[STICKY] How-To work as "root"

Hi,

in order to complete some tasks in Ubuntu Gnome based Linux systems; it is necessary to make yourself into user root, you can do this by:

Open a terminal with Ctrl + Alt + t and paste the following command:

Code:

gksudo nautilus

(for Kubuntu: kdesu konqueror)
(for Xubuntu: gksudo thunar)

this will open a new window and you can do what you need to do as "root", as soon as you close the window; user root shuts down and you continue as a normal user.

It is important to note that while working as root; you are aware that whatever you are doing; will be done at an administrative level and any permissions given; are normally given to "root" only, if you feel you also need to create permission for a normal user, right click on the file or folder or package and go to > properties > permissions and select which user(s) you want to apply permissions to.

When you are asked for your "root" password, give your normal user password unless you created a specific password for "root".

Regards Wolfman

See also:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RootSudo

and:

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/permissions

Can I set permanent root-level permissions by default?

I see no point to asking for a password every time I perform a root-level task when I'm going to enter it without a second thought anyway.

It is possible, but:

1. There are security issues (much like running as Administrator and connected to the internet whilst logged in as Admin)

2. There is a possible chance that your system could go belly up ... if you are not rigorously careful in what you do as a user with full root privileges.

I think Wolfman gave a link on this above.

Linux is secure as long as you don't run the system continuously as "root", once you do, your system will no longer be secure!. Simple as that!.

Swarfendor437 wrote:It is possible, but:



1. There are security issues (much like running as Administrator and connected to the internet whilst logged in as Admin)



2. There is a possible chance that your system could go belly up ... if you are not rigorously careful in what you do as a user with full root privileges.



I think Wolfman gave a link on this above.

If with Administrator you refer to doing the same on Windows, that is pretty much exactly what I've been doing since... well since I started using Windows. First thing I do on a new install is to disable User Account Control (I jokingly refer to it as the Microsoft Thought Control) completely, force admin privs, show hidden files, etc.



If I download a piece of software I'm going to install that piece of software whether it asks for a password or not. I would not have downloaded it otherwise and my security comes from the fact that I don't download shady software all willy nilly.



Is Linux any more vulnerable than Windows in this regard? I don't want to be that guy that ignores all warnings and thinks he knows better here, I know my place, so please tell me if I'm mistaken in what I percieve is the level of vulnerability.

Hi,

take your time and read this thread, it is a tad old but still stands today:

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions ... -a-915527/

And:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RootS ... using_sudo

Thank you.

If the shell is as powerful compared to windows as implied, I can see why linux would be more vulnerable to full privilege abuse.

That said, my system is not used for anything important in the slightest, and a destroyed system just means I need to reinstall it.
Rather than logging into the root account I think I'll disable the sudo password prompt. (I assume this also works when performing actions through the GUI, such as installing software in the software center?) I believe I understand the dangers involved in either method of gaining elevated privileges, and wouldn't recommend either to anyone, but I live on the edge.

The idea of an OS that punishes its user for being an idiot excites me. This will be fun.