Understanding How Linux Password Encryption Works

By Admin
April 22, 2024
4 min read

How Does Linux Password Encryption Work?

In Linux, password encryption is primarily handled using the SHA-512 hashing algorithm. When a user creates or updates their password, it is run through a one-way hash function which converts the plain text password into a fixed-length string of characters, making it virtually impossible to reverse engineer the original password.

The /etc/shadow file is where the encrypted passwords are stored in Linux systems. Each user has a unique entry in this file that includes their encrypted password, along with other user-specific information.

When a user tries to log in, the password they enter is hashed using the same algorithm and compared to the stored hash in the /etc/shadow file. If the two hashes match, the user is granted access.

It is important to note that Linux password encryption helps to secure user credentials and prevent unauthorized access to the system.

Additional Links


How Does Linux Store Passwords
What Is Password Encryption
Where Is Password Stored In Linux
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