Installing OpenLinux Getting Started Guide 51 Defining Users and Passwords Every Linux system has a special user called root. This is the superuser, who can do absolutely anything on the system, including destroying it. In the next screen, shown in Figure 27, you set a password for the root user of your new OpenLinux system. Choose this password carefully, because if some- one has this password, they can change all of your settings, delete files, and gen- erally wreak havoc on your system. FIGURE 27.  Enter your selected root password here twice. Good passwords have these characteristics: • They are at least five characters long; eight is better • They include digits or punctuation marks (at least one; a common trick is to substitute zero for the letter O and one for the letter L) • They are not found in the dictionary, nor can they be formed by simple rearrangement of a dictionary word (such as reversing the letters) To set the root password: