Thread: How I (accidentally) logged in as ROOT !?!

ok, threw me, did not think logging in root possible in ubuntu. perhaps can shed light...

professional photographer, , occasionally, , @ gunpoint, forced web designer, and/or graphics designer client. skilled @ this, don't enjoy it, nor do either efficiently (note reference aforementioned loaded gun...).

have job bidding on, , involves shooting, writing copy for, designing, , printing tri-fold brochure venue. trying free myself of windows environment entirely, looking new linux graphics tools.

not wanting go through repositories searching, instead installed artistx on small partition. ubuntu derivative seems have virtually every graphics program have ever heard of, , many have not heard of, linux. intend find new tools, install packages on production ubuntu partition.

reason, not install nvidia driver though based on 9.04, went nvidia , downloaded proprietary driver. .run file, must sh'ed terminal, logged in failsafe terminal, stopped x-server (sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop), logged in, , installed driver. when complete, ran "sudo startx", , popped nicely. however, logged in root!

normal? make sense? ninja clowns come after me? need repent?

never knew possible, please enlighten me. afraid make changes, not want hose permissions when log in normally, sort of weirded me out.

comments appreciated...

hi there, artistx not, strictly speaking, ubuntu, might better advice on artistx forums.

being said, possible log in failsafe/recovery mode in ubuntu without password. frequently-asked security question here on these forums. short answer "physical access root access" , should encrypt hard drive if plan give untrusted strangers physical access computer.

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