How to Run Commands as Root in Linux

Root privileges in Linux are incredibly powerful, but also dangerous if not used carefully. This guide will walk you through the process of unlocking and using the root account to run commands with elevated privileges, a key aspect of Linux administration.

Part 1: Unlocking the Root Account

The default setup for most Linux distributions is to lock the root account to protect against unintended system damage. Here’s how to unlock the root account:

Open the terminal. You can do this by pressing Ctrl Alt T or by searching for 'terminal' in the application menu.

Type the following command and press Enter:
sudopasswd root

You'll be prompted to enter your regular user password.

Set a new password for the root account:

You'll be asked to create a new root password and enter it twice. Once the process is completed, the root account will be active, allowing you full access to the system.

Note: If you wish to lock the root account, you can do so by entering sudopasswd -dl root.

Part 2: Gaining Root Access in the Terminal

Once the root account is unlocked, use the following steps to gain root access:

Open the terminal, if it's not already open.

Type the following command and press Enter: sudo su -

This logins you in as root.

Enter the root password when prompted:

After trying to enter the root password, the terminal will display a shell with the command prompt ending with # instead of $. If you get an error, ensure your password is correct.

Check the command prompt:

When logged in as root, the command prompt will change to begin with # . This indicates you have root privileges.

Enter commands that require root access:

Run any commands that you need to run as root. Once you use sudo su -, you don't need to keep entering the root password every time, as the command is preserved until the end of the session.

Consider using sudo for convenience:

Through the sudo command, you can execute specific commands with root privileges without logging in as root. Use the following format: sudocommand For example, sudoups. sudo is recommended in distributions like Ubuntu, even when the root account is locked.

Part 3: Allowing Root Login in Ubuntu

In Ubuntu, as in other distributions, the root account is often disabled. However, you can allow root login by following these steps:

Open the terminal.

Type the following command and press Enter: sudonano /etc/pam.d/sshd

This command allows you to edit the SSH password authentication manager file.

Enter your user password and press Enter.

Add 'AllowRootTrue' to the file. Place it at the end of the file.

Press Ctrl X, then Y and Enter to save the changes.

Part 4: Logging in as Root in Ubuntu

When using Ubuntu, you might occasionally need root access to perform specific tasks:

Enter your username as root.

Enter the root password when prompted.

Please note that if you forgot the root password, you can reset it via recovery mode. For this, you need your user account's password.

Avoid logging in as root for complex programs.

It's best to use sudo for running commands with root access, as it's more secure and provides better control.

Part 5: Resetting the Root or Admin Password

If you've forgotten your root password, you can reset it using the following steps:

Boot your computer into recovery mode.

Hold down Shift when booting, then select the 'recovery mode' entry from the GRUB menu.

Recover from the shell prompt:

Once in recovery mode, type root to enter the root shell.

Remount the drive with write permissions: mount -rw -o remount /

Create a new password:

You can use the passwd command to reset the password for any user account. For example, to reset the root password:

passwd root Enter the new password twice when prompted.

Reboot your system:

Once completed, reboot your system to use the new password.

Conclusion

Understanding and utilizing root privileges effectively is crucial for system administrators and power users. By following these steps, you can ensure you are using the root account responsibly and securely. Always remember to avoid unnecessary root access and to regularly update the system to ensure security.

Keywords: root account, elevating privileges, sudo, su command, SSH root login