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Groups > comp.os.linux.misc > #81375 > unrolled thread

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

Started byLawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid>
First post2026-01-20 21:00 +0000
Last post2026-01-21 09:12 +0100
Articles 20 on this page of 106 — 19 participants

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Contents

  “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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#81375 — “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it”

FromLawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid>
Date2026-01-20 21:00 +0000
Subject“What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it”
Message-ID<10koqeb$1i9u5$2@dont-email.me>
I’m having difficulty appreciating the point of this article
<https://www.zdnet.com/article/what-linux-root-can-do/>. It gives a
long list of horrible things that you must never, ever do. You know,
“Look at this big red button: do not ever press this button!”

And it gives this exhortation:

    Just don't run commands as root. If you need to use a command that
    requires admin privileges, always use sudo, so you have a better
    chance of avoiding catastrophe.

Yeah, but sudo *is* for running things as root! You think running them
via sudo is any better than however else you were thinking of doing
those things as root?

[toc] | [next] | [standalone]


#81376

FromJohn Ames <commodorejohn@gmail.com>
Date2026-01-20 13:15 -0800
Message-ID<20260120131521.000024c8@gmail.com>
In reply to#81375
On Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:00:59 -0000 (UTC)
Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:

> Yeah, but sudo *is* for running things as root! You think running them
> via sudo is any better than however else you were thinking of doing
> those things as root?

There's a certain extent to which you could make an argument that sudo
minimizes the chances of one accidentally running anything *else* as
root besides the operations that require it...

...but the real answer is that ZDNet, like 99% of tech journalism these
days, is vapid clickbait trash with nothing to say, and when you have
nothing to say and your job requires you to say something, you'll just
say *any* old thing.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]


#81411

FromLawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid>
Date2026-01-21 08:21 +0000
Message-ID<10kq2b4$1uqo3$1@dont-email.me>
In reply to#81376
On Tue, 20 Jan 2026 13:15:21 -0800, John Ames wrote:

> ...but the real answer is that ZDNet, like 99% of tech journalism these
> days, is vapid clickbait trash with nothing to say, and when you have
> nothing to say and your job requires you to say something, you'll just
> say *any* old thing.

Yeah, his gushing over FreeBSD was particularly hilarious.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]


#81442

FromJason H <jason_hindle@yahoo.com>
Date2026-01-21 21:24 +0000
Message-ID<10krg6h$2f4ve$1@dont-email.me>
In reply to#81376
On 20/01/2026 21:15, John Ames wrote:
>On Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:00:59 -0000 (UTC)
>Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:
>
>> Yeah, but sudo *is* for running things as root! You think running them
>> via sudo is any better than however else you were thinking of doing
>> those things as root?
>
>There's a certain extent to which you could make an argument that sudo
>minimizes the chances of one accidentally running anything *else* as
>root besides the operations that require it...
>
>...but the real answer is that ZDNet, like 99% of tech journalism these
>days, is vapid clickbait trash with nothing to say, and when you have
>nothing to say and your job requires you to say something, you'll just
>say *any* old thing.
>
Not to mention AI slop...

-- 
--
A PICKER OF UNCONSIDERED TRIFLES

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]


#81446

FromJohn Ames <commodorejohn@gmail.com>
Date2026-01-21 13:52 -0800
Message-ID<20260121135206.000005e4@gmail.com>
In reply to#81442
On Wed, 21 Jan 2026 21:24:33 -0000 (UTC)
Jason H <jason_hindle@yahoo.com> wrote:

> > ...but the real answer is that ZDNet, like 99% of tech journalism
> > these days, is vapid clickbait trash with nothing to say, and when
> > you have nothing to say and your job requires you to say something,
> > you'll just say *any* old thing.
> 
> Not to mention AI slop...

No doubt :/ Look out for "The 5 Best Shell Scripts for Quick & Easy
Recipes" in the near future, and be judicious in the application of
sawdust to any resulting pizza...

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]


#81378

Fromrbowman <bowman@montana.com>
Date2026-01-20 21:43 +0000
Message-ID<mtab73F3ha7U2@mid.individual.net>
In reply to#81375
On Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:00:59 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D’Oliveiro wrote:

> Yeah, but sudo *is* for running things as root! You think running them
> via sudo is any better than however else you were thinking of doing
> those things as root?

Sudo limits the damage.  Become root with 'sudo su -' and you'd better not 
have lapses of attention. I think it was OpenSUSE where if you were root 
the wallpaper turned bright red with round, black bombs with smoking 
fuses.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]


#81381

From"Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid>
Date2026-01-20 23:28 +0100
Message-ID<65c54mxda1.ln2@Telcontar.valinor>
In reply to#81378
On 2026-01-20 22:43, rbowman wrote:
> On Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:00:59 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D’Oliveiro wrote:
> 
>> Yeah, but sudo *is* for running things as root! You think running them
>> via sudo is any better than however else you were thinking of doing
>> those things as root?

Maybe because typing sudo makes you aware that you are entering root 
territory?

> 
> Sudo limits the damage.  Become root with 'sudo su -' and you'd better not
> have lapses of attention. I think it was OpenSUSE where if you were root
> the wallpaper turned bright red with round, black bombs with smoking
> fuses.

Only one year, long ago. I liked it.

-- 
Cheers, Carlos.
ES🇪🇸, EU🇪🇺;

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]


#81397

FromLawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid>
Date2026-01-21 03:44 +0000
Message-ID<10kpi2i$1q1tj$1@dont-email.me>
In reply to#81381
On Tue, 20 Jan 2026 23:28:22 +0100, Carlos E.R. wrote:

> Maybe because typing sudo makes you aware that you are entering root
> territory?

I use a different theme for my root terminal sessions: a yellow
background as a subtle reminder to be a bit more careful there.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]


#81399

Fromc186282 <c186282@nnada.net>
Date2026-01-20 23:07 -0500
Message-ID<gficnQ5Yz52JzO30nZ2dnZfqnPadnZ2d@giganews.com>
In reply to#81397
On 1/20/26 22:44, Lawrence D’Oliveiro wrote:
> On Tue, 20 Jan 2026 23:28:22 +0100, Carlos E.R. wrote:
> 
>> Maybe because typing sudo makes you aware that you are entering root
>> territory?
> 
> I use a different theme for my root terminal sessions: a yellow
> background as a subtle reminder to be a bit more careful there.

   Very wise. We need more than 'reminding' - remember
   there are many bad actors out there. Strictly, 'sudo'
   should be removed - but most won't. At the very least
   make it all a bit more 'complicated' for Xi. His boyz
   will go after the low-hanging fruit, the most soft
   targets with the least amount of effort.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]


#81410

FromMarc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us>
Date2026-01-21 09:15 +0100
Message-ID<10kq1v6$3152s$1@news1.tnib.de>
In reply to#81399
c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> wrote:
>   Very wise. We need more than 'reminding' - remember
>   there are many bad actors out there. Strictly, 'sudo'
>   should be removed - but most won't. At the very least
>   make it all a bit more 'complicated' for Xi. His boyz
>   will go after the low-hanging fruit, the most soft
>   targets with the least amount of effort.

*raises eyebrow*  You need to elaborate on that recommendation.

Greetings
Marc
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marc Haber         |   " Questions are the         | Mailadresse im Header
Rhein-Neckar, DE   |     Beginning of Wisdom "     | 
Nordisch by Nature | Lt. Worf, TNG "Rightful Heir" | Fon: *49 6224 1600402

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#81409

FromMarc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us>
Date2026-01-21 09:14 +0100
Message-ID<10kq1th$314lt$1@news1.tnib.de>
In reply to#81397
Lawrence D´Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:
>On Tue, 20 Jan 2026 23:28:22 +0100, Carlos E.R. wrote:
>> Maybe because typing sudo makes you aware that you are entering root
>> territory?
>
>I use a different theme for my root terminal sessions: a yellow
>background as a subtle reminder to be a bit more careful there.

How do you make that switch automatically when you become root?

Greetings
Marc
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marc Haber         |   " Questions are the         | Mailadresse im Header
Rhein-Neckar, DE   |     Beginning of Wisdom "     | 
Nordisch by Nature | Lt. Worf, TNG "Rightful Heir" | Fon: *49 6224 1600402

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#81412

FromLawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid>
Date2026-01-21 08:22 +0000
Message-ID<10kq2ct$1uqo3$2@dont-email.me>
In reply to#81409
On Wed, 21 Jan 2026 09:14:41 +0100, Marc Haber wrote:

> How do you make that switch automatically when you become root?

It’s part of the setup for that Konsole profile: open a session with
that profile and it immediately prompts for the root password.

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#81424

FromMarc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us>
Date2026-01-21 11:53 +0100
Message-ID<10kqb7m$31vdb$1@news1.tnib.de>
In reply to#81412
Lawrence D´Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:
>On Wed, 21 Jan 2026 09:14:41 +0100, Marc Haber wrote:
>> How do you make that switch automatically when you become root?
>
>It’s part of the setup for that Konsole profile: open a session with
>that profile and it immediately prompts for the root password.

Ah, okay, the luxury of people who just have one Machine.

Greetings
Marc
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marc Haber         |   " Questions are the         | Mailadresse im Header
Rhein-Neckar, DE   |     Beginning of Wisdom "     | 
Nordisch by Nature | Lt. Worf, TNG "Rightful Heir" | Fon: *49 6224 1600402

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#81441

From"Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid>
Date2026-01-21 22:18 +0100
Message-ID<3fs74mxdm4.ln2@Telcontar.valinor>
In reply to#81409
On 2026-01-21 09:14, Marc Haber wrote:
> Lawrence D´Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:
>> On Tue, 20 Jan 2026 23:28:22 +0100, Carlos E.R. wrote:
>>> Maybe because typing sudo makes you aware that you are entering root
>>> territory?
>>
>> I use a different theme for my root terminal sessions: a yellow
>> background as a subtle reminder to be a bit more careful there.
> 
> How do you make that switch automatically when you become root?

I just noticed, in my openSUSE Leap 15.6, that in the menu for "System" 
there is a "super user terminal". This one has the icon in the panel in 
red. It is Konsole, and the prompt (not the background), is in red.


   Terminal - Super User Mode
   konsole --profile "Root Shell"

I am on XFCE, though. In XFCE, when I do "su -", the prompt is also in 
red. So I do not know what that root shell profile may do, aside from 
setting the red icon.


-- 
Cheers, Carlos.
ES🇪🇸, EU🇪🇺;

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#81392

Fromc186282 <c186282@nnada.net>
Date2026-01-20 19:47 -0500
Message-ID<jbicnRYCiN6Hv-30nZ2dnZfqnPidnZ2d@giganews.com>
In reply to#81378
On 1/20/26 16:43, rbowman wrote:
> On Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:00:59 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D’Oliveiro wrote:
> 
>> Yeah, but sudo *is* for running things as root! You think running them
>> via sudo is any better than however else you were thinking of doing
>> those things as root?
> 
> Sudo limits the damage.  Become root with 'sudo su -' and you'd better not
> have lapses of attention. I think it was OpenSUSE where if you were root
> the wallpaper turned bright red with round, black bombs with smoking
> fuses.

   'sudo', as often implemented, is NOT safe. PI-os
   doesn't even ask for yer user PW.

   You CAN tweak sudoers ... tighten things up a bit,
   but that's more work and, if like me, you never
   use 'visudo', just 'nano', you'd better get the
   syntax right.

   The alt is to have NO 'sudo'. If you are concerned
   about security then this may be the best and easiest
   path. Open a terminal, 'su', then you need the ROOT
   password.

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#81395 — Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it”

Fromvallor <vallor@vallor.earth>
Date2026-01-21 01:40 +0000
SubjectRe: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it”
Message-ID<10kpar0$1nlc1$1@dont-email.me>
In reply to#81392
At Tue, 20 Jan 2026 19:47:14 -0500, c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> wrote:

> On 1/20/26 16:43, rbowman wrote:
> > On Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:00:59 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D’Oliveiro wrote:
> > 
> >> Yeah, but sudo *is* for running things as root! You think running them
> >> via sudo is any better than however else you were thinking of doing
> >> those things as root?
> > 
> > Sudo limits the damage.  Become root with 'sudo su -' and you'd better not
> > have lapses of attention. I think it was OpenSUSE where if you were root
> > the wallpaper turned bright red with round, black bombs with smoking
> > fuses.
> 
>    'sudo', as often implemented, is NOT safe. PI-os
>    doesn't even ask for yer user PW.
> 
>    You CAN tweak sudoers ... tighten things up a bit,
>    but that's more work and, if like me, you never
>    use 'visudo', just 'nano', you'd better get the
>    syntax right.
> 
>    The alt is to have NO 'sudo'. If you are concerned
>    about security then this may be the best and easiest
>    path. Open a terminal, 'su', then you need the ROOT
>    password.

I have a file in /etc/sudoers.d that includes this directive:

Defaults	targetpw

So I need the root password to sudo to root.

-- 
-v System76 Thelio Mega v1.1 x86_64 Mem: 258G
   OS: Linux 6.18.5 D: Mint 22.3 DE: Xfce 4.18 (X11)
   NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090Ti (24G) (580.105.08)
   "Windows: XT emulator for an AT."

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#81396

Fromc186282 <c186282@nnada.net>
Date2026-01-20 20:59 -0500
Message-ID<h32dnTUrSKqaru30nZ2dnZfqnPWdnZ2d@giganews.com>
In reply to#81395
On 1/20/26 20:40, vallor wrote:
> At Tue, 20 Jan 2026 19:47:14 -0500, c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> wrote:
> 
>> On 1/20/26 16:43, rbowman wrote:
>>> On Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:00:59 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D’Oliveiro wrote:
>>>
>>>> Yeah, but sudo *is* for running things as root! You think running them
>>>> via sudo is any better than however else you were thinking of doing
>>>> those things as root?
>>>
>>> Sudo limits the damage.  Become root with 'sudo su -' and you'd better not
>>> have lapses of attention. I think it was OpenSUSE where if you were root
>>> the wallpaper turned bright red with round, black bombs with smoking
>>> fuses.
>>
>>     'sudo', as often implemented, is NOT safe. PI-os
>>     doesn't even ask for yer user PW.
>>
>>     You CAN tweak sudoers ... tighten things up a bit,
>>     but that's more work and, if like me, you never
>>     use 'visudo', just 'nano', you'd better get the
>>     syntax right.
>>
>>     The alt is to have NO 'sudo'. If you are concerned
>>     about security then this may be the best and easiest
>>     path. Open a terminal, 'su', then you need the ROOT
>>     password.
> 
> I have a file in /etc/sudoers.d that includes this directive:
> 
> Defaults	targetpw
> 
> So I need the root password to sudo to root.


   ROOT pass, or USER pass ???

   And is this "sudo su" or just "sudo" ?

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#81414 — Re: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it”

Fromvallor <vallor@vallor.earth>
Date2026-01-21 08:50 +0000
SubjectRe: “What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it”
Message-ID<10kq407$1v18h$1@dont-email.me>
In reply to#81396
At Tue, 20 Jan 2026 20:59:25 -0500, c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> wrote:

> On 1/20/26 20:40, vallor wrote:
> > At Tue, 20 Jan 2026 19:47:14 -0500, c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> wrote:
> > 
> >> On 1/20/26 16:43, rbowman wrote:
> >>> On Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:00:59 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D’Oliveiro wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Yeah, but sudo *is* for running things as root! You think running them
> >>>> via sudo is any better than however else you were thinking of doing
> >>>> those things as root?
> >>>
> >>> Sudo limits the damage.  Become root with 'sudo su -' and you'd better not
> >>> have lapses of attention. I think it was OpenSUSE where if you were root
> >>> the wallpaper turned bright red with round, black bombs with smoking
> >>> fuses.
> >>
> >>     'sudo', as often implemented, is NOT safe. PI-os
> >>     doesn't even ask for yer user PW.
> >>
> >>     You CAN tweak sudoers ... tighten things up a bit,
> >>     but that's more work and, if like me, you never
> >>     use 'visudo', just 'nano', you'd better get the
> >>     syntax right.
> >>
> >>     The alt is to have NO 'sudo'. If you are concerned
> >>     about security then this may be the best and easiest
> >>     path. Open a terminal, 'su', then you need the ROOT
> >>     password.
> > 
> > I have a file in /etc/sudoers.d that includes this directive:
> > 
> > Defaults	targetpw
> > 
> > So I need the root password to sudo to root.
> 
> 
>    ROOT pass, or USER pass ???

ROOT pass (or whatever user you are sudoing to)

"targetpw" means you have to use the pw of the target
user.

> 
>    And is this "sudo su" or just "sudo" ?

anything with sudo, including sudo -i

-- 
-v System76 Thelio Mega v1.1 x86_64 Mem: 258G
   OS: Linux 6.18.5 D: Mint 22.3 DE: Xfce 4.18 (X11)
   NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090Ti (24G) (580.105.08)
   "There's my way, and then there's the easy way."

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#81422

FromMarc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us>
Date2026-01-21 11:19 +0100
Message-ID<10kq97r$31q7d$1@news1.tnib.de>
In reply to#81396
c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> wrote:
>   And is this "sudo su" or just "sudo" ?

sudo su is always wrong.

-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marc Haber         |   " Questions are the         | Mailadresse im Header
Rhein-Neckar, DE   |     Beginning of Wisdom "     | 
Nordisch by Nature | Lt. Worf, TNG "Rightful Heir" | Fon: *49 6224 1600402

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#81431

FromChris Ahlstrom <OFeem1987@teleworm.us>
Date2026-01-21 07:35 -0500
Message-ID<10kqh6k$23bn7$3@dont-email.me>
In reply to#81422
Marc Haber wrote this post by blinking in Morse code:

> c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> wrote:
>>   And is this "sudo su" or just "sudo" ?
>
> sudo su is always wrong.

Sure bro, sure.

-- 
Nothing astonishes men so much as common sense and plain dealing.
		-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

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