Being root

[Mark Nichols]

On 06/24/2009 10:03 AM, Florian Diesch wrote:
> "Amedee Van Gasse (Ubuntu)"<amedee-ubuntu at amedee.be>  wrote:
>
>> On Wed, June 24, 2009 12:09, bill wrote:
>>> In unix I am used to logging on as root when I need to do a series of
>>> administrative tasks, aware of the danger. New to linux, I haven't found a
>>> way of logging on as root or su'ing to root. When I installed I did not
>>> enter a root password and that makes it difficult to log in.
>>>
>>> How does one set the root password, or is this never done ?
>> Normally Linux is the same as Unix, but Ubuntu is a special case: the root
>> password is encrypted, effectively disabling root. You need to use sudo.
>
> Passwords are always encrypted.

If my memory is correct, the root password when you install Ubuntu 
starts with an unprintable character, making it impossible for you to 
enter at a password prompt. This effectively "locks" the password. So, 
yes, it is encrypted, but in such a fashion as to make using it impossible.

Mark