Are you a professional that uses Linux for work? If so what is it that you do ?



https://redd.it/f9brso
@r_linux

pam_unix internals: unix_chkpwd

Have you ever bothered reading [Linux-PAM](http://www.linux-pam.org/) documentation?

Some years ago, I did.

Let's start with a super-quick intro:

PAM stands for Pluggable Authentication Modules. Linux-PAM provides authentication support in GNU/Linux.

One of the most interesting parts of Linux-PAM is the [pam\_unix module](http://www.linux-pam.org/Linux-PAM-html/sag-pam_unix.html).

More specifically, my favorite part of *pam\_unix* is the [unix\_chkpwd](https://github.com/linux-pam/linux-pam/blob/master/modules/pam_unix/unix_chkpwd.c) helper binary.

*unix\_chkpwd* does a very basic -nonetheless important- job: it verifies the password of the **current** user.

This makes it possible for applications like [xlock](https://linux.die.net/man/1/xlock) to work without being setuid-root (of course, a program running as unprivileged user cannot read */etc/shadow* !).

After reading about *unix\_chkpwd*, I was eager to give it a try...

...and so, I wrote a tiny bash noscript that leverages *unix\_chkpwd* to perform brute force attacks on current user password:

[https://github.com/marcobellaccini/chkpwd\_buddy](https://github.com/marcobellaccini/chkpwd_buddy)

Of course it is somewhat weird, but the cool part is that it does not require read access to */etc/shadow*!

I hope you enjoyed this post!

https://redd.it/f9e02s
@r_linux

KDE Plasma 5.18.2 LTS Released!
https://kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.18.1-5.18.2-changelog.php

https://redd.it/f9fyqq
@r_linux

Arch-Based Manjaro 19.0 Released With Flagship Edition Using Xfce 4.14
https://forum.manjaro.org/t/manjaro-19-0-released-gnome-kde-xfce-architect/126010

https://redd.it/f9g7zd
@r_linux

On a PC not so far away, not so long ago... a small victory was won! Got FL Studio all up and running, could not be happier!
https://redd.it/f9fuo3
@r_linux

The “Cloud Snooper” malware that sneaks into your Linux servers – Naked Security
https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2020/02/25/the-cloud-snooper-malware-that-sneaks-into-your-linux-servers/

https://redd.it/f9i00t
@r_linux

Monado OpenXR runtime for Linux developer update
https://www.collabora.com/news-and-blog/news-and-events/monado-openxr-runtime-developer-update.html

https://redd.it/f9cdug
@r_linux

Restricting the cursor to an axis

I'm often drawing on websites and I find myself trying to draw straight lines using my cursor. Is there a way to restrict the cursor in an axis, vertical or horizontal, by holding a key?

Is there such an utility? I suspect something can be writen for the window manager, in my case KDE Plasma.

https://redd.it/f9kq7s
@r_linux

fully free firmware
https://jxself.org/firmware

https://redd.it/f9l9xd
@r_linux

Painless way to dual boot windows and Linux?

I hate having to deal with the bootstarter, it adds several annoying seconds to every startup. Is there are way to make startups faster?

https://redd.it/f9mjgp
@r_linux

Weekly Questions and Hardware Thread - February 26, 2020

Welcome to r/linux! If you're new to Linux or trying to get started this thread is for you. Get help here or as always, check out r/linuxquestions or r/linux4noobs

This megathread is for all your question needs. As we don't allow questions on r/linux outside of this megathread, please consider using r/linuxquestions or r/linux4noobs for the best solution to your problem.

Ask your hardware requests here too or try r/linuxhardware!

https://redd.it/f9nesl
@r_linux

I am currently using Windows 10 and have decided to switch to Linux. Which distro should I use?

That distro can be moderately difficult to install. It should look kinda cool, user friendly, fast and stable.

https://redd.it/f9o1mw
@r_linux

Bash - Common Productivity Tricks/Hacks
http://www.mycpu.org/shell-tricks/

https://redd.it/f9ozw0
@r_linux

What is the best way to sell the idea of using linux to a windows user?

Now obviously not everyone can or will use linux, in some cases a program someone needs may not be available on linux and the average joe doesn't want to mess with wine.

But for most people they only use a web browser and text editor, both readily available on linux with basically the same user experience that windows has, but will run on a much lighter operating system alloeing many old xp and vista machines to still run more or less just fine.

Every time i try to mention this to someone with an old computer they don't want to upgrade they just get entrenched in the idea that linux is scary and requires use of terminal for everything.

And on that note has anyone ever tried opening a storefront that sells linux machines? I know theres options on the internet but I've NEVER seen a local shop even touch linux

Edit: people seem to assume i want to go door to door preaching the good word of linux. Im not. I am just trying to test the waters for using linux to keep those old xp machines that i keep junking in the market when all they were ever used for anyway was a web browser. The user experience for almost all of my customers is, log in, open chrome or firefox, check webmail or facebook. They barely interact with the operating system at all.

https://redd.it/f9a5fw
@r_linux

DoChat - a Dockerized WeChat PC Windows client for Linux
https://github.com/huan/docker-wechat

https://redd.it/f99oun
@r_linux

Can a pc with Linux autoconnect to a switch?

At my work there are people who say that a pc with Linux, can autoconnect to a switch if the intranet connection is down.
My guess is that they are not talking about using ethernet cable.

Is this true?
I dont think so but would like to hear your opinion.

https://redd.it/f9qgzr
@r_linux

The styled and graphical web, in text mode

`w3m` or `links -g`

Which has the best support for the latest web standards?

Re-phrased: with which do I "lose" the most if used for a daily-driver?

I'm working on building up a lightweight setup for use on a tablet and, maybe, an old netbook. Base system, EXWM, various TUI apps and wrappers, etc. Haven't yet chosen Alpine or Void for the base, but I'm leaning toward Void for `runit`, though I'm prototyping in Termux.

https://redd.it/f9j50w
@r_linux

Best OS to use when switching from Windows?

I’m done with Windows and want to switch to a decent Linux distro pretty soon. However, there’s so many distros out there I don’t know which to choose. I’m not really too advanced in the realm of Linux, I can work a terminal but not too much else, so I want something user-friendly.

https://redd.it/f9rseq
@r_linux

Linux’s Marketing Problem
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/31/linuxs-marketing-problem/

https://redd.it/f9bdhp
@r_linux

Linux at work: how to meet security compliance requirements?

I'd really like to use Linux for work (software dev) but am running into a wall about security compliance. All of our Macs Book Pros use some "Mobile Device Management" software to remotely enforce software updates, anti virus, remote wipe in case of theft, etc. I get the feeling that this is related to our SOC2 compliance standards.

I'm wondering if anyone else has gone through this kind of situation before, how they handled it and what the outcome was?

https://redd.it/f9sofr
@r_linux

Coming soon: A new site for fully free collaboration
https://www.fsf.org/blogs/sysadmin/coming-soon-a-new-site-for-fully-free-collaboration

https://redd.it/f9tasn
@r_linux