What a Linux root user can do - and 8 ways you should absolutely never use it

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ZDNET key takeaways

• The root account must be used with caution.
• Run the wrong command, and disaster could strike.
• Instead, you should always use sudo.

When I first started using Linux, there was no choice but to work with the root user. If you needed elevated permissions, you had to su to the root user and take care of things.

Most modern Linux distributions now use sudo, which temporarily gives standard users administration rights. This approach is more secure because you're not logging in to the root user account and leaving it open. 

Also: The first 8 Linux commands every new user should learn

In some instances, such as Ubuntu, the root user account is disabled by default to provide additional security.

Even though the root user account is disabled, it's still ...