6.23. pam_nologin - prevent non-root users from login
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## 6.23. pam_nologin - prevent non-root users from login

`pam_nologin.so` [ file=`/path/nologin` ] [ successok ]

### 6.23.1. DESCRIPTION

pam_nologin is a PAM module that prevents users from logging into the system when `/var/run/nologin` or `/etc/nologin` exists. The contents of the file are displayed to the user. The pam_nologin module has no effect on the root user's ability to log in.

### 6.23.2. OPTIONS

`file=`/path/nologin``

  Use this file instead the default `/var/run/nologin` or `/etc/nologin`.

`successok`

  Return PAM_SUCCESS if no file exists, the default is PAM_IGNORE.

### 6.23.3. MODULE TYPES PROVIDED

The `auth` and `acct` module types are provided.

### 6.23.4. RETURN VALUES

PAM_AUTH_ERR

  The user is not root and `/etc/nologin` exists, so the user is not permitted to log in.

PAM_BUF_ERR

  Memory buffer error.

PAM_IGNORE

  This is the default return value.

PAM_SUCCESS

  Success: either the user is root or the nologin file does not exist.

PAM_USER_UNKNOWN

  User not known to the underlying authentication module.

### 6.23.5. EXAMPLES

The suggested usage for `/etc/pam.d/login` is:

    auth  required  pam_nologin.so

### 6.23.6. AUTHOR

pam_nologin was written by Michael K. Johnson <johnsonm@redhat.com>.

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