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Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2006 14:35:31 -0700
From: Brian Dessent <brian AT dessent DOT net>
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Subject: Re: SYSTEM account in /etc/passwd
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(Real classy, sending a duplicate copy with the reference to pigtail.net
removed....)

"McGraw, Robert P." wrote:

> Not being a window type guy I am trying to understand what the "SYSTEM"
> account is.
> 
> I see the line in "SYSTEM:*:18:544:544:....." in the /etc/passwd but I am not
> sure what this account is or where it is created from. It is not in
> my list of accounts under "computer management / local users and groups".
> 
> QUESTIONS:
> 
> 1) What is the SYSTEM account.

It is a built-in account that is used to run services.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/dllproc/base/localsystem_account.asp

> 2) Am I suppose to be able to log in to the account SYSTEM?

No.  But you can get a SYSTEM-owned shell.

> 3) Do I need to be able to log in as SYSTEM?

No.

> 4) Where does cygwin install get the information to create the /etc/passwd
> entry?

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/secauthz/security/well_known_sids.asp

Brian

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