Where are user passwords stored in a Unix system?

Question

Traditionally, Unix uses the /etc/passwd file to keep track of every user on the system. The /etc/passwd file contains the username, real name, identification information, and basic account information for each user. Each line in the file contains a database record; the record fields are separated by a colon (:).

Where are passwords stored on Unix?

Traditional password files are maintained in /etc/passwd, but the actual hashed passwords are stored in /etc/shadow.

Where are Linux user passwords stored?

The /etc/passwd is the password file that stores each user account. The /etc/shadow file stores contain the password hash information for the user account and optional aging information. The /etc/group file is a text file that defines the groups on the system.

Where are system user passwords stored?

The /etc/passwd file, which contains information about all users, including their encrypted password, is readable by all users, making it possible for any user to get the encrypted password of everyone on the system.

Which files stored passwords in Unix?

Traditionally, the /etc/passwd file is used to keep track of every registered user that has access to a system. The /etc/passwd file is a colon-separated file that contains the following information: User name. Encrypted password.

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