GPASSWD(1)			 User Commands			    GPASSWD(1)



NAME
       gpasswd - administer the /etc/group file

SYNOPSIS
       gpasswd group

       gpasswd -a user group

       gpasswd -d user group

       gpasswd -R group

       gpasswd -r group

       gpasswd [-A user,...] [-M user,...] group

DESCRIPTION
       gpasswd is used to administer the /etc/group file (and /etc/gshadow
       file if compiled with SHADOWGRP defined). Every group can have
       administrators, members and a password. System administrator can use -A
       option to define group administrator(s) and -M option to define members
       and has all rights of group administrators and members.

   Notes about group passwords
       Group passwords are an inherent security problem since more than one
       person is permitted to know the password. However, groups are a useful
       tool for permitting co-operation between different users.

OPTIONS
       Group administrator can add and delete users using -a and -d options
       respectively. Administrators can use -r option to remove group
       password. When no password is set only group members can use newgrp to
       join the group. Option -R disables access via a password to the group
       through newgrp command (however members will still be able to switch to
       this group).


       gpasswd called by a group administrator with group name only prompts
       for the group password. If password is set the members can still
       newgrp(1) without a password, non-members must supply the password.

FILES
       /etc/group
	  Group account information.

       /etc/gshadow
	  Secure group account information.

SEE ALSO
       newgrp(1), gshadow(5), groupadd(8), groupdel(8), groupmod(8), grpck(8),
       group(5).



User Commands			  02/25/2007			    GPASSWD(1)