Boot as admin every time...

[Silhorn]

Hi,

I've been playing around with the LiveCD and I find in linux that every time I run a restricted access program or feature it asks me for the root password because I am logged in as guest.
If i install this on HD, is it possible to make me default log into root every startup so i can access and do everything without restrictions? Since there will only be one user using the computer/laptop (me).

[7272andy]

You could, but by doing so you will invalidate all the security of your system.

Regards

[Archie]

Hello Silhorn.

First, welcome to the community.

It is generally a bad idea to always logon as root. Even if you are the only one using your computer, if you are connected to the Internet, anyone can virtually take control of your machine because they will have instant administrator privileges. This is what is really wrong with the first users on Windows computers.

It is possible to do what you want to do but you are not getting it from me. If there's anything, I'd want you to have a positive Linux experience.

The benefits may not be obvious now but you will be thankful that you are logon as a user whenever you use your computer, even if you needed to supply your root password every time you need to install/remove applications or do system-critical task.

Remember, there might only be you using your computer at your home but if you are connected to the outside world and the Internet, you can bet there are users waiting for you.

Sorry.

[Neal ManBear]

Hi,

I've been playing around with the LiveCD and I find in linux that every time I run a restricted access program or feature it asks me for the root password because I am logged in as guest.
If i install this on HD, is it possible to make me default log into root every startup so i can access and do everything without restrictions? Since there will only be one user using the computer/laptop (me).

Possible? Yes. Should it be done? No! Absolutely not!
You've heard of Linux being a more secure OS, right? Well running as root is the single biggest way to discard your security, especially if you connect to the internet. Being the only user of the computer is only a 'physical access' security measure and that only if no other person ever has access to it.

Your user account is a part of your security. If it is necessary to perform root tasks, tools to do so are provided. These limit root access to the task at hand and provide a more secure working environment. When not doing root tasks, you are working in a more secure environment.

[Silhorn]

Ok then, fair enough.

I will keep it that way then.

One more question though, do you think i will need to change the default root password or leaving it as it is fine?

[Rudge]

Ok then, fair enough.

I will keep it that way then.

One more question though, do you think i will need to change the default root password or leaving it as it is fine?

Change it. Everyone already knows the default. 

[Archie]

Silhorn's root password is root.

Can you guess mine?  

Open a console, type su and when asked for a Password, type in your root password. The color of the text will be red and the dollar sign ($) will become a number sign (#) indicating you are in superuser (switch user ... another thread for discussion) mode. Type passwd and type in your desired root password. You won't be able to see what you are typing so be careful and remember what they are. When you're done typing your new root password, press Enter. Then you would need to re-type what you just typed to confirm that it is indeed what you want to use. In pressing Enter, either nothing will happen or you will get an incorrect password or password do not match sort of error message. You'll then have to do it again.

I hope that helps you.  

3046

[Neal ManBear]

You can change the password while running the live CD, but the change will not be there on any subsequent boot up of the live CD. Changes made to the system running live can not be burned to the CD and therefore can not be saved. If you are running a liveUSB with persistence, changes can be made and saved while using the persistence boot option.

After installing to your hard drive, on first boot you will go through the set up of your root password and set up of your user account and its password.
Make your passwords strong. A mixture of letters  upper and lower case, numbers and symbols that does not match any dictionary word is recommended as strongest. Make it longer for more strength. I make both root and user passwords by this method.