

In the case of an Ubuntu system, the default root user account is initially disabled, but users can still make relevant changes if they know the system’s root password. The root user, by virtue of his exclusive rights, is authorized to change and override the permissions of other users. In these systems, users need the root user’s permission to make changes. The root user has the most power over the Linux system. Typing passwd -w 7 root will send you warnings about changing the root password a week prior to the deadline you previously set with the -x flag.In systems based on the Linux platform, the root account is first in the user role hierarchy. Upon expiration, you must change the password.Īdditionally, you could use the -w flag to set the number of days required for an advanced warning about the need to change the password. For example, typing passwd -x 30 root will make the root password valid for only 30 days. Yes, you can! Using the -x flag, you can set the lifespan for the password of a particular user. Can I create an expiration date for passwords?

If you have configured another user with the UID 0, then in this case, the root and superuser passwords are not the same. In Ubuntu, the superuser is the one with User ID 0. Changing the root password should also change the superuser password. In most cases, the root user is the same as the superuser. What is the difference between root and superuser password? The only difference now is that outsiders won’t be able to just slide in and do the same themselves. You can still do it easily from grub as described above as long as you are able to gain access to the disk.

How does full disk encryption affect my ability to change my root password?Īlthough encryption can complicate things when you’re trying to repair a problem on Linux, this is not the case when you’re trying to change the root password. If you would like to be more cautious with who has access to these sorts of privileges, you should encrypt your hard disk so that it can’t be booted into or mounted easily. Do note that anyone who has access to your computer can use this method to reset your superuser or root password. Lastly, remove the Live CD and reboot into your Linux system.Ĭhanging the root password in Linux is easy once you get over the intimidation of the extra steps you have to take.
