All courses
Resource hub
Featured resource
Tech Upskilling Playbook 2025
Tech Upskilling Playbook

Build future-ready tech teams and hit key business milestones with seven proven plays from industry leaders.

Learn more
Hamburger Icon
  • Labs icon Lab
  • Cloud
Google Cloud Platform icon
Labs

Configuring PAM

PAM has become an important part of the standard Linux login and account management subsystem. Systems administrators and security engineers alike should be knowledgeable of how to configure and enable various PAM modules. In this hands-on lab, we will work with the `pam_cracklib` and `pam_tally` modules and learn how they can be used to enhance system security.

Get started Contact sales
Google Cloud Platform icon
Labs

Path Info

Level
Clock icon Intermediate
Duration
Clock icon 30m
Last updated
Clock icon Aug 25, 2025

Contact sales

By filling out this form and clicking submit, you acknowledge our privacy policy.

Table of Contents

  1. Challenge

    Install `pam_cracklib`

    1. Install the necessary libraries for pam_cracklib.
    sudo apt-get install libpam-cracklib

  2. Challenge

    Configure `pam_cracklib`

    1. Edit /etc/pam.d/common-password.
    2. Change the existing pam_cracklib configuration to the following:
    password   requisite    pam_cracklib   retry=3 minlen=10

  3. Challenge

    Enable and Configure `pam_tally2`

    1. Edit /etc/pam.d/common-auth.
    2. Add a pam_tally configuration before the default block by adding the following text:
    auth     required       pam_tally2.so deny=2 unlock_time=600
Pluralsight Skills - Labs - Pluralsight
Author
Pluralsight Skills

Pluralsight Skills gives leaders confidence they have the skills needed to execute technology strategy. Technology teams can benchmark expertise across roles, speed up release cycles and build reliable, secure products. By leveraging our expert content, skill assessments and one-of-a-kind analytics, keep up with the pace of change, put the right people on the right projects and boost productivity. It's the most effective path to developing tech skills at scale.

What's a lab?

Hands-on Labs are real environments created by industry experts to help you learn. These environments help you gain knowledge and experience, practice without compromising your system, test without risk, destroy without fear, and let you learn from your mistakes. Hands-on Labs: practice your skills before delivering in the real world.

Provided environment for hands-on practice

We will provide the credentials and environment necessary for you to practice right within your browser.

Guided walkthrough

Follow along with the author’s guided walkthrough and build something new in your provided environment!

Did you know?

On average, you retain 75% more of your learning if you get time for practice.
Ready to get started?
View individual plans View team plans