Issue
I created a Debian VM in the Google Cloud, clicked on SSH from the GCP interface. A console shell opened, no problem, I'm logged in. Now I want to use sudo: it asks me for my current password. What is my password? Also, what is the root password?
Solution
The user account created by Google Compute Engine doesn't set a password. As an implication it is impossible to use sudo and most screen-locking apps can't unlock. To set password follow steps from the documentation:
- Connect to the instance using SSH, as you did when you first set up the instance. Here is the documentation how to connect using SSH.
- Create a password for the user:
sudo passwd $(whoami)
Please note that this password will be also used on the screen lock.
Answered By - Pawel Czuczwara