Adding a user and granting that user root privileges is one of the many tasks of a system admin. Once a user has been added and granted root privileges they’ll be able to login to your Ubuntu 16.04 / Ubuntu 18.04 and perform vital functions for the upkeep of the system. Afterward, they’ll be able to use sudo before commands to perform elevated tasks. In this quick tutorial, we’ll show you how to add a new user and grant root permissions.
Pre flight
- These instructions are intended specifically for adding a user on Ubuntu 16.04 / Ubuntu 18.04 LTS.
- We’ll be working from a Liquid Web Core Managed Ubuntu 16.04 / Ubuntu 18.04 LTS server, and I’ll be logged in as root.
Step 1: Add the Username
In my example, I’ll be adding my cat’s name, Tom, using the adduser command. Replace tom with your desired username. During this time, the system will also ask of me details from my user. Feel free to skip these details by pressing enter and eventually it asks us to confirm that the info is correct, leading us to a new user added.
adduser ubuntu
Example Output:
Adding user `ubuntu' ...
Adding new group `ubuntu' (1001) ...
Adding new user `ubuntu' (1001) with group `ubuntu' ...
Creating home directory `/home/ubuntu' ...
Copying files from `/etc/skel' ...
Enter new UNIX password:
Retype new UNIX password:
passwd: password updated successfully
Changing the user information for ubuntu
Enter the new value, or press ENTER for the default
Full Name []: Ubuntu
Room Number []:
Work Phone []:
Home Phone []:
Other []:
Is the information correct? [Y/n] Y
Step 2: Grant Root Privileges to the User
visudo
The command below leads us to the /etc/sudoers.tmp file where we can view the following code:# User privilege specification
root ALL=(ALL:ALL) ALL
After the root user line, you’ll add in your new user with the same format for us to grant admin privledges.
ubuntu ALL=(ALL:ALL)ALL
Once you’ve added the permission, save and exit the file by using :wq and enter.
Step 3: Verify User Has Priviledges
If you’ve followed the instructions correctly then this user will be able to run commands like, update, using the sudo:
su - ubuntu
sudo apt-get update
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