[SOLVED] Why would only Root have permission to mount something?

Wombat Pete · 04-22-2010, 08:23 PM

I understand at least some of the advantages of this multi-user set-up, but why would you have to become root to stick a DVD in the machine?

I suppose I could go into root and chmod the mount command, but - why would it have been set up that way at all? Is it paranoia?

John VV · 04-22-2010, 08:28 PM

this depends on the distro you are using ( i am not a mind reader) and how you have it configured .
how are things mounted ? with auto settings or in fstab ?
there are numerous tutorials for "setting up" various distros . What have you looked into ?

Wombat Pete · 04-22-2010, 08:35 PM

Debian.
I did try to make it clear that I know that it CAN be changed. And that I'm pretty sure I know how it could be done. Looking at your post, I can see that there are probably a few ways to change it (yours would be better than mine because more permanent, of course).
I'm just wondering why this would be the default setting.

jlinkels · 04-22-2010, 09:15 PM

Because you wouldn't be amused if some unautorized person mounted his USB stick onto your home directory (just one example). Usually CDROMs etc can be user mounted as indicated in fstab, but onto a fixed directory.

jlinkels

Wombat Pete · 04-22-2010, 09:21 PM

Actually, since given the way most computers work, that just seems like the norm to me, but - ok, I understand.

Wombat Pete · 04-22-2010, 09:22 PM

Well, not onto /home/[], of course.