How to Manually Encrypt Passwords on a Cisco Router

How to Manually Encrypt Passwords on a Cisco Router

One of the essential aspects of securing your network infrastructure is by encrypting passwords on your Cisco router. To manually encrypt passwords on a Cisco router, you can use the 'service password-encryption' command. This command ensures that your passwords are stored in an encrypted format in the router's configuration file.

Here is how you can manually encrypt passwords on a Cisco router:

1. Access the Cisco router's command-line interface (CLI).
2. Enter global configuration mode by typing 'enable' and then 'configure terminal.'
3. Enter the 'service password-encryption' command in the global configuration mode. This command encrypts all clear-text passwords that are configured on the router.
4. Configure your desired passwords using the 'enable password' or 'enable secret' commands. These passwords will now be stored in an encrypted format in the configuration file.
5. Exit the global configuration mode by typing 'exit' and save the configuration by typing 'write memory' or 'copy running-config startup-config.'

By manually encrypting passwords on your Cisco router, you add an extra layer of security to your network infrastructure, making it harder for malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.