On 17 Sep 2004, Anthony Campbell wrote: > On 17 Sep 2004, Andrea Vettorello wrote: > > On Fri, 17 Sep 2004 19:39:41 +0100, Anthony Campbell > > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > I can't access my laptop because neither the user nor the root passwords > > > work. I can only think I was hacked last night. > > > > > > I can't access via single user either. > > > > > > I can get into the system via knoppix. Are there any files in /etc I can > > > delete in order to make the system accessible without a password? > > > > > > This is REALLY urgent because I must use the machine tomorrow, so if all > > > else fails I shall have to reinstall the system. > > > > > > > Mmh, edit /etc/passwd (or /etc/shadow), the second field (after the > > username) is the hashed passwd, delete it and at next login you only > > need to press enter. > > > > > > Andrea > > > > Thanks to both for prompt replies. I had tried editing /etc/shadow but > it still didn't boot for some reason. However I found a file called > /etc/shadow- and replaced /etc/shadow with that, and it then worked with > the previous password, so the day seems to be saved. > > Anthony
Sorry for this follow-up, but I've now discovered what the original problem with the passwords was. The console keymap has somehow gone wrong and is not generating the correct UK symbols for # ~ @ . This may have happened in today's update from Sid - I'm not sure. Anyway, the passwords I was using contained these characters so they were coming out wrong when I typed them, but of course I couldn't see that! So at least I hadn't been compromised - relief! Anthony -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] || http://www.acampbell.org.uk using Linux GNU/Debian || for book reviews, electronic Windows-free zone || books and skeptical articles -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
