lost root password

[Scott D. Ferguson]

I've inherited a Debian box setup as a firewall. In an effort to learn better config. I'd like to examine the setting. Unfortunately I don't have the root password.
Tried Ctrl+X > passwd to no avail.

Q1.  Is it worth re-setting the password (I don't have a recent Debian comp.)?

Q2. Can I re-set it (and how)?
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         Nowhere near the bleeding edge..



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