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Thread: Join the fight against malicious commands given to new users

  1. #121
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    Re: Join the fight against malicious commands given to new users

    As far as I am aware "sudo rm -rf /" actually doesn't do anything. It used to work but in an update awhile ago to coreutils this ability was removed.

  2. #122
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    May 2007
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    Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala

    Re: Join the fight against malicious commands given to new users

    If by "doesn't do anything" you mean "it broke several new users installations," then yes, it doesn't do anything. If you don't buy that, there is a safe way to test it: install a current distro in Virtualbox, etc.

    In any case, like jdong's global announcement points out, preventing that command from running would just instill a false sense of security. There are other ways to accomplish the same thing, and the trolls could easily switch their tactics to something sneakier.
    I am aware of all internet traditions. | Getting the best help | Text formatting codes | My last.fm profile
    Should I PM support questions? NO!

  3. #123
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    Re: Join the fight against malicious commands given to new users

    Yes, there are many different ways to trash a system. The fact that it may be possible to completely trash a system with just seven keystrokes might have to be looked at one day. I have some ideas I might make another thread for.

  4. #124
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    Dec 2006
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    Re: Join the fight against malicious commands given to new users

    Quote Originally Posted by phrostbyte View Post
    As far as I am aware "sudo rm -rf /" actually doesn't do anything. It used to work but in an update awhile ago to coreutils this ability was removed.
    However, even Gutsy Gibbon indicates that it is using coreutils V5.9. So, unless I am misreading something, "sudo rm -rf /" on Ubuntu will trash your root filesystem.

    I tried the following on my Slackware box, which has the latest stable coreutils (V6.7):

    root@tesla:# rm -rf /
    rm: cannot remove root directory `/'

  5. #125
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    May 2007
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    Re: Join the fight against malicious commands given to new users

    Quote Originally Posted by phrostbyte View Post
    Yes, there are many different ways to trash a system. The fact that it may be possible to completely trash a system with just seven keystrokes might have to be looked at one day. I have some ideas I might make another thread for.
    That's the old security vs. usability question. I think it would be next to impossible to lock down all ways of destroying an installation without seriously hampering the ability of users to control their systems. After all, we all need to be able to format our hard drives; we just don't need trolls tricking us into formatting our drives.

    Education I think is the best solution here.
    I am aware of all internet traditions. | Getting the best help | Text formatting codes | My last.fm profile
    Should I PM support questions? NO!

  6. #126
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    May 2007
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    Columbus Ohio
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    Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron

    Re: Join the fight against malicious commands given to new users

    Thanks for starting the good fight...

  7. #127
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    Mar 2007
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    Denver, CO
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    Ubuntu Mate 16.04 Xenial Xerus

    Re: Join the fight against malicious commands given to new users

    Is rm -R the same as rm -rf ??

  8. #128
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    Mar 2007
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    86

    Re: Join the fight against malicious commands given to new users

    Done. Thanks for pointing this out.

  9. #129
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
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    Australia
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    1,097
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    Xubuntu 15.10 Wily Werewolf

    Re: Join the fight against malicious commands given to new users

    Nice idea, Aysiu!

    My sig now has helpful advice.

  10. #130
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
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    Sutton Coldfield England
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    Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon

    Re: Join the fight against malicious commands given to new users

    This is a great idea. I'm in.

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