Use Pswd To Change Root Password Kali Live?

If y'all decide to employ a Kali Linux live image, the Kali Linux default root password is toor – the word root reversed. Like shooting fish in a barrel to recall, right? This is the default root password on all Kali Linux i386, amd64, VMware, or ARM live images.

Too note that starting with Kali Linux 2020.10, the default countersign for the kali user is kali

Here is a table you tin can screenshot to recall the default Kali Linux countersign easily next fourth dimension.

Default Username	Default Countersign
kali	kali
root	toor

Table 1.1: Kali Linux default root countersign

It is highly recommended to alter the default Kali Linux passwords for your user [kali] and root [toor] for security reasons, especially if you connect Kali Linux to the Internet.

It literally takes a few seconds for an attacker to find out what operating organisation y'all're using and log in using the default Kali credentials. And with that, your computer, as well as the network behind it, is compromised.

If you make up one's mind to install Kali Linux instead of using a live image, you will be prompted to configure your username and root passwords for your system during the installation.

Notation: In case you forgot your Kali Linux root countersign, use this guide instead: How To Reset A Lost Password For ROOT In Kali Linux 2021

Modify Kali Linux Default root password

To change the default root password in Kali [toor] is as piece of cake equally changing whatever countersign for whatsoever user in the arrangement. In the final, blazon the following command:

                          sudo passwd root

When you are prompted, type the password for the kali user. And then type and confirm the new password for the root user.

**Effigy 1.2:** Change Kali Linux default root password.

Here is a hypothetical case once again. Use a different password than the one used in this example:

[sudo] password for kali: kali <or the new password changed in the previous pace>

New password: [email protected]

Retype password: [email protected]

That'due south it. You just changed your Kali Linux default root password! The change takes place immediately. Now permit's secure the default password for the kali user equally well.

How To Change the Password For Kali User

Alright. The default root password on Kali is now secured. But we still have a vulnerability: the kali user . Let's change the default countersign for the kali user at present.

The procedure is every bit simple and straightforward as changing the root password above. Open a terminal and execute the post-obit command:

                          sudo passwd kali

You will exist asked to blazon the electric current password [ kali ] for the kali user. So type and confirm the new password.

Here is a hypothetical example for yous to understand. Employ a unlike password than the 1 I used below.

[sudo] password for kali: kali

New password: [email protected]#$

Retype password: [email protected]#$

Note that you won't be able to see your passwords while typing them in the concluding. This is a security measure widely implemented on the Linux/UNIX systems.

**Figure ane.ane:** Modify Kali Linux default password for ***kali*** user.

Make sure y'all chose a strong password that you can retrieve.

Good Practices To Stay Safe

The about vulnerable part of an set on is usually the man being. An experienced attacker will look across the target machines and do some social engineering to understand the people using the keyboard.

Breaking a password is probably the holy-grail accomplishment of a hacker. Here are a few tips to make sure that doesn't happen:

Use a stiff password containing majuscule and small letters, numbers, and special symbols. The longer, the better.
Never share your passwords [especially for root]. If you exercise so, make sure y'all immediately change all the passwords on your system [root and users].
Never write down your countersign. You never know who may run across it and apply it without your consent.
Don't disable the login screen. Though convenient, it is the easiest way to forget a password.

Conclusion

You tin can modify the Kali Linux default root countersign every bit many times yous want – as long as you can call back it.

This is a unproblematic yet of import process oftentimes disregarded past beginners. It takes roughly the same amount of time for you to change the default passwords equally for an attacker to break into your system. Call back that!

If y'all found this guide useful, please practise me a favor and share it effectually – it really makes a difference.

Only most importantly: stay safe.

Leonard Cucos

Leonard Cucos is an engineer with over xx years of Information technology/Telco experience managing big UNIX/Linux-based server infrastructures, IP and Optics core networks, Data Security [red/blue], Data Science, and FinTech.