Re: losing root access through telnet

[Stanislav Malyshev a.k.a Frodo]

OA>> hello.
OA>> I seem to have a problem with telneting to my machine (running RH5.2) - 
OA>> sometime, I think that after I lose connection abrupty (i.e. my modem
OA>> disconnects with no prior notice) while logged in as root, I seem to lose
OA>> access to the root account - I always get the 'login incorrect' message.

Did I understand you right that you login as root *VIA TELNET*? Please,
lookup word "security" in the dictionary. Then: 
1) never ever use telnet, use ssh
2) if 1) impossible, never ever login remotely as root. Login as user and
then sudo (or su, which is worse). As you should know already, working
under root is VERY bad, so sudo should suffice.

OA>> other account function just fine, and I haven't noticed it happening with
OA>> any other acount - just root.
OA>> what I usually do next , is reboot the machine (since telnet doesn't allow
OA>> me to log as root, this means going over to where the machine actually is
OA>> - which isn't in the next room....).

Just a moment, what stops you from logging in and then "sudo shutdown"? 

OA>> BTW - I don't have any probs loging to root localy, even when I can't get
OA>> root access through telnet. if then I log localy, and telnet to localhost

You don't need it, believe me. Most systems have root telnet access
disabled by default. I wonder why you crippled you system so that it
allows you such a foolish thing to do.

OA>> and try to log as root, I still get 'login incorrect' .....
OA>> any idea why this happens or how to fix it ?

Don't fix what ain't broken. Login as user and then su. And use ssh.
-- 
[EMAIL PROTECTED]      \/  There shall be counsels taken
Stanislav Malyshev      /\  Stronger than Morgul-spells
phone +972-3-9316425    /\              JRRT LotR.
http://sharat.co.il/frodo/      whois:!SM8333