Change Password of OpenSSH from 'alpine' in iPhone3G 2.0

**Dingle777** · 07-26-2008, 11:06 PM

Hi all,

Does anyone know how to change the openSSH password from the default 'alpine' on a iPhone3G running jailbroken 2.0 firmware with OpenSSH installed via cydia???

Old forum threads say type the 'passwd' command into the terminal...but when I do that in the terminal of WinSCP, nothing happens and either WinSCP hangs or the SSH connection disconnects.

I'm using:
1. iPhone3G 8Gb running Jailbroken 2.0 firmware with OpenSSH installed via cydia
2. WinSCP on Windows Vista

**kcrmson** · 07-27-2008, 02:37 AM

Try:

passwd root
type in password, press return
type it in again, press return

passwd mobile
type in password, press return
type it in again, press return

I've done this one multiple phones with 2.0 with no issue so far.

**y0haan** · 07-27-2008, 02:52 AM

This most likely will not work with WinSCP.

- Install Terminal via Cydia
- Run Terminal and since this logs you in as mobile user by default you need to type at the prompt:
su root
password: (type alpine)

Now you should be logged in as root. Then just type:
passwd

It should now prompt you to type in a new password.

Good luck!!

**Dingle777** · 07-27-2008, 02:53 AM

Thanks, but when i type 'passwd root' or 'passwd mobile' into the terminal it just disconnects WinSCP or crashes the program entirely. Are you using WinSCP or some other program?

**y0haan** · 07-27-2008, 03:07 AM

Some other program, read post above yours.

**Dingle777** · 07-27-2008, 03:07 AM

Thanks Guys! worked like a charm!

1. Installed openSSH and MobileTerminal from cydia
2. open Terminal on iphone and type 'su root' and press return
3. enter password 'alpine' and press return
3. type 'passwd' and press return
4. type in new password and press return
5. type in new password again and press return
6. Use WinSCP to connect to iPhone with new password (instructions for using WinSCP can be found in other threads/by a google search)

Cheers!

**y0haan** · 07-27-2008, 03:10 AM

Originally Posted by Dingle777

Thanks Guys! worked like a charm!

1. Installed openSSH and MobileTerminal from cydia
2. open Terminal on iphone and type 'su root' , press return
3. enter password 'alpine' and press return
3. type 'passwd' and press return
4. type in new password and press return
5. type in new password again and press return
6. Use WinSCP to connect to iPhone with new password (instructions for using WinSCP can be found in other threads/by a google search)

Cheers!

Sounds about right

Cheers

**Dingle777** · 07-27-2008, 03:20 AM

It should be easier than this to change the password cos i feel like its a big security flaw!?

Wouldn't bad 'n' nasty people on your wireless network (like at the university i go to) simply be able to connect via SSH to your iphone and manipulate the data if you didn't change the default password?

**y0haan** · 07-27-2008, 03:33 AM

Originally Posted by Dingle777

It should be easier than this to change the password cos i feel like its a big security flaw!?

Wouldn't bad 'n' nasty people on your wireless network (like at the university i go to) simply be able to connect via SSH to your iphone and manipulate the data if you didn't change the default password?

- Well, Apple could not for see this jailbreak comin'
- You can also disable SSH via installing "boss prefs"
- And of course ... Public Networks are NOT real secure
- And Unix is UNIX ....

**Dingle777** · 07-27-2008, 03:59 AM

thanks mate, even if it is a bit tricky to change the password, its good to know I can switch ssh off easily too

**kitkat12012** · 07-28-2008, 06:53 AM

i used putty to change mine, worked fine too

**mrblader** · 07-28-2008, 11:32 AM

Kind of a retarded question here but, Do I have to have OpenSSH turned on while using the MobileTerminal app???

Is this required to log into the root folder??

Just curious..

thanks in advanced

**ksong12** · 07-28-2008, 01:51 PM

I do not believe you need to have OpenSSH on to use MobileTerminal. You only need it when accessing it remotely from a computer, another phone, etc etc.

**y0haan** · 07-28-2008, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by mrblader

Kind of a retarded question here but, Do I have to have OpenSSH turned on while using the MobileTerminal app???

Is this required to log into the root folder??

Just curious..

thanks in advanced

Nope

**iAddict** · 07-28-2008, 07:50 PM

I've tried passwd on terminal, I've tried the encryption method and have the password file replaced on WinSCP and other methods.

All ended up having access denied to SSH and had to do a restore.

I do not recommend anyone changing the password unless you really really know what you are doing and what the commands are.

For safety, simply turn off SSH when you are not using it, ALWAYS.

**stereo313** · 07-28-2008, 08:06 PM

thanks

**Shanteeman** · 10-18-2008, 09:13 AM

Really? Bc I just did it in under 30 seconds (not inluding download time of Mobile Terminal) following Dingle777 step by step instructions above...

**loadedprizon** · 05-07-2009, 01:48 PM

worked for my fine. thanks a lot!

**LSZ33** · 07-03-2009, 03:38 PM

Works for me on 3G[s], thanks alot.

**uberfu** · 07-13-2009, 07:04 PM

Worked for me - iPhone 3G running 3.0 OS_

Question anyone - if I change the Mobile and the Root PW to the same thing - will it be an issue?

My Assumption is No_

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