2. Adding A User with Root Privileges
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## 2. Adding A User with Root Privileges

If you did not create any users when you installed the system and are thus logged in as `root`, you should probably create a user now with

`#` `adduser`

The first time you use `adduser`, it might ask for some defaults to save. You might want to make the default shell csh(1) instead of sh(1), if it suggests `sh` as the default. Otherwise just press enter to accept each default. These defaults are saved in `/etc/adduser.conf`, an editable file.

Suppose you create a user `jack` with full name Jack Benimble. Give `jack` a password if security (even kids around who might pound on the keyboard) is an issue. When it asks you if you want to invite `jack` into other groups, type `wheel`

Login group is ``jack''. Invite jack into other groups: `wheel`

This will make it possible to log in as `jack` and use the su(1) command to become `root`. Then you will not get scolded any more for logging in as `root`.

You can quit `adduser` any time by typing Ctrl+C, and at the end you will have a chance to approve your new user or simply type n for no. You might want to create a second new user so that when you edit `jack`'s login files, you will have a hot spare in case something goes wrong.

Once you have done this, use `exit` to get back to a login prompt and log in as `jack`. In general, it is a good idea to do as much work as possible as an ordinary user who does not have the power—and risk—of `root`.

If you already created a user and you want the user to be able to `su` to `root`, you can log in as `root` and edit the file `/etc/group`, adding `jack` to the first line (the group `wheel`). But first you need to practice vi(1), the text editor—or use the simpler text editor, ee(1), installed on recent versions of FreeBSD.

To delete a user, use the `rmuser` command.

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