TestOut Linux Pro Practice Test 2025 - Free Linux Pro Practice Questions and Study Guide

The command used to switch to the superuser account is "su." When you execute this command, it prompts you for the password of the superuser (root) and grants you a shell with elevated privileges if the correct password is entered. This allows you to perform administrative tasks and access features that are restricted to regular user accounts.

Understanding this command is essential for managing a Linux system effectively, as many administrative tasks require superuser access. Using "su" is a traditional way to gain root privileges, and it is particularly useful in environments where a user needs to switch accounts frequently to perform tasks that require administrative rights.

While "sudo" is also a way to execute commands with superuser privileges, it does not switch the user context to root unless specified with the appropriate flags. This means "su" is more direct in providing a root shell, whereas "sudo" is often used for executing single commands with elevated rights. The other terms, "admin" and "root," do not pertain to commands for switching users in the same functional way. "Admin" is more of a role or description, while "root" is the name of the superuser account itself, not a command.