sudo, su, root

[David M. Carney]

On Saturday 11 June 2005 11:31, Albin Blaschka wrote:
> Hello everyone,
>
> no, this mail bears no questions, why I have no root account ;-)
> Maybe it is the answer (relief?) for some of us. Others maybe may curse
> me ;-)
>
> To get root-access *without* typing each time sudo <dosomething> *but*
> *without* activating the root account (leaving it as the default not
> activated I personnaly think is a *very* good idea - I have some
> Debian-Servers where I did the same after I got to know Ubuntu, which is
> now my Desktop-OS!), there are two possibilities:
>
> The first one: install the gksu-package either via synaptic or "sudo
> apt-get install gksu" (and all dependencies, two ore three libraries, I
> think) - you'll get (at least in kubuntu) a menu-entry "root-terminal",
> and that's it: You start it, you type one time your password and then
> within this terminal you are root, with all *priviliges* and *DANGERS*
> that come with them...and without typing your password again
>
> The other one: from a "standard" terminal, type "sudo su" and one time
> your password - then again you are root, with all *priviliges* and
> *DANGERS* that come with them...
>
> Be aware and be warned: You are root then and can harm your system
> seriously (and faster one may think...). Don't forget to close the
> root-terminal, don't leave it unattended...but I think you've heard or
> read about the dangers of working as root (root or god - where's the
> difference ;-)
>
> nice weekend,
> Albin
>
> --
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> | Albin Blaschka, Mag. rer.nat
> | Fachbereich für Organismische Biologie, Universität Salzburg
> | Hellbrunnerstr. 34, A - 5020 Salzburg, Österreich
> |
> | It's hard to live in the mountains, hard, but not hopeless!
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------

Add this to the end of your /etc/sudoers file:

Defaults:ALL timestamp_timeout=0

Now you'll have to use your password EVERYTIME you use sudo. No more "grace" 
periods.

David

-- 
Registered Linux User #297958
http://carney1979.blogspot.com/