CHROOT Meaning and
Definition
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Chroot, an abbreviation of "change root," is a computer command and system call in Unix-like operating systems that enables the creation of a separate, isolated environment within a computer's filesystem hierarchy. This isolated environment is known as a chroot jail and functions as if it were the computer's root directory. It essentially changes the root directory for a specific process and its children, restricting their visibility and access to the rest of the filesystem.
By using the chroot command, administrators can create a confined space where selected processes can operate, preventing them from accessing files and directories outside the designated environment. The chroot jail provides a security mechanism to isolate potentially compromised or vulnerable processes from the rest of the system, limiting their impact in case of a breach.
Within a chroot jail, the processes believe that they are running at the root of the filesystem, unaware that their view and access have been restricted. This functionality is often leveraged to run insecure legacy software, virtual machines, or to create separate environments for software development, testing, or debugging purposes.
Overall, chroot is a powerful tool utilized in Unix-like systems to create a secure and isolated environment within a computer's filesystem hierarchy, isolating processes and restricting their access to files and directories outside the designated chroot jail.
Common Misspellings for CHROOT
- xhroot
- vhroot
- fhroot
- dhroot
- cgroot
- cbroot
- cnroot
- cjroot
- curoot
- cyroot
- cheoot
- chdoot
- chfoot
- chtoot
- ch5oot
- ch4oot
- chriot
- chrkot
- chrlot
- chrpot
Etymology of CHROOT
The word "chroot" is a combination of two terms from the UNIX operating system: "change" and "root". The "root" directory in UNIX-like systems is the top-level directory that contains all other directories and files. By "changing" the root directory, the chroot command allows a user to create a new environment with its own isolated root directory, separate from the host system's root directory. This technique is often used for security purposes or to test software in a controlled environment. The concept of "chroot" was introduced in the 1979 edition of the UNIX Programmer's Manual.
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