star in password field

[Shridhar Acharya]

> 
> 
> does anyone know what a * in the password field in /etc/passwd
> or /etc/group  means??  thanks
> 
> 			(ihnp4, allegra)!csd2!rosenblg
> or                                      rosenblg at csd2


The * in the password file prevents a person from logging
in on the machine from a local terminal. The only way that the
user can login on the machine is by rlogin's from other machines.

			uucp:  {allegra,hocsd,philabs,ogcvax}!sbcs!acharya
			arpa:  acharya%suny-sb.csnet at csnet-relay.arpa
			CSNet: acharya at sbcs.csnet