ubuntu linux root password

Ubuntu Linux root Password (Default Password)

by  VIVEK GITE  on  SEPTEMBER 16, 2006 last updated DECEMBER 5, 2009

in  BASH SHELL,  DEBIAN / UBUNTU,  FAQ,  SECURITY,  UBUNTU LINUX,  USER MANAGEMENT

Ihave just installed Ubuntu Linux. But, what is the default root password? I can only login as a normal user. How do I login as root user?

This is the mystery for most users – you didn’t set a root password, so what is it? The root user (also known as superuser), is a user on Ubuntu Linux and Unix-like systems with full administrative privileges (full access). So using root account for daily work can be very dangerous and you may damage your working system.

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.

Task: Start / stop / restart services stored in /etc/init.d/ directory

$ sudo /etc/init.d/ssh stop
$ sudo /etc/init.d/networking restart

Task: Avoid typing sudo each and every time

Note that this is not recommended until and unless you are an expert and aware of what you are typing:
$ sudo -i

Above command will start /bin/bash as a root shell so that you can enter a root user command without using sudo command.

How do I login as root user?

Open terminal and simply type the following command:
$ sudo bash
OR
$ sudo -s
Supply your password and you will become a root user.