Where Are Passwords Stored in Linux?

Where Are Passwords Stored in Linux?

In Linux systems, passwords are stored in the /etc/shadow file. This file is crucial for maintaining the security of user passwords on the system. Unlike the /etc/passwd file, /etc/shadow is only readable by the root user to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.

The /etc/shadow file stores hashed passwords along with password-related information such as password expiration dates, password aging, and more. This adds an extra layer of security to the password storage process.

It's important to note that the passwords stored in /etc/shadow are hashed using algorithms like SHA-512 to protect them from being easily compromised. This helps in safeguarding user passwords from unauthorized access in case of a security breach.