Accessing other accounts with su(C)
utility (for ``superuser'') can be used to
switch over to another account temporarily. It is primarily
used to access the root account, when it is executed
without an argument. Otherwise, it is used in this form:
su prompts for the account password, and if it is correct, a Bourne shell is started under the other account. Transitions with su do not affect the login user ID (LUID), so login and audit records remain accurate.
If a dash (-) is included in the command (su -), the environment for that user is executed (including login shell, home directory, and so forth), making it essentially the same as logging in as that user. To exit the shell, enter exit or press <Ctrl>D and you are returned to your own account.
Users can su to an pseudo-user account if they own it. To access the root account (or any other account they are not responsible for), however, the user must have the su authorization. Refer to ``Assigning subsystem authorizations'' for more information.