Changing File Permissions
For the following procedures, make sure you have logged in to an SSH Client and are at the Unix terminal. Instructions on how to log in to an SSH Client can be found at the Help page.
To submit a command line in Unix, press Enter.
Types of users
Files can be granted separate permissions for three sets of users.
User (u) - The owner of the file or directory.
Groups (g) - Members of the group(s) to which the owner of the file or directory belongs.
Others (o) - Everyone else who is not the user or a member of the group.
All (a) - Grants the same permissions to users, groups, and outsiders.
Types of permissions
There are three permissions that can be granted to the above sets of users.
r - (r)ead access allows users to view.
w - (w)rite access allows users to edit.
x - e(x)ecute allows users to execute a file.
Permissions can be granted (+), taken away (-), or overwritten (=).
Changing permissions
The chmod command is used to modify each set of users' permissions for a file. To use the chmod command, enter it in the format of chmod who=permissions filename.
Examples:
chmod g-w its.txttakes away the group's write permissions for the file its.txt.chmod go=r its.txtoverwrites previous permissions on its.txt to read-only for groups and others.
Changing permissions when connected through SFTP
On a PC, if you are using the SSH Secure File Transfer program, file permissions can be managed by right clicking on a file and selecting Properties.
On a Mac, if you are using Fetch, file permissions can be managed by selecting a file and pressing the Apple + I key to conduct a Get Info on the file. Once the Get Info dialogue box appears, expand the Ownership Permissions section to modify file permissions.
Go to the "Using FTP with a UTS account" page for PC or MAC to find out more information on using FTP.
Last updated February 12, 2013 @ 4:01 pm
