Root log in on gnome

[Scorpion]

When I log in as root gnome doesn' t remember root credential (name= root) as for normal users.
Also it does not remember the selected sub-GUI, I am on debian 10 and unluckily the default is wayland.
Can I fix it?


I use X11 default or gnome on xorg, I did not try the other options.
Wayland doesn' t have the restart option Alt+F2-->r, also I can' t use yad on it.

I can rogin as root because I modified the etc/pam.d/gdm-password file.

[milomak]

this doesn't address your concern, but an overriding question will be why are you logging in as root?

the answer to this may lead to a solution to your needs while not addressing the root login issue.

[Scorpion]

I like to log in as root because it has full permissions.

A normal user seems unable to achieve that. Can he?

[milomak]

no a normal user doe not. but that's why there is su/gksu

ordinarily you should be able to run the system perfectly with little need for full permissions.

[Scorpion]

no a normal user doe not. but that's why there is su/gksu

ordinarily you should be able to run the system perfectly with little need for full permissions.

No, I will have to type the password a lot.
Also I want full permissions in the GUI and in everything.

When I open gparted, when I edit a conf in /etc, when I open /boot, when I use apt...
A lot of time is saved using root.

I want full permissions is my pc.

[pylkko]

Logging in with root to a desktop is dangerous. Every single program you run will run with root privileges, meaning that any bug in any software, any malware or any attack on the account can have access to every single thing/file/credentials and wipe the entire system, possibly hijack all your online accounts and what more.

But in addition to that, GNOME developers say that GNOME does not work properly and is not designed to be used with root:
https://mail.gnome.org/archives/gdm-lis ... 00022.html

If you don't want to get elevated privs all the time for certain actions, then you should change the security policy of those actions, not log in as root. For example, the configuration file for sudo allows you to state which commands you want to work without password. Then you can make "sudo apt install" work without requiring password.

[Scorpion]

I do not think that there are security risk but yes someone could also wipe out the system if I use root.
But that seems a minor issue:
https://xkcd.com/1200/

Is someone steals my laptop while I' m logged in, they can read my email, take my money, and impersonate me to my friends,

But at least they can' t install drivers without my permission.

That email is from 2010, maybe now is better, anyway I use it and it works.

I edited the "root" file in /var/lib/AccountsService/users/:

Code: Select all

[User]
Language=
XSession=
SystemAccount=true

To:

Code: Select all

[User]
Language=
XSession=default
SystemAccount=false

As the normal user' s one.

But after I restarted the pc the "root" file is like before.

What is that change it?

Somebody told me about that file do I need to edit others files?

[Head_on_a_Stick]

https://xkcd.com/1200/

And if someone steals (or hacks into) your laptop when you're logged in as root then they can do all of that stuff to every other user on the system. And install different drivers as well if they were feeling really evil.

[Scorpion]

https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/accounts ... equests/32

daemon: ensure cache files for system users are processed
At the moment we skip cache files for system users. That doesn't make much sense; if there's a cache file we should be using it.
This commit changes the code to read cache files, even for system users, and so lets root have a non-default session.

Does it all depend on accountsservice so?

I saw it here https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-sh ... ote_971993.

[Segfault]

We already have an OS which is offering great platform for all sort of cybercrimes, costing billions of dollars to legit enterprises. Do we really need to add Debian Linux to this platform? We outlaw drivers who have no license, we really should not allow people who are using broken insecure setups online. If some basic security requirements were in place to go online then the whole Windows family would be disconnected from internet. And this silly user here would also be outlawed with his Debian box run as root.
There are two most stupid things an *nix user can do, use the computer as root or run X as root. The basic rule "default denied" is the cornerstone of computer security.

[Scorpion]

Security!!! You don' t convince me!
This is my pc I run as root if I want it.
https://garyshood.com/root/

And it is related to gnome since debian is not changing something.
I am trying to find some workaround.

[Scorpion]

Are debian developers changing gnome?

They should add an option to enable root log in, and obviously support it.
Fixing for example PA, root log in credentials, adding games path to root and fixing tor-browser.

[CwF]

I don't get it. Ask Kali, do they still login as root?
My users can do everything. I can as an empowered user. What is it you can't do as a user?

It seems to me elevated privileged use is available if you set it up.

[pendrachken]

Are debian developers changing gnome?

They should add an option to enable root log in, and obviously support it.
Fixing for example PA, root log in credentials, adding games path to root and fixing tor-browser.

No. You are a moron.

If you want to intentionally shoot yourself in the foot, learn to load the gun yourself. You can set up everything how you want on your own, the Debian dev team doesn't need to make it easier to be dumber than crap.


The man command and google are your friend. Just don't whine when you screw everything up, since stupidity like what you are asking for usually goes hand in hand without having backups "because the computer should keep everything fine".

[Scorpion]

No. You are a moron.

If you want to intentionally shoot yourself in the foot, learn to load the gun yourself. You can set up everything how you want on your own, the Debian dev team doesn't need to make it easier to be dumber than crap.


The man command and google are your friend. Just don't whine when you screw everything up, since stupidity like what you are asking for usually goes hand in hand without having backups "because the computer should keep everything fine".

While I am at it why don' t I make my own GUI?
I fixed PA and there was already some tor-browser article.

Debian devs must support root.

How in the world can man command help me fix root log in?
And there is no guide about that.

So usually root log in is related to backups...
You are dumb.

[pendrachken]

You are dumb.

At least I know how, and why not to, enable root logins. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

At least I know how to add directories to my PATH ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

At least I know how to use my $SEARCH_ENGINE of choice ¯\_(ツ)_/¯


You only seem to be capable of whining and demanding to be spoon fed. We don't do that here. Do your own research.