Root, also known as the root user, is the only super user in Unix (such as Solaris, AIX, BSD) and UNIX-like systems (such as Linux, QNX, etc.), as well as Android and iOS mobile device systems, because it can access the root directory. Named after performing read, write and execution operations. It is equivalent to SYSTEM (XP and below)/TrustedInstaller (Vista and above) users in Windows systems. It has the highest authority in the system, such as starting or stopping a process, deleting or adding users, adding or disabling hardware, creating new files, modifying files or deleting all files, etc.
Chinese name Super user permissions
Foreign name root
Category System users and permissions
Function: Completely control the underlying system and system files
Operating platform UNIX, Linux, macOS, Android
Background introduction
Modern operating systems are generally multi-user operating systems, that is to say, the same machine can create accounts for multiple users. Generally, these users are ordinary users. These ordinary users can log in to the computer at the same time, and the computer allocates accounts to these users. With certain resources, ordinary users can perform their own operations within the allocated resources without affecting each other. However, the permissions of these ordinary users are limited, and if there are too many users, management will be inconvenient, so the root user is introduced. This user is unique and has all the permissions of the system. The group to which the root user belongs is called the root group. A "group" is a collection of multiple users with similar permissions.
Permission settings
The root user is the only super administrator in the system and has the same permissions as the operating system. Some applications that require root permissions, such as ad blocking, require root permissions. But the problem is that root is more powerful than the Windows system administrator and can delete most of the files in the entire system, causing the system to be completely destroyed and cannot be used again. Therefore, it is quite dangerous to perform improper operations with root. In mild cases, the computer may crash, and in severe cases, it may even prevent the computer from booting. Therefore, in Unix, Linux and Android, it is generally not recommended to use root unless it is really necessary. It is best to create a separate ordinary user for daily use.
safety
One reason why root is not recommended is for security reasons. Root has all the permissions of the system. If the root password is leaked, it is enough to cause the entire computer to be completely controlled by the person who steals the root password. Having the root password means having all the data of all users on this computer.
Some tasks must be performed by root, such as deleting system built-in applications. However, it is not recommended to use root in Unix or Linux systems, which constitutes a contradiction. So a sudo method was born, which is to use su to escalate privileges when necessary, that is, to grant part of the system management permissions to ordinary users, and only when these users need higher permissions, these users are allowed to temporarily use root commands. to manage the system.
By default, root's root directory (/root) is not accessible to other users, which enhances the security of the entire system to a certain extent, but not completely. The security of Unix, Linux and Android lies in its high degree of configurability. In other words, the security of Unix or Linux depends more on the system administrator rather than the Unix or Linux system itself. The general model is: Unix, Linux and Android provide a sound security mechanism, and system administrators formulate corresponding security policies based on actual needs and deploy these security policies. "Mechanism" refers to what can and cannot be done, and "strategy" refers to what should and should not be done. The security policies and security mechanisms of Windows are relatively confusing. Windows itself relies too much on security policies, causing system administrators to be tied up in many cases, and the gains outweigh the losses.
Mobile phone manufacturers
Some mobile phone manufacturers work with operators to pre-install many annoying applications to create a closed ecosystem. They also use various measures to prevent consumers from obtaining administrator rights (root permissions) and force consumers to accept these applications. And the warranty is refused on the grounds that the user has obtained root privileges privately, even if it is a hardware quality problem. These behaviors not only seriously infringe on consumer rights and interests, but also pose the risk of leaking consumer privacy, hindering the healthy development of the mobile phone industry.
Nowadays, some mobile phone manufacturers have begun to build the root permission switch into the system. The system does not turn on the root permission by default. If you want to turn it on, you can consult customer service or the forum for help, and different models have different ways to turn it on.
Tool summary
SuperSU permission management is a root tool developed by top foreign developers. It can theoretically root all Android devices. [1]
ROOT Master has the highest root success rate in the world and supports one-click ROOT on computers and mobile phones.
ROOT Genie is developed by the earliest Android flash R&D team in China and supports one-click ROOT for more than 15,000 models.
One-click Root Master was developed by the well-known development team Zhuo Master OPDA over a period of three years. It perfectly supports tens of thousands of models and has a ROOT success rate of over 90%.
Kingroot is the common choice of tens of millions of users. It is divided into two versions: mobile phone and PC. It can be operated on mobile phone and computer to obtain ROOT permissions. It supports one-click ROOT for more than 9,000 popular models.
Baidu One-Click Root is a mobile root and system management tool launched by Baidu. It can help you: obtain the highest permissions on your phone safely and efficiently without any risk; uninstall unnecessary system applications to free up space on your phone; protect your privacy and eliminate the malicious behavior of bad software; manage startup items to prevent the phone from occupying memory , say NO to applications that frequently push advertisements
ROOT Assistant is the ROOT tool with the highest success rate, safe and efficient. 360 one-click ROOT: ROOT tool developed by 360. Dingdong root is an emerging mobile version of root. Ding Dong root easily obtains root permissions, and the success rate is very high. The Magisk Manager system comes with a terminal program. After entering specific commands here, restart and enter the root user to obtain permissions (except Android). VMOS can freely switch on and off the Android emulator with root permissions. It is powerful, and because it is an Android emulator, there is no need to worry about improper operation. As a result, the simulator is paralyzed, just delete it and re-install it.
References[1] 15 best root apps for Android. AndroidAuthority