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[[!meta title="Administration password"]]
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In Tails, an administration password (also called *root password* or *amnesia password*) is required to perform system administration tasks. For example:
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To [[install additional software|persistent_storage/additional_software]]
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To [[access the internal hard disks of the computer|doc/advanced_topics/internal_hard_disk]]
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Das Zugreifen auf die eingebauten Festplatten des Computers
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To execute commands with <span class="command">sudo</span>
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[[!img password-prompt.png link="no" alt="Authentication required: amnesia password (also called *administration password* or *root password*)"]] <!-- Note for translators: the alt tag is useful for SEO. -->
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Security implications of setting up an administration password
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For better security, no administration password is set up by default.
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When you set up an administration password, an attacker who can get physical access to your computer while Tails is running could be able to break your security and:
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- Monitor all your activity - Reveal your IP address - Access all the data in your Persistent Storage - Read and write data on the internal hard disk of the computer - Install such vulnerabilities permanently on your Tails USB stick
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To learn your administration password, an attacker could watch your keyboard while you type, for example looking over your shoulders or through a video surveillance camera.
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To prevent such an attack:
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- Hide your keyboard while typing your administration password in public spaces. - Never leave your computer unattended while running Tails. - Learn how to [[shut down Tails quickly|doc/first_steps/shutdown]] in case of emergency.
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Set up an administration password
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In order to perform administration tasks, you need to set up an administration password when starting Tails, using the [[Welcome Screen|welcome_screen]].
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When the Welcome Screen appears, click on the **[[!img lib/list-add.png alt="Add Additional Setting" class="symbolic" link="no"]]** button.
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[[!img additional.png link="no" alt=""]]
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Choose **Administration Password** in the **Additional Settings** dialog.
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Specify a password of your choice in both the <span class="guilabel">Administration Password</span> and <span class="guilabel">Confirm</span> text boxes then click <span class="bold">Add</span>.
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<div class="note">
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