How to use the command 'apg' (with examples)
The ‘apg’ command is a tool for generating random passwords. It provides various options to customize the generated passwords, such as password length, inclusion of symbols, numbers, and case sensitivity. This article will guide you through different use cases of the ‘apg’ command with examples.
Use case 1: Create random passwords (default password length is 8)
Code:
apg
Motivation: Generating random passwords is essential for maintaining security in digital environments. This use case allows you to quickly generate a random password with a default length of 8 characters.
Example output:
33QfdRiN
Use case 2: Create a password with at least 1 symbol (S), 1 number (N), 1 uppercase (C), 1 lowercase (L)
Code:
apg -M SNCL
Motivation: Passwords that include a combination of symbols, numbers, uppercase, and lowercase letters are typically more secure. This use case allows you to generate a password that meets these criteria.
Example output:
P5#nE6dk
Explanation:
-M: Defines the password criteria. In this case, ‘S’ represents symbols, ‘N’ represents numbers, ‘C’ represents uppercase letters, and ‘L’ represents lowercase letters.
Use case 3: Create a password with 16 characters
Code:
apg -m 16
Motivation: Longer passwords can generally provide increased security. This use case allows you to generate a password with a specific length of 16 characters.
Example output:
N2jr8@7cxTF4#DY!
Explanation:
-m: Specifies the length of the password to be generated.
Use case 4: Create a password with maximum length of 16
Code:
apg -x 16
Motivation: In certain scenarios, there might be a limit on the maximum acceptable password length. This use case ensures that the generated password does not exceed a maximum length of 16 characters.
Example output:
BsYD5paSGtnR!,aE
Explanation:
-x: Sets the maximum length of the password to be generated.
Use case 5: Create a password that doesn’t appear in a dictionary (the dictionary file has to be provided)
Code:
apg -r path/to/dictionary_file
Motivation: To prevent the use of commonly used or easily guessable passwords, it can be helpful to generate passwords that do not appear in a given dictionary. This use case allows you to specify a custom dictionary file for checking against generated passwords.
Example output:
f321TEliOlo*0
Explanation:
-r: Specifies the path to the dictionary file to be used for ensuring the password does not appear in it.
Conclusion:
The ‘apg’ command is a versatile tool for generating random passwords. By utilizing its various options, you can create highly secure passwords that meet specific criteria, adhere to length limitations, and avoid commonly used phrases from a dictionary.
