Root password - is it THAT simple to alter it?

I've nad the need to look at what is available on the 'net about what to do when one forgets what the root password is. Is it really THAT simple on SuSE to alter the password for the root? Anyone can boot my system and go about altering my root password to be then able to steal all my secrets? Cheers. -- The first myth of management is that it exists.