this post was submitted on 14 Oct 2024
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How is running transmission as a dedicated user more secure? (lemmy.ml)
submitted 1 month ago by Quail4789@lemmy.ml to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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I noticed Debian does this by default and Arch wiki recommends is citing improved security and upstream.

I don't get why that's more secure. Is this assuming torrents might be infected and aims to limit what a virus may access to the dedicated user's home directory (/var/lib/transmission-daemon on Debian)?

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[–] loutr@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 month ago

The point is also to minimize potential damages caused by a bug in the software. Just this year there have been multiple data-destroying bugs in publicly released software. If the app runs as a server it's usually trivial to have it run as a dedicated user, with just enough permissions to do its job.

It's just good practice, even though the risks might be low why risk it at all?