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I don't know if I have root enabed or not. When I look at the process viewer I see Root everywhere. Does that mean I am running root or is it supposed to be in the background? Something seems to be using a lot of processing power of late. When this happens I can open Process viewer and see some kind of weird looking symbols as a process is starting up and the PV pops up ??? I am on a wireless network but don't know whats going on. Is there such a program that can keep an eye on the computer and network stuff to see if anything is going on that is suspecious?
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How to disable Root
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#2
drmbb 
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Posted 11 May 2005 - 03:59 PM
"Enabling" root is done through the Netinfo utility ( see this site).
But, this refers to enabling a root Aqua GUI login.
By default, OS X dis-ables the Aqua GUI root login, but that does not mean there is not a root user (ie. UID 0 user). OS X, at it's core is UNIX, so root is always there. You can get to root (without ever enabling it in Netinfo) via the sudo command in terminal (eg. "sudo su -" will dump you into a terminal root login after entering your admin password).
Root (UID 0) is a fundamental component and user for system processes and system daemons. Seeing root processes running is normal, they are system processes that need root permission to run.
As long as you have never enabled root in netinfo (there is NEVER a need to do this in OS X - if you need root, use the sudo command in terminal, and know what you are doing beforehand), you are fine. You may also see a lot of other weird users running processes - eg. "other", "admin", "wheel", and so forth.
P.S. to cut to the chase - you can't "disable" root - the system can't run without it
--
But, this refers to enabling a root Aqua GUI login.
By default, OS X dis-ables the Aqua GUI root login, but that does not mean there is not a root user (ie. UID 0 user). OS X, at it's core is UNIX, so root is always there. You can get to root (without ever enabling it in Netinfo) via the sudo command in terminal (eg. "sudo su -" will dump you into a terminal root login after entering your admin password).
Root (UID 0) is a fundamental component and user for system processes and system daemons. Seeing root processes running is normal, they are system processes that need root permission to run.
As long as you have never enabled root in netinfo (there is NEVER a need to do this in OS X - if you need root, use the sudo command in terminal, and know what you are doing beforehand), you are fine. You may also see a lot of other weird users running processes - eg. "other", "admin", "wheel", and so forth.
P.S. to cut to the chase - you can't "disable" root - the system can't run without it
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#3
Nobody
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Posted 11 May 2005 - 04:24 PM
Thanks for the info. It was instructive. I haven't enabled root that I know of so I guess I'm ok. Thanks again this is a great discussion board as I almost always get an answer for my ?'s. Though it may take some time someone usually comes through. I'm thinking I need to do some research on this whole unix thing that apple has us in so do you have any recommendations as to a book?
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