Disable ctrl+alt+del on Centos Linux server

last updated February 23, 2011 in CentOS, Debian / Ubuntu, Hardware, Linux, RedHat and Friends

How do I disable CTRL + ALT + DEL reboot keys shortcut on Linux server?

CTRL+ALT+DEL reboot is configured using /etc/inittab file. Edit /etc/inittab file and remove ctrlaltdel entry (login as root):
# vi /etc/inittab
Find line:
ca:12345:ctrlaltdel:/sbin/shutdown -t1 -a -r now
Replace it (i.e comment out the line by putting a hash mark (#) in front of it):

# ca:12345:ctrlaltdel:/sbin/shutdown -t1 -a -r now

Close and save the file. Type command to reread /etc/inittab:
# init q

Posted by: Vivek Gite

The author is the creator of nixCraft and a seasoned sysadmin, DevOps engineer, and a trainer for the Linux operating system/Unix shell scripting. Get the latest tutorials on SysAdmin, Linux/Unix and open source topics via RSS/XML feed or weekly email newsletter.

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2 comment

V.Balaviswanathan says:
April 24, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Cool one…..
matin says:
February 26, 2013 at 6:15 am
hi, tnx for your great text. but i don’t have this line!!!! in my CentOS 6.3!!!! what should i do?????? pleasssssssssse help me :( i’m in pressure with my boss :((
thnak you soooooooooooo much :*

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Tagged as: ctrl alt del, ctrlaltdel, entry login, hash mark, Linux, linux server, reboot

Posted by: Vivek Gite

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