---
name: "vnc4passwd"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "vnc4server"
version: "4.1.1+X4.3.0-37.6"
release: "Debian 8 (Jessie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/vnc4passwd"
---

# vnc4passwd(1)

change a VNC password

## NAME

vncpasswd - change a VNC password

## SYNOPSIS

**vncpasswd** \[*passwd-file*\]

## DESCRIPTION

**vncpasswd** allows you to set the password used to access VNC desktops.  It stores an obfuscated version of the password in the given file (default $HOME/.vnc/passwd).  The **vncserver** script runs **vncpasswd** the first time you start a VNC desktop, and invokes **Xvnc** with the appropriate **-rfbauth** option.  **vncviewer** can also be given a password file to use via the **-passwd** option.

The password must be at least six characters long, and only the first eight characters are significant.  Note that the stored password is **not** encrypted securely - anyone who has access to this file can trivially find out the plaintext password, so **vncpasswd** always sets appropriate permissions (read and write only by the owner).  However, when accessing a VNC desktop a challenge-response mechanism is used over the wire making it hard for anyone to crack the password simply by snooping on the network.

## FILES

- $HOME/.vnc/passwd

  Default location of the VNC password file.

## SEE ALSO

[**vncviewer**(1)](/vncviewer/1.md), **vncserver**(1), [**Xvnc**(1)](/Xvnc/1.md) [**vncconfig**(1)](/vncconfig/1.md),\
 http://www.realvnc.com

## AUTHOR

Tristan Richardson, RealVNC Ltd.

VNC was originally developed by the RealVNC team while at Olivetti Research Ltd / AT&T Laboratories Cambridge.  It is now being maintained by RealVNC Ltd.  See http://www.realvnc.com for details.