Backtalk Administration Guide:

Changing Passwords

Version 1.4.9

© 1996-2003 Jan Wolter, Steve Weiss

If your Backtalk system is set up so that users use use real Unix login ids to log into Backtalk, then you won't be able to change their passwords with Backtalk. You should use the Unix ``passwd'' command instead.

However, if you system is set up to only use Backtalk accounts, then system administrators can change the passwords on other user's Backtalk accounts using either the Pistachio Web interface or the btpasswd command. Just follow the following steps. (The checkboxes below perform no function - they are just for your convenience.)

Changing Password by using Web Interface's 'Edit User' tool

This is convenient if you only want to change one user password know that user's login name.
  1. Log into the administration account

    See the logging in instructions.

  2. Follow the 'Edit User Account' link in the 'User' section of the menu.
  3. Enter the user's login ID and click 'Edit'.
  4. Click the "Change user's password" link at the bottom of the page.
  5. Enter the new password, and click "Change Password".

Changing Passwords by using Web Interface's 'User List' tool

This is convenient if you don't know the login names of the users whose passwords you want to change.
  1. Log into the administration account

    See the logging in instructions.

  2. Follow the 'List Users' link in the 'User' section of the menu.

    You will get a control panel for doing searches for users.

  3. Select users to list.

    Use the various controls to select which users you want to see, making sure the select the `Detailed Information and Edit Buttons' option at the bottom of the page. If you leave the controls in their default setting, you will get a list of all users. Click the 'Do Scan' button to start your search. A listing of all selected users will appear below the control panel.

  4. Goto the user screen.

    Find the user or users you want to delete. Click on their login name. You will get a user information screen.

  5. Click the "Change user's password" link at the bottom of the page.
  6. Enter the new password, and click "Change Password".

Changing Passwords by using btpasswd from Unix

  1. Log into the Unix conference administration account

    This is the account that owns all the conference files, user database files, and Backtalk itself.

  2. Run the btpasswd command

    If you want to change the password for the user "agent86" then issue the following command: 

        btpasswd agent86
    It will ask you to enter the new password twice. It will not ask you to enter the old password.