> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://linuxhandbook.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # finger Command in Linux - URL: https://linuxhandbook.com/finger-command/ - Published: 2023-08-27T13:58:23.000Z - Updated: 2024-04-24T14:48:12.000Z - Description: Get logged in user information with the classic finger command in Linux. - Author: Sagar Sharma - Tags: User Identification, Commands, #docs-col, #user-commands The finger command is a user information lookup utility that allows users (mostly system admins) to [list logged-in users](https://linuxhandbook.com/linux-logged-in-users/) including login time, terminal type, and more. In this tutorial, I will walk you through how you can use the finger command to find detailed info on logged-in users. ## How to use the finger command The thing is, finger does not come pre-installed in most Linux distributions so let's take a look at the installation for various Linux distros. For Ubuntu/Debian base: ``` sudo apt install finger ``` For Fedora/RHEL base: ``` sudo yum install finger ``` Once you are done with the installation, let's take a look at the simple syntax of the finger command: ``` finger [options] [username] ``` Here, - `[options]` is used to modify the default behavior of the finger command. - `[username]` is where you'll specify the username of the logged-in user to get more information about him. 📋 Both `[options]` and `[username]` is optional to use. The default finger command output without any options results in: ``` finger ``` ![](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/2023/08/Use-finger-command-without-any-options.png) And as you can see, it gave me a list of the logged-in users. Let's break down the output to have a better understanding. - `Login`: This column lists the username of the logged-in users - `Name`: Show the full name of the logged-in user - `Tty`: Indicates how the user has logged in. Here, `pts` indicates remote log-in whereas the `tty` refers to the main console (the actual hardware). - `Idle`: It shows how long the user is in an idle state using 3 formats: If shown in plain numbers, then it is referring to minutes, if colon (;) is present, then it indicates hours and if it uses `d` then it is referring to days. - `Login Time`: Shows the login time along with the date. - `Office`: Strangely, it shows the IP address from where the user has logged in. Remember, the IP addresses will only be shown for the remote logins. Now, let's have a look at some examples of using the finger command. ### 1\. Display information about the specific user If you want to know the information about the specific logged-in user, then use the finger command in the following manner: ``` finger username ``` For example, here, I want to know the details about the `milan`, then, I will execute the finger command in the following manner: ``` finger milan ``` ![Use the finger command to get detialed info about the logged in user in Linux](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/2023/08/Use-the-finger-command-to-get-detialed-info-about-the-logged-in-user-in-Linux.png) If you notice, in the last two lines, it says `No mail` and `No Plan`. Later on, I will show you how you fill up those details! ### 2\. Show specific user information in columns In the previous section, I explained how you can get information about the specific user but what if you want the same in column form? Well, all you have to do is use the finger command with the `-s` flag as shown: ``` finger -s username ``` ![Get detailes of logged in user in column view using the finger command](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/2023/08/Get-detailes-of-logged-in-user-in-column-view-using-the-finger-command.png) ### 3\. Prevent showing plan, project, and PGP key fields For most users, the plan, project, and PGP key fields are useless so how about removing them? Well, that's pretty easy and can be done using the `-p` flag as shown here: ``` finger -p username ``` ![Prevent showing plan, project, and PGP key fields while using the finger command in Linux](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/2023/08/Prevent-showing-plan--project--and-PGP-key-fields-while-using-the-finger-command-in-Linux.png) And as you can see, the `No plan` field is no more! ### 4\. Display all the logged-in users in long form If you want data of logged-in users in long-form, then, all you have to do is execute the finger command with the `-l` flag: ``` finger -l ``` ![Display all the logged-in users in long form using the finger command in Linux](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/2023/08/Display-all-the-logged-in-users-in-long-form-using-the-finger-command-in-Linux.png) ### 5\. Create a plan, project, and PGP key for the user If you want to create a plan, project, or PGP key, the process remains the same for each. All you have to do is create a normal file inside the user's home directory. And here I will show you one by one. To create a plan, use the following command: ``` cat > .plan ``` Type the plan, and once done, press `Ctrl + d` to save changes. Similarly, to create a project use the following: ``` cat > .project ``` To save changes, press `Ctrl + d`. And if you want to create a PGP key, then, use the following: ``` cat > .pgpkey ``` Once you're done info, you can press the `Ctrl + d` to save changes. Next, run the finger command for a specific user and it should reflect the changes immediately: ``` finger username ``` ![Create a plan, project, and PGP key for the user using the finger command](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/2023/08/Create-a-plan--project--and-PGP-key-for-the-user-using-the-finger-command.png) ## Force users to change their password If you're an admin, changing passwords frequently is considered one of the best security practices. But users tend to ignore this factor. And in that case, you can [force users to change their passwords at their next login](https://linuxhandbook.com/force-password-change/): [Force Linux User to Change Password at Next LoginThink the passwords need to be changed by a certain user? Here’s how to force a Linux user to change the password at the next login.![](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2021/08/Linux-Handbook-New-Logo.png)Linux HandbookSagar Sharma![](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/2023/04/force-user-to-change-password-in-next-login.png)](https://linuxhandbook.com/force-password-change/) I hope you will find this guide helpful.