I find the constant use of a password gets tedious. Is there any way to not have to use the password for every action. My computer is secure and there is little chance of compromise. I am a complete newbie in Linux having just swapped from Windows. I am using MX Linux.


I found the easiest way to answer all of you is to edit this.

Thank you all for replying. I was not clear enough when I said I am a complete newbie, and as such I could not open the console and make amendments! I would probably have to format the drive and start again! Windows is the one that requires no thinking about the system, just use the program, which I think, suits 98% of the population. I may be a little ambitious in changing to to Linux, but I was attracted by so many people saying it was far superior to Windows. I have no trouble using MX, it is very stable. I don't have to log in on startup, but I do for updates, to shut down, and I suppose I'm not used to doing that. I'm all for security, but why a password to update, or shut down, or anything, really, when I'm logged on using the program. Couldn't a hacker find out my password (I don't know much about hacking, either.

If you are using the sudo command a lot you can switch to using su. With su you issue the su command and reply with the root password. You then run in that terminal as root without issuing any more su or sudo commands until you exit the terminal.

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Welcome to LQ,

Can you describe this constant password use a bit? Are you issuing privileged commands a lot or do you know why you have to use the password a lot? What do you consider not constant? What distribution and version of Linux are you using?

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Part of the problem here is the “complete newbie” status. I am afraid, you have to make some good and bad experiences, re-evaluate your problems with the password and then come back, here. Later, that is. “Afterwards”, if you prefer.

Oh. Edit: ... and follow whichever advice you get here. It does not matter.

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Provided it is about sudo asking passwords all the time, adding "baxter ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL" to your /etc/sudoers file will let user baxter run sudo without a password. Alternatively you may start a privileged shell by running 'sudo bash' and run commands requiring root access from it without prefixing each one with sudo at all. Oh, and one more thing: there is no such thing as secure computer.

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Most users almost never have to use a password for anything once they log in. The system allows them to do normal actions without that.

When doing system admin stuff such as configurations, installing software, etc. then sudo is needed and that normally does require a password, but usually also allows a timeout period where once the password is entered then additional commands within the timeout period do not require the password.

It is never recommended that a user always use admin privileges since that leaves the potential for an error to totally wipe out the system as a real risk.

Please explain why you have to "use the password for every action". What are you doing that requires this?

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Depending on your desktop environment, you can go into your screen lock settings and disable the password; I think you can enable logging in passwordless too. Just to throw another guess at what you might be talking about?

Thank you all for replying. I was not clear enough when I said I am a complete newbie, and as such I could not open the console and make amendments! I would probably have to format the drive and start again! Windows is the one that requires no thinking about the system, just use the program, which I think, suits 98% of the population. I may be a little ambitious in changing to to Linux, but I was attracted by so many people saying it was far superior to Windows. I have no trouble using MX, it is very stable. I don't have to log in on startup, but I do for updates, to shut down, and I suppose I'm not used to doing that. I'm all for security, but why a password to update, or shut down, or anything, really, when I'm logged on using the program. Couldn't a hacker find out my password (I don't know much about hacking, either. If I want to copy a usb or similar I have use the password, Its not a problem as such, but to me, it gets tedious. Thank you all for your replies.

Each and every time you copy? Even files in your user directory, for examples ones which you create and own? Or instead other files such as system files which may require protection against overwriting?

Not for using the File Manager, but to copy a usb, to update he system and other things. I guess to a long term linux user, use of the password is normal, and I may have to get used to it, but I find it strange that when I'm notified that updates are available, I have to use a password to do that. You said that the use of a password would prevent the overwriting of files - that can still happen after logging in. I'll get used to it, and otherwise I'm enjoying using the program.

You need to remember that Linux is much more secure against viruses and other hacks than Windows, precisely because you need to use passwords to modify the system. A further advantage is that you are free to explore your system as an unprivileged user and learn how it works without any risk of accidentally deleting an important file. Because, in early versions of Windows, every user was root, users were strictly discouraged from venturing outside the playpen called My Documents. Using Windows therefore means using a system that you do not and cannot understand. Using Linux means using a system that you don't understand initially, but you can explore and learn in a safe environment. I think that is worth a little inconvenience.

4 members found this post helpful.

Updating the system usually does require a password, and sensibly so, since you are modifying your operating system files.

"To copy a USB", this depends, sorry it is unclear. If you copy an entire USB using something like the "dd" command, then yes, it is a bit by bit copy and needs superuser privileges.

But if you're just inserting a USB and wish to copy your own files to or from it, then no, it should not require a password. We can help if you wish to describe what you're doing and be able to provide some information as part of diagnosing to help you.Updates modify your system, you should be given the chance to review and protect against unwanted changes to your system.Not exactly, if you are trying to modify system files you will need to have superuser privileges, usually granted with sudo and a password. Modifying your own files should be allowed due to you having logged in.

If you find that you cannot modify your own files then there may be an issue we can help with, which will involve additional information.

Is that helpful?

I am remiss in that I did not make myself clear from the start. I am trying to say that using a password after logging on, usually without a password, some of the things I want to do require me to enter a password. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I do not want to use a password once I'm logged on and working - ever - for anything. I have used windows for many years and I have never been hacked. I detect a note of paranoia in the thinking of a lot of Linux users. They seem to think that the hackers are waiting in the wings. I realise that some dead- brains simply want to destroy your system, and are doing it for "fun" but it hasn't happened to me. I have absolutely nothing of value, nothing secret, nothing controversial, on my computer, so that is not a factor. I was simply trying to find a way to not have to use a password, just for me, not to convince anybody else that they should do the same. Thanks for your time, people, subject closed.

OK will leave it alone, but just saying it's not 100% about protecting against intruders it also protects against stupidity. Sorry no better way to sy it, but certain commands if issued freely can erase or screw up your system. The password is also intended to give you pause. (Says one of, I'm sure many, who has encountered a password prompt, swore, entered the password, then really realized they shouldn't have proceeded. Followed by far greater swearing.)

You can greatly reduce any need for a password by modifying /etc/sudoers to not require a password for your account when you use the sudo command, I always forget the syntax, but it's easy to find. It's been years, not even sure if that's the file used these days.

There have been some suggestions on how to get rid of it (like post #5) or there's others from searching your "problems."

I personally never liked paying for something where it's going to have problems and wants as well. Why should we pay then? This laptop could have been $200 cheaper of course I won't be able to play all my games or boot Windows or Debian.