Random passwords for users can be generated using the mkpasswd command (which is included with the expect software package). For example, to generate a 10-character pass-word automatically with three numbers and three digits, use ‘mkpasswd -l 10 -d 3 -C 3’. Good passwords are not birthdays, anniversaries, your pet’s name, the name of your significant other, or the model of your first car!
mkpasswd Command Examples
1. To make a new password:
# mkpasswd
2. To assign a new passwd to user:
# mkpasswd mike
3. To defines the length of the password:
# mkpasswd -l 20
4. To defines the minimum number of digits:
# mkpasswd -d 5
5. To defines the minimum number of lowercase alphabetic characters:
# mkpasswd -c 4
6. To defines the minimum number of uppercase alphabetic characters:
# mkpasswd -C 1
7. To names a program to set the password:
# mkpasswd -p /bin/passwd
8. To causes characters to be chosen so that they alternate between right and left hands:
# mkpasswd -2
9. To causes the password-setting interaction to be visible:
# mkpasswd -v