What does GECOS stand for in Linux?

General Electric Comprehensive Operating Supervisor
GECOS or gecos may stand for: General Electric Comprehensive Operating Supervisor (GECOS), which was later renamed to General Comprehensive Operating System (GCOS) gecos field, an entry in the /etc/passwd file containing personal data about the user on Unix operating systems.

How install GECOS Linux?

Methods to set GECOS/Comment field to user on linux With useradd command use -c or –comment option to set GECOS/Comment for user. By using usermod command,you can also set or modify the GECOS field. In case,while creating the user you forgot to set GECOS for user. Then you can use usermod command.

What is the command to change GECOS information?

By default, the chfn command changes the gecos information of the user who runs the command. You can also use this command to change the gecos information of other users.

What are the 5 comma separated fields that make up the list in Gecos?

The typical format for the GECOS field is a comma-delimited list with this order:

• User’s full name (or application name, if the account is for a program)
• Building and room number or contact person.
• Office telephone number.
• Home telephone number.

What is ETC shadow?

/etc/shadow is a text file that contains information about the system’s users’ passwords. It is owned by user root and group shadow, and has 640 permissions .

What information is contained in the Gecos field?

The gecos field, or GECOS field is a field of each record in the /etc/passwd file on Unix and similar operating systems. On UNIX, it is the 5th of 7 fields in a record. It is typically used to record general information about the account or its user(s) such as their real name and phone number.

What is chfn in Linux?

chfn is used to change your finger information. This information is stored in the /etc/passwd file, and is displayed by the finger program. The Linux finger command will display four pieces of information that can be changed by chfn: your real name, your work room and phone, and your home phone.

What does chfn do in Linux?

In Unix, the chfn (change finger) command updates the finger information field in your /etc/passwd entry. The contents of this field can vary among systems, but this field usually includes your name, your office and home addresses, and the phone numbers for both.

What is passwd file in Linux?

Traditionally, the /etc/passwd file is used to keep track of every registered user that has access to a system. The /etc/passwd file is a colon-separated file that contains the following information: User name. Encrypted password. User’s group ID number (GID)

What is etc passwd?

Password file The /etc/passwd file is a text-based database of information about users that may log into the system or other operating system user identities that own running processes. In many operating systems this file is just one of many possible back-ends for the more general passwd name service.

What is ETC shadow file in Linux?

A shadow password file, also known as /etc/shadow, is a system file in Linux that stores encrypted user passwords and is accessible only to the root user, preventing unauthorized users or malicious actors from breaking into the system.