2.5 Disabling auto-login and enabling root (10.2 client)

OS X client installs with auto-login enabled. This means that every time the machine is switched on, it automatically logs-on as the machine owner (who has admin rights).

OS X client also installs with the root account disabled. The root account is the account for the main System Administrator. In UNIX, the root account can do anything.

The following shows how to enable the root account - and how to disable auto-login.

Enable the root account.

Type:

sudo passwd root

Enter your own password, then enter a password for root.

You will be asked to re-type the password for confirmation.

On the "Users" tab:

Uncheck "Log in automatically as..."

On the "Login Options" tab:

In the "Display Login Window as:" section, click "Name and password".

Quit the System Preferences, then Log out.