Why Do Linux Need a Strong Password?
As more and more people use the internet and create accounts, it’s essential that everyone has a strong password. This is because if you do not, then hackers can quickly get into your account and take all your personal information. With the digital age upon us, it is crucial that we take the creation of our passwords seriously.
It is worth putting in that little extra effort to create the correct password, so you are less likely to be hacked. Today, we’re going to talk to you about our Linux Password Generator which is perfect for those who want that extra little protection for their Linux devices!
What Do You Use Passwords for in General?
Passwords are used for every single account made on the internet. They are even used for your credit and debit cards. When you create an account for your PayPal account, for example, it is vital that it is strong because it holds a lot of valuable information. However, do not think that your account with that one online store does not have important information that you need to protect, because it does.
Even those little online stores have your full name, address, and sometimes your card information saved. All a hacker needs to do is to go into your account, and they now have access to all that information.
Yes, passwords are used for everything online, so it is crucial that they are protected. Also, password generators are a great way to create passwords for htaccess, Instagram, MySQL, MD5, and many more!
What Is Linux?
Linux is an operating system found in many phones, cars, computers, desktops, home appliances, and enterprise servers. Clearly, this is an operating system that is heavily used and regarded. It has been in use since the mid-1990s and has reached a user base around the world.
Also, Linux is one of the most secure and worry-free operating systems out there. Android is powered by Linux. It takes care of all the hardware resources associated with your laptop or desktop. Basically, it manages the communication between the hardware and software.
What Does My Linux Password Consist Of?
Like many passwords, Linux needs a password that is complex and follows its guidelines. Also, keep in mind that your password should be between six to eight characters long for it to be strong. Many people think that the longer the password, the stronger it is, but that is not technically true. That is why it is recommended to have a password that is six to eight characters long.
When using the linux password generator, make sure that you have all of the following when creating your Linux password:
- Lowercase alphabetical
- Uppercase alphabetical
- Numbers
- Special characters
What Is a Linux Password Generator?
The Linux password generator allows the user to set a password according to the minimum requirements, so it is as strong as it needs to be. When using the Linux password generator, the user can be comforted by the fact that it is creating a password that fits with all of the Linux requirements without them needing to think about it themselves.
Linux Needs Two Passwords
After installing Linux, the user will be prompted to create two passwords – a root password and a user password. This comes from the Unix directory conventions.
The root password is for the superuser. This user can bypass any rules or regulations on the operating system because they have the authority. A regular user’s password has to still go through the system as usual and place their password into specific fields to gain access. This may not sound very cool, but it is actually extremely important.
In the Linux world, the system contains many files, but not everyone can access them because they are a non-Linux user. Some of the files that can be accessed are connected to every device system on the computer. Additionally, these files can sometimes ‘speak’ to other sockets and programs.
With this much power with the root account, the user can delete some significant bits of files that contribute to the operation of the system. Therefore, this password needs to be one of the most robust passwords you create because if someone can access this account, your computer is completely compromised, and there is no returning from that.
When it comes to the regular user password, that should still be strong as well. However, when completing tasks on your laptop or computer, it is encouraged to only use the regular user password. The last thing you want to do, by accident, is use the root password and delete essential files. Once these files are deleted, then they are gone for the rest of eternity.
Additionally, it is not recommended to digitally keep a copy of the root user account password. Your phone can be easily compromised no matter where you are. That is why VPNs are also encouraged on cellphones because connecting to a public Wi-Fi can leave you open to hackers and malicious software.
If these hackers find your root user account saved in your phone, they can now hack your laptop or computer very easily. Once this is done, then the damage can be severe and unreversible.
Multiple People on Linux
Linux was made to be a multi-user operating system. That is one of the biggest reasons for a root and a user password. While using Linux, there can be up to eight different people using the same system. That does not mean they have access to your information because they do not. They only have access to their files and information.
However, with so many people on one operating system, it is recommended to have a strong password. This is because one of them could hack your account and go through your files one day. Obviously, we do not want that to happen, so creating a strong password is the only way to combat this possibility.
Also, the root password is so important because the individual who has the root password can access every single account on the computer. That is a scary thought because that said person can change anyone’s password, go through their files, and change the operating files themselves. It is encouraged that whoever does have the root password does not use it maliciously.
Moreover, the root password mustn’t be accessible to other users who do not need it. The last thing you need is someone getting their hands on the root password and messing up everyone else’s accounts. Therefore, a firm root and user password are encouraged because that person may get discouraged from trying to hack either account.
The Shadow Password File
A shadow password file is the system file that has all the encrypted user passwords. This file is only accessible to the root user because it prevents unauthorized users or malicious accounts from breaking into the system. Traditional storing of passwords in the /etc/passwd file was not adopted with Linux because it left the system vulnerable. That is why the /etc/shadow was created.
Other users in this file can read specific information. Still, all the sensitive information is kept secret from everyone except for the root user or the user given sudo privileges. Each password is stored in an encrypted version within the file. When users are trying to access the file, their password is run through the encryption to see what access to grant them.
This is a very clever way of making sure it only gives the correct access to specific users. Moreover, every single password is combined with a hashing algorithm within the file, with an option to add salt and greater randomness to the mix.
If a malicious user managed to get into the file, they would have a lot of work to do to crack any of the information and passwords. They need to figure out which hashing algorithm is used to decode the stored file. This is a long and convoluted way to get this information, so it does help deter those people.
Some Shadow Password Files Have Passwords
The root user can access the shadow password file, but some also place a password for the file itself. This is an excellent measure to take because of all the sensitive information kept within it. However, the file only has the outdated and essential Data Encryption Standard (DES) algorithm. That means that hackers who can crack the DES algorithm may get access to the information.
When creating a password for the shadow file, it is encouraged to have a strong password. That is because if it is an easy one, then the hacker can access this file within a few hours. However, password generators are an excellent place to start because they can create very strong passwords.
However, as previously stated, it is essential to be very cautious with generated passwords regarding sensitive information. This is because you do not know how they are keeping your generated passwords safe, so it is better just not to have any trace of what password is being used for this sensitive file.
Should I Use the Same Password for Both Linux Passwords?
No. After reading this post, it has become clear that you are going to need two different Linux passwords, one for the superuser account and one for the normal user account. Also, you might want to create passwords for multiple shadow files on the operating system. If this is the case, do not use the same password throughout Linux.
The reason why you do not want to use the same password is because once a hacker figures it out, they then have complete access to everything. Use the Linux password generator for the different passwords you need, so your operating system is completely protected. Otherwise, you have made it too easy to be hacked and anyone can go into your system and make some drastic changes.