Why are many operations or commands in Ubuntu not allowed normally when you can just do the same thing by typing sudo?

Question

What purpose does this server when bypassing is as easy as typing sudo?

Forgive the naivety here but I am a rookie and I'm sure there has to be a good reason for this, and I'd like to know that.

See similar: "Why bother with repeated sudo when you can just do the same thing by typing su once?" — ish, May 31 '12 at 15:06
Thanks @izx. Did not notice that before. I actually didn't even know su exists till now. New to Ubuntu. — Programming Noob, May 31 '12 at 15:25
If you are already admin (which everyone is on default Ubuntu install), then all sudo does is make sure you think before you do something that may be potentially dangerous if done wrong (typo, etc.) — ish, May 31 '12 at 15:27

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered May 31 '12 at 15:03

1

Security! ;-)

Only admin users can do sudo and even those have to provide a password, i.e. if you leave your screen for a minute, nobody can do sudo without the password.

answered May 31 '12 at 15:03

bettyboo

126

Why are many operations or commands in Ubuntu not allowed normally when you can just do the same thing by typing sudo?

1 Answers1