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How to Password Protect a Vim File in Linux
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Vim is a popular, feature-rich and highly-extensible text editor for Linux, and one of its special features is support for encrypting text files using various crypto methods with a password.
In this article, we will explain to you one of the simple Vim usage tricks; password protecting a file using Vim in Linux. We will show you how to secure a file at the time of its creation as well as after opening it for modification.
Suggested Read: 10 Reasons Why You Should Use Vim Editor in Linux
To install the full version of Vim, simply run this command:
$ sudo apt install vim #Debian/Ubuntu systems
$ sudo yum install vim #RHEL/CentOS systems
$ sudo dnf install vim #Fedora 22+
Read Also: Vim 8.0 Is Released After 10 Years – Install on Linux
How to Password Protect a Vim File in Linux
Vim has a -x option which enables you to use encryption when creating files. Once you run the vim commandbelow, you’ll be prompted for a crypt key:
$ vim -x file.txt
Warning: Using a weak encryption method; see :help 'cm'
Enter encryption key: *******
Enter same key again: *******
If the crypto key matches after entering it for the second time, you can proceed to modify the file.
Vim File Password Protected
Once your done, press [Esc] and :wq to save and close the file. The next time you want to open it for editing, you’ll have to enter the crypto key like this:
$ vim file.txt
Need encryption key for "file.txt"
Warning: Using a weak encryption method; see :help 'cm'
Enter encryption key: *******
In case you enter a wrong password (or no key), you’ll see some junk characters.
Vim Content Encrypted
Setting a Strong Encryption Method in Vim
Note: There is a warning indicating that a weak encryption method has been used to protect the file. Next, we’ll see how to set a strong encryption method in Vim.
Weak Encryption on Vim File
To check the set of cryptmethod(cm), type (scroll down to view all available methods):
:help 'cm'
Sample Output
*'cryptmethod'* *'cm'*
'cryptmethod' 'cm' string (default "zip")
global or local to buffer |global-local|
{not in Vi}
Method used for encryption when the buffer is written to a file:
*pkzip*
zip PkZip compatible method. A weak kind of encryption.
Backwards compatible with Vim 7.2 and older.
*blowfish*
blowfish Blowfish method. Medium strong encryption but it has
an implementation flaw. Requires Vim 7.3 or later,
files can NOT be read by Vim 7.2 and older. This adds
a "seed" to the file, every time you write the file
options.txt [Help][RO]
You can set a new cryptomethod on a Vim file as shown below (we’ll use blowfish2 in this example):
:setlocal cm=blowfish2
Then press [Enter] and :wq to save the file.
Set Strong Encryption on Vim File
Now you should not see the warning message when you open the file again as shown below.
$ vim file.txt
Need encryption key for "file.txt"
Enter encryption key: *******
You can also set a password after opening a Vim text file, use the command:X and set a crypto pass like shown above.
Check out some of our useful articles on Vim editor.
That’s all! In this article, we explained how to password protect a file via the Vim text editor in Linux.
Always remember to appropriately secure text files that could contain secret info such as usernames and passwords, financial account info and so on, using strong encryption and a password. Use the feedback section below to share any thoughts with us.
作者简介：
Aaron Kili is a Linux and F.O.S.S enthusiast, an upcoming Linux SysAdmin, web developer, and currently a content creator for TecMint who loves working with computers and strongly believes in sharing knowledge.
via: https://www.tecmint.com/password-protect-vim-file-in-linux/
作者：Aaron Kili 译者：译者ID 校对：校对者ID