Change a Password for MySQL on Linux using Command Line

As a database administrator or developer, it's essential to ensure the security of your MySQL database. One way to enhance security is by regularly changing your MySQL password. Changing the password helps protect your database from unauthorized access and potential security breaches. In this blog post, we'll walk you through the steps to change a password for MySQL on Linux using the command line.

Changing MySQL Password on Linux: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Access the Command Line
2. Log in to MySQL
3. Choose the Database
4. View Existing Users
5. Change the Password
6. Apply the Changes
7. Exit MySQL

1. Access the Command Line

Open a terminal or command prompt on your Linux machine. You'll use the command line to interact with MySQL and change the password.

2. Log in to MySQL

Enter the following command to log in to MySQL as the root user:

mysql -u root -p

You'll be prompted to enter the root password for MySQL.

3. Choose the Database

After successfully logging in to MySQL, you can change the password for a specific user. First, select the MySQL database where the user's credentials are stored:

USE mysql;

4. View Existing Users

You can view the list of existing MySQL users and their details by running the following query:

SELECT user, host, password FROM user;

5. Change the Password

To change the password for a specific user, use the UPDATE statement as follows:

UPDATE user SET password = PASSWORD('new_password') WHERE user = 'username' AND host = 'localhost';

Replace new_password with the desired new password and username with the MySQL username you want to update. The host parameter specifies the host from which the user can connect; in this example, it's set to localhost.

6. Apply the Changes

After updating the password, you need to apply the changes using the FLUSH PRIVILEGES command:

FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

7. Exit MySQL

To exit the MySQL command line interface, type exit or quit and press Enter.

Conclusion

Changing the password for MySQL on Linux using the command line is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance the security of your database. By regularly updating passwords, you can protect your MySQL database from potential security risks and unauthorized access. The step-by-step guide provided in this blog post ensures that you can easily change passwords for specific users and apply the changes seamlessly. Keeping your MySQL database secure is crucial, and by mastering the password change process, you can safeguard your data and maintain a safe and reliable environment for your applications.