Isn't this a security compromise?

[Himanshu Shekhar <irm2015006@iiita.ac.in>]

I searched today about what to do if one forgets his/her linux password. The following links described the process:

https://pve.proxmox.com/wiki/Debian_reset_root_password

http://xmodulo.com/how-to-reset-root-password-in-debian-ubuntu.html

These tutorials assume that a person has the possession of his/her machine which is true for non-mobile devices. But how can one make sure that the security of laptop/tablet having any distro of linux is not compromised?

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Himanshu Shekhar

IIIT-Allahabad

IRM2015006