[CentOS] Help: Server security compromised?

Noob Centos Admin wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> 
> If you use
>> su
>> only, you assume root privileges without the root environment.
>> Rather do
>> su -
>> which gives you the full root environment, including path.
>> The same holds for other users, i..e
>> su - joe
>> switches the user to the user joe with full environment.
>>
> 
> Thanks a million for that! Going to save me a ton of time from issuing
> whereis command to find commands when I need to follow instructions off a
> website!
> 

Plus we have a Wiki page that explains in some detail here:

http://wiki.centos.org/TipsAndTricks/BecomingRoot

It's a common mistake/misunderstanding most people make to start with :)