Ubuntu and root account

By default root account is locked under Ubuntu Linux. Therefore, you cannot login as root or use 'su -' command to become a superuser. To run all administrative command use sudo command. sudo allows a permitted user to execute a command as the superuser or another user. Ubuntu setup your default account (the one created during installation) to run all administrative commands.

For example create a new user called bar, you need to type sudo command as follows:
$ sudo adduser bar

Password:

When sudo asks for a password, you need to supply YOUR OWN password. In other words a root password is not needed. Here are few more examples.



How do I login as root user?

Open terminal and simply type the following command:
$ sudo bash

OR
$ sudo -s

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If you find your password insecure and wanna change it, you can do that with just type
$ passwd

Type your current password, then type your new password, and retype again to confirm.

In case you forgot your password, you can always reset your password with root user. First gain the root access
$ su - (vareetu buut arii $ sudo su -)

Then, redefine the password for user let say eddie.
$ passwd eddie

With root user, you can check the details of the password management, regarding when the password is set, and the password duration etc for all user or particular user.

Check user eddie
$ passwd -S eddie

Check all users
$ passwd -S -a