Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it”

From	rbowman <bowman@montana.com>
Newsgroups	comp.os.linux.misc
Subject	Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it”
Date	2026-01-23 22:09 +0000
Message-ID	<mti9s3F359U1@mid.individual.net> (permalink)
References	(8 earlier) <ygao6mlzrpd.fsf@akutech.de> <mtfeo1Fgf1jU1@mid.individual.net> <10ku1df$3b523$1@dont-email.me> <mtggq5Fln9pU3@mid.individual.net> <d6ac4mx67l.ln2@Telcontar.valinor>

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On Fri, 23 Jan 2026 14:37:49 +0100, Carlos E.R. wrote:

> openSUSE creates a root user with the same password as the first user,
> by default. You can click somewhere and use a different password.

Okay. My last OpenSUSE was 13.2 and I don't remember how I set it up 10 
years ago. 

> sudo works with the user password, at least for the 1st user. I have not
> tried a second user.
> 
> [...]
> 
> A second user can sudo to root with root's password.

That could be a problem although for most people the Linux box is single 
user anyway.

A more realistic scenario is the Makespace laptops the library converted 
to Linux Mint. There has to be at least one person to administer the 
machines. However the laptops are used by the kids for Arduino programming 
and other projects so there has to be another user that is not in the sudo 
group.  I don't think each kid gets their own login although that may be a 
problem in the long run. The Arduino IDE saves the sketches in /home/user/
Arduino and added libraries in /home/user/.arduino15.

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“What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-01-20 21:00 +0000
  Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” John Ames <commodorejohn@gmail.com> - 2026-01-20 13:15 -0800
    Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-01-21 08:21 +0000
    Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Jason H <jason_hindle@yahoo.com> - 2026-01-21 21:24 +0000
      Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” John Ames <commodorejohn@gmail.com> - 2026-01-21 13:52 -0800
  Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-01-20 21:43 +0000
    Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-01-20 23:28 +0100
      Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-01-21 03:44 +0000
        Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-01-20 23:07 -0500
          Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2026-01-21 09:15 +0100
        Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2026-01-21 09:14 +0100
          Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-01-21 08:22 +0000
            Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2026-01-21 11:53 +0100
          Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-01-21 22:18 +0100
    Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-01-20 19:47 -0500
      Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways   you should absolutely never use it” vallor <vallor@vallor.earth> - 2026-01-21 01:40 +0000
        Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-01-20 20:59 -0500
          Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways   you should absolutely never use it” vallor <vallor@vallor.earth> - 2026-01-21 08:50 +0000
          Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2026-01-21 11:19 +0100
            Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Chris Ahlstrom <OFeem1987@teleworm.us> - 2026-01-21 07:35 -0500
              Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-21 12:43 +0000
            Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-01-21 23:50 +0000
              Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Chris Ahlstrom <OFeem1987@teleworm.us> - 2026-01-21 19:12 -0500
              Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-01-22 00:20 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-22 10:12 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-01-22 20:40 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Ralf Fassel <ralfixx@gmx.de> - 2026-01-22 14:45 +0100
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Harold Stevens <wookie@aspen.localdomain> - 2026-01-22 09:57 -0600
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2026-01-22 18:51 +0100
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-01-22 20:13 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Bobbie Sellers <bliss-sf4ever@dslextreme.com> - 2026-01-22 12:30 -0800
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-01-23 05:55 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-01-23 14:37 +0100
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-01-23 22:09 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-01-23 23:27 +0100
        Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Bobbie Sellers <bliss-sf4ever@dslextreme.com> - 2026-01-20 21:03 -0800
        Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways   you should absolutely never use it” Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2026-01-21 11:19 +0100
          Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways   you should absolutely never use it” Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-01-21 23:44 +0000
            Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways   you should absolutely never use it” Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2026-01-22 10:40 +0100
              Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways   you should absolutely never use it” Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-01-22 21:03 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways   you should absolutely never use it” Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2026-01-23 12:29 +0100
              Re: “What a Linux root   user can do - and 8 w  ays   you should abso  lutely never use it  ” vallor <vallor@vallor.earth> - 2026-01-23 14:46 +0000
      Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Richard Kettlewell <invalid@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-21 08:50 +0000
      Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2026-01-21 11:19 +0100
        Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-01-21 18:33 +0000
          Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Chris Ahlstrom <OFeem1987@teleworm.us> - 2026-01-21 14:33 -0500
            Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> - 2026-01-21 21:15 +0000
              Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Chris Ahlstrom <OFeem1987@teleworm.us> - 2026-01-21 18:59 -0500
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> - 2026-01-22 05:26 +0000
          Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Pancho <Pancho.Jones@protonmail.com> - 2026-01-21 20:07 +0000
            Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-01-21 23:49 +0000
    Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> - 2026-01-21 01:00 +0000
    Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2026-01-21 09:14 +0100
      Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-21 10:00 +0000
        Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2026-01-21 12:04 +0100
        Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-01-21 22:32 +0100
          Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-01-21 23:51 +0000
            Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-01-22 03:06 +0100
              Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2026-01-22 10:42 +0100
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-22 10:11 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2026-01-22 21:42 +0100
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-22 20:44 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-01-22 13:06 +0100
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-22 12:30 +0000
              Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-01-22 21:11 +0000
          Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Andreas Eder <a_eder_muc@web.de> - 2026-01-22 11:24 +0100
            Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-22 11:52 +0000
            Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-01-22 13:08 +0100
              Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Andreas Eder <a_eder_muc@web.de> - 2026-01-22 17:50 +0100
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-22 17:17 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-01-22 20:15 +0100
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-01-22 21:08 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-01-22 22:46 +0100
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-23 11:04 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2026-01-23 12:32 +0100
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-01-23 15:00 +0100
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2026-01-23 18:16 +0100
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” John Ames <commodorejohn@gmail.com> - 2026-01-23 09:32 -0800
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-23 18:19 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2026-01-24 14:22 +0100
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-25 09:45 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> - 2026-01-25 17:14 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-01-25 21:52 +0100
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Bobbie Sellers <bliss-sf4ever@dslextreme.com> - 2026-01-25 15:31 -0800
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-26 12:00 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-01-23 21:00 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-01-23 22:30 +0100
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-01-23 22:30 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-01-24 14:21 +0100
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-01-24 21:05 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-01-25 15:05 +0100
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Stéphane CARPENTIER <sc@fiat-linux.fr> - 2026-01-24 11:31 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-01-24 14:19 +0100
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2026-01-23 12:30 +0100
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-01-22 21:06 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” candycanearter07 <candycanearter07@candycanearter07.nomail.afraid> - 2026-01-23 15:10 +0000
              Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-01-22 21:05 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-01-22 22:48 +0100
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2026-01-23 12:32 +0100
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-23 11:40 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2026-01-23 18:17 +0100
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-23 18:20 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-01-23 22:36 +0000
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Bobbie Sellers <bliss-sf4ever@dslextreme.com> - 2026-01-23 21:44 -0800
                Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2026-01-24 14:23 +0100
  Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it” Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2026-01-21 09:12 +0100

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