The Enable secret is used to allow security when an administrator is going from user mode to privileged mode, same as Enable password. It is used to protect privileged mode on equipment which is not physically secured. The Enable secret is an newer, encrypted command that should be in use instead of Enable password (password it is stored in startup-config file in encrypted form).
Command is: enable secret yourpassword
Press RETURN to get started.
Router>enable
Router#configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Router(config)#enable secret password2
Router(config)#exit
Router#
%SYS-5-CONFIG_I: Configured from console by console
Router#copy running-config startup-config
Destination filename [startup-config]? ENTER
Building configuration…
[OK]
Router#
Password can be seen in startup-config, for example:
!
enable secret 5 $1$mERr$hHQRIr0ZrnbXMXMr.PbTv0
!
