Disabling root account (Ubuntu 14.04)

[sKunKbad]

I've been doing a lot of studying of Linux lately. I enabled the root acount to do some work. When done, even if I logout, close the terminal, or reboot, I can still access the root account without supplying the root password. So what am I not understanding or what am I doing wrong? I don't really need to disable the root account, but this is just a learning experience, and I'm not understanding why I still have access. See below:

 

 

# I needed to enable root access for something

skunkbad:~$ sudo passwd root

 

# I did what I needed to do

skunkbad:~$ sudo -i

root@ubuntu-Inspiron-3647:~#

 

# I logout from root

root@ubuntu-Inspiron-3647:~# logout

 

# I disable the root access per instructions from many internet references

skunkbad:~$ sudo passwd -dl root

 

# Root access is still available, even if I close and reopen the terminal

skunkbad:~$ sudo -i

 

# I logout from root

root@ubuntu-Inspiron-3647:~# logout

 

# Trying to access root via su prompts for password, and old password is wrong

skunkbad:~$ su

Password:

su: Authentication failure

[jazzman1]

 

When done, even if I logout, close the terminal, or reboot, I can still access the root account without supplying the root password.

 

The -i (simulate initial login) option runs the shell specified by the password database entry of the target user as a login shell in that case sudo it will read the skunkbad's password. If you create another regular user account, for instance jazzman:password and grant it as root using the sudoers security policy, sudo will read his password when you're logged in to his current shell. As for the last question, running a su command, it seems that your "skunkbad" account is not permitted to use it. Su and Sudo are not the same.

Edited September 24, 2014 by jazzman1

[sKunKbad]

The -i (simulate initial login) option runs the shell specified by the password database entry of the target user as a login shell in that case sudo it will read the skunkbad's password. If you create another regular user account, for instance jazzman:password and grant it as root using the sudoers security policy, sudo will read his password when you're logged in to his current shell. As for the last question, running a su command, it seems that your "skunkbad" account is not permitted to use it. Su and Sudo are not the same.

 

Thanks for your response. It's odd to me that su and sudo -i would be different, and you are correct. I think that the differences are the PATH and some environment variables, according to this:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RootSudo#Special_notes_on_sudo_and_shells

 

When I specify a new password for root, I am able to use su.

 

Is there a difference between "sudo su" and just "su"?

[jazzman1]

Hey sKunKbad, what I read this morning at Ubuntu documentation, that the root account password in Ubuntu is locked by default. I didn't know that, I am with RedHat based distros.

 

 

Is there a difference between "sudo su" and just "su"?

 

No. In both cases you will find yourself into the user's shell with root environment. I think, the alias of sudo su is just sudo -s.

[sKunKbad]

jazzman1, there sure is a lot to learn. I've started reading the LPI Linux essentials exam preparation, thinking that I would just breeze through it, but that's certainly not the case:

 

https://shop-download.linupfront.de/cc/lxes-en-manual-cc.pdf

 

I've only worked on Ubuntu Desktop, Ubuntu Server, and CentOS Server. Right now I'm working as a web dev and design freelancer, and I stay busy, pay the bills, etc. I wouldn't say it's boring, but I'd like to be in a position to do something else. I was thinking to self-teach myself Linux system administration, but wow is there so much to learn.

 

Are you self taught, or study at a school?

[jazzman1]

I learned programming and Unix systems many years ago purely out of my personal interest and have absolutely no formal education on them. If you want to teach yourself in linux system administration area. I'd advise to start learning on redhat servers and lately getting some redhat certificate. The previous programming experience will help a lot.