lsof - one hell of a command. Is it safe ?

http://linux.about.com/library/cmd/blcmdl8_lsof.htm

One hell of a command with lots of options.
First time I have come across this, and just wondering about the security concerns mentioned viz:

"Lsof has three features that may cause security concerns. First, its default compilation mode allows anyone to list all open files with it. Second, by default it creates a user-readable and user-writable device cache file in the home directory of the real user ID that executes lsof. (The list-all-open-files and device cache features may be disabled when lsof is compiled.) Third, its -k and -m options name alternate kernel name list or memory files."

This seems to be rather useful:-

 

lsof is one of my breads and butters, it's one of the more useful commands along with strace and all sorts of /proc/* thingies. It is safe, as long as you know what you're doing, as anything in life ...

I'm planning a tutorial or three on the basic sys admining topics, so expect lots of goodies.

Mrk

 

Great stuff - looking forward.