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Operating Systems => macOS => Topic started by: Paladin9 on 5 May 2003, 00:27

Title: OSX Root
Post by: Paladin9 on 5 May 2003, 00:27: Is there a way to make a normal user in OSX be just like the root account?
Title: OSX Root
Post by: Pantso on 5 May 2003, 00:39: Have you activated the root user or not? By default the root user in OS X is de-activated. If not you can activate the root user either from inside Netinfo or from the terminal, by typing:

Code: [Select]

and giving your new root password.

If, on the other hand you have activated the root user and just want to give yourself root priviledges, open up a terminal window and type:

Code: [Select]

and then your password. I don't know if I'm missing something. :confused:

[ May 04, 2003: Message edited by: Panos ]
Title: OSX Root
Post by: billy_gates on 5 May 2003, 04:24: quote:
Originally posted by Panos:
Have you activated the root user or not? By default the root user in OS X is de-activated. If not you can activate the root user either from inside Netinfo or from the terminal, by typing:

Code: [Select]

and giving your new root password.

If, on the other hand you have activated the root user and just want to give yourself root priviledges, open up a terminal window and type:

Code: [Select]

and then your password. I don't know if I'm missing something. :confused: [/b]

I alsways used
Code: [Select]
but it might not matter
Title: OSX Root
Post by: Pantso on 5 May 2003, 04:30: Ooops, you're right Billy Gates. I got a bit carried away back there and typed the whole word. I don't know however if it works that way too. Anyway, thanks for noticing. I'll just edit the previous post. ;)
Title: OSX Root
Post by: Paladin9 on 5 May 2003, 07:02: I know my root account and use it sometimes, but I have a regular account that I normally use that I want to give root permission. I dont want it to be just an "administrator" account.
Title: OSX Root
Post by: billy_gates on 5 May 2003, 07:10: quote:
Originally posted by Paladin9:
I know my root account and use it sometimes, but I have a regular account that I normally use that I want to give root permission. I dont want it to be just an "administrator" account.

this won't help, but ur playing with fire. Even linux people say not to use root, a mac might be very at risk if there was a root user commonly using it.
Title: OSX Root
Post by: trc3 on 5 May 2003, 07:12: quote:
Originally posted by Paladin9:
I know my root account and use it sometimes, but I have a regular account that I normally use that I want to give root permission. I dont want it to be just an "administrator" account.

No, don't use root as your everyday user, it's really easy to mess your system up if you have root permissions all the time. If you need to use root just open up the terminal or log out and back in.
Title: OSX Root
Post by: xyle_one on 5 May 2003, 08:03: um, i would suggest against being a root user all the time.
Title: OSX Root
Post by: Paladin9 on 6 May 2003, 02:36: I know! I know! I dont care. I just want to know how to make a normal account like the root account if it is possible. I dont care about the risks.
Title: OSX Root
Post by: xyle_one on 6 May 2003, 02:47: i think administrator is as close as you are going to get. i am not aware of actually creating a user as powerful as root.
Title: OSX Root
Post by: flap on 6 May 2003, 03:27: Just login as root instead. Why do you want to do this?
Title: OSX Root
Post by: Pantso on 6 May 2003, 03:34: There is no way that you can turn a normal (Administrator I presume) account behave like the root one. The principle is the same in OS X, as is in all Unices or Unix-like OSes. There's only one root account, which you can access from the terminal as a normal user.
Title: OSX Root
Post by: dot.this on 15 May 2003, 08:25: I've been using OS X for about a year, and, after briefly trying admin login, have always logged in as root. I've had no, repeat, NO problems because of it. It makes a lot of things much easier, too. I never have to open up the terminal and type in stuff to extend my privileges, for instance. I just have them, like I did with OS 9.

I think the fears are unfounded. I haven't found anyone who'll say what problems they've had as a result of root login; they just repeat the claim that it's "risky". In my experience, it's not.
Title: OSX Root
Post by: xyle_one on 15 May 2003, 08:29: quote:
Originally posted by dot.this:
I've been using OS X for about a year, and, after briefly trying admin login, have always logged in as root. I've had no, repeat, NO problems because of it. It makes a lot of things much easier, too. I never have to open up the terminal and type in stuff to extend my privileges, for instance. I just have them, like I did with OS 9.

I think the fears are unfounded. I haven't found anyone who'll say what problems they've had as a result of root login; they just repeat the claim that it's "risky". In my experience, it's not.

its risky when you do not know what you are doing, and decide to do some "house cleaning". or decide to change files or something stupid like that.. i guess if you are a "power" user, go ahead and use root, but it generally is good practive to login is a normal or admin user.
Title: OSX Root
Post by: Faust on 15 May 2003, 21:41: Won't every binary he runs run as root? Thats not good... especially if you get a trojan...
Title: OSX Root
Post by: gnomez on 15 May 2003, 11:43: I have a great script for you OS X users

Code: [Select]
Title: OSX Root
Post by: psyjax on 15 May 2003, 12:19: Code: [Select]
[/qb]<hr></blockquote>

ummm... Linux User, why do you keep posting this crap? I mean, your cover is blown, it's not even that funny.

[ May 15, 2003: Message edited by: psyjax: plain 'ol psyjax ]
Title: OSX Root
Post by: Calum on 15 May 2003, 12:57: quote:
Originally posted by dot.this:
I've been using OS X for about a year, and, after briefly trying admin login, have always logged in as root. I've had no, repeat, NO problems because of it. It makes a lot of things much easier, too. I never have to open up the terminal and type in stuff to extend my privileges, for instance. I just have them, like I did with OS 9.

I think the fears are unfounded. I haven't found anyone who'll say what problems they've had as a result of root login; they just repeat the claim that it's "risky". In my experience, it's not.

if you can't tell why a computer connected to the internet should not have people running programs as root on it, then there is nothing anybody can tell you...
Title: OSX Root
Post by: gnomez on 15 May 2003, 13:30: Who is Linux user? Do not mistake me for some stupid hippie! If I ever see that guy in real life I'm going to kick him square in the nuts!

Win-dows 2003
Sweet OS of the free
God save Bill Gates

Linux is full of shit
Mac OS is for pricks
From every mountain side
Let Ballmer scream.
Title: OSX Root
Post by: Calum on 15 May 2003, 13:57: quote:
Originally posted by 69waluigi69:
Who is Linux user? Do not mistake me for some stupid hippie! If I ever see that guy in real life I'm going to kick him square in the nuts!

Win-dows 2003
Sweet OS of the free
God save Bill Gates

Linux is full of shit
Mac OS is for pricks
From every mountain side
Let Ballmer scream.

look, give it up, these "useless attacks" are not helping anybody. seek professional advice.
how is this dumb little poem of yours making anybody think for themselves about anything?
discussion is supposed to be about adding things, not just boring people to death with mindless nonsense.
Title: OSX Root
Post by: Pantso on 15 May 2003, 16:30: quote:
Originally posted by dot.this:
I've been using OS X for about a year, and, after briefly trying admin login, have always logged in as root. I've had no, repeat, NO problems because of it. It makes a lot of things much easier, too. I never have to open up the terminal and type in stuff to extend my privileges, for instance. I just have them, like I did with OS 9.

I think the fears are unfounded. I haven't found anyone who'll say what problems they've had as a result of root login; they just repeat the claim that it's "risky". In my experience, it's not.

I'm sure you've heard that it's better to be safe than sorry. Well, I guess you were lucky until now. You may still continue to be that lucky, but believe me one day your luck will run out. People with basic knowledge on *NIX-like systems would not do anything that would compromise their system's security.
Title: OSX Root
Post by: Faust on 15 May 2003, 17:33: eg:
lets delete that old folder in my home dir...
i should specify the absolute path so I dont delete the wrong folder!
ok heres what i type in the command line:
rm -rf /home/ /user_name/old_folder << woops! someone didnt notice that they accidently hit the spacebar!
oh dear, bye bye home dir.
Title: OSX Root
Post by: Faust on 15 May 2003, 17:35: quote:
I think the fears are unfounded. I haven't found anyone who'll say what problems they've had as a result of root login; they just repeat the claim that it's "risky". In my experience, it's not.

And of course we know more than venerable unix admins who still remember pdp* boxes!
Title: OSX Root
Post by: Calum on 15 May 2003, 18:28: quote:
I think the fears are unfounded. I haven't found anyone who'll say what problems they've had as a result of root login; they just repeat the claim that it's "risky". In my experience, it's not.

have you ever considered working for microsoft's PR dept? (maybe you already do!) i can just imagine it would be natural for you to say things like "... And with our new "phone home" technology, your data is safer than it's ever been before, all you need to do is upgrade to Microsoft PhoneHome XPX 2003 for US$599 and your system will be safe from viruses and hackers for months to come!"