I have no idea what I just did, and I am an idiot.


 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Top Forums UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers I have no idea what I just did, and I am an idiot.
# 1  
Old 10-25-2009
I have no idea what I just did, and I am an idiot.

I stupidly typed this into a unix command prompt through putty, and now i can't log back on:

:(){ :|:& };:

I am such an idiot. If anyone knows what I just did or how to fix it, I would really appreciate your help,

Thanks.

---------- Post updated at 01:13 PM ---------- Previous update was at 01:07 PM ----------

Sorry. That emoticon should be this:

:(){ :|:& };:
# 2  
Old 10-25-2009
you did something bad... really bad...
Fork bomb - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

if you've physical access to the server, reset it. if not... hmm, you are screwed...

Last edited by DukeNuke2; 10-25-2009 at 06:08 PM.. Reason: typo
# 3  
Old 10-25-2009
What does physical access mean? How could I reset it?
# 4  
Old 10-25-2009
go to the server and push reset... or power... or whatever hardware you have with a special controller you need to use to reset the system...
# 5  
Old 10-25-2009
Would I be the only one who finds it strange that the exact command posted here is the one found on the Wikipedia page?

So perhaps the questions should have been:

"I read a Wikipedia article on "fork bomb" and thought I'd try it. Now what do I do?"
# 6  
Old 10-25-2009
if so, the "what to do" section is on the same page Smilie.
# 7  
Old 10-25-2009
That's where the theory breaks down Smilie

Last edited by Scott; 10-26-2009 at 03:05 AM..
 
Login or Register to Ask a Question

Previous Thread | Next Thread

6 More Discussions You Might Find Interesting

1. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

ssh pub key auth - can some please guide me idiot proof

hello. can somebody please idiot proff simple guide me how to set up ssh public key authenciation? i am stuck, i tried long and googled a lot but i cant get it. thanks in advance. (4 Replies)
Discussion started by: scarfake
4 Replies

2. Shell Programming and Scripting

help... no idea what to use

my issue now is i have a txt file containing a list like below i want to create a script that will add a constant text "Find this name" at the start and "at your directory" at the end. every line should be added by phrase at the start and end. Each line of the file should look like "Find... (4 Replies)
Discussion started by: dakid
4 Replies

3. OS X (Apple)

Idiot's Guide to Mac OSX BSD?

Hi, I am used to Solaris and find my Macs confusing when using the command line. This particularly applies to top, networking and users configuration. Top just seems to be hopeless in comparison to the Solaris version and the network and user configuration just doesn't seem to work. Is there a... (11 Replies)
Discussion started by: pettefar
11 Replies

4. Shell Programming and Scripting

Limitations of awk? Good idea? Bad idea?

Keeping in mind that I'm relatively comfortable with programming in general but very new to unix and korn/bourne shell scripts.. I'm using awk on a CSV file, and then performing calculations and operations on specific fields within specific records. The CSV file I'm working with has about 600... (2 Replies)
Discussion started by: yongho
2 Replies

5. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

i'm an idiot!

i've spent about 10 hours these past few days configuring my freebsd installation. i've only just finished setting up my ati video card (one line in XFree86Config had to be changed!), and now am trying to get to the bottom of this other error that I am experiencing. i believe that it is also the... (6 Replies)
Discussion started by: brandan
6 Replies

6. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

rm -f \-\you-idiot

Hi, one of my co-workers went into my home directory and made the following entry: -You-idiot So, now I've been trying to delete it and I can't seem to do it. I've tried to do the following: rm -f \-\you\-\idiot but that doesn't work. I've tried it as root as well and it still... (3 Replies)
Discussion started by: vancouver_joe
3 Replies
Login or Register to Ask a Question