Re: Username "root" unique?

Steffen Grunewald (steffen@gfz-potsdam.de)
Tue, 17 Nov 1998 08:55:50 +0100 (MET)

Riley Williams wrote:
|> >> how would a Linux system react if I changed "root" to something
|> >> else (preferably "bofh" :), but kept the UID/GID the same?
|> >> I.e. do all the tools and right mechanisms rely on UID/GID or on
|> >> the /etc/passwd|shadow user NAME?
|>
|> > "su" probably will be unhappy; you'll have to type "su bofh"
|> > instead. Other programs may break as well.
|>
|> Nope, su doesnae care - it refers to UID 0 if you don't type a name,
|> and you get whatever's the first name with UID 0 as a result...
|>
|> > The "root-ness" however is due to uid 0, not the name.

So why not use "root" in the first place, giving a non-crackable
password (better: an encoded password that isn't an encoding of
a password, get the idea ? I'm talking of something like "*" B-) ?
Then all system functions relying on root having uid 0 will be
happy, and you are free to use another name (with the same uid)
for your real root account.

In Germany, seemingly, "ruth" is preferred :-)

Steffen

-- 
Steffen Grunewald = steffen(at)gfz-potsdam.de = fax +49-331-288-1266
My opinions are mine. You can rent them. Just ask me for prices  :-)
"Art is a lie which makes us realize the truth"   -    Pablo Picasso


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