Note: this article applies to Ubuntu 10.04.1, though I imagine it could be adapted to other versions or distros.
One of my system’s hard drive is encrypted. Each time I boot it, I’m prompted to enter a passphrase. With Ubuntu, Plymouth is charged with the task of displaying the prompt and associated messages. Upon entering the passphrase, keystrokes are echoed as bullets.
I don’t appreciate this behavior in any application. If the aim is to mask the password/passphrase, why echo anything at all? Thankfully, disabling it in Plymouth requires but a simple modification to /lib/plymouth/themes/ubuntu-logo/ubuntu-logo.script:
if (index < bullets) {
- password_dialogue.bullets[index].sprite.SetOpacity (1);
+ password_dialogue.bullets[index].sprite.SetOpacity (0);
}It’s necessary to run sudo update-initramfs -u to affect the change.
Technically this doesn’t disable the bullets; it renders them invisible. Good enough.
Additionally, the prompt text and error messages can be altered/removed by editing /usr/share/initramfs-tools/scripts/local-top/cryptroot.
