In Linux systems, including Debian 12, the sudo group grants users the ability to execute administrative commands. This provides them with the privileges to install, update, and delete software, modify system configurations, and more.

Administrative permissions are vital for maintaining and controlling the operating system. They allow you to perform tasks that regular users cannot, ensuring security and overall system health.

This article is intended for system administrators, advanced users, or anyone responsible for managing Debian 12 systems.

Administering sudo permissions must be done with care. Inappropriate use of sudo can lead to system vulnerabilities, damage, or data loss.

Prerequisites

Debian 12 System Requirements

Ensure that you have Debian 12 installed with the latest updates.

Necessary Permissions

You must have root or sudo access to modify user groups.

How to Open a Terminal Window

Press “Ctrl + Alt + T” or search for “Terminal” in the application menu.

Understanding the sudo Group

The sudo group allows users to execute commands as a superuser or another user. It promotes better security by limiting root access. However, misuse can lead to system instability. Root has unlimited access, while sudo provides controlled administrative access.

Identifying the User

List Existing Users

cut -d: -f1 /etc/passwd

Select the User

Choose the username you wish to add to the sudo group.

Check Existing sudo Group Membership

groups

Adding the User to the sudo Group

Command-line Method

Open a Terminal

Start by opening the terminal window.

Switching to Root User

su -

Using the usermod Command

usermod -aG sudo

Verifying the Addition

groups

Graphical User Interface (GUI) Method

1. Open Users and Groups management.
2. Find the user, select Properties, and check the “sudo” box.
3. Confirm and apply changes.

Troubleshooting

If errors occur, consult system logs, or use:

journalctl -xe

Remove the user from the sudo group using:

gpasswd -d sudo

Check man pages, forums, or official Debian documentation.

Introduction

Nowadays, online document collaboration is a must for everyone. You definitely need to co-edit numerous docs with your teammates as well as work on office files with various external users, almost everyday.

Keeping this in mind, the open-source project ONLYOFFICE released the DocSpace solution which allows connecting people and files and levels up document collaboration. Let’s discover its features and installation options.

Key features

ONLYOFFICE DocSpace is intended to improve collaboration on documents with various  people you need to interact, for example, your colleagues, teammates, customers, partners, contractors, sponsors, etc.

The platform comes with integrated online viewers and editors allowing you to work with files of multiple formats, including text docs, digital forms, sheets, presentations, PDFs, e-books, and multimedia.

Rooms

ONLYOFFICE DocSpace provides a room-based environment which allows organizing a clear file structure depending on your needs or project goals. DocSpace rooms are group spaces with the pre-set access level to ensure quick file sharing and avoid unnecessary repeated actions.

Currently, two types of rooms are available:

• Collaboration rooms to co-author docs, track changes and communicate in real time.
• Custom rooms for any custom purpose, for example, to request document review or comments, or share any content for viewing only.

In the future releases, the ONLYOFFICE developers are going to add further room types such as form filling rooms and private rooms for end-to-end encrypted collaboration.

User roles

Flexible access permissions allow you to fine-tune the access to the whole space or separate rooms. Available actions with files in a room depend on the given role.

Understanding how to efficiently automate tasks on Linux can significantly simplify your daily operations. One such routine task is mounting drives, which can be performed automatically, saving you precious time. If you’re a GNOME user, you will be pleased to know that this interface makes auto-mounting drives particularly effortless. By following the steps outlined below, you’ll be on your way to becoming proficient at auto-mounting drives on Linux with GNOME in no time.

Why Automount?

Before we delve into the process, it’s important to comprehend why automounting is a handy feature. Normally, when a storage drive is connected to your Linux system, it does not become instantly accessible. You must manually mount the drive every time you boot up. Automounting eliminates this hassle by ensuring the drive is automatically accessible when the system starts. Now that you know why this is crucial, let’s delve into the process.

Getting Started: Install Disks Utility

If you’re a GNOME desktop user, you’re already equipped with a built-in utility called ‘Disks’. If not, don’t worry, installing it is easy:

1. Open your terminal.
2. Type the following command: sudo apt-get install gnome-disk-utility.
3. Provide your password when prompted, and hit enter.
4. Allow the installation process to complete.

Now, you are ready to use the ‘Disks’ utility, the key tool to automounting drives on your Linux system.

A Step-by-step Guide to Automount Drives with GNOME

Now, let’s dive into the process of setting up the automount feature.

Launch the Disks Utility

Open the ‘Disks’ utility from your GNOME desktop’s menu. In the left panel, you’ll see a list of drives attached to your system. Choose the one you wish to automount.

Adjust Mount Options

Next, locate and click the ‘additional partition options’ button, represented by two gears under the Volumes section. Select ‘Edit Mount Options’ from the drop-down menu.

Set Automount Preferences

By default, the ‘User Session Defaults’ option is turned on. Turn it off to manually set your preferences. Now, tick the ‘Mount at system startup’ checkbox to ensure that the drive mounts automatically at boot. Additionally, you might want to select the ‘Show in user interface’ option for the drive to be visible in the file manager.

Save Changes and Test

After setting your preferences, click ‘OK’. A prompt will request your password to authenticate changes. Provide it, then restart your computer to test if the drive mounts automatically.

Whether you’re an experienced developer or a beginner trying to establish a secure connection between your computer and a remote Linux server, PuTTY is a tool you can rely on. Let’s delve into understanding how to utilize PuTTY to Secure Shell (SSH) into a Linux machine from a Windows operating system.

Introduction to PuTTY

PuTTY is an open-source, free SSH client for Windows. It enables users to remotely access computers over networks and run commands as if they were sitting in front of the terminal. It’s a versatile tool that’s widely used in network administration, software development, and other IT-related professions.

Downloading and Installing PuTTY

Getting started with PuTTY is straightforward. Head over to the official PuTTY download page and select the appropriate version for your Windows OS. It’s typically best to choose the latest stable version. After downloading the installer, run it, and follow the prompts to successfully install PuTTY on your machine.

Configuring PuTTY for SSH Connections

Before initiating an SSH connection, you need to gather some vital information: the IP address or hostname of the Linux server you’re connecting to, the port number, and your username.

Open PuTTY and you’ll see a configuration window. Under “Session,” in the “Host Name (or IP address)” field, type the IP address or hostname of your Linux server. Ensure the “Port” field is set to 22, which is the default SSH port.

Select SSH under “Connection type” and then move on to the “Saved Sessions” field. Input a name for this connection configuration for future use. Once done, click “Save” to keep these settings. This way, you won’t need to input these details every time you want to establish a connection.

Initiating the SSH Connection

With your session saved, you’re ready to connect. Select your saved session and click “Open.” A new window with a console interface will open, and a prompt will ask for your username. Input the username for your Linux server. Hit “Enter,” and you’ll be asked for your password. Type in your password and hit “Enter” again. Remember, the cursor won’t move while you’re typing your password; this is a standard security feature.

Dealing with PuTTY Security Alerts

The first time you establish a connection, PuTTY will display a security alert to confirm the server’s authenticity. This alert safeguards against potential man-in-the-middle attacks. PuTTY will show the server’s SSH key fingerprint, which you should compare with the fingerprint of your Linux server. If the fingerprints match, click “Yes” to add the server’s host key to PuTTY’s cache. If the alert pops up in subsequent sessions, there’s a possibility your server’s security may have been compromised.