startx as root

curos · 02-01-2006, 10:54 PM

So I've heard that you should never startx as root, because it changes various things that make stuff unsecure or dangerous.

But I accidentally did it today. So I was wondering what it exactly did and how to reverse any bad changes.

Or maybe I'm misinformed. Maybe it's bad to be running X while as root and not just starting X as root. Anyway, some information would be nice

gbonvehi · 02-01-2006, 11:14 PM

If you care about security, then you should try not to run as root, because root has access to all stuff on the system, so a bad program could do what it wants if you run it as that user.
You did nothing wrong by starting X as root, it won't break anything, don't worry

cwwilson721 · 02-02-2006, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbonvehi

If you care about security, then you should try not to run as root, because root has access to all stuff on the system, so a bad program could do what it wants if you run it as that user.
You did nothing wrong by starting X as root, it won't break anything, don't worry

Starting/running x as root does not do any damage. Logging in as root does not do any damage.

Messing around while logged in as root DOES cause damage....lol

The prob w/logging in as root is that the entire system is changeable then. Try not to do this, unless you have to.

Remember, you're the most dangerous virus that is on your computer! (Talking thru experience here. I can configure Slackware until it's as useful as Windows XP SP2. In other words, til it doesn't work anymore...lol)

Netizen · 02-02-2006, 04:16 PM

I agree with the previous posters. While some people run as root with no ill effect, doing so means anything you run can make major changes to your system. So just be careful where you go on the internet and what programs and scripts you run.