Running graphical programs as root

[Neil Winchurst]

On 07/05/12 14:57, Kevin Chadwick wrote:
> 
> These days sudoedit probably uses nano in the background by default on
> your distro and so you shouldn't even need to learn any syntax. Just
> type away and you should be able to even copy and paste within X11.
> 
> There's a far higher chance of your password being gained by an
> attacker on X11 for multiple reasons than a terminal (Ctrt-ALt-F1 to
> F12) and yet that's where the password usually offers the most powers.
> 
> Sad but true and the picture for Windows 7 is far worse, whatever you
> hear.

I have cut most of your very helpful reply for which many thanks. I just
use my computer at home so there is no 'business use' to worry about.
Even so, I do use the terminal screen where possible (I was brought up
on DOS), but I do like to use kate for working with text files.

This does not often need to be done as root, just occasionally and I am
very careful. I have never understood the use of sudoers so that is
something I must address.

I use Kubuntu most of the time but my laptop runs Xfce so that I the
reason I raised the query. I may need to make a small change in a file
owned by root once in a while.

Regards

Neil