How to Disable Password Authentication in Ubuntu
By Mike Heldar
Ubuntu Linux makes use of passwords to authenticate user log-on requests in its default configuration. If your system is of a lower security priority and you believe that password information is unnecessary, you can disable password authentication to enable blank login requests from all users who access the proper username on the system.
Step 1
Log into Ubuntu and open your Terminal program.
Step 2
Type "sudo nano /etc/sshd_config" (without quotation marks here and throughout) and enter your administrative login password when prompted.
Step 3
Press "Ctrl+W" to open a search window; type in "PasswordAuthentication" and press "Enter."
Step 4
Remove the "#" sign at the start of the PasswordAuthentication label, then replace "Yes" with "No" so that the line reads:
PasswordAuthentication no
Step 5
Save the file and restart the server.
References
Writer Bio
Mike Heldar has written in a professional capacity since his first contract in 1988 and specializes in maintenance and operation manuals. He has written for numerous organizations, including the U.S. Air Force, Epson and Rockwell Collins. He holds a Master of Business Administration with a focus in technology management from the University of Phoenix.