NEWGRP(1) | General Commands Manual | NEWGRP(1)

# NAME

`newgrp` — change to a new primary group

# SYNOPSIS

`newgrp` | [`-l`] [group]

# DESCRIPTION

The `newgrp` command changes a user to a new primary group (real and effective group ID) by starting a new shell. The user remains logged in and the current directory and file creation mask remain unchanged. The user is always given a new shell even if the primary group change fails.

The `newgrp` command accepts the following options:

`-l`
  The environment is changed to what would be expected if the user actually logged in again. This simulates a full login.

The group is a group name or non-negative numeric group ID from the group database. The real and effective group IDs are set to group or the group ID associated with the group name.

If group is not specified, `newgrp` restores the user's real and effective group IDs to the user's primary group specified in the password database. The user's supplementary group IDs are restored to the set specified for the user in the group database.

If the user is not a member of the specified group, and the group requires a password, the user will be prompted for the group password.

# FILES

/etc/group
  The group database
/etc/master.passwd
  The user database
/etc/passwd
  A Version 7 format password file

# EXIT STATUS

If a new shell is started the exit status is the exit status of the shell. Otherwise the exit status will be >0.

# SEE ALSO

csh(1), groups(1), login(1), sh(1), su(1), umask(2), group(5), passwd(5), environ(7)

# STANDARDS

The `newgrp` command conforms to IEEE Std 1003.1-2001 (“POSIX.1”).

# HISTORY

A `newgrp` command appeared in Version 6 AT&T UNIX. A `newgrp` command appeared in NetBSD 5.0.

# BUGS

There is no convenient way to enter a password into /etc/group. The use of group passwords is strongly discouraged since they are inherently insecure. It is not possible to stop users from obtaining the encrypted password from the group database.

June 6, 2007 | NetBSD 11.0