[Linux] Setting the Account Lockout Threshold with PAM faillock
๐ Table of Contents Introduction Environment (Supported Versions) Backup Prerequisites Method 1: Using authselect Faillock Configuration Testing the Lockout Method 2: Manual PAM Edits Priority: faillock.conf vs PAM Files Conclusion & Tips Introduction When addressing Linux system security vulnerabilities, one essential safeguard is implementing account lockout after a certain number of failed login attempts. The pam_faillock.so module is designed for this purpose—allowing administrators to lock a user account once login failures exceed a defined deny threshold. This module functions similarly to the older pam_tally2 but provides enhanced flexibility. Locking accounts effectively protects against brute-force attacks and unauthorized access attempts.