Root password changing by itself

[max bianco]

On Mon, May 19, 2008 at 4:44 PM, Ed Greshko <Ed.Greshko at greshko.com> wrote:
> Bruno Wolff III wrote:
>>
>> On Mon, May 19, 2008 at 13:00:48 -0700,
>>  "Dr. Peter Roopnarine" <proopnarine at calacademy.org> wrote:
>>>
>>> On Monday 19 May 2008 12:52:04 pm Rahul Sundaram wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I have Fedora 5 and 6 installed on my machines. I strangely find
>>>>
>>>>> that I am often unable to login to the machine with my regular
>>>>> password using ssh. Fortunately I have physical access to the machine,
>>>>> which allows me to change the password back. Any idea what could be
>>>>> the reason?
>>>
>>> By changing the password back, you mean that your root password has
>>> actually been changed? If no, then you need to configure ssh to allow remote
>>> root login (not a good idea though). If yes, then it's almost a certainty
>>> that your system has been hacked. Wipe and install Fedora 8 or 9.
>>> Peter
>>
>> That wouldn't be my bet. I doubt someone that gained root access to the
>> machine would change the root password unless it was someone he knows
>> playing a prank on him. I expect there is something else going on here.
>
> I wonder about pranks since the OP has posted the following on the ubuntu
> list:
>
> <quote>

 the OP is hoping to glean some precious clue on how to hack a linux
box by coming at the problem from the opposite angle so as to put off
suspicion?