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It is probably necessary to explain the difference between the root account and general user accounts here. The thing to note here is that after root logs in, the root user is presented with a command prompt that ends in an octothorpe (#). Since root is the most powerful account in a Linux system, this is a visual clue to the user that is designed to provoke awareness of the power and presence of root. When a general user logs in to the system, he or she is faced with a command prompt followed by a dollar sign ($) as shown in the figure below. Display of an ordinary user's command prompt. All general users have the dollar sign ($) at the end of their command prompt. This design concept also holds true when users access the machine locally or over the network. There are actually a few ways to log out of a Linux system. The easiest is to simply type logout at the command line and you are then brought back to the login prompt. You can also type exit at the command line to log out as well. Login Banners Most companies, regardless of their size, require some type of message that is displayed when users access the system. This message is known as a login banner and usually contains some sort of legal information or warning of some kind with regard to the implications of unauthorized system access. Linux supports various types of login banners, the most easy to create of which is the /etc/motd banner file. The motd, or Message Of The Day file, contains whatever message you put inside of it and is presented to the user immediately after logging in to the system. The figure below displays a login banner that includes legal information about unauthorized access. Before you put anything in the motd file for your business, it is generally a good idea to check with your legal department for the proper verbiage. The motd file applies not only to console access, but to remote access as well. It is yet another way to add a level of security to your Linux system. Sample /etc/motd banner display. Click on the Activity button below to learn how to log in and out and secure root access.

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