Root user permission

[Marcelle Soares-Santos]

Now I see... So, there will be no problem if I change my passwd?

On 10/27/06, Peter N. Spotts <pspotts at alum.mit.edu> wrote:
> Marcelle Soares-Santos wrote:
> > well, let me put my curious finger on this discussion.
> >
> > in my computer I have set a root password with "sudo passwd root", but,
> > some applications ask me my psswd (the passwd of the first user I've
> > created). why does this happen? shouldn't they ask for the root
> > passwd? I think this would be more logical...
> >
> > I would like to change my passwd, but because of that I'm afraid I'll
> > have trouble in running those applications. If I change my password
> > what is gonna happen? Those applications will ask me my new passwd or
> > the old one?  Will I have to memorise three different passwds (the
> > actual, the root and the new one) ?!
> >
> > Is there a way to make all the applications ask for the root passwd
> > only? Is that something "non-recommended"? Why (not)?
> >
> > sorry if my questions are silly. actually, I've been wondering about
> > them for a long time, but never had the opportunity to ask...
> >
> > thanks, marcelle.
> >
>
> Marcelle,
>
> I'm sure someone else will correct me if I'm wrong, but the dual
> password system is considered more secure -- root has access to programs
> and processes that if mishandled can really ruin your day at your
> computer. A user's access is restricted, reducing the chance of mucking
> up something he or she shouldn't, while still allowing each individual
> user his or her own relatively secure space. Root has dominion over the
> entire system, while users generally are allowed to ramble only within
> their alloted turf. Ubuntu has split the difference by asking a user to
> reenter his or her password if they are about to engage in a root-like
> activity, such as installing software system-wide or setting up network
> configurations. In effect, having to enter your password to perform a
> system-administrator function it a bit like the system asking you: Are
> you *really* sure you want to do this?
>
> Pete
>
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