change user privilages in linux

millwalll

Hi all,

How can I change a user to have root privilages in linux?

many thanks

cowbutt

Yes, but it's usually the wrong approach to the problem (it's akin to running as Administrator in Windows). What are you trying to achieve?

trcooke

Like cowbutt says, you can but it's not recommended. What distribution of Linux are you using? For Ubuntu (and other Debian based distro's) you can give your user one-off root privs for a command by typing "sudo" before the command. For example:

sudo apt-get install frozen-bubble

millwalll

well i alway got told that you should never use root but make a new account with the same sort of privilages as root is this wrong ?

toontastic

millwalll wrote: »

well i alway got told that you should never use root but make a new account with the same sort of privilages as root is this wrong ?

When you installed Linux you would have put some details in and an account would have been created (and most modern installs anyway) you will be logging in with this account and not root. So this is why when you do anything you will be asked for your password or to enter sudo to get you the root permissions to do something. I hope this makes sense ?

S0litaire

Most Linux OS have "Root" disabled by default. That means you can not log in as "Root".

This is a security issue since the root user has full system access and you can easily bork your system if you are not careful.

If you need to run something as Root you can use the "sudo" command i.e.

user&#64;laptop:-$sudo <insert command here>

stick on your password and the command is run with Root privilages.

If you need to run more than 1 command use "&&" between commands i.e.

user&#64;laptop:-$sudo <command 1> && sudo <command 2>

cowbutt

millwalll wrote: »

well i alway got told that you should never use root but make a new account with the same sort of privilages as root is this wrong ?

That's duff advice you've been given, I'm afraid; a new account with the same privileges as the root account *is* a root account (in all but name), since it's the UID and GID of 0 that gives root its powers.