Originally posted by: deesk

I had removed some local ftp accounts using the rmuser command, this obviously cleaned it up from the /etc/passwd file, however it did not remove it's entries from the /etc/security/passwd file. So in seeing that I manually removed those entries from that file, after doing so it caused some login regression to other active accounts.

So what I am asking is it incorrect to manually modify the /etc/security/passwd file? and in doing so will it cause issues with other active accounts? I do know now the proper way to remove the account is either via smitty or by using the -p flag with rmuser. One other question: is there a way or method to manually edit that file?

Thanks.
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Originally posted by: Juredd1

Yet to be determined if it proper but I edit the /etc/security/passwd file quite often. Never seen any issues whatsoever. Would you provide details on the problem you seen after the changes? Also curious if /etc/security/user still had entries for those users as well.
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Originally posted by: deesk

Thanks for responding, well things I saw were accounts were not able to login, it was the password for the account was changed or null. I also saw an instance where the account totally disapeared. I used vi to edit the file, to fix it I copied a backup of the file. Do you use VI? I assume so.

Thanks.
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Originally posted by: Juredd1

vi is correct. I have never seen anything like that. Just one thought I have been in editing before and had some sort of termcap problem where what was being displayed was incorrect. Hard for me to explain in writing but basically the screen was not refreshing like it should as you scroll down the page so when you edit a line you are not where you think you are in a file. Probably not the case but something to watch out for. You can refresh the screen with Ctrl l to be sure.

Sorry I don't have more info for you.
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Originally posted by: Casey_B

Hello,

Check pwdck

I don't know hat VI caused your problem, but this command may be a better choice for
removing dead entries in /etc/security/passwd.

( There are also a pwdadm command to edit the flags in /etc/security/passwd )

Hope this helps,
Casey
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Originally posted by: deesk

Thanks for the replies, I will try that.
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