Linux - SecurityThis forum is for all security related questions.
Questions, tips, system compromises, firewalls, etc. are all included here.
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First of all, this is not possible on most linux distros. Adding user requires root privileges. You will need to use su and the root password, or sudo, depending on distro.
It would help a lot if you posted more information. What disrto? Your logic for your request? Without that information, we can only guess at the best way to help.
First of all, this is not possible on most linux distros. Adding user requires root privileges. You will need to use su and the root password, or sudo, depending on distro.
It would help a lot if you posted more information. What disrto? Your logic for your request? Without that information, we can only guess at the best way to help.
It is for the Ubuntu distro. The scenario is a professor creating accounts for the students in a class. How to minimize the security risks.
You need to look at what groups adduser sets for a new user by default. Its been a long time since I ran any version of Ubuntu, so I don't know what groups are added by default. You will have to investigate this. You will need to know what groups added allow access to. Some are easy enough, such as audio, or floppy. Others such as plugdev allow for plugging in usb sticks, and with that you can open up Pandoras box.
I use webmin for a lot of administration. It has a very nice interface for adding users and groups. You can also list what group any particular user is a member of.
Ubuntu may have some gui tool also.
Assuming you have not altered permissions on the system(s), that will keep the students from doing anything drastic to the system. Make sure root access remains confidential.
Security is a very large topic. There are many other things to consider, such as web access, and network access to other systems on your network.
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