How to Create a New Sudo User on Linux
Creating a new user with sudo privileges is a best practice for managing Linux servers securely without using the root account.
1. Create the User
Replace username with your desired name:
sudo adduser usernameYou’ll be prompted to set a password and (optionally) fill in user details.
2. Add the User to the Sudo Group
For Ubuntu/Debian:
sudo usermod -aG sudo usernameFor CentOS/RHEL:
sudo usermod -aG wheel username3. Switch to the New User
su - username4. Test Sudo Access
sudo whoamiIt should return root if everything is set up correctly.
5. Optional: Disable Root Login (Advanced)
For added security, disable direct root login:
sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_configSet the following line:
PermitRootLogin noThen restart SSH:
sudo systemctl restart sshdSummary
Using sudo users instead of logging in as root improves server security and minimizes risk. This method is standard for secure and efficient server management.
