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Idea #7872: Login screen: Show user names just like in XP

bug This idea was marked as implemented the 30 December 11.
Written by jbfrank the 30 Apr 08 at 10:03. Category: Look and Feel. Related project: Nothing/Others. Status: Implemented
Rationale
Similar to XP, for many users it would really help to see which users are 'available' and then to just click and enter the password. Although it is perhaps a little less safe, it would greatly enhance usability for the users. Also, it would be easier for XP users to get used to the Ubuntu look.
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-26
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#1): Auto-generated solution of idea #7872
Written by jbfrank the 30 Apr 08 at 10:03.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #7872 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

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Comments
melat0nin wrote on the 30 Apr 08 at 10:08
This can easily be done already by changing the Login Screen theme to one which has usernames.

jbfrank wrote on the 1 May 08 at 04:23
Possibly, but newbies and people like me don't know how to do this. Remember: Linux should not remain only for nerds. I prefer usability above minor security risks.

glibik wrote on the 1 May 08 at 07:04
This is a security risk!

Think about it this way: There are two (2) keys required to open an account on the computer; the user ID and the password. By putting a list of user IDs on the screen a potential cracker only needs find the second key to go with any one of those IDs. Relatively, a much less arduous task.

This is widely recognised issue. So much so that corporate security policies very often require that the registry on Microsoft Windows systems be changed to stop them displaying the ID of the previously logged on user. This is in addition to changing the administrator account ID.

Surely, if one doesn't know how to do something, one owes it to oneself to learn how. Either that or settle for not knowing and accept the consequences.

Vote = -1


P.S.
I don't know of any XP systems that have a list of "which users are 'available'".



steve196 wrote on the 1 May 08 at 10:19
This is not a security risk. Relying on obscure user names for security is stupid. Instead use your real name and append the obscure one you wanted to use at the end of the password. Longer password=more security for real. On the other hand, i see no good reason for changing this default.

Ssdg wrote on the 2 May 08 at 07:55
I don't want to see the panel with names by default, and it's already done as an option, so: -1

Mike Graham wrote on the 22 May 08 at 14:31
Implementing this idea is not, as has been suggested, a viable security issue.

However, I do not agree that we need to change the current behaviour. It is a perfectly fine default and can be changed.

Voted no.


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