Understanding File Permissions and Ownership

Basic Linux Refreshers: Part 3

Welcome to Part 3 of our Basic Linux Refreshers series! In this part, we’ll focus on one of the core aspects of Linux security: file permissions and ownership. Understanding how to manage file permissions is crucial for maintaining the security and integrity of your Linux system. We’ll explain the basics of file permissions, how to read them, and how to modify them using simple commands.

File permissions in Linux determine who can read, write, or execute a file. This system helps ensure that users and processes only have access to the files and directories they need, preventing unauthorized access and accidental changes.

Every file and directory in Linux has three types of permissions:

Read (r): Allows viewing the contents of a file or listing the contents of a directory.Write (w): Allows modifying the contents of a file or creating/deleting files within a directory.Execute (x): Allows running a file as a program or script, or entering a directory.