Securing Ubuntu 17.04 with Sudo: How to Find and Change Your Password

Administering a Unix-like operating system such as Ubuntu comes with the responsibility of performing actions with elevated permissions, often necessitating the use of sudo commands. This article will guide you through understanding sudo and its role in granting and revoking permission, as well as how to find and change your sudo password for Ubuntu 17.04.

Understanding Sudo and Its Importance

sudo is a facility that allows a user to temporarily switch to another user (such as root) to perform administrative tasks. When performing these tasks, the user is required to enter a password, which is generally the password of the user who is being switched to. For example, if you need to run a command as root, you use sudo, and it prompts for your user password rather than the root password. This ensures that non-root users are not granted direct access to administrative functions, providing an additional layer of security.

Default Sudo Password for Ubuntu 17.04

On a fresh installation of Ubuntu 17.04, the password required by sudo is the same as the one you used during the initial setup. However, it is critical to understand that while the password used is the user's password, the ability to use sudo is controlled by the /etc/sudoers file. Only the root user has the authority to edit this file to grant and revoke sudo permissions. Therefore, simply knowing the password isn't enough; one must also have the necessary permissions.

Changing the Sudo Password

If you are a regular user on an Ubuntu 17.04 system and you need to change the sudo password, you can do so using the following steps:

Login to the System: Make sure you are logged into your Ubuntu 17.04 system using your current user account. Open Terminal: You can do this by going to Applications Accessories Terminal. Enter the Command: In the terminal, type the following command and press Enter:

sudo passwd [username]

Here, replace [username] with your actual username. Provide Your Password: You will be prompted to enter your current user password. Do so, and then enter a new password twice during the confirmation process. Confirmation: If everything goes smoothly, the system will notify you that the password has been successfully changed.

Security Measures and Best Practices

When working with sudo and administrative privileges, it is essential to follow some best practices to ensure security and maintain system integrity:

Limit Administrative Access: Grant sudo permissions only to users who require them for their specific tasks. Avoid the temptation to provide root access to everyone. Use Strong Passwords: Ensure that the password you set is strong and difficult to guess. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords. Regular Audits: Periodically review the sudoers file to ensure that only the required users have sudo access. This can help prevent unauthorized access and privilege escalation. Enable Command Logging: Enable logging of sudo commands in the /var/log/secure file to track who performs sudo actions and when. This can be crucial for forensic analysis and security auditing.

Conclusion

With a deep understanding of how sudo works and the flexibility to change your sudo password, you can enhance the security of your Ubuntu 17.04 installation. Regularly reviewing security practices and maintaining a secure environment is key to protecting your system from potential threats. For further assistance and detailed configurations, refer to the official Ubuntu documentation or seek support from professional IT resources.