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How to Add Password to Protect a Vim File in Linux

Introduction

Vim a contraction of Vi IMproved) is a free and open-source, screen-based text editor program for Unix

Vim is a popular text editor for Linux, It’s one of its special features is support for encrypting text files using various crypto methods with a password.

We will explain one of the simple Vim usage tricks; password protecting a file using Vim in Linux.

Install VIM

To install vim run this command:

$ sudo yum install vim          #for RHEL/CentOS 
$ sudo apt install vim          #for Debian/Ubuntu
$ sudo dnf install vim		#for Fedora 

Password Protect a Vim File

With a -x option which enables you to use encryption. Once you run the vim command below, you’ll be prompted for a crypt key:

$ vim -x unixcop.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.

Once your finished, press [Esc] and :wq . The next time you want to open it, you’ll have to enter the encryption key as shown below:

$ vim unixcop.txt

Need encryption key for "unixcop.txt"
Warning: Using a weak encryption method; see :help 'cm'
Enter encryption key: ******

In case you enter a wrong password , you’ll see some junk or dumpy characters.

Add Strong Encryption Method in Vim

Note: There is a warning indicating that a weak encryption method has been used to protect the file.

We’ll see how to set a strong encryption method in Vim.

To check the set of cryptmethod(cm), type (scroll down to view all available methods):

:help 'cm'

Output

You can set a new crypto method on a Vim file

We’ll use blowfish2 as shown below:

:setlocal cm=blowfish2

Then press [Enter] and :wq to save the file.

Now you should not see the warning message when you open the file again as shown below.

$ vim unixcop.txt

Need encryption key for "file.txt"
Enter encryption key: *******

Note: You can also set a password after opening a Vim text file, use the command :X and set a crypto pass like shown above.

Conclusion

In this small guide we show you how to secure a vim file at the time of its creation as well as after opening it for modification.

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