Re: Forgot my ROOT PASSWORD...

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#445

From: Bill Unruh
Date: Sat, 15 Apr 2000 00:00

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In <38F899A0.46EA1C14@anti-social.com> anok <clonex@anti-social.com> writes:

>> Tux, no. You don't reinstall Linux to fix a bad password; that's
>> Microsoft Mentality speaking.
>>

>You know, maybe for once, this isn't such a bad thing...Isn't there a
>certain security hazard with being able to login as root to a linux box
>without knowing the password?

Yes, there certainly is. 
However, if someone has physical access to the machine, then security is
already severely comprimised. However, having to say remove the hard
disk is certainly more of a barrier than simply typing 
linux 1
However you can also password lilo ( man lilo.conf) so that booting into
single user mode causes you to have to enter that password. Youcan also
password your bios, so that booting from a floppy requires a password.
Unfortunately if you forget those passwords, then you not only have to
reinstall but you have to open up your case and zero out your CMOS. So
the level of security should be tailored to your security threats.

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References: <38F5D0D4.8C9255A0@thezone.net> <38F722FE.27927B62@yesic.com> <38F899A0.46EA1C14@anti-social.com>

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From: unruh@physics.ubc.ca (Bill Unruh)
Subject: Re: Forgot my ROOT PASSWORD...
Date: 2000/04/15
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References: <38F5D0D4.8C9255A0@thezone.net> <38F722FE.27927B62@yesic.com> <38F899A0.46EA1C14@anti-social.com>
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