Q. How do I disable sudo command? I prefer old way to become super-user i.e use of 'su -' command.
A. New Ubuntu Linux v6.06 (LTS) Server is here and one of the annoying feature is use sudo (which is good for Desktop systems) for each command. On a dedicated Linux server I prefer to use su to become a super user and then run command and log out.
So after installation type following commands to setup root account:
sudo passwd root
Input root password.
Now use su for rest of your work:
$ su -
Then carry out all your work.
Please note that I personally recommend using sudo, which is much more secure and better to use. But, since you asked for it I had give you all the instructions.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I understand your question.
as root , open the file /etc/sudoers
with vi or run the command visudo
in this file are users and groups and their permissions.
comment with # at all lines without # (commonly user root and the group %admin and others)
save !
Instead of ’su -’ you can use ’sudo -s -H’ to get you root environment…
A nifty alias would be ‘alias god=”sudo -s -H”‘. Typing ‘god’ and entering you password will give you almighty powers…
Isn’t there some way of turning off all these pointless security features in Linux?
It only makes Linux unreliable and frustrating to use. In fact, it makes linux LESS secure. For instance, just yesterday I tried to add a new user to my Ubuntu. After rebooting, I got a recurring “Authentication failed” which prevented me from even entering a password. In the end I had no choice but to format and reinstall Ubuntu, losing all my documents and personal files in the process.
I feel much safer using Vista now, because UAC can be turned off and Vista doesnt require a password. So, Vista and wont block me from accessing my own files or lose my data.
Hi Rene,
That you dont know howto to use the security features in linux is not the fault of linux but a lack of knowledge on your side.
If you where a little more knowledgeable you would have known howto restore your password without reinstalling the machine.
You can easily achieve this by booting from your ubuntu cd mount your harddrive and replace the password.
also you could setup key authentication to remotely login with ssh so you dont need a root password anymore.
in short dont blame Linux for your lack of knowledge.
Cheers,
Patrick
Thanks Partic, but I did not LOSE my password. A linux bug prevented me from even entering it. My Password is ‘PASS’. I keep it written down next to the PC in case someone needs access while I’m gone. My point is I DONT work for the CIA, so I dont need or want all this pointless security. And, I’m not some paranoid social outcast who needs to be elevated to ’superuser’ status just to feel special. Linux security is buggy, unreliable, and risky. Isnt there some way of turning it off? I have never come accross any malware or spyware that is as disruptive as sudo.
Rene Lindsay:
Well I hate sudo too and have no need for password so I run my linux as a super user and
have enabled auto login via KDE so the box just boots directly to the desktop.
However, thinking that Vista will not just drop dead and block access to your data is frankly
too naive… My linux is an old knoppix 3.3 and have not reinstalled even I have used it alot. On the other side, I have reinstalled my Xp twice and currently my vista takes ages to boot so I might have to end its suffering.
Also, next time you get “Authentication” box, just use another shell (ctrl+alt+f1-f8) to login and fix the problem or get your data. You never need to reinstall. Thats a windows fix and luckly you have better options with linux.
Thanks for the tips, Metavoid. Enabling auto login was a good start, and gets rid of the first login. Directly after that, nm-applet wants the password again. I found I could get rid of this, by using Ubuntu’s Seahorse utility to set the keyring manager’s password to blank.
Finally I would like to run permanently as root. How do you do this in Ubuntu?
Ironically, the whole reason I even tried out Ubuntu in the first place, was because I didnt like how Vista’s UAC keeps nagging for permission.
Rene:
thx.
Your welcome. Glad it worked for you too.
Ohh, didnt know seahorse could do that
>>Finally I would like to run permanently as root. How do you do this in Ubuntu?
Well, I tried many times, but installing it as root makes it blow up. The xserver hates me and it stops in shell. So my best bet is to use Autologin in and the su command to raise the permissions when needed. Then you dont have to type sudo a million times, only remember to su to the shell 1 time. Not perfect but better than sudo IMHO. The about sugestion with
‘alias god=”sudo -s -H”‘ is also ok.
Open shell, type god.
Hehe yeah the UAC (User Annoying Control ?) is a features that can make me cry. Luckly you can turn it off.
Well, I agree with you. Its pretty annoying that it cannot run as root when the whole linux idea is about freedom and then again, not, i guess.
Even its not wise or anything, I still want to do it.
sudo is LESS secure and specially in the default way configured by Ubuntu cause you’re making superusers everybody regular user belonging to the admin. Besides when you use sudo you don’t even need a superuser password you’re becoming root typing onling your password. Both sudo and su have some flaws because they run with user or group GID enabled, but at least when you use su, the root password is requiered and as soon as you do wan’t you need you exit the terminal or close de application.
By the way, if you use su -c COMMAND you can run just one task, you don’t need to open a terminal….