Linux Administration Handbook, Second Edition

3. Rootly Powers

Every file and process on a Linux system is owned by a particular user account. Other users can’t access these objects without the owner’s permission, so this convention helps protect users against one another’s misdeeds, both intentional and accidental.

System files and processes are most commonly owned by a fictitious user called “root,” also known as the superuser. As with any account, root’s property is protected against interference from other users. To make administrative changes, you’ll need to use one of the methods of accessing the root account described in this chapter.

The root account has several “magic” ...