Password Aging

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

When your password reaches the maturity date, your system prompts you to change your password when you log in. The following message displays.

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 the minimum life span has elapsed, the following message displays.

Sorry, less than 2 weeks since the last change.

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