pwgen Command
The pwgen command is a simple yet effective tool for generating secure, random, and pronounceable passwords from the command line. It is particularly useful for creating strong passwords that are still relatively easy for humans to remember and type.
Syntax
Description
pwgen generates passwords that are designed to be easily memorized by humans, while still being cryptographically strong. It achieves this by generating passwords that are pronounceable, avoiding sequences of characters that are difficult to type or remember.
Common uses include:
- Generating strong, random passwords for various accounts.
- Creating multiple passwords at once.
- Generating passwords with specific characteristics (e.g., including numbers, symbols, or no vowels).
Common Options
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
-c |
Include at least one capital letter. |
-n |
Include at least one number. |
-y |
Include at least one symbol. |
-s |
Generate completely random, unpronounceable passwords. |
-B |
Don't include ambiguous characters (e.g., 1, l, O, 0). |
-v |
Exclude all vowels (to avoid accidental profanity). |
-0 |
Don't include numbers. |
-A |
Don't include capital letters. |
-S |
Don't include symbols. |
LENGTH |
Specify the length of the password (default is 8). |
NUM_PASSWORDS |
Specify the number of passwords to generate (default is 1). |
Examples
Generate a simple password
Generates a single, 8-character, pronounceable password.
Generate a 16-character password with numbers and symbols
Generates one 16-character password including capital letters, numbers, and symbols, and is unpronounceable.
Generate 5 passwords, 12 characters long, with no vowels
Generates five 12-character passwords, excluding vowels.
Generate a password with no ambiguous characters
Generates a password that avoids characters like '1', 'l', 'O', '0', etc.
Generate a password suitable for WEP keys
Generates a 64-character password consisting only of lowercase letters (no capitals or numbers), often suitable for WEP keys.