New admin account asking for a password?

Question

I've made new admin account. I did not set a password for that account and it now asks me for the password. Since I can access the account as it automatically logs on when the laptop is turned on, can I set a new password?

Linux is a known for its security. And password protection is first priority of linux. You always have to set password either you use it or not. — Dishank Jindal, Jul 27 '14 at 20:17
@Dishank Thats completely wrong. You can have accounts with no password even root. — squareborg, Jul 27 '14 at 20:44
But when you need to install new packages, you will face auth failed every time. — Dishank Jindal, Jul 27 '14 at 20:46
@Dishank Not if you configure [polkit](http://askubuntu.com/questions/3/how-can-i-set-the-software-center-to-install-software-for-non-root-users/258#258) — squareborg, Jul 27 '14 at 20:54
Regardless, if you don't have a password on auth or admin - you're crazy. — rm-vanda, Jul 27 '14 at 20:56

score 3 · Answer 1 · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:25

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You can set a password from terminal, just open up your favorite terminal and type:

passwd

If your feeling advanced you can stop Ubuntu prompting for password by configuring polkit

Here's an example of configuring polkit to enable users to install apps without authentication.

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:25

Community

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answered Jul 27 '14 at 20:50

squareborg

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Oh yes. I totally forget. Thanks mate. You made my Below answer totally wrong. – Dishank Jindal Jul 27 '14 at 20:51
A much easier way to allow users to install apps without authentication (generally a bad idea) - is to run `sudo visudo` and add: `yourUser ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: /usr/bin/apt-get,/usr/bin/pip #etc` – rm-vanda Jul 27 '14 at 21:02
@rm-vanda Your completely correct. I'm guessing from the tone of the OP's question that they are not of the `sudo apt-get` kind but are using Ubuntu like a good old user and getting hit for GUI authentication. – squareborg Jul 27 '14 at 21:08
Ah, yes, I forget those people exist. O_< -- wouldn't that trick work if the command were `/usr/bin/software-center` -? – rm-vanda Jul 27 '14 at 21:18
@rm-vanda Yes, but user would have to still type `sudo /usr/bin/software-center` – squareborg Jul 27 '14 at 21:26

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 27 '14 at 20:14

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There is no way you can set password from there.

Restart your PC.

Go to recovery mode.

Press enter on prompt-shell

(command prompt will open with root access)

Type :- passwd (admin-name)

Then its all ok.

answered Jul 27 '14 at 20:14

Dishank Jindal

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best answer because it's general -- works in a variety of situations. – Thufir Sep 19 '14 at 05:05

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 27 '14 at 21:00

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From the sounds of it, you may not understand what exactly an "admin" account is - My answer may be irrelevant, but it seems appropriate to leave it here, anyway.

For a user to be an "admin" - they have to be in the sudo group -

$ sudo usermod -G sudo -a yourAdminUser

and then yourAdminUser will be a real admin.

answered Jul 27 '14 at 21:00

rm-vanda

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Simpler way: `sudo adduser yourAdminUser sudo` – muru Jul 27 '14 at 21:12
That works if the user already exists? – rm-vanda Jul 27 '14 at 21:16
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yes. Given that user and group exists, `sudo adduser user group` adds user to group. – muru Jul 27 '14 at 21:17

New admin account asking for a password?

3 Answers3