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From: jack <jack@diamond.xtalwind.net>
Newsgroups: comp.unix.bsd.bsdi.misc
Subject: Re: Root Password
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 15:38:45 -0400
Organization: Crystal Wind Communications
Lines: 22
Message-ID: <33513645.41C67EA6@diamond.xtalwind.net>
References: <33506884.2B7@persephone.pinehurst.net> <E8KJ35.Lzp@news.interactive.net>
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Xref: euryale.cc.adfa.oz.au comp.unix.bsd.bsdi.misc:6638
ritz@interactive.spamthis.net wrote:
>
> Beth Morgan <isplist@persephone.pinehurst.net> wrote:
> :P~Does anyone know what would happen if nobody knew the root password on a
> :P~machine? Would one simply have to re-install everything and start over?
> :P~For example, what if the System Administrator were to be fired (or
> :P~something) and refused to reveak the password? How would anyone else be
> :P~able to change it?
>
> You reboot the machine into single-user mode and change the root
> password. It takes all of 2 minutes.
If the outgoing SA was po'ed enough not to leave the password behind he
probably took <2 minutes to set /dev/console to insecure in /etc/ttys.
:(
--
"There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in their
home."
-- Ken Olson, President of DEC, World Future Society
Convention, 1977