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• Definition: Linux Password Management involves the mechanisms and tools used to securely store, manage, and authenticate user passwords on a Linux system.

• Function: Ensures that user passwords are stored securely, allows users to manage their passwords, and facilitates authentication for system access and services.

• Components:
  • /etc/passwd: A file that stores user account information, but not passwords.
  • /etc/shadow: A file that stores encrypted user password information.
  • PAM (Pluggable Authentication Modules): A suite of security libraries that handle authentication tasks.
  • Password Management Tools: Utilities like `passwd`, `chage`, and `usermod` for managing user passwords.

• Features:
  • Password Encryption: Uses password hashing algorithms (e.g., SHA-512) to encrypt passwords stored in the /etc/shadow file.
  • Linux Password Policies: Enforce rules such as minimum password length, password complexity, and password expiration periods to enhance security.
  • Linux Password Management Tools: Provide commands for Linux users and Linux administrators to change passwords, set expiration dates, and configure password policies.
  • Linux Authentication Mechanisms: Integrates with various authentication methods, including local files, Linux LDAP, and Linux Kerberos.

• Usage: Critical for system security, ensuring that only authorized users can access the system and its resources.

• Changing a user's password:

   ```bash
   passwd 
   ```

• Viewing password expiration information:

   ```bash
   chage -l 
   ```

• Forcing a user to change their password at next login:

   ```bash
   chage -d 0 
   ```

• Configuring password policies (e.g., minimum password length):

   * Edit the `[[/etc/security/pwquality.conf]]` file to set desired password policies.

• Linux Password Management: Involves securely storing, managing, and authenticating user passwords using tools and mechanisms like /etc/shadow, PAM, and various password management utilities to ensure system security.