how can i make a root password to be a 4 digit pin code?

[ronjjjg8885]

i've a media center computer that i want a short password to, but ubuntu won't allow this.. is there a way to fix this?
i use a remote control and it is not comfortable to type a long password in it..

tnx

[Holger_Gehrke]

I don't know about the password for root since the root user is not allowed to login directly on Ubuntu for security reasons, but you can set a password for any other user from the command line using the command 'passwd'. While the graphical tool to set passwords enforces a minimum length (6 characters on Xubuntu 22.04) passwd doesn't. In a test i could change the password for my secondary account to a single character.

Holger

[HermanAB]

I know you don’t want to hear this, but don’t set a short 4 letter password. You will be sorry eventually and you will have to reinstall to get rid of the script kiddies.

You should use at least a 12 digit password to keep scoundrels out.

[TheFu]

I have my media center playback devices (not the server), automatically login and start the software. The userid is "kodi" and the setup just has a check-box.

If you want to set a password for a user that doesn't meet the built-in minimim standards, usually, typing the non-compliant password 3 times will force it.

$ passwd 
Old Password: xxxxxx
New Password: yyyyyy
To short, again?  yyyyyy
To short, again?  yyyyyy
$

And that's it. I don't know the exact prompts, but something like that.

For systems on the internet, passwords should be over 12 characters and never allow password-based logins over the internet, always use cert or key-based credentials over the internet. As everyone here probably knows, setting up ssh-keys is just 2 commands from the client. It is both more secure AND more convenient. That never happens, except with ssh-keys.

[currentshaft]

I know you don’t want to hear this, but don’t set a short 4 letter password. You will be sorry eventually and you will have to reinstall to get rid of the script kiddies.

You should use at least a 12 digit password to keep scoundrels out.

Stop the FUD, please.

There are appropriate uses of short passwords, even no password, even no encryption under certain conditions. An example of that would be a shared media PC inside a home which is both physically controlled and is behind a NAT.

OP: change the password as root, it will bypass PAM policy enforcing a minimum requirement.

[ronjjjg8885]

tnx i will use the command

the thing is that when the computer goes to a suspend mode it requiring me the password after waking the computer..
is there a fix for that that will make it not ask me for password?


so what you are saying is that if the computer is connected to the internet i will need a 12 character good password?


the other issue are the updates that also need a password..

i've a remote like that..
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=%22Pepper+...22&t=lm&ia=web
not easy to type with it..

while using windows i never needed a password once after the initial logging in.
on ubuntu i set it to not ask for a password upon logging in but there are other occasios when i you do need it..

i wish it was simpler

[HermanAB]

I wish it was FUD. I’ve been around the block a few times.

[yancek]

the other issue are the updates that also need a password.

Updates are modifying/adding to system files which require root/sudo permissions. If you don't have any type security such as a password, anyone with physical access can do anything they want including delete your data. If you like the windows way of doing things why not use it? Did you search online how to disable password request after suspend on Ubuntu? I found a number of sites but some are for specific release versions of Ubuntu and may not work on other versions. Since you haven't indicated which Ubuntu you are using, just put that into your search.

[dragonfly41]

i wish it was simpler

On the subject of password management I've recently started using a Proton account and I find the companion Proton Pass to be very useful. But Proton structure takes a bit of getting used to. I'm still learning.

[deadflowr]

the thing is that when the computer goes to a suspend mode it requiring me the password after waking the computer..
is there a fix for that that will make it not ask me for password?

Settings > Privacy and Security > Toggle Lock Screen on Suspend to off.
And also toggle Automatic Screen Locking to off as well.