Changing Your Password

It is good security policy to change your password from time to time. Under your K menu, you'll find an option for changing your password (most likely under the Settings submenu). You can also run the command as in the CD player example above by using your <Alt+F2> run sequence and typing the command kdepasswd. A window will appear (Figure 4-13), asking for your current password.

Figure 4-13. Using kdepasswd to change your password.

graphics/04fig13.jpg

Notice that, like the login manager, your password is not visible. Instead, each key you press is echoed as an asterisk. When you have successfully entered your password, the system will ask you for a new password. Then you'll be asked for the password again, this time for confirmation. That's it. Be sure to remember your new password. You'll need it next time you log in.

Shell Out

You can easily change your password from the command line as well. Just open a shell prompt and type the command "password" as in the example below:

    passwd
    [marcel@mysystem marcel]$ passwd
    Changing password for user marcel.
    (current) UNIX password:
    New UNIX password:
    Retype new UNIX password:
passwd: all authentication tokens updated successfully.