FreeBSD6 Unleashed

Introduction to Users and Groups

The users and permissions model that FreeBSD and most UNIXes use is fairly simple and single-layered. There are only two types of users: regular users and the super-user, or “root.” Regular users are subject to user permissions that restrict what they can do; only the super-user is free of these restrictions. Other permissions models (such as that of Windows 2000/XP) involve more complex layering, which is intended to facilitate certain system functions, such as authentication services and system-level processes. The simpler model of FreeBSD requires you to do a few more gymnastics when it comes to tasks such as setting up a web server with proper permissions to protect it from unauthorized access by shell users ...