ARCHIVED: In Unix, how do I change my password?

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To safeguard your Unix account, you should change your password at least every six months. For more information on what constitutes a secure password, see Your IU passphrase.

The Unix passwd command

The standard Unix command to change your password is:

  passwd

The computer will prompt you for your old password, ask for a new password, and ask that you repeat your new password for verification. You should choose a password of at least eight characters, two of which must be non-alphabetic characters. Unix is case sensitive, and UITS recommends that you use lowercase characters. This command will change the password only on the computer you are currently using.

Changing your passphrase on a UITS central system

For information about changing or resetting passphrases on UITS systems, see:

At Indiana University, for personal or departmental Linux or Unix systems support, see Get help for Linux or Unix at IU.

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Last modified on 2018-01-18 08:55:55.