Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 11:28:36 +0000 From: "Rhys John" <elite_bizkit@hotmail.com> To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Subject: master.passwd -- securing Message-ID: <Law10-F101X6eDUsca10000d2ab@hotmail.com>
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Ive been playing with "vipw" trying to change passwords into "*" for a slightly higher level of security but ran into some very big problems. From reading through the FreeBSD handbook it seemed all i had to do was replace the encrypted password with *, which is what i did. I thought it seemed a bit odd but continued anyway. Foolishly (although i was quite tired) i did this to both my user account and root. So they both had * as their password and looked the same as every other entry in the file. I saved it and "vipw" updated the database so i thought all was well and logged off to check... big mistake! The net result of this was not good, i couldnt access my user account or root :( Anyway i had to cut the power to my PC since i couldnt shut it down because i was locked out. After that i went into single user mode and changed the passwords back and its working now but i cant hide the passwords. So i guess after all this rambling my question is how to i secure the password file? How do i change from the encrypted password to * without screwing over my system? Any help would by much appreciated - BiZKiT _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself with cool emoticons - download MSN Messenger today! http://www.msn.co.uk/messenger
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