Make Password Asterisks Visible in the Terminal Window

Make Password Asterisks Visible in the Terminal Window - Printable Version

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Make Password Asterisks Visible in the Terminal Window - anon222 - 01-13-2015

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST:
Echoing asterisks gives away information:
1) Password length, and
2) Makes it easier to video-tape keypresses by syncing them with screen feedback.

We will open the /etc/sudoers file and change a setting.
IMPORTANT: Use extreme caution when editing /etc/sudoers file. Never edit the sudoers file with a normal text editor (leafpad,gedit,mousepad..).
Always use the visudo command as described here. If the sudoers file has improper syntax, you will be left with a system where it’s impossible to obtain elevated or root privileges. The visudo command opens a text editor like you would with normal text files, but the command also validates the syntax of the file upon saving it.This prevents configuration errors in the sudoers file from blocking sudo operations, which could be your only method of obtaining root privileges.

Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open a Terminal window and type in

Code:
sudo visudo

Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move the cursor to the end of the following line:

Code:
Defaults         env_reset

Change the line by adding ,pwfeedback to the end of the line.

Code:
Defaults                 env_reset,pwfeedback

Another way to do it (choose one of them):
You can also press Enter after env_reset to make a new line and type the following on the new line:

Code:
Defaults                 pwfeedback

NOTE: The space between Defaults and pwfeedback should be a tab.
When you type in Defaults press TAB key on your keyboard to add space and then type in pwfeedback
[Image: soP4UzH.png]

Once you're done editing press Ctrl + O to write out the changes.
You will be asked for the File Name to Write at the bottom. Press Enter to accept the default.
When it's saved Press Ctrl + X to close the nano editor.

Now type in

Code:
sudo -k

That will invalidate the user's cached credentials. In other words, the next time sudo is run a password will be required.
Finally type in

Code:
sudo su

Re: Make Password Asterisks Visible in the Terminal Window - Valtam - 01-14-2015

Should give peace of mind to some of the new people to linux as this has come up a few times before. The warning is appropriate. Thanks Misko Smile

Re: Make Password Asterisks Visible in the Terminal Window - anon222 - 01-15-2015

(01-14-2015, 01:09 AM)Jerry link Wrote: Should give peace of mind to some of the new people to linux as this has come up a few times before. The warning is appropriate. Thanks Misko

I've noticed that in a few threads. People usually think something is wrong when they type and nothing shows up on a screen.

Re: Make Password Asterisks Visible in the Terminal Window - shengchieh - 01-15-2015

If no asterisk, at least the users should be warned. Adding asterisk to terminal password is nice.

Sheng-Chieh

Re: Make Password Asterisks Visible in the Terminal Window - anon222 - 01-15-2015

shengchieh, thank you for the sugggestion. I thought that was covered in the help manual but I couldn't find it.
Suggestions for the help manual are in this thread https://www.freecinema2022.gq/forums/index.php?topic=1437.0
You can post your suggestions there. All ideas and suggestions and ideas are always welcome.