When it comes to security, it is essential to keep your passwords strong and updated regularly. Changing your password regularly ensures an added layer of security to your system from unauthorized access. In this blog, we will discuss the challenge of changing passwords and how to overcome it on Ubuntu 18.04. We will also provide several methods to change your password quickly and easily.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Changing Passwords on Ubuntu 18.04
If you are a beginner with Ubuntu, changing your password can be a challenging task. Unlike other operating systems, it requires multiple steps to complete this simple task. Moreover, it can be confusing when you try to change your password through the command line interface. It becomes even more challenging if you don’t have administrator rights. However, with a few simple steps, you can easily change your password.
Things You Should Prepare for
We assume that you have already logged in to your Ubuntu 18.04 system and want to change your password. Before you start with the password changing process, you need to ensure that:
– You have administrative privilege on the system.
– The password you intend to change is not a weak password.
– You have remembered new and strong password.
Method 1: Via Terminal
The most commonly used method to change the password on Ubuntu 18.04 is via the terminal. The terminal is the command-line interface of the Ubuntu operating system. Follow the following steps to change your password via the terminal.
Step 1: Open Terminal:
Press "Ctrl + Alt + T" or search for "Terminal" through the Ubuntu 18.04 search bar.
Step 2: Type the Command:
Type the following command in the terminal window to start the password change process.
`sudo passwd`
Step 3: Enter Current Password:
You will be prompted to enter your current password. Type your current password and press enter.
Step 4: Enter New Password:
You will be prompted to enter your new password. Type your new password, and press enter. Keep in mind that your new password must be unique and include strong characters and symbols.
Step 5: Confirm Password:
You will be prompted again to enter your new password, this time to confirm the changes. Re-enter your new password and press enter.
Your password has been changed successfully.
Pros:
– Simple and easy to use.
– No additional software is required.
– Increases command-line experience.
Cons:
– It requires administrator privileges.
– There is no password strength indicator.
– It requires memorization of commands.
Method 2: Via User Accounts
Ubuntu 18.04 also provides an easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI) method to change your password. Follow these steps to change your password through the user account tab.
Step 1: Open User Accounts:
Click on the Activities button in the top left corner of the screen and search for "User Accounts" in the Ubuntu search bar. Click Enter to open the User Accounts tab.
Step 2: Click on your Account:
Click on your account, which you want to change the password for.
Step 3: Click on the Password settings:
Click on the "Password Settings" located on the right lower side of the tab.
Step 4: Enter Current Password:
You will be prompted to enter your current password. Type your current password and press enter.
Step 5: Enter New Password:
You will be prompted to enter your new password. Type your new password, and press enter. Keep in mind that your new password must be unique and include strong characters and symbols.
Step 6: Confirm Password:
You will be prompted again to enter your new password, this time to confirm the changes. Re-enter your new password and press enter.
Your password has been changed successfully.
Pros:
– Easy to use GUI interface.
– No need for command line experience.
– Password strength indicator is present.
Cons:
– Administrator rights are required.
– Graphical interface may be slower than the command line method.
– Limited password strength enforcement options.
Method 3: Via Recovery Mode
If you have forgotten your current password and cannot access your account, Ubuntu 18.04 provides a recovery mode option to change your password. Follow the below steps.
Step 1: Boot into Recovery Mode:
Restart your computer and press the Esc key repeatedly. The GNU GRUB boot loader appears. Select Option Advanced options for Ubuntu and press Enter. Next, choose the recovery mode option and press enter.
Step 2: Choose "Drop to root shell prompt":
From the GNU GRUB recovery menu, choose "Drop to root shell prompt." A root shell command-line appears.
Step 3: Remount the File System in Read/Write Mode:
Type the below command and press enter to remount your file system in read/write mode. This will allow you to modify your system’s files.
`mount -rw -o remount /`
Step 4: Reset the Password:
Type the following command and press enter to reset your password.
`passwd your_username`
You will be prompted to enter a new password for the selected user account. Type your new password, and press enter to confirm it.
Step 5: Exit and Reboot:
After resetting your password successfully, type the following command to exit the root shell prompt and reboot your system.
`exit`
`reboot`
Pros:
– Accesible even when you have forgotten your password.
– Requires no additional software.
Cons:
– Clunky and slightly more time-consuming than previous methods.
– Admin Privileges are required.
– No password strength indicator.
Why Can’t I Change My Password on Ubuntu 18.04?
There could be several reasons you might not be able to change your password. Some common issues include:
1. You have forgotten your current password.
2. You might not have administrative rights.
3. The root account is not enabled.
4. The password you are changing it to is not strong enough.
Fixes:
1. Use the Recovery mode method to reset your password.
2. Ensure that you are logging in from an administrator account.
3. Check if the root account is enabled using the "sudo passwd root" command.
4. Try changing your password with a stronger combination of symbols.
Additional Tips
– Use a different password for every system you access.
– Use a password manager tool for more secure, complex, and unique passwords.
– Enable two-factor authentication for additional security.
5 FAQs about Changing Password on Ubuntu 18.04
Q1. Can I change my password without logging in to my Ubuntu account?
A1. Yes, you can use the recovery mode method to reset your password if you have forgotten your current password and cannot access your account.
Q2. How can I check the strength of my password on Ubuntu 18.04?
A2. The simplest way is to use the password strength checker tool available in the graphical user interface of Ubuntu 18.04.
Q3. Can I change the password of another user account in Ubuntu 18.04?
A3. Only users with administrative privileges can change passwords for other user accounts.
Q4. What happens if I forget my new password?
A4. You can use recovery mode to reset your forgotten password, but all data stored on the account will be lost.
Q5. Can I use the same password as before?
A5. You can reuse the same password as before, but it is best to use different and more secure passwords as often as possible.
In Conclusion
Changing the password regularly is an essential aspect of maintaining system security. With the help of the methods we have shown, changing your password on Ubuntu 18.04 can be made simple and straightforward, even for beginners. Follow the correct steps, and always keep your password secure to keep your Ubuntu 18.04 system secure.
