Access Denied

aje · 10-18-2004, 06:43 PM

Why am I getting "access denied" or "You don't have enough permissions to ..." When I Try to open some folders, and create folders?

Tinkster · 10-18-2004, 06:54 PM

Linux has that wonderful mechanism that stops us
from being stupid :) ... it won't let us change certain
things, and for securities sake not even READ
certain things ...

Permissions on /home/<user> directories are likely
to lock anyone who's not the owner out.

/etc/passwd for instance is only readable to root
so people can't get a hold of the passwords for a
crack-attack with John the ripper or other tools.

Cheers,
Tink

darthtux · 10-18-2004, 06:59 PM

A user only has permissions over the folders and files that they own. Some files/directories are off limits because a regular user has no business with them. Security is a bigger deal than with Windows.

IF you need to do administration tasks, use su to get to the root accoutn
su -
it will prompt for the root password.

aje · 10-18-2004, 07:18 PM

So I can get into the root account in the shell?

I've done while trying to get access to my HD (see my other newbie thread.... ) But still I can't access these folders.

I have only created one account, is there a way I can give it more permission?

frob23 · 10-18-2004, 07:20 PM

/etc/passwd is always world readable. It must be.

The shadow password file is only readable to root.

btmiller · 10-18-2004, 08:30 PM

Yes, you can get into the root account from the shell -- type 'su' (no quotes) at the command prompt. If you want root's environment too (and you probably do) then type 'su -'. As a general rule, once a home desktop system is set up, you shouldn't need to become root but for software installs and the like. One thing I like to do is make the logs readable by the wheel group and add myself to wheel. That way, I don't have to become root to do the mundane chore of reading logs.

aje · 10-18-2004, 08:45 PM

When you say the root environment, do you mean that the GUI will allow me to access the files and folders that i need to be root to access?

If so .... I still can't access them. Unless I need to do something else other than just enter the command "su -" and type my password in.

darthtux · 10-18-2004, 08:48 PM

aje, if this is referring to the hard drive problem then comments are in that thread.
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...hreadid=244322

Follow the advice there.