NAME

def_passwd − the default password parameters file

DESCRIPTION

The file /etc/default/passwd contains variables relating to user passwords.  This file is not required.  If it does not exist, then the all of the defaults listed below will take effect.  If a variable is not defined, then its default will take effect.  The variables are defined as follows:

PASSLENGTH The minimum length of characters in a password.  This should be set to a minimum of 6.  The default value is 6. 

MINWEEKS The minimum number of weeks before a user can change their password.  The default value is 2. 

MAXWEEKS The maximum number of weeks that a user can have the same password.  The default value is 4. 

PASSGEN The method of password generation.  If defined as HUMAN, then users are allowed to generate their own passwords.  Otherwise, users will be given machine generated passwords.  The default is to have the machine generate passwords. 

Comment lines are indicated with # characters at the beginning of lines. 

EXAMPLES

The following is an example of /etc/default/passwd. 

#
# Example /etc/default/passwd file
#
PASSLENGTH=6
MINWEEKS=1
MAXWEEKS=8
PASSGEN=HUMAN

FILES

/etc/passwd
/etc/default/passwd

SEE ALSO

passwd(1)

(Security Enhancement)