Posted by Dave on 4/22/2009, 10:23 pm, in reply to "A little problem"
207.119.10.56
That's usual. The uid/password might be something like 'root/root' or 'guest/guest' or 'user/user'. Often the uid/password combination is specified somewhere on the install screen or in the documentation readmes. At least, that's how it is for a normal installation from a CD/DVD or .iso file. What VMWare does, I don't know, but it should be at least somewhat similar.
Usually, once you make the initial install, you have an opportunity to establish a new and permanent root password and one or more user(s) with passwords. This might occur at the end of the install process or immediately after reboot. That's where you get your security. The idea is to operate as 'user', not as root, since user only has certain limited permissions; any malware also would have only those permissions, which doesn't include installation so it can't hurt you. But if you operate as root, malware will have full permissions. So, use root only as absolutely necssary and then get back to user. Better, use sudo or su in a terminal, which will give root permissions for a specific task, and will limit your exposure.
Software installation using a GUI program will take care of the root password for you; using the CLI, you will have to become root in that terminal before installing anything.
In faith, Dave
Viva Texas
dave@christos.cjb.net, dpeirce@christian.net
Q: How many Linux users does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: Two. One to write the HOWTO-LIGHTBULB-CRONJOB, and another to read it.
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