How to Create a Sudo User in Ubuntu Server

When setting up an Ubuntu server, it’s essential to create a separate user with sudo privileges to execute administrative commands securely. This guide will walk you through the process step by step.

Step 1: Log in as Root

Before creating a new sudo user, ensure you are logged into your Ubuntu server as the root user or an existing sudo user.

ssh root@your_server_ip

Step 2: Create a New User

Use the adduser command to create a new user. Replace username with your preferred name.

adduser username

You will be prompted to set a password and provide optional user details.

Step 3: Grant Sudo Privileges

Once the user is created, add them to the sudo group to grant administrative privileges:

usermod -aG sudo username

Step 4: Verify Sudo Access

Switch to the new user account:

su - username

To check if the user has sudo privileges, run:

sudo whoami

If configured correctly, the output should be root.

Step 5: Secure Your Server

For enhanced security, disable root login via SSH. Open the SSH configuration file:

nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Find the line:

PermitRootLogin yes

Change it to:

PermitRootLogin no

Save the file and restart SSH:

systemctl restart ssh

Conclusion

Creating a sudo user on an Ubuntu server enhances security by preventing direct root access. By following these steps, you can manage administrative tasks safely and efficiently.

How to Create a Sudo User in Ubuntu Server (F.A.Q)