Question about passwd file (Linux)

[Arpita Gavshinde <AGavshinde () securview com>]

security-basics@securityfocus.comHi all,

I have a question about passwd file in Linux where when 'x' for a particular user is deleted from /etc/passwd file, 
system doesnot ask for password to log into the system. But when pasword is set again for that user again, then instead 
of showing 'x' in /etc/passwd file, MD5 hash of new password is shown. Why is it so ?


Thanks in advance

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