5.1.2 Password Aging

If your system is using password aging (implemented with options to the passwd command), your password may have either a maximum, or a maximum and minimum lifespan. The lifespan of your password is set by your system administrator.

When the maturity date (or maximum age) of your password is reached, you are prompted to change your password. This occurs when you log in. The following is displayed:

Your password has expired. Choose a new one.

The system then automatically runs the passwd program and prompts you for a new password.

If, for example, the minimum age of your password has been set for two weeks, and you try to change your password before that time has elapsed, the following is displayed:

Sorry, less than 2 weeks since the last change.

To view aging information for your password, use the -d option to the passwd command:

$ passwd -d
username 2-14-92 14 60

The display shows, in order, the date the current password was created, the minimum age, and the maximum age. (This information appears only if password aging has been implemented.)

For more information on passwd(1) and password aging, refer to the man Pages(1): User Commands.