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Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2004 12:04:43 +0100
From: Dick Davies <rasputnik@hellooperator.net>
To: Ara Avvali <Ara@Avvali.COM>
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cc: FreeBSD Questions <freebsd-questions@freebsd.org>
Subject: Re: Change root user name? possible?
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* Ara Avvali <Ara@Avvali.COM> [0804 00:04]:
> What I mean if someone wants to hack to machine or even get physical access
> half of the job is done by knowing the root user name. Although windows
> security blows but they have this feature renaming administrator user
> account name

uid 0 is special, not the name root. A lot of exploits try to su to uid 0.

But a buttload of scripts would do a chown root secretfile; chmod 400 secretfile
which would cause you all sorts of problems.

> It would be like if you want to go in a street and steal a diamond ring.
> First you have to know the lot number of house which has it and second the
> key to get in. would make it harder to try every single house

you're better off locking the door. disallow root logins off the network.

-- 
VMS is like a nightmare about RSX-11M.
Rasputin :: Jack of All Trades - Master of Nuns