Using php4 CGI on public web server

Can anyone refer me to a resource on setting up php CGI on a public web server? Here's my concern.. I've been running as a private server for some time, but now a few friends have space on my server as well. My php code contains passwords for DB access and things I don't want anyone else to see. I started by setting php up to run suexec as the user of each virtual server, but I can't figure out how to protect contect from being read by other users of the server directly. If I make content not readable by the world, then apache (or php?!) refuses to serve it up. I'm running Apache (latest version) and php4 (cgi) on Red Hat Linux. Richard Fairthorne Ebony Run - Vocalist - http://www.mp3.com/ebonyrun -- Click here for the best underground rock music on the net! http://www.rockrealm.com