[101992] in RedHat Linux List
Re: 'root'' login vs. 'standard user' login
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Lloyd Sumpter)
Mon Nov 30 17:57:53 1998
In-Reply-To: <19981130141506.C3405@camosun.bc.ca>
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 14:53:00 -0800 (PST)
From: Lloyd Sumpter <Lloyd.Sumpter@BCHydro.bc.ca>
To: redhat-list@redhat.com
Resent-From: redhat-list@redhat.com
Reply-To: redhat-list@redhat.com
I've heard this. It used to be that if you knew enough about Linux to
install it, you knew enough to be root. Redhat and others have changed that, so
I guess you need the "never login as root" stuff.
I'm quite happy logging in as root, and have never accidentally destroyed
my system. I don't really mind the warnings, but some systems, such as Star
Office, REQUIRE that you not be root. Nope, not for me. If I wanted to be told
how I ran my computer, I'd be using Micrsoft stuff (or even a Mac!)
Anyway, if you aren't SURE about what you're doing (i.e. you haven't
compiled you own kernel, written a few script files, used rdev, patched a wonky
fstab file (with cat, because vi wasn't working...)) or feel lost without a GUI
interface, DON'T login as root. (But don't tell me I can't!)
On 30-Nov-98 Deryk Barker wrote:
> Thus spake George Lenzer (glenzer@chuhpl.lib.oh.us):
>
>> I have noticed that when I install programs on my system, they typically
>> install to /usr/local/bin/... However, I always log in as 'root' since
>> there are many things I can't do as a "standard user" that I need to do. I
>> would like to avoid having to su to root every time I need to bring up a ppp
>> connection or access certain devices. Is there any way I can give a
>> "standard user" account the abilities of 'root' or should I add the
>> /usr/local/bin path to my PATH in .bash_profile for root? i am not
>> concerned about security since this is all on my home network and no one
>> else in my family is into "hacking". ;)
>
> It will all end in tears!
>
> Seriously, you should *never* log on as root unless you absolutely
> have to, it is too easy to wreck the system by accidentally doing
> something you didn't mean to (e.g. typing "rm -rf *" while in /... - I
> speak as someone who once brought an entire Multics system down simply
> by typing "lsrb 3 3 5 **" in the wrong directory) This has nothing to
> do with security or networking. You could be the only user of a
> standalone system and you still shouldn't log on as root unless
> absolutely necessary.
>
> Perhaps you could expound on what these "many things" you need to be
> root for....
>
> --
>|Deryk Barker, Computer Science Dept. | Music does not have to be understood|
>|Camosun College, Victoria, BC, Canada| It has to be listened to. |
>|email: dbarker@camosun.bc.ca | |
>|phone: +1 250 370 4452 | Hermann Scherchen. |
>
>
> --
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=======================================================================
Lloyd Sumpter E-MAIL: Lloyd.Sumpter@bchydro.bc.ca
Protection and Control Design or: lsumpter@portal.ca
BC Hydro, Vancouver, CANADA PHONE: (604) 528-3078
"organizing Pagans is like herding cats"
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