NAME

passwd − change login password

SYNOPSIS

passwd [ −f filename ] [ username ]

DESCRIPTION

This command changes (or installs) a password associated with the username (your own by default). 

passwd prompts for the old password and then for the new one.  You must supply both, and the new password must be typed twice to forestall mistakes. 

New passwords should be at least five characters long, if they combine upper and lower-case characters, or at least six characters long if in monocase.  Users that persist in entering shorter passwords are compromising their own security. 

Only the owner of the name or the super-user may change a password; the owner must prove he knows the old password. 

Use yppasswd to change your password in the network yellow pages.  This will not affect your local password, or your password on any remote machines on which you have accounts. 

OPTIONS

−f Treat file as the password file. 

FILES

/etc/passwd
/etc/yp/passwd

SEE ALSO

login(1), passwd(5), yppasswd(1)

Robert Morris and Ken Thompson, UNIX Password Security

BUGS

passwd will change a local password, but not a password in the network Yellow Pages.  Refer to yppasswd(1) for information on how to change a Yellow Pages password.

Sun Release 3.2  —  Last change: 23 September 1985