1GPASSWD(1) User Commands GPASSWD(1)
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6 gpasswd - administer the /etc/group file
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9 gpasswd group
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11 gpasswd -a user group
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13 gpasswd -d user group
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15 gpasswd -R group
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17 gpasswd -r group
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19 gpasswd [-A user,...] [-M user,...] group
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22 gpasswd is used to administer the /etc/group file (and /etc/gshadow
23 file if compiled with SHADOWGRP defined). Every group can have
24 administrators, members and a password. System administrator can use -A
25 option to define group administrator(s) and -M option to define members
26 and has all rights of group administrators and members.
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28 Notes about group passwords
29 Group passwords are an inherent security problem since more than one
30 person is permitted to know the password. However, groups are a useful
31 tool for permitting co-operation between different users.
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34 Group administrator can add and delete users using -a and -d options
35 respectively. Administrators can use -r option to remove group
36 password. When no password is set only group members can use newgrp to
37 join the group. Option -R disables access via a password to the group
38 through newgrp command (however members will still be able to switch to
39 this group).
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41 gpasswd called by a group administrator with group name only prompts
42 for the group password. If password is set the members can still
43 newgrp(1) without a password, non-members must supply the password.
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46 /etc/group
47 Group account information.
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49 /etc/gshadow
50 Secure group account information.
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53 newgrp(1), gshadow(5), groupadd(8), groupdel(8), groupmod(8), grpck(8),
54 group(5).
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58User Commands 07/30/2006 GPASSWD(1)