Running as root 6760

Daveman750

This would be because, in contrast to windows, things will work quite well when not run as root on a *NIX system. In windows, even the most common apps and simplest tasks require administrator access or they won't work. Running any punkbuster enabled game on windows is just one example. Trying to run MS Office is another. Yet I can run punkbuster enabled games on *NIX with no problems as a regular user, as well as running all my office applications.

While running as root may currently open you to fewer vectors of attack than running as administrator on windows, running as anything other than a user on either system is simply a bad idea, and only advocated by the ignorant and the naive. Well, and the just plain stupid.

As far as thinking about access privileges, K-Ubuntu has done an excellent job there. When installing new packages or updating the system, I just enter my pbuttword and all is good. I do this maybe once or twice a week, and do not see it as a burden. Nor do I see it as particularly onerous, and I spend 0 time thinking about access levels. It all just works.

Or maybe you just haven't noticed that it's mostly home computers that are getting turned into bots and used to attack my, and others', networks? I suppose that's vaguely possible, but would require an incredible degree of tunnel vision to miss all the articles and papers on this subject.

You also apparently missed all the stories of vulnerabilities found in firefox running on windows. But again, this in large part due to the poor core architecture of windows.

Multiple root-level accounts? You must be mad. And if you think I'm a paranoid security nut, well, that's ok. I think you're a complete wanker that shouldn't be allowed to touch a power button, let alone actually be given any sort of access on a system. The atbreastude you advocate is exactly why the security in windows is such a mess. I truly hope that some of the legislation working it's way through various legal bodies comes to pbutt; specifically, such legislation as would hold users accountable for employing poor practices such as what you advocate, and failing to patch machines on a timely basis. Those of your ilk are wasting my bandwidth and costing me money and time. And while wishing that you would die alone in a fire is probably over the top, my feelings towards such atbreastudes are not far removed from that sentiment. Because, frankly, I'm sick and tired of having to clean up the messes created by "people" (and I use that term loosely) such as yourself.

You just aren't getting the hint, are you? Because running as root is a bad idea. Period. No, that's not an exception.

No, they don't over-emphasize security. Neophytes simply don't get it. Not running as root is quite trivial on a *NIX system. In fact, it's geared specifically towards such a configuration to the point that trying to run as root is intentionally made difficult. And those who think windows security is "good enough" are shrinking by the day, or don't you read the news stories? And if windows reaches the point of being a mere niche OS, then maybe crackers and wormers will stop attacking it, making its lack of security a moot point, since there won't be enough systems to do any particular degree of damage.

-- Ignorance is a condition. Stupidity is a way of life.