How to Change the Root Password With SSH

Change your root password quickly through SSH.

The Secure Shell (SSH) protocol provides a secure channel for the transfer of information between two networked computers. The protocol uses encryption techniques specifically designed to ensure data security over insecure networks such as the Internet. SSH is most commonly used on Unix or Linux machines to execute commands through a shell account, including the changing of root passwords. Performing this task is quick and easy.

Things You'll Need

• Shell account access
• SSH client (e.g. PuTTY, OpenSSH)

Instructions

1. Open your SSH client.

2. Log into your shell account, providing your username and current password.

3. Type "passwd" (do not include quotation marks) and press the "Enter" key.

4. Type your current password and press "Enter."

5. Type your new password and press "Enter."

6. Type your new password again to confirm it, and then press "Enter." Your root password has been successfully changed through SSH.

References

• Oklahoma State University, Bioinformatics: Change Password Using PuTTY
• 1&1 Webhosting: How to Change the Root Password Using SSH