passwd (change password) in Linux CLI - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the primary purpose of the passwd command in Linux?

The passwd command is used to change a user's password securely on a Linux system.

beginner

Which user can change another user's password using passwd?

Only the root user (administrator) can change other users' passwords using passwd username.

beginner

What happens if you run passwd without any arguments?

It prompts you to change the password of the current logged-in user.

beginner

Why does passwd not show characters when you type your new password?

For security, passwd hides input so no one can see your password as you type.

intermediate

How can you force a user to change their password at next login?

Use passwd -e username to expire the password and require a change on next login.

What does the command passwd do when run by a normal user?

A Deletes the current user's password

B Displays the current user's password

C Changes another user's password

D Changes the current user's password

Running passwd without arguments lets a user change their own password.

Who can change another user's password using passwd username?

A Only root user

B No one can change others' passwords

C Only users in the sudo group

D Any logged-in user

Only the root user has permission to change other users' passwords.

What option forces a user to change their password at next login?

A -e

B -d

C -l

D -r

The -e option expires the password, requiring a change on next login.

Why does passwd not show your password characters when typing?

A Because the terminal is broken

B For security to hide your password

C To save screen space

D Because passwords are not needed

Hiding password input prevents others from seeing your password.

What happens if you run passwd username as root?

A Locks the user account

B Deletes the user

C Changes the password for the specified user

D Displays user info

Root can change any user's password by specifying the username.

Explain how to change your own password using the passwd command.

Think about what happens when you just type 'passwd' and press enter.

Describe how an administrator can force a user to update their password at next login.

Look for the option that expires passwords.