How to Generate Secure Passwords on Linux

Creating secure passwords is a crucial aspect of online security. With the increase in cyber threats and data breaches, having a strong password is more important than ever. In this guide, we will show you how to generate secure passwords on Linux using various tools.

Using PWgen

Pwgen is a command-line utility used to generate random passwords that are secure and difficult to guess. It’s available on many Unix-like operating systems, including Linux, and can be used to generate passwords of various lengths and complexity.

Step 1: Open Terminal

Open the terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T on your keyboard or by searching for it in the applications menu.

Step 2: Install PWgen

On Debian/Ubuntu-based distros, run:

sudo apt install pwgen

On Fedora/RPM-based distros, run:

sudo dnf install pwgen

On Arch-based distros, run:

sudo pacman -S pwgen

Step 3: Generate Password

Once the PWgen package is installed, you can generate a password by running:

pwgen -sy 16 1

This command generates a 16-character password with symbols and numbers. You can change the length of the password by modifying the number after 16, and you can remove symbols by removing the –s flag.

Using OpenSSL

OpenSSL is an open-source implementation of the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols used to encrypt data on the internet. It’s commonly used by web servers to secure connections with clients, and also provides a suite of cryptographic functions.

Step 1: Open Terminal

Open the terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T on your keyboard or by searching for it in the applications menu.

Step 2: Install OpenSSL

On Debian/Ubuntu-based distros, run:

sudo apt install openssl

On Fedora/RPM-based distros, run:

sudo dnf install openssl

On Arch-based distros, run:

sudo pacman -S openssl

Step 3: Generate Password

Once the OpenSSL package is installed, you can generate a password by running:

openssl rand -base64 16

This command generates a 16-character password using base64 encoding. You can change the length of the password by modifying the number after -base64.

Using APG

APG (Automated Password Generator) is a free, open-source command-line password generator tool for Unix-like systems, including Linux. It’s designed to create random and secure passwords that can be used for various applications, including website accounts, system logins, and encryption keys.

Step 1: Open Terminal

Open the terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T on your keyboard or by searching for it in the applications menu.

Step 2: Install APG

On Debian/Ubuntu-based distros, run:

sudo apt install apg

On Fedora/RPM-based distros, run:

sudo dnf install apg

On Arch-based distros, run:

sudo pacman -S apg

Step 3: Generate Password

Once the APG package is installed, you can generate a password using the following command:

apg -n 1 -m 16 -x 16 -M SNCL

This command generates a 16-character password with symbols, numbers, lowercase, and uppercase letters. You can change the length of the password by modifying the number after -m and -x.

Conclusion

In conclusion, generating secure passwords on Linux is easy using various tools like PWgen, OpenSSL, and APG. Remember to use a password manager to store your passwords securely and avoid using the same password for multiple accounts. By following these best practices, you can ensure that your online accounts are secure and protected from cyber threats.