From: dje@sspiff.ampr.ab.ca (Doug Evans) Subject: Re: Logging as root....bad idea? Date: 23 Jul 1992 14:53:32 GMT
unixsys@ssg.com (Rick Emerson) writes:
>c3460344@fsu1.cc.fsu.edu (C3460344) writes:
>
>>
>> I use Linux on my PC at home. It is in no way connected to any other
>> machines, and I am the sole user of it. Is there anything wrong with
>> loggin in as root all the time? Someone mentioned that it was a bad idea
>> because you can delete/modify ANY file. Well, what else would someone want
>> but total controll over their system? I have access to all of my DOS
>> files...what's the big deal?
>>
>
>Root has god-like powers. When you sign on as a mere mortal and do
>something silly, there's a chance the system will simply smite you for your
>folly. Do it under root and... oopsie! Do yourself a favor and be mortal
>where possible. <grin>
>
>Rick
I second this. Stay out of root except when you absolutely have to!
EG: shutdown, editing /etc/passwd, and other maintenance stuff.
DOS gets away with this partly because one can undelete a file
if one discovers one's mistake in time. With Unix(incl. Linux) that
ain't so easy. Some people have versions of rm that work like the
Macintosh trash can: the deleted files get moved to a temporary place
so they can be recovered if the deletion was in error.
But "rm" as shipped doesn't work like that.
You're only human and you *will* delete a file or make some other
silly mistake. Use the protection features of the o/s to protect
you from yourself.
-- Doug Evans | "You're just supposed to sit here?" dje@sspiff.ampr.ab.ca | - Worf in a mud bath.