Take the tour ×  When I installed the MySQL server RPM I got
this message:   If I can only use the mysql root user from
localhost (i.e after logging in over SSH), how does a password
provide any additional security benefit? For example, if I'm
already the root user I can delete the mysql data directory...
share|improve this question add comment  3 Answers  up vote 12
down vote accepted  The MySQL root user is the administrative
user specifically for the MySQLinstance. While it shares a name
with the default admin user on Linux systems, they share no
commonality except in function. However, the fact that it is the
MySQL instance admin is the important part and the very reason
it needs to be protected. Consider the following situations:
Local Authorized User Any person who is given ssh access to your
system will be able to log into the MySQL instance as the root
user simply by typing mysql -u root. Re-read that line again
just to make sure it sinks in.  Remote Unauthorized User Any
malicious user will be abl