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  #1  
Old 09-07-2003
MattG's Avatar
TechSpot Member
 
Location: Maine
Member since: Aug 2003, 147 posts
Useful Programs

Hey guys, its annoying me again

Im just curious as to what programs you all use to make your everyday life easier and such.


and also, when i went to log on IRC it came up with a message telling me, logging on IRC as root is Stupid!

Boy no wonder linux isnt wide spread! it insults you!

If some one could tell me why logging on as root is bad as well. =]


Matt
  #2  
Old 09-08-2003
Nodsu's Avatar
TechSpot Evangelist
 
Location: Estonia
Member since: Feb 2002, 9,431 posts
System specs
Running Linux as a root on regular basis is bad bad bad. One typo will destroy the contents of your HD in a blink. Also, when running programs as root, the programs can do everything root can.

So if someone exploits a vulnerability in your program or tricks you into doing something stupid (this is true for an IRC client - you can unsuspectingly install a script that leaves your computer wide open for attack) then the attacker can gain root privileges also. And you don't want some script kiddie with root privileges rummaging in your computer, now do you?