How to Change Your Password on the Ubuntu Terminal

Ubuntu, one of the most popular Linux distributions, offers a powerful and flexible command-line interface (CLI) for managing system settings and user accounts. One of the essential tasks you might need to perform is changing your password. Whether you're a new user or a seasoned administrator, knowing how to change your password via the terminal can be incredibly useful. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.

Changing Your User Password

1. Open the Terminal:
   
   
   
   • You can open the terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T or by searching for "Terminal" in the Ubuntu Dash.
   
   
   
   


2. Use the passwd Command:
   
   
   
   • To change your current user's password, simply type the following command and press Enter:
     

     passwd
     
     

     
     
   
   
   • The terminal will prompt you to enter your current password. This is a security measure to ensure that you are the authorized user.
   
   
   
   


3. Enter Your Current Password:
   
   
   
   • Type your current password and press Enter. Note that as you type, no characters will be displayed on the screen for security reasons.
   
   
   
   


4. Enter the New Password:
   
   
   
   • After successfully verifying your current password, the terminal will prompt you to enter your new password. Type your new password and press Enter.
   
   
   
   


5. Confirm the New Password:
   
   
   
   • You will be asked to retype the new password to confirm it. Type it again and press Enter.
   
   
   
   


6. Password Change Confirmation:
   
   
   
   • If the passwords match, you will see a message confirming that the password has been updated successfully. For example:
     

     passwd: password updated successfully
     
     

     
     
   
   
   
   

Changing the Root Password

If you need to change the root password, the process is similar but requires elevated privileges. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open the Terminal:
   
   
   
   • As mentioned earlier, open the terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T or by searching for "Terminal" in the Ubuntu Dash.
   
   
   
   


2. Use the passwd Command with sudo:
   
   
   
   • To change the root password, you need to use the sudo command to run the passwd command with elevated privileges. Type the following command and press Enter:
     

     sudo passwd root
     
     

     
     
   
   
   • You will be prompted to enter your current user's password to verify your identity.
   
   
   
   


3. Enter Your Current User Password:
   
   
   
   • Type your current user password and press Enter.
   
   
   
   


4. Enter the New Root Password:
   
   
   
   • The terminal will prompt you to enter the new root password. Type it and press Enter.
   
   
   
   


5. Confirm the New Root Password:
   
   
   
   • Retype the new root password to confirm it and press Enter.
   
   
   
   


6. Password Change Confirmation:
   
   
   
   • If the passwords match, you will see a message confirming that the root password has been updated successfully.
   
   
   
   

Additional Tips

• Password Strength: Ensure that your new password is strong and secure. A strong password typically includes a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.


• Regular Updates: It's a good security practice to change your passwords regularly.


• Backup: If you manage multiple systems, consider using a password manager to keep track of your passwords securely.

Conclusion

Changing your password on the Ubuntu terminal is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few steps. Whether you are changing your user password or the root password, the passwd command is your go-to tool. For more detailed information and additional options, you can refer to the official documentation or this comprehensive guide: How to Change the Root Password on the Terminal in Ubuntu.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your Ubuntu system remains secure and that your user accounts are protected.