Passwords are stored in eDirectory (also known as NDS)


What are the default passwords for Red Hat Enterprise Linux?

There are no default passwords. Passwords are specified by the administrator at installation.


What is the name for the file that contains encrypted passwords for Linux users?

/etc/passwd


What is algprithm that Linux is used to decode the password?

This really depends on which password you mean. Most user passwords aren't so much decoded as they are hashed through alorithms such as MD5 and the result compared to a stored hash for the password. If the hashes match, Linux concludes the password is correct. Passwords are done this way as checksum hashes can't be reversed. They are assymetrical, meaning running a hash through the same algorithm merely results in another hash, not the password. This is a very secure way to store passwords.


What is the Linux version of System32?

Because they aren't organized the same way, there is no direct equivalent directory to System32 in Linux. The kernel image in Linux is typically stored in /boot, the system binaries are stored in /bin, and libraries are stored /lib and /usr/lib.


Where is the source to the Linux kernel stored on the file system?

Traditionally in /usr/src/linux.


Where are usernames stored in Linux?

In file /etc/passwd


When you create a device special file in what folder should it be stored in Linux?

Usually they are stored in /dev


How passwords wii be saved in Google Chrome?

Passwords are stored according to websites on the Chrome browser. They can be seen by a key sign on the website.


How do you delete remembered passwords on computer?

If you mean the passwords on your web browser you click on tools&gt;options&gt; and then depending on your browser you find where the passwords are stored (on Mozilla firefox you click the security tab-&gt;saved passwords-&gt;click on removeall)