The vanilla installation has no root password, so you can do:
# mysql -u root
However, really securing the installation is more involved than simply setting a root password. To make sure "all the bases are covered" (to use a U.S. idiom), use this command:
# /usr/bin/mysql_secure_installation
This is an easy way to effect basic setup so, for example, root can login only from localhost, etc.
If you're not particularly concerned about security, you can put the root password in
/etc/my.cnf -- that way, you won't have to type it manually.
You can also put the root password in ~/.my.cnf - your home directory, where you can/should set file permissions very restrictive (600). The contenct is easy:
ReplyDelete[client]
user = root
password =
That's it - no need to explore your personal password to the world ;-)