Default Raspbian Username and Password

Welcome to this brief tutorial on the default username and password for Raspbian (now called Raspberry Pi OS), the official operating system for Raspberry Pi devices.

When you first install Raspberry Pi OS on your device, whether via the desktop version or the lite version, you’ll need to log in to access the system. Out of the box, Raspberry Pi OS has default login credentials. Let’s explore what they are and how to change them for security reasons.

Default Raspbian (Raspberry Pi OS) Login Credentials

Username:

pi

Password:

raspberry

These credentials allow you to log in when you first boot up the system, especially if you’re using the Raspberry Pi without a graphical interface (headless setup). This default setup makes it convenient to start, but it is highly recommended to change the default password for security purposes.

Why Change the Default Password?

Leaving the default password unchanged poses a significant security risk, especially if your Raspberry Pi is connected to a network (especially the internet). Hackers can easily exploit devices with default credentials.

How to Change the Password

You can change the password via the command line or using the Raspberry Pi Configuration Tool.

1. Change Password via the Command Line

1. Boot your Raspberry Pi and log in with the default username and password.
2. Open a terminal (if you are using the desktop version) or use the default command-line interface.
3. Run the following command:passwd
4. Enter the current password (raspberry by default) when prompted.
5. Type your new password and confirm it by typing it again.

2. Change Password via Raspberry Pi Configuration Tool

If you’re using the graphical desktop version, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Raspberry Pi icon in the top-left corner of the screen.
2. Navigate to Preferences -> Raspberry Pi Configuration.
3. In the System tab, click on the Change Password button.
4. Enter your new password and confirm it.

For headless setups, you can also use raspi-config from the command line:

1. Type the following command:sudo raspi-config
2. Navigate to System Options -> Password and follow the prompts to change your password.

Additional Security Tips

1. Disable the default user: You can disable or remove the default pi user and create a new user for enhanced security.sudo deluser pi
2. Enable SSH with caution: If you’re running the Raspberry Pi headless and using SSH, make sure you’ve changed the password before enabling SSH.

Conclusion

By changing the default username and password on Raspberry Pi OS, you greatly improve your device’s security. It’s a simple but crucial step, especially if you’re planning to connect your Raspberry Pi to a public network.

Feel free to ask any questions or share your experiences in the comments below!