Re: Password vs Passphrase (Was: Do I need a firewall?)

[Steve Holdoway]

Christopher Sawtell wrote:
On Fri, 22 Apr 2005 16:25, Steve Holdoway wrote:
 

The point is that everyone can read /etc/passwd and /etc/shadow,
   

No, not /etc/shadow, unless they have 0wn3d the machine already, that's the 
whole point of the shadow mechanism. Some unix systems even have it readonly 
for root.

[EMAIL PROTECTED] ~ $ ls -l /etc/shadow
-rw-------  1 root root 1333 Apr 17 16:41 /etc/shadow
--
C. S.
 

Sorry, brain fade. An overdose of 60Hz monitors brought on the usual 
migraine. /etc/passwd gives them a list of accounts to attack, which is 
a) pretty dire, and b) extremely difficult to quickly change.

Cheers,
steve