The group name and password fields must be filled\&. The encrypted password consists of 13 characters from the 64\-character alphabet a thru z, A thru Z, 0 thru 9, \\\&. and /\&. Refer to \fBcrypt\fR(3) for details on how this string is interpreted\&. If the password field contains some string that is not valid result of \fBcrypt\fR(3), for instance ! or *, the user will not be able to use a unix password to log in, subject to \fBpam\fR(7)\&.
.PP
This information supersedes any password present in \fI/etc/group\fR\&.
.PP
This file must not be readable by regular users if password security is to be maintained\&.