Thread: user with nologin shell - what does this mean?

this turned rant, started "could please translate?"

https://help.ubuntu.com/10.04/server...tp-server.html

to allow users shell of /usr/sbin/nologin access ftp, have no shell access, edit /etc/shells adding nologin shell:

i think shell instance of or logging in computer. next lists places shells - why there many shells in many different places? , "users shell of /usr/sbin/nologin"? if aren't users on computer, how shell?

can google shell , explanation here: http://www.freeos.com/guides/lsst/ch01sec07.html

, can google "what nologin shell" this:
http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/howto-...ng-access.html

pretty good.

tell ya what, if thought understood enough, go , edit page if could. don't think should have googling , chasing pages every 3rd word.

, continues in same incomprehensible vein:

this necessary because, default vsftpd uses pam authentication, , /etc/pam.d/vsftpd configuration file contains:

auth required pam_shells.so

shells pam module restricts access shells listed in /etc/shells file.

try instead:

to allow users use ftp not login computer, need make default shell nologin shell. allows them access ftp, denies them ability login. since vsftpd uses pam authentication, nologin shell needs listed in shell list pam [ /etc/shells ]. if pam not find shell there won't allow access.

something that. put in detail of long list - or maybe not.

note - official documentation - not open wiki. so, official documenters, please take note. time.

i'm following on previous post. still thing official doc wording pits - have more add pertinent.

put description of of story here:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.p...9#post11610739
not wanting double post, set link.

here nut - nologin not secure. after finding references seemed indicate secure, started hitting references indicated not secure. guys writing stuff way deeper in bedrock of things - came this:

vsftpd written security top priority. ubuntu put together, , understanding has been ubuntu regards security top priority. vsftpd sets default using anonymous ftp. people discussing insecurity of nologin user fixing undoing ubuntu defaults. decided stick path of people trust more - go vsftpd , ubuntu defaults.

Forum The Ubuntu Forum Community Ubuntu Official Flavours Support General Help [all variants] user with nologin shell - what does this mean?

Ubuntu