NEWBE Slice

I new to linux and am setting up a slice server. I actually made it to installing Apache but some how I messed up the ip tables. I cant access the server by sftp or putty. Im using the web interface at slice. I am logged in as a super user but cant do certain funtions. I guess i need to be logged in as root and dont know how or if I am even doing it right. I'll post what I have done if any one could help i would be greatfull.

bill@DigitalExtremeMediaGroup:~$ iptables -L
iptables v1.3.8: can't initialize iptables table `filter': Permission denied (you must be root)
Perhaps iptables or your kernel needs to be upgraded.
bill@DigitalExtremeMediaGroup:~$