On 14 Jul 2014, at 20:18, Sven Kieske <svenkieske at gmail.com> wrote: > this is in no way safer than root access. > It is because by default you run commands without root access, and you have to specify a requirement to escalate privilege. That’s the main reason for doing it. By default the safety systems are engaged, and you have to issue an incantation to disengage them. Importantly it is *safer*, not more *secure*. Principle of least privilege.