"The configuration could not be loaded" error

[larry]

I've have just downloaded and installed the Security Onion LiveCD.
While trying to follow the FAQ, in particular this part:

Post-installation checklist:
-Create a new user account for yourself.

I was unable to run System -> Users and Groups due to this error pop-
up:

The configuration could not be loaded.
You are not allowed to access the system configuration.

I did a 'sudo adduser ...' to create my new user but I also noticed I
was unable to edit my network connection. Selecting 'Auto eth0' and
hitting 'Edit' does nothing but eventually a tooltip appears:
"Authenticate to edit the selected connection" but I don't see a way
to authenticate.

Is there a fix for this? Did I miss some reading somewhere?

Thanks,
larry

[Doug Burks]

Hi Larry,

Thanks for reporting this issue. I'd never experienced this before
since I do all of my administration from the command line. However, I
was able to duplicate the issue and come up with the necessary fix.
The problem stems from the fact that these graphical administration
programs require that the user be in the "admin" group. Therefore,
you'll need to add your new user account to the "admin" group using
the following command:
sudo addgroup username admin
(replacing username with your new username)

I've updated the Post-installation checklist at
http://code.google.com/p/security-onion/wiki/FAQ and copied it here
for your convenience:

Post-installation checklist:
-Create a new user account for yourself.

-Add your new user account to the sudoers file using the visudo
utility.
-Add your new user account to the "admin" group using the following
command:
sudo addgroup username admin
(replacing username with your new username)
-Logout of the securityonion user account.
-Login using your new user account.
-Remove the securityonion user account.
-Install any available Ubuntu updates.
-Update the Snort rules (manually or using the included oinkmaster or
pulledpork).

Again, thanks for reporting this issue!

--
Doug Burks, GPEN, GCIA, GSEC, CISSP
President, Greater Augusta ISSA
http://augusta.issa.org
http://securityonion.blogspot.com