What Is the Default Postgres Password and How to Change It?

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PostgreSQL, also known as Postgres, is one of the most popular and powerful open-source relational database management systems. A default username and password are set for administrative purposes when installing Postgres. However, it is essential to change the default password to ensure that unauthorized users cannot gain access to your database. In this article, we will explore the risks of using the default Postgres password and provide you with a step-by-step guide to change it quickly and easily.

What’s the Default Postgres Password?

The default Postgres password is “postgres”. This is a pre-set value assigned to the database's superuser account. The default password is set during installation and is generally easy to guess, making it a security risk for your database. Many users often leave The default password unchanged, making it an easy target for hackers to gain unauthorized access to your database. Therefore, changing the default Postgres password to a more secure and complex one is crucial.

How to Change the Default Postgres Password?

Follow these 9 simple steps to change the default Postgres password:

• Open the command-line interface and launch the Postgres server as the user that installed it.
• Access the Postgres command prompt by typing "psql" in the command line and pressing the Enter key.
• Type the following command to change the default password for the Postgres user:

ALTER USER postgres WITH PASSWORD 'new_password';

Replace "new_password" with a unique and strong password.

• Exit the Postgres command prompt by typing "\q" and pressing the Enter key.
• Open pg_hba.conf file, located in the PostgreSQL data directory.
• Locate the line that starts with "local all postgres" and change the "peer" or "md5" authentication method to "trust."

This change allows the Postgres user to log in without a password.

• Save the file and close it.
• Restart the Postgres server to apply the changes.
• Test the new password by logging into the Postgres server using the following command:

psql -U postgres -W

Enter the new password when prompted.

Congratulations, you have successfully changed the default Postgres password! It is essential to use a strong and secure password and to keep it safe to protect your database from unauthorized access.

Why You Should Change the Default Postgres Password

• Enhanced security: Changing the default Postgres password helps improve your database's security by reducing the risk of unauthorized access. Default passwords are simple and easy to guess, and anyone with this knowledge can quickly gain access to your database. Changing the password to a more complex one ensures that only authorized users can access your database.
• Prevents hacks and data breaches: Hackers target default passwords to access databases and steal sensitive information. Changing the Postgres default password ensures that your database is safe from such attacks and your important data is protected.
• Compliance with regulations: Certain regulations, such as HIPAA and PCI-DSS, require organizations to change default passwords to more complex ones. Therefore, changing the Postgres default password can help ensure your organization meets these regulatory requirements.
• Reduces the risk of internal threats: The default Postgres password is known to all database administrators and users, making it easy for anyone with access to the database to log in and make changes. Changing the default password reduces the risk of internal threats, where an employee may use the default password for unauthorized activities.
• Best practice: Changing the default passwords of all software applications and systems is generally considered the best practice to reduce the risk of unauthorized access. Changing the default Postgres password is a simple step that can go a long way in improving your database's security and adhering to best practices.
• Peace of mind: Knowing that your database is secure and protected gives database administrators and users peace of mind. Changing the default Postgres password is a simple way to ensure your database's security and protect against threats, giving you peace of mind in knowing your data is safe.

Login and connect as default user

For nearly every system, the default PostgreSQL user is 'postgres', and authentication does not normally require a password. To create a password, follow these instructions:

• Log in and connect as the `postgres` user:

$ sudo -u postgres psql

• If you successfully connect and see the psql prompt, proceed to the "Changing the Password" section.
• If you encounter an error stating that the database "postgres" doesn't exist, try connecting to the `template1` database:

$ sudo -u postgres psql template1

• If the connection is successful, continue to the "Changing the Password" section.

Viewing the Default PostgreSQL User

A Postgres default password user is automatically created during PostgreSQL installation. List the PostgreSQL user by running the following command:

cat /etc/passwd

The output will display information about the PostgreSQL user. Look for a line similar to:

postgres:x:26:26:PostgreSQL Server:/var/lib/pgsql:/bin/bash

Viewing the pg_hba.conf file

PostgreSQL uses the `ident` authentication method by default. This method compares your operating system username with authorized database usernames. To connect, you must be logged in as a permitted user on the operating system. Thankfully, there's also optional username mapping.

View the `pg_hba.conf` file using this command:

cat /var/lib/pgsql/9.3/data/pg_hba.conf

The output should show the `ident` authentication mode:

# IPv4 local connections:

host    all              all             127.0.0.1/32             ident

# IPv6 local connections:

host    all              all             ::1/128                  ident

Becoming the Default User in PostgreSQL

This guide addresses a scenario where you're logged in as the root user but cannot access PostgreSQL because "root" isn't a permitted database user. Attempting a direct connection through the root user results in the following error:

psql

psql: FATAL: role "root" does not exist

To connect successfully, you need to switch to the default PostgreSQL user, "postgres". Use the following command:

su - postgres

Once switched, try connecting to PostgreSQL again:

psql

A successful connection will display the PostgreSQL prompt:

psql (9.3.9)

Type "help" for help.

postgres=#

Create a PostgreSQL User and Password

Now we want to walk you through creating a new PostgreSQL user with a secure password.

Use the following command within the PostgreSQL psql prompt:

CREATE USER xxx WITH PASSWORD yyy;

Replacing Placeholders:

• Replace `xxx` with your preferred username for the new user.
• Substitute `yyy` with a strong password you choose for the user. 

Note: a strong password should be a complex combination of characters, including uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Example:

Here's an example command creating a user named `new_user` with the password `secure_password`:

CREATE USER new_user WITH PASSWORD 'secure_password';

Wrapping Up

changing the default Postgres password is a simple and effective way to improve your database's security and protect against unauthorized access. Default passwords pose a significant security risk and should be changed to ensure only authorized users can access your database. Following the step-by-step guide in this article, you can quickly and easily change the Postgres default password and reduce the risk of data breaches and hacks. It is important to maintain a strong and secure password and to adhere to best practices to ensure that your database remains safe and secure.

• Postgres is an open-source relational database management system that provides robustness and scalability.
• The default password for Postgres is often "postgres," which is prone to hacking and exploitation.
• Changing the default password is essential for securing your Postgres database and preventing unauthorized access.