The password in the password file can't be decrypted!
The password you type in is encrypted and then compared
against the password file. If it matches, then you are in.
That's why your friendly sysadmin can't tell you what your
current password is...all he can do is give you another one.
> Maurice Hendrix wrote:
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > I have a question about password encryption used by Linux (PAM I think).
> >
> > Could somebody explain to me why it would be impossible to write a program
> > that will decrypt a password taken from the /etc/passwd file (or it's
> > shadow) using the inverse of the encryption algorithm? What *is* the
> > encryption algorithm used anyway?
> >
> > If that isn't a challenge already, try to answer slowly in plain English (I
> > do have fair understanding of math).
> >
> > TIA,
> > --
> > Maurice Hendrix
> >
> > snailmail: Fuji Photo Film BV Standard disclaimers apply
> > Dept. P1LPI
> > attn. M. Hendrix
> > PO Box 90156
> > 5000 LJ Tilburg
> > phone: +31 13-579 1370 or fax: +31 13-579 1385
> >
> > - Still 19 months to go until the next millenium...
>
> --
> My public encryption key is available from
> www.az.com/~drysdam/crypt/rysdam.gpg.html
> and of course www.keyserver.net
>
