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.
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.
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.
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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.
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 `/'
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.
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Should I PM support questions? NO!
Thanks for starting the good fight...
Is rm -R the same as rm -rf ??
Done. Thanks for pointing this out.
Nice idea, Aysiu!
My sig now has helpful advice.
This is a great idea. I'm in.
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