[OT] Re: Running graphical programs as root

[Kevin Chadwick]

On Wed, 09 May 2012 10:15:49 -0700
Ray Andrews wrote:

> I undertand that 
> root can 'do' anything, but why does that *also* mean that anyone and 
> everything out there  is also free to 'do' anything to my system without 
> my permission?

I'm sure your taking the piss but anyways.

A computer can't recognise your face and voice. Even with cameras they
are just ones and noughts.

It doesn't mean anyone can at all unless you use push email or something
it just means those you invite via your browser that has javascript
enabled or come from your crap out of date sky router that sky legally
force upon you could. If you know what you want to do at any point in
the future you can limit even root to doing only certain things. But
that's not really root any more, the kernel or linux itself is.


There are many layers and details to exploits. You just make it as
difficult as makes sense to you. On linux they need to exploit the
browser and then somehow get a shell and run other exlpoits on local
programs to raise priviledges and hope no other security technology is
around. On windows XP they will likely just need an exploit in the
browser, the end. On windows 7 it's not much more complicated with 10Gb
of code sitting there....