I am the only user on my MacBook and I am not set as the root/Administrator. Should I be concerned or is this default?

Question

Level 1

8 points

I am the only user on my MacBook and I am not set as the root/Administrator. Should I be concerned or is this default?

Hi All,

So I was installing node.js and some other packages. When I was running an "npm" command it returned an EACCESS error and that I should try "running this command as the root/Adminstrator". I have found a solution to fix this, but I am now concerned about tampering. This might come off as overly-protective but I wanted to ask.

Is this the default behaviour or does this suggest tampering? If it does suggest tampering, how can I investigate it?

Additional Points:

I am the only account on the MacBook.

My account is accepted when installing new software to the hard drive.

I bought my MacBook refurbished through an authorized dealer.

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015), macOS High Sierra (10.13.1)

Posted on Nov 30, 2017 12:30 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,173 points

Nov 30, 2017 1:09 PM in response to DrGrk

Root use privilege does not belong to the Admin user by default. It must be activated. It isn't available by default specifically to keep users from trying to modify system files. The SIP also prevents users from changing any system file without first disabling it. But you must know how in order to disable the SIP.

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Answer 2

DrGrk Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 30, 2017 12:58 PM in response to Kappy

Hi Kappy,

Sorry I should clarify that the account that I am using is listed as an Admin account. My difficulty was specifically regarding the privilege to write to my usr/local bin . As the error I was receiving was saying that I did needed to be the root/Administrator.

I was just curious to know if it is default behavior to not have this privilege (ability to write to usr/local bin) with the default Admin privileges.

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

362,173 points

Nov 30, 2017 12:52 PM in response to DrGrk

You need an Admin account especially for installing software and to log into the computer after startup. Did you open Users & Groups to see if an Admin account exists. If it does but you prefer not using the computer from the Admin account then you may have another account but without Admin privileges. Usually, it is called a Standard account.

Some users prefer this arrangement if their computer is left unattended or have other security concerns. Otherwise, it's not a necessity. When a Mac is set up for the first time the user sees the Setup Assistant which will by default create a new Admin account with a username and password than the user designates. Once the Admin account is established then the user can leave it alone or create a second account as a Standard account to be used for normal operations.

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