root user

[Liam Proven]

On 1 January 2012 16:05, AV3 <arvimide at earthlink.net> wrote:
> On Jan/1/2012 6:5435 AM, Earthson wrote:
>>
>> root is disabled, and it does not have a passwd. if you really want to
>> use "root", just set a passwd for it.
>>
>> command:
>
> You can do this, but it is not a good idea. The major security advantage of
> Unix OS's over Windows is afforded by their disabled root accounts
> inaccessible to outside intruders. Keep it that way, unless you have a truly
> compelling reason to risk your root account's security for.

Whereas the principle is correct, this is *not* a general Unix thing,
by any means. It was first introduced (that I am aware of) with Mac OS
X and Ubuntu copied it in 2004 when it first appeared, but few other
Linuxes do it, let alone Unixes.

It's an Ubuntu peculiarity.

However, the advice is sound: get used to not using root. Use:

sudo -s

... if you *really* need a root shell, and leave the root account disabled.

-- 
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