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Notes on File Permissions Untitled Document

Notes on File Permissions

Permissions are represented, essentially, by a string with three sets of three characters. The first three show the read, write, and execute permissions for the owner; the next three show permissions for the group to which the owner belongs; and the final three set access for everyone else. So, a file with permissions of:

rw-r--r--

has read and write access for the owner and read-only access for everyone else.

Another file with permissions of:

rwxr-xr-x

gives read, write, and execute access to the owner; read and execute access to everybody else.

Changing File Permissions

There are several ways to change file permissions, depending on whether you're using the MindSpring File Manager or an FTP client.

Using the MindSpring File Manager

  • Connect to the Internet.
  • Using a web browser such as Internet Explorer, log into the MindSpring Control Panel at http://control.business.mindspring.com using your User ID and Password.
  • From the Toolbox pull-down menu, choose the File Manager.
  • Navigate to the directory with the file you want to change.
  • Click the Edit link for the file or directory whose permissions you want to update
  • Edit permissions by checking or unchecking the boxes
  • Press the Change button

With an FTP Client...

In Windows,

With recent versions of WS_FTP:

  • Be sure you are connected to the Internet.
  • Launch WS-FTP
  • Connect to the remote site, and navigate to the directory with the file you want to change.  (For more on using WS-FTP, read the appropriate help file)
  • Select the file or directory whose permissions you want to change and right click on it
  • Choose chmod (UNIX)
  • Edit permissions by checking or unchecking the boxes.

Or, with an older version of WS-FTP:

  • Be sure you are connected to the Internet.
  • Launch WS-FTP.
  • Connect to the remote site, and navigate to the directory with the file you want to change.  For more on using WS-FTP, read the appropriate help file).
  • Right-click in the remote pane.
  • Choose commands, then site.
  • Type "chmod ### filename" (no quotes) in the line provided.
    (where "###" are the appropriate permission numbers-- see below)

On a Macintosh, using Fetch:

  • Be sure you are connected to the Internet
  • Launch the Fetch application.
  • Connect to the remote site, and navigate to the directory with the file you want to change.  (For more on using Fetch, read the appropriate help file)
  • Go to the Remote menu.
  • Choose Send FTP Commands.
  • Type "site chmod ### filename" (no quotes) in the line provided.
    (where "###" are the appropriate permission numbers-- see below)

Below is a table explaining file permissions:

Magic Number Binary Representation Permissions
0 000 --- No permission
1 001 --x execute
2 010 -w- write
3 011 -wx write, execute
4 100 r-- read
5 101 r-x read, execute
6 110 rw- read, write
7 111 rwx read, write, execute

The chmod command in UNIX interprets the first number for owner (yourself), second number for group (other users in your group), and the third for others (everyone else).  You use three digits, or "magic numbers" to grant access to these groups.  Use the chart above to see what kind of access each "magic number" will grant.

For example, chmod 666 filename will change file permission to read, write for all three user categories:  owner, group and others. (Substitute "filename" with the name of your file.)

chmod 660 filename only gives read and write access to the owner and group.  Everyone else will have no permission to access the file.

More examples

chmod Permissions Meaning
755 rwxr-xr-x read, write, and execute for owner; read, execute for everyone
644 rw-r--r-- read, write for owner; read for everyone
666 rw-rw-rw- read, write for everyone
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