[TriLUG] to delete root, or not too?

[Kevin Otte]

On Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 04:46:31PM -0500, jason watts wrote:
> so, my questions are,
> 
> 1) how do i delete root? can i do it threw the normal way you delete any 
> user account?
> 
> 2) was told if i cant delete it, to find a way to lock it down and disable 
> it... so, what all would i need to lock down? and dont i need some of the 
> functionality of root for certin operations to be completed?

Ubuntu actually ships this way out of the box.  This effect can be achieved
with the command:

passwd -l root

This leaves the account intact but removes the password (technically it sets
the password hash to something invalid).  It would be advisable to do this
in concert with a properly configured sudoers file.

I'm sure the merits of this are ripe for a flame wa...er... enlightened
discussion. :)

-- 
Kevin Otte, N8VNR
nivex at nivex.net
http://www.nivex.net/

-=-

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." 
-- George Santayana

"It seems no one reads Santayana anymore."
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