Tom all that makes sense. I do not normally run as root but do occationally. Your insights are appreciated. Bret Tom Gilbert wrote: > > * Bret Hughes ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) wrote: > > > > > > Tom Gilbert wrote: > > > > > That indicates that at some point (hopefully by accident), you ran > > > gnome as root. > > > > > > Feel free to delete these files, and don't run gnome or X as root :) > > > > Why not? There are some tasks that really are easier to do in the gui > > as root. Is this REALLY a big deal? > > Yes. Absolutely, it is a HUGE deal :) > > I'm not going to go into huge detail here, because this is a *nix FAQ, > but here is a brief summary: > > o First things first, there is never ANY *need* to run a GUI as root, > especially an environment such as gnome. Log in as a normal user, and > in a console, type "su" to become root, do the admin task, the ctrl+D > to logout. You can run gui apps from the shell as root this way, but > running an entire desktop environment, file manager, app launcher, > applets, etc, etc as root is madness. > > o When you run as root, you will make a mistake. That mistake will > cost you, because root has unlimited power. Acidentally drag a folder > in gmc and suddenly, /usr is under /tmp. Try to type "rm -rf > ~/rubbish/" and accidentally type "rm -rf ~/rubbish /" and there goes > your system. Its easy to think "I'd never do that", but people do it > every day. > > o SECURITY > Root can do anything. GUI programs are large and are not generally > security audited. Gnome certainly isn't. Any exploit or loophole > because a million times more dangerous when you run it as root. Run > irc as root and I guarentee you that someone will gain access to your > system, and therefore the root account. > > There are millions of reasons, I won't list them all. Take it from me > that people have asked this question many times before, and the answer > is always the same. Don't run as root. Why give every application you > run ultimate power over your workstation when you don't need to? Why > lose ALL the benefits of a multi-user environment, and why put your > security at risk? > > > Very interested. > > > > Bret > > Tom. > -- > .-------------------------------------------------------. > .^. | Tom Gilbert, England | [EMAIL PROTECTED] | > /V\ |----------------------| www.tomgilbert.freeserve.co.uk | > // \\ | Sites I recommend: `--------------------------------| > /( )\ | www.freshmeat.net www.enlightenment.org slashdot.org | > ^^-^^ `-------------------------------------------------------' > > -- > To unsubscribe: mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] with "unsubscribe" > as the Subject.
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