Q:
Why require root level system authorization?
Pretty much just what the topic says: Why do I have to give the OSX client system level (aka root) permission instead of just popping GW2 in my applications folder like any other normal application?
The Applications in OS X is owned by the System and requires administrative-level access to write to it. It’s a level of security in OS X: no software can write to the Applications folder (or other System-owned folders) without first getting permission from an Administrator level user.
Pretty much just what the topic says: Why do I have to give the OSX client system level (aka root) permission instead of just popping GW2 in my applications folder like any other normal application?
The Applications in OS X is owned by the System and requires administrative-level access to write to it. It’s a level of security in OS X: no software can write to the Applications folder (or other System-owned folders) without first getting permission from an Administrator level user.
But that’s admin level authorization. OP is talking about root level authorization. If you’ve ever seen that “I am Root, Obey me” shirt, it means that level of authorization is too high for an application.
vince.5937 — Tarnished Coast — Les Saintes
R.I.P. City of Heroes, 2004-2012
Long Live Atlas Park 33
R.I.P. City of Heroes, 2004-2012
Long Live Atlas Park 33
I’m not that familiar with UNIX, so admin level access is when it asks for your admin password, root level access is … what exactly? I’ve never set a ‘root password’ afaik.
But that’s admin level authorization. OP is talking about root level authorization. If you’ve ever seen that “I am Root, Obey me” shirt, it means that level of authorization is too high for an application.
Maybe, but I doubt it. The Root user isn’t even enabled by default in OS X, so Kadath would have had to specifically issue a terminal command or use a utility to even make it active.
I’m nearly certain that OS X is asking for an administrator user and password, which is normal when attempting to make changes to the Applications folder.
I’m not that familiar with UNIX, so admin level access is when it asks for your admin password, root level access is … what exactly? I’ve never set a ‘root password’ afaik.
Any user can be an administrator in OS X. This allows the user to do things that only an administrator should be able to do to, like add or remove software from the Applications folder or make changes to certain controls in System Preferences.
It is good practice to NOT use your computer for day-to-day use logged in as an administrator. This way, you have an extra layer of protection between yourself and the next time you try to do something that break your Mac. It also gives you extra protection from malware which tries to install bad software. OS X will prompt you to enter an administrator login and password, alerting you to something strange going on.
I have an account on my Mac named “Administrator”. It is the only admin-level account on my computer. I use my Mac day-to-day logged in to my personal account as a “Standard” user.
The “root” user or “system” user is disabled by default in OS X. It is the King Kong user, able to do anything, delete anything or change anything. For most people, administrator-level access is the most they will ever need.