What does the 'su' command allow you to do in a Linux environment?

The 'su' command, which stands for "substitute user" or "switch user," enables a user to switch to a different user account within the Linux environment, and the most common use case is to switch to the superuser account, often referred to as "root." This capability is important for performing administrative tasks that require elevated privileges.

When a user executes the 'su' command without specifying a username, they are prompted for the root password, allowing them to assume the identity and access of the superuser. If a username is provided with the command, the user can switch to that specified account, provided they have the appropriate permissions.

Being able to switch user accounts (including to the superuser) facilitates better security practices, as it allows users to operate with standard privileges most of the time and only escalate privileges when necessary. This reduces the risk of unintentional changes or damage to the system.

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