How to change password requirements?

Question

I tried to change my Ubuntu password but it keeps saying my new password is not "Good Enough" even when it passes my company security requirements:

• At least 8 characrters
• At least one number
• At least one uppercase letter

I know, I could use better, stronger and nicer password, but, I want my Ubuntu follow the requirements from my company. How can I force Ubuntu to let me change my password?

Solution

try sudo passwd [login]

See also https://help.ubuntu.com/lts/serverguide/user-management.html

Comments

[Pavel Janicek]

thanks! That worked! But still I keep wondering why it does not work the same by GUI...

[Jacob Vlijm]

The gui includes a rather strict password check, while via command line, you can decide if it is save enough or not.

[sahan kariyakarana]

Ran into this too on 14.04 when I tried adding a user. Must be a bug. I found the bug report bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/unity-control-center/+bug/‌​… however it hasn't received much attention yet.

[Admin]

On ubuntu 14.04.2 the passwd command is not without its own idea of what's too simple, similar to previous passwords etc.

[anh_ng8]

Definitely faster way to deal with this password sec issue!

[Andrew Schulman]

Yes, this works, but it has a disadvantage. Because it doesn't go through the desktop APIs, it makes Chrome, in particular, forget all of your stored passwords.