Module 3~8 min
Linux Users and Groups
Linux is a multi-user system at its core. This lesson explains how users and groups organize who can do what.
What You'll Learn
- What a user account is on Linux
- What a group is
- Why the root user is special
Users
Every person or process interacting with a Linux system does so as a specific user. Regular users have limited privileges, protecting the system from accidental or unauthorized changes.
Groups and the Root User
Groups let administrators manage permissions for multiple users at once. The root user is a special account with full administrative privileges, and is normally used sparingly and carefully.
Example
A company might place all its developers into a "developers" group, granting that whole group access to a specific project folder at once instead of configuring each person individually.
Key Concepts
UserGroupRoot
Key Takeaways
- Every action on Linux happens under a specific user account
- Groups let permissions be managed for multiple users at once
- The root user has full administrative privileges and should be used carefully
Knowledge Check
What is the root user on a Linux system?