Passwords: Isn't ONCE enough?

[simplebasics]

I came to Linux Mint because after twenty years of windows, I was fed up with security and permissions, and most of all, MY pc acting like it belonged to Microsoft. Enough. Of course I understand the need for security measures in the workplace, but not at home, especially if I'm the only one here

I liked Linux from the beginning, but then....
I mean, having to enter my password a hundred times a day is beyond ridiculous. And yes, I have searched and searched for an answer. but I can't find it.

So, my first question is: (and I can't believe it hasn't been asked a million times, but I can't find it)
How can I enter my password ONCE, and work on my pc the rest of the day without having to prove who I am? Thank you

[Moem]

By not doing anything that results in changes to the system. In other words: don't install or upgrade anything. Just open your applications and use them. Then you won't need your password.

[Habitual]

I came to Linux Mint because after twenty years of windows, I was fed up with security and permissions, and most of all, MY pc acting like it belonged to Microsoft. Enough. Of course I understand the need for security measures in the workplace, but not at home, especially if I'm the only one here

I liked Linux from the beginning, but then....
I mean, having to enter my password a hundred times a day is beyond ridiculous. And yes, I have searched and searched for an answer. but I can't find it.

So, my first question is: (and I can't believe it hasn't been asked a million times, but I can't find it)
How can I enter my password ONCE, and work on my pc the rest of the day without having to prove who I am? Thank you

Best go back to Windows then.

[karlchen]

I mean, having to enter my password a hundred times a day is beyond ridiculous.

This suggests that for an unknown reason you seem to be constantly changing system-wide settings. Or you are constantly fiddling around with system files which you as a newbie should very likely leave alone.
Honestly, "hundred times" reads like you are vastly exaggerating.

Of course I understand the need for security measures in the workplace, but not at home, especially if I'm the only one here

This sentence suggests that you do not understand the need for security measures at all. What makes you think that an office computer running inside a company LAN were exposed to a higher risk than your home machine?
Company LANs are frequently managed by trained IT people who are at least aware that risks exist and who sometimes even have an idea how to protect their users. Home machines, however, ...

[Doug B]

I came to Linux Mint because after twenty years of windows, I was fed up with security and permissions, and most of all, MY pc acting like it belonged to Microsoft. Enough. Of course I understand the need for security measures in the workplace, but not at home, especially if I'm the only one here

Passwords are put in for your own security. As long as you are connected to the internet you may well ***NOT*** be the only one with access to your computer. (Think cookies, for one). Don't say we didn't warn you and don't blame us!

Having said that above if you want to eliminate the password on login, go to User Manager/System Settings/ choose your user then tick the Automatic Login box.

[Cosmo.]

I mean, having to enter my password a hundred times a day is beyond ridiculous.

What do you do with the computer? I mean, I have difficulties to imagine to do 100 separate system relevant changes per day.
Leaves the conclusion, that you feel the hundred times, but you did not really count them.

You get asked for the password, if the system must make sure, that you - the user - has requested the system change, and not a local or distant (Internet!) unauthorized person or script. With a cached password this would be impossible.

If you have a new system installed it is rather likely, that you have at first some more system tasks to do, starting with the needed updates. But that is only on the first day and this is hardly only near to hundred times. And surely this is nothing you do daily.

[karlchen]

(and I can't believe it hasn't been asked a million times, but I can't find it)

Well, I would not confirm that it has been asked a million times before, at least not in the Linux Mint forums alone, but I am pretty confident that not many weeks pass by without a newbie asking this question or a question to the same effect.
So, it is not amazing that it took me less than 5 minutes to find a small number of such threads, simply googling for "Too many passwords site:linuxmint.com". (Took me more time to type this post.)

2015: <RESOLVED>Too many Password Requests
2015: How to stop Linux Mint asking for passwords
2015: Identity Crisis! (Account Permissions) SOLVED
2014: A plea about passwords
2013: How to disable password prompts in Mint 14?
2010: Too many passwords asked
2009: Help -too many password requests
2009: too many password requests

As the same question can be expressed in different ways, it should be possible to locate more such threads by modifying the searched expression.

[simplebasics]

@karichen
Obviously, you don't remember when you installed Linux. You HAVE to change settings to make it comfortable to your likings. Remember: It is MY pc, not Microsoft's or Linux.

Also, you HAVE to update and install etc, etc, and every time you do, you have to prove who your are.

I can't believe you asked this question: What makes you think that an office computer running inside a company LAN were exposed to a higher risk than your home machine?

Because I am the only one using or who has access to my pc. (Yes, there are malicious people who could hack and whatever, but I'd take the chance. And, more important, I should have the choice to take the chance. That is why I left Windows.

@Doug B
Thank you, but logging in IS the once I was talking about that I don't mind.

@Cosmos
No, my friend. The transition to Linux from Windows is a MAJOR thing, a MAJOR change, and I had to install, and re-install, and look up HOW to install, and find out WHY "terminal" couldn't find my pkgs, and find out why a hundred other things. Thank you for being so understanding though.

@Habitual
I think I will. Thank you all for your lame help.

[Old Ruler]

How can I enter my password ONCE, and work on my pc the rest of the day without having to prove who I am? Thank you

To be honest I've used many ubuntu distros and Linux Mint does seem more annoying than the others somehow. It is indeed while setting up a fresh installation by installing the packages you need and making config changes that I really wish there was an easy way of having privileges for half an hour or so at a time. Wouldn't even mind if there's a big red flashing warning sign on my desktop for the duration.

Needs something (I know sudo has a duration). Encourages short passwords as is...

(Edited a bit after seeing the post above.)

[Pjotr]

I am the only one using or who has access to my pc.

When connected to the internet, you're *not* the only one who has access to your computer. For example: every bloody website that you visit has that.

Thank you all for your lame help.

Go back to Windows. Make it quick. On the double. And may you live happily ever after.

[LinuxJim]

Of course I understand the need for security measures in the workplace, but not at home, especially if I'm the only one here

But you're *not* the only one there. If your PC has a network connection of any kind, then there are MILLIONS of others right there with you, trying to get in...

EDIT: just realized that others have said this above. Never mind, move along...

[Cosmo.]

The transition to Linux from Windows is a MAJOR thing, a MAJOR change, and I had to install, and re-install, and look up HOW to install, and find out WHY "terminal" couldn't find my pkgs, and find out why a hundred other things.

Day by day? Please keep serious.
If you say with this answer, that you are a Linux-newbie - we all started at some time as such, so we know about this situation - than it is unbelievable, that you can change and install hundred things per day inclusive investigating, what you need to learn.
Say you sit in front of the computer 20 hours per day (very unbelievable) without any break for eating, toilet, talking with somebody else, perhaps watching TV or whatever (not only unbelievable, but also a superhuman power of concentration), than this would give 5 system changes per hour - inclusive downloading the software, reading and understanding the obviously new software ("find out" in your words). That are 12 minutes per task.

As you wrote in the starting post, that you did use some time or finding answers about this topic (therefor is definitely no password necessary) the above calculation is far to optimistic.

Not counted the fact, that a Newbie will also need to investigate in settings, where no password is needed (settings inside the account).

I say it clear: I don't believe it. My experience says the same. What you tell is physically impossible.

[LinuxJim]

making config changes that I really wish there was an easy way of having privileges for half an hour or so at a time.

There are several ways to do this. One is:

Code: Select all

$ timeout -k 30m su root

[karlchen]

Hello, simplebasics.

Obviously, you don't remember when you installed Linux.

Hm, you are making (incorrect) assumptions on the number of Ubuntu / Linux Mint installations which I have done during the past few years.
Plus you are making (incorrect) assumptions about the capacity of my memory.

Also, you HAVE to update and install etc, etc, and every time you do, you have to prove who your are.

Correct. This is the default by design. But this can be changed. Convenience vs. security is not an either or, but a tradeoff. And you can move the slider to either side: more security or more convenience. You decide.

I can't believe you asked this question: What makes you think that an office computer running inside a company LAN were exposed to a higher risk than your home machine?

You do not have to believe it, because I have asked you this question. And you have not given a convincing answer.

Because I am the only one using or who has access to my pc.

If you are the only inhabitant of your house, but never lock your front door, intruders are more likely to visit you than if you live in a large house with many inhabitants where everybody locks their frontdoors and a janitor keeps an eye on who comes in and who leaves the house. So being the only inhabitant alone does not make you any safer. - Got the idea?

And, more important, I should have the choice to take the chance.

You have got the choice to lower the default security settings. What you complain about is the security default configuration. You are absolutely free to raise the convenience level at the cost of the security level.
The default configuration is considered to be sufficiently secure without rendering your system unusable.

Thank you all for your lame help.

The problem is not our lame help.
The problem is that the way how you report the problem and the way how you ask the question makes clear that you are not interested in getting answers based on Linux expertise. You want us to agree to your point of view only.
The way how you ask about the password dialogues implies the only answer which you will accept is the answer "yes, entering the password on login alone is enough".
You are not interested in taking into consideration anything which does not conform to your current point of view. Why then ask us and blame us for giving the wrong answers?

Yet, as I said, Linux Mint does permit you to change its configuration. This includes the sudo/gksudo configuration as well as the policykit configuration. You have got the choice to lower the default security rules.

Regards,
Karl

[Doug B]

Go back to Windows. Make it quick. On the double. And may you live happily ever after.

Preferably Windows 10!

[Habitual]

@Habitual
I think I will. Thank you all for your lame help.

Say Hi to Bill for me.

[Pepi]

Go back to Windows. Make it quick. On the double. And may you live happily ever after.

Preferably Windows 10!

I hate that POS

[LinuxJim]

Say Hi to Bill for me.

He's not there anymore. Didn't want to ride the downhill crash & burn...

[wong]

I do sympathise with what often seems like password overload. Keeping up to date on a few machines, trying out new shiny things, keeping the systems lean and clean can make for a lot of password typing.

My want for administrator privileges went up tenfold when I started using linux a few years back in place of osx. Linux might not be about choice but there's a hell of a lot of it available, it's fun to try and a big chunk of how-to or wiki articles out there invoke root privileges.

Whilst the usual 'here be dragons' applies opting out of password authentication for a user or group is something you have control over.

Code: Select all

visudo

[majpooper]

Log in as root - it dangerous and vulnerable and really stupid but it will solve your password problem. Funny thing is today I have been on my machine for a few hours - hmmm. . . no updates - no system changes . . . . gee I haven't used my password once yet today.