

Postgres:x:108:117:PostgreSQL administrator,:/var/lib/postgresql:/bin/bash Gnats:x:41:41:Gnats Bug-Reporting System (admin):/var/lib/gnats:/bin/sh List:x:38:38:Mailing List Manager:/var/list:/bin/sh We can verify the new user was added successfully by viewing /etc/passwd: target:~$ cat /etc/passwd It's OK to just leave everything blank: Changing the user information for nullbyteĮnter the new value, or press ENTER for the default
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Ĭreating home directory `/home/nullbyte'. Use the adduser command, and enter a new password at the prompt: target:~$ sudo adduser nullbyteĪdding new user `nullbyte' (1003) with group `nullbyte'. To begin, let's create a new user on the target for demonstration purposes. The below steps assume you have already gained access to a target computer from your local machine. This makes it nearly impossible for hackers to compromise SSH sessions unless they have access to the private key. The public key is used to encrypt communication that only the associated private key can decrypt. Don't Miss: Intercept & Decrypt Windows Passwords on a Local Network.The private key should be kept secret and is used to connect to machines that have the matching public key.

A key pair is generated consisting of a public and private key. Key-based authentication, on the other hand, uses cryptography to ensure secure connections.

This has the advantage of being easier to set up but suffers security-wise due to being prone to brute-forcing and password guessing. The standard way of connecting to a machine via SSH uses password-based authentication. But even that isn't bulletproof since SSH private key passwords can be cracked using John the Ripper. Key-based authentication is much more secure, and private keys can even be encrypted for additional security. However, SSH is prone to password brute-forcing. Secure Shell is one of the most common network protocols, typically used to manage remote machines through an encrypted connection.
