Question

Is it ever safe to start the MySQL server as root?

a) No it is never safe to start it as root.
b) Yes it is always safe to start it as root.
c) Yes provided you make it switch the effective user to mysql.
d) No because you can not make it switch the effective user if started as root.

Answer 1

Starting the MySQL server as root is generally not safe. It is recommended to switch the effective user to mysql to enhance security.

Step-by-step explanation:

Starting the MySQL server as root is generally not safe. It is recommended to switch the effective user to mysql to enhance security. Switching the effective user to mysql ensures that the server runs with the least privileges necessary and reduces the potential for unauthorized access or damage to the system.

When starting the MySQL server as root, it runs with full administrative privileges. This means that any vulnerabilities or malicious actions can have a greater impact on the system as the root user has unrestricted access to the entire operating system.

To improve security, it is advised to create a dedicated user for MySQL and use that user to start the server. This way, the server only has access to the necessary resources and privileges, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or damage to the system.