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Everything about Superuser

Special user account used for system administration

In computing, the superuser is a special user account used for system administration. Depending on the operating system (OS), the actual name of this account might be root, administrator, admin or supervisor. The principle of least privilege recommends that most users and applications run under an ordinary account to perform their work, as a superuser account is capable of making unrestricted, potentially adverse, system-wide changes. Wikipedia →

🧭 Start here: a 6-step reading path

  1. Read the overview: SuperuserA 5-minute orientation
  2. Pick up a classic book: How Linux WorksThe most-reprinted book on the subject
  3. Read the landmark paper: CORTRAK Superuser Competency Assessment and Training RecommendationsCited 27 times
  4. Go sideways: Comparison of privilege authorization featuresA closely related topic
  5. Go sideways: Privilege (computing)A closely related topic

📖 Definitions

Noun A user with complete access to the operating system and its configuration.

🏆 Landmark papers (most cited)

📚 Books worth reading

Ranked by number of editions on Open Library, a rough measure of how lasting a book is.

🔗 Related topics