Telnet as root

[Milamber]

Whenever I try to telnet (just locally, to test) to my Linux box as root, it fails. If I try with another username, it works.<br>
Is there some setting to prevent root logins via telnet?

 

[jfk]

Yes. It's a security hole to open root for telnet. But if you want to...<br>
<br>
Look in /etc/securetty<br>
<br>
Hope that helps,<br>
<br>
jfk

 

[ST]

Remark:<br>
With telnet/rlogin your plain password will be transmitted over the network. So take ssh (secure shell)<br>
<br>
But to your question:<br>
Depending on your distribution<br>
<br>
SuSE: rc.config -&gt; ROOT_LOGIN_REMOTE<br>
RedHat: ?<br>
<br>
and eventually you have to edit in inetd.conf the line with in.rlogind <br>

 

[Spammy]

I found not being able to telnet as root at first an inconvionce. After thinking about it for a while I decided that I liked having the extra login/password combination for someone to gain full access to the system. You can telnet as another user and then use the su command to gain administrative priveledges.<br>
<br>
As ST pointed out, a secure shell would solve the problem of having your root password vulerable to the network. I have gotten used to using the su command so I don't have to worry about someone unwanted trying to brute force my linux box as root.<br>
<br>
Spammy

 

[Milamber]

Thanks, this just goes to show "you learn something new every day"<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Cheers,<br>
Milamber

 

[wrexa]

Easiest thing to do would be to just su - <br>
after logging in as a normal user. But I do recommend using Secure Shell as well. It's the safest alternative.