Locking users after X failed login attempts with pam_tally2

Using pam_tally2 on Linux Most Linux distributions use pluggable authentication modules (PAM). This modular type of configuration allows system administrators to configure and fine-tune the authentication of users. It also defines the behavior on specific events, like providing an invalid user account or password. PAM can use these events to automatically take an action, like locking an account. Introduction to PAM The configuration of PAM is not that hard, but there are risks involved in the process of making changes. […]

Configure the minimum password length on Linux systems

Linux and password strength One of the options to improve password security is by setting a minimum length. This prevents users from choosing easy passwords. As part of Linux system hardening, you don’t want your passwords to be cracked too quickly by modern password crackers. Configuration Login settings The first area where you can set a password length is in /etc/login.defs. The related setting is PASS_MINLEN and already tells us it is about the minimum length of a password. Modern Linux […]