root user, graphical programs

[Matthew Seaman]

Pieter Donche wrote:
> On Fri, 15 May 2009, Mike Clarke wrote:
> 
>> On Friday 15 May 2009, Pieter Donche wrote:
>> I see from your original post that you're using KDE so you could try a
>> third way:
>> Use <ALT + F2> to open the run dialog.
>> Enter xpdf or whatever in the "Command area.
>> Click on "Options", select "Run as a different user and fill in the
>> username and password for root.
> 
> OK, this works..
> 
> Also the other method (extract a $DISPLAY from ~/.Xauthority and nerging 
> in /root/.Xauhtority also works now, but my DISPLAY was not :0.0 but  
> MYPCHOSTNAME:0
> (from a windows PC I was logged on to the FreeBSD machine using XMing
> X-windows terminal emulator)

You do realise that you have now told the whole world that you use an
unencrypted X session over a network?  That's at least as bad -- probably
worse -- than using rsh(1) or unencrypted telnet.   I hope you haven't
logged into any sensitive accounts or typed a credit card number into a
web browser over that link...

You'ld be well advised to install putty on your windows box and use the 
ability to tunnel X over a SSH connection.

	Cheers,

	Matthew

-- 
Dr Matthew J Seaman MA, D.Phil.                   7 Priory Courtyard
                                                  Flat 3
PGP: http://www.infracaninophile.co.uk/pgpkey     Ramsgate
                                                  Kent, CT11 9PW

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