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How to Change Your Linux Account Password

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You can change your Computer Science Linux account password at any time with the passwd command, either at a department Linux workstation (for example in the Linux Lab, SIC 206, or the Big Data Lab, SIC 126) or remotely over SSH (see How to SSH into the Linux Lab). If you do not remember your Linux account password or are unable to log in, ask for help at SIC 227.

Procedure (Local Login)

  1. Log in to a department Linux workstation with your Hofstra Network ID (the same as your Hofstra Portal username) and your Linux account password.
  2. Open the Terminal through the Applications menu in the top left corner of the screen.
  3. Enter the following command to change your Linux account password: 
    passwd
  4. When prompted, enter your current password, then your new password twice. Nothing appears on the screen as you type a password; this is normal behavior.

Procedure (Remote Login)

  1. Log in to a Linux computer using SSH, as described in How to SSH into the Linux Lab.
  2. After logging in, enter the following command to change your Linux password: 
    passwd
  3. When prompted, enter your current password, then your new password twice. Nothing appears on the screen as you type a password; this is normal behavior.

Password rules

The new password must be at least 8 characters long, include at least three kinds of characters (uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, special characters), and must not contain your name or common dictionary words. If you see “Password change failed”, the new password does not meet these rules; choose another one and try again.