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Thread ID: 27561 2002-11-25 12:42:00 Can you encode Linux files? Kame (312) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
101368 2002-11-25 12:42:00 I want to encode files in Linux that store passwords in plain text but still make the file readable and understandable by the program that uses it.

Is this possible? Maybe converting it into HEX or ASCII?

I know I can CHMOD it so only certain users can access the files containing the password but this doesn't stop Windows from viewing the file. I've got a program for Windows that lets me see files on Linux Partitions.

I don't think storing passwords in plain text is a good idea on Linux and some sort of encoding or even better encrypting the password should be used.
Kame (312)
101369 2002-11-25 18:47:00 > I've got a program for Windows that lets me see files on Linux Partitions.


Oh please tell us more.
E.ric (351)
101370 2002-11-25 21:40:00 The program I used is called Explore2fs can be found at

uranus.it.swin.edu.au

I'm using WinXP Pro for this program and it does what I want which is being able to access files and copy them over.

Doing a search on Google for Linux Partitons in Windows had other programs which I haven't tried out which could do the same thing.

I'm happy with Explore2fs though.
Kame (312)
101371 2002-11-25 22:17:00 I have heard of being able to transparently encrypt an entire Linux partition before, which would effectively stop windows users reading any info off the drive.......... *Goes off to look nz_liam (845)
101372 2002-11-26 00:52:00 linux has the code to store encrypted passwords. You use that code when you log in.

Real operating systems like *nix don't ever store passwords in plain text.

You can find the code in the kernel source tree. Look for passwd.c, and probably, login.c ... It's quite cunning. The login encryption is artificially slowed down each time a wrong password is given. That's to make
repeated guesses difficult.

It's not totally secure. If you can get the password files you can run crackers on them. Security doesn't come from passwords; if anyone can get physical access to the computer there is no security.

(I don't think you quite understand about "hex or ascii" as a way of hiding text).
Graham L (2)
101373 2002-11-26 01:33:00 encryptionhowto.sourceforge.net

Although this covers encrypting loads of stuff, you probably just want to do something simple such as use md5 on the actual passwords.
gibler (49)
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