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Choosing a root password

Click on Root password from the LBA-Linux Configurator menu. Here, you must provide a password for the LBA-Linux root (administrator) account.

To set a root password:

1. Think of a good password and enter it in the Root Password box.
2. Enter the exact same password again in the Confirm box.
3. Continue to the Network Setup screen by clicking the Next button at the lower right of the screen.

The root password must be at least six characters long. You won't be able to read the password as you type it. Instead, each character of the password will appear as "*" - this is one of LBA-Linux's security features. As a precaution against typos, you are required to enter the password twice--once in the Root Password box and again in the Confirm box.

To ensure a high level of security the password should contain one or more digits and/or special characters, for example , #, { or !. Avoid choosing a password that consists only of letters of the alphabet--such passwords are not particularly secure.

Good passwords shouldn't be actual words, or make any obvious sense. However, you should choose a root password you will be certain to remember.

Bad password choices include:

• Names. Don't use "root", your own name or the names of friends, relatives or pets, e.g. "Michael", "Dianne" etc.
• Ordinary words, e.g. "computer", "chocolate", and especially "password".
• Meaningful numbers. Don't use your birthdate, phone number, bank account number or any other number associated with you.

Good passwords include these features:

• A MIxtUrE of upper and lower case characters.
• Numb3r5 as well as letters.
• Punctuation marks and other special characters, to make the password rea!!y h*rd to gue$$.

If the computer won't accept your chosen password:

• Check that your password is at least six characters long. Shorter passwords will not be accepted.
• Check that your keyboard's caps lock key is not on. Passwords are case sensitive; capitals and lower case letters are treated differently.
• Try entering the password again in both the Root password and Confirm boxes.

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