OverTheWire Bandit Level 0 → 1 tutorial!!

Login

If you’re not already logged in from Level 0, connect as bandit0:

ssh bandit0@bandit.labs.overthewire.org -p 2220
# password: bandit0

Why? We must start as bandit0 to retrieve the password for bandit1.

Task

The password for the next level is stored in a file named readme located in the home directory of bandit0. Use that password to SSH into bandit1.

A little bit of Theory

• Home directory: when you log in, you land in your home (shown as ~).
• Listing files: ls -la shows all files, including hidden ones and details (owner, perms, size).
• Reading a file: cat <file> prints the file to standard output.
• Absolute vs relative paths: readme and ./readme both refer to the file in the current directory.

Solution

1. Confirm you are in the home directory

   pwd
   

   Why? It should print something like /home/bandit0. That’s where the readme file lives.

2. List all files to spot readme

   ls -la
   

   Why? Ensures the file exists and lets you see permissions/owner.

3. Print the password from readme

   cat readme
   

   Why? cat outputs the file content directly; the output is the password for bandit1.

1. Copy the password (careful: no extra spaces or newline when pasting).

2. Exit and log into the next level (bandit1)

   exit
   ssh bandit1@bandit.labs.overthewire.org -p 2220
   # paste the password you just found when prompted
   

   Why? Each Bandit level is a distinct user; you use the found password to access the next account.

Password

This is the password shown in my run; if it doesn’t match yours, copy the one from your own terminal output.

ZjLjTmM6FvvyRnrb2rfNWOZOTa6ip5If

Troubleshooting

• Permission denied → Re-check that you typed/pasted the password exactly (no trailing spaces).
• No such file or directory for readme → Make sure you’re in the right directory (pwd), then run ls -la again.
• Connection issues → Ensure -p 2220 is present and your network/firewall allows outbound SSH.

Congrats 🎉 You’ve retrieved the password from readme and can now play as bandit1.

Thanks for reading!

Until next time — Otsumachi!! 💖☄️✨