> -----Original Message----- > From: Linux on 390 Port [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On > Behalf Of CHAPLIN, JAMES (CTR) > Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 2:28 PM > To: LINUX-390@VM.MARIST.EDU > Subject: question on what is 'nobody' > > > In the /etc/passwd & group is a uid/gid of nobody. > > Why is nobody there and what does he do? > > Also in his (and others) shadow file he has * as his > encrypted password, > does this have special value? > nobody:*:13725:0:99999:7::: > > New to linux, inquisitive mind ;-) > > James Chaplin
That is a type of "null" user that many daemons use in order to reduce their authorities to "nothing". This helps enhance security by running the majority of the daemon code in a mode in which they cannot affect any other processes or files. The actual UID and GID are not relevant, other than the UID needs to be unique, and non-zero. The GID likewise needs to be unique. And there should not, generally, be any files or subdirectories owned by the UID or GID. -- John McKown Senior Systems Programmer HealthMarkets Keeping the Promise of Affordable Coverage Administrative Services Group Information Technology The information contained in this e-mail message may be privileged and/or confidential. It is for intended addressee(s) only. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, reproduction, distribution or other use of this communication is strictly prohibited and could, in certain circumstances, be a criminal offense. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by reply and delete this message without copying or disclosing it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For LINUX-390 subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: INFO LINUX-390 or visit http://www.marist.edu/htbin/wlvindex?LINUX-390
