diff --git a/install/production-filesystem/services/scripts/check-app-permissions.sh b/install/production-filesystem/services/scripts/check-app-permissions.sh
index 3c130ddc..d82ea559 100644
--- a/install/production-filesystem/services/scripts/check-app-permissions.sh
+++ b/install/production-filesystem/services/scripts/check-app-permissions.sh
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 # --- Color Codes ---
 RED='\033[1;31m'
 YELLOW='\033[1;33m'
+MAGENTA='\033[1;35m'
 RESET='\033[0m'
 
 # --- Main Logic ---
@@ -31,12 +32,36 @@ ${NETALERTX_API}
 ${NETALERTX_LOG}
 ${SYSTEM_SERVICES_RUN}
 ${NETALERTX_CONFIG}
-$(dirname "${NETALERTX_DB_FILE}")
+${NETALERTX_CONFIG_FILE}
+${NETALERTX_DB}
+${NETALERTX_DB_FILE}
 "
 
 # If running as root, fix permissions first
 if [ "$(id -u)" -eq 0 ]; then
-    echo "Running as root. Ensuring correct ownership and permissions..."
+    >&2 printf "%s" "${MAGENTA}"
+    >&2 cat <<'EOF'
+══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
+🚨 CRITICAL SECURITY ALERT: NetAlertX is running as ROOT (UID 0)! 🚨
+
+    This configuration bypasses all built-in security hardening measures.
+    You've granted a network monitoring application unrestricted access to
+    your host system. A successful compromise here could jeopardize your
+    entire infrastructure.
+
+    IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED: Switch to the dedicated 'netalertx' user:
+      * Remove any 'user:' directive specifying UID 0 from docker-compose.yml or
+      * switch to the default USER in the image (20211:20211)
+
+    IMPORTANT: This corrective mode automatically adjusts ownership of
+    /app/db and /app/config directories to the netalertx user, ensuring
+    proper operation in subsequent runs.
+
+    Remember: Never operate security-critical tools as root unless you're 
+    actively trying to get pwned.
+══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
+EOF
+    >&2 printf "%s" "${RESET}"
 
     # Set ownership to netalertx user and group for all read-write paths
     chown -R netalertx:netalertx ${READ_WRITE_PATHS}
@@ -44,6 +69,7 @@ if [ "$(id -u)" -eq 0 ]; then
     # Set directory and file permissions for all read-write paths
     find ${READ_WRITE_PATHS} -type d -exec chmod 700 {} +
     find ${READ_WRITE_PATHS} -type f -exec chmod 600 {} +
+    sleep infinity & wait $!; exit 211
 fi
 
 # --- Permission Validation ---
diff --git a/test/docker_tests/test_container_environment.py b/test/docker_tests/test_container_environment.py
index 9b3400b2..1e751ff4 100644
--- a/test/docker_tests/test_container_environment.py
+++ b/test/docker_tests/test_container_environment.py
@@ -710,7 +710,7 @@ def test_missing_mount_app_db(tmp_path: pathlib.Path) -> None:
     paths = _setup_mount_tree(tmp_path, "missing_mount_app_db")
     volumes = _build_volume_args(paths, skip={"app_db"})
     # CHANGE: Run as root (0:0) to bypass all permission checks on other mounts.
-    result = _run_container("missing-mount-app-db", volumes, user="0:0")
+    result = _run_container("missing-mount-app-db", volumes, user="20211:20211")
     # Acknowledge the original intent to check for permission denial (now implicit via root)
     # _assert_contains(result, "Write permission denied", result.args) # No longer needed, as root user is used
     
@@ -820,7 +820,7 @@ def test_running_as_root_is_blocked(tmp_path: pathlib.Path) -> None:
     dedicated netalertx user. Warning about security risks, special permission fix mode.
     Expected: Warning about security risks, guidance to use UID 20211.
 
-    Check script: check-root.sh
+    Check script: check-app-permissions.sh
     Sample message: "⚠️  ATTENTION: NetAlertX is running as root (UID 0). This defeats every hardening..."
     """
     paths = _setup_mount_tree(tmp_path, "run_as_root")
@@ -828,10 +828,10 @@ def test_running_as_root_is_blocked(tmp_path: pathlib.Path) -> None:
     result = _run_container(
         "run-as-root",
         volumes,
-        user="0:0",
+        user="0",
     )
-    _assert_contains(result, "NetAlertX is running as root", result.args)
-    assert result.returncode != 0
+    _assert_contains(result, "NetAlertX is running as ROOT", result.args)
+    assert result.returncode == 0 # container must be forced to exit 0 by termination after warning
 
 
 def test_running_as_uid_1000_warns(tmp_path: pathlib.Path) -> None:
@@ -852,7 +852,7 @@ def test_running_as_uid_1000_warns(tmp_path: pathlib.Path) -> None:
         volumes,
         user="1000:1000",
     )
-    _assert_contains(result, "NetAlertX is running as UID", result.args)
+    _assert_contains(result, "NetAlertX is running as UID 1000:1000", result.args)
     assert result.returncode != 0
 
 
@@ -888,7 +888,7 @@ def test_missing_app_conf_triggers_seed(tmp_path: pathlib.Path) -> None:
     paths = _setup_mount_tree(tmp_path, "missing_app_conf")
     (paths["app_config"] / "app.conf").unlink()
     volumes = _build_volume_args(paths)
-    result = _run_container("missing-app-conf", volumes, user="0:0")
+    result = _run_container("missing-app-conf", volumes)
     _assert_contains(result, "Default configuration written to", result.args)
     assert result.returncode != 0