LINUX CLASSES - LINUX BASICS

How is the Root User Different Than Others?

The Root User

In any Unix system, the root user is called a superuser because it has powers far beyond those of mortal users (and it's not even affected by kryptonite).

As root, you can access files and change the system in ways other users cannot. But you can also wipe out your entire hard drive in just ten keystrokes.

Unless you plan to install new software or tweak your system, you should log in to Linux as a user other than root.

Ex Nihilo: Adding New Users

In the Linux universe, new users do not evolve--they are created by a benevolent superuser. To add a new user account, log in to the root account and enter a command like the one shown here. There's no limit to the number of new users you can add.

adduser hermie

After using the adduser command, you must assign a password to the new account before it can be used. Use this command to set the password:

passwd hermie

. . . and enter the initial password for hermie when prompted.

Previous Lesson: Living in a Shell
Next Lesson: Virtual Consoles

[ RETURN TO INDEX ]

Comments (most recent first)

Simon Greenwood (28 Aug 2010, 18:46)

It is a good web :)

Mark Jacobs (08 Jul 2010, 08:36)

@Mallikarjun if this isn't basic enough foy you , you need a Mac

Mwaura Sammie (16 Jun 2010, 00:54)

@Shikhin try using this command useradd username instead of adduser...then for password use the description given by bob

John (14 Jun 2010, 21:14)

Shikhin
Try using the command
useradd -m UserName

to create a new user

you can change the password by the process mentioned by Bob

for more about adding user try - man useradd

Shikhin (01 Jun 2010, 03:39)

Hi Bob,
I am 12 and have a Linux SUSE 11 on my laptop. Well when I log into root and try make a new user using adduser command it says that no such command exists. Further more, I cannot even open a virtual console. What am I doing wrong?

shaik (21 May 2010, 06:13)

Hi Doc Bob,

can u pls add adding groups and assiging users to tht group.. Please, so many thanks in advance.

Thanakorn (05 May 2010, 02:57)

How to set the new user role?

BlackHatLinux (27 Apr 2010, 06:51)

i've never seen any websites out there that give linux lessons more basic than this. he even teach us history. what kind of more basic information are you looking for?

Mallikarjun (27 Apr 2010, 06:17)

Nice Website but we want basic information first


<Send This Link to a Friend> <Bookmark This Page>

	* Linux Classes *