Oracle: Create a hidden user for RMAN backups only It's been a long time since I worked with Oracle and I can't remember whether the following is possible:

I'm trying to create a hidden DBA user [ alternatively do this process as root user ] to perform complete and differential backups on Oracle 11g with RMAN. I cannot use the "SYS" user, because I don't have the password and I don't want to change it. 

The sole purpose for the hidden user is to have complete db backups in case of a problem, since we suspect the software company that should be providing us with servicing our application and db of damaging the database, either out of sheer incompetence or on purpose. We don't care which it is, our company needs to be able to fix such issues ASAP so that we can work while the software provider sorts out their problems in their own time. But the only type of backup they do is a db dump and it's insufficient.
In order to do RMAN backups you need the SYSDBA or SYSOPER roles. In order to grant those you need to be able log on as a user with those roles: ie the SYS role.

There are variations where you use OS authentication or if your OS user is a member of the ORA_DBA group.  

Easiest is if you can do this:

CONNECT / AS SYSDBA


from the server then you can run an RMAN script like

RMAN&gt; BACKUP AS BACKUPSET DATABASE PLUS ARCHIVELOG;


This very basic script should be configured with details particular to your setup such as the location to backup the files to, crosscheck existing backups, etc.