The basic command for changing file permissions in unix based operating systems is the 'chmod' command. This command is executed with a set of parameters after it. With most FTP clients, you can simply select the filename you want to change the permissions of, right click, and choose the chmod command.
There are three main groups of permissions when dealing with the chmod command. The three groups are yourself or owner, your unix group, and everyone else. A typical chmod command would look like this - 'chmod 755' This allows you to add, remove or rename files as well as read or edit a file. It also specifies that your unix group and everyone else can only read and edit the file in question. They can't add, delete, or rename the file.
How the numbers in the chmod command work
There are three types of permissions that can be given to a file. They are read, write, and execute. The read permission is assigned a value of 4, the write permission is assigned a value of 2 and the execute permission is assigned a value of 1. So when a chmod command specified the digit 7 as the first number, it means that all three types of permissions are to be assigned to it. If a party is assigned a value of '0' then it means it has no rights whatsoever to a file. '6' tells the server that the user can read and write to the file but can't execute it. I think you get the idea.
Common permissions to set
Most of your html files will do fine with a permission of 644. Most script files will need a permission of 755. Any configuration files in a script package will often need a file permission of 777. Be very careful about assigning a file permission of '777' for everyone. With this permission, it means that anyone who gains access to your server will be able to add, remove, rename, read or edit the file. It is always a good idea with security in mind to assign the least amount of permissions necessary to get the job done.
An FTP client can keep things simple
Most people on shared servers will not have access to a command line to be able to use the chmod command. For most people, changing file permissions will be done through an FTP client. To do this, right click on the file you want to alter, and choose the chmod command. You will usually get a popup that will show nine checkboxes. The will be arranged in three rows. On the left you will usually see Read, Write, and Execute for the row headings. You can accomplish the same thing as typing in the numbers above by clicking on one, two or three boxes for each party. Once you're done, you click the apply or ok button and the file permissions will be changed.
If you keep in mind that you need to always go with the most restrictive file permissions possible that still allows your files to execute, and that there are three parties to define permissions for, you'll do fine. The three parties again are the owner, group, and everyone else.
This article was written by Joe Duchesne, president of http://www.yowling.com/, a web hosting company that specializes in helping online business owners increase their website traffic. Copyright 2004 Yowling. Reprint Freely as long as you link back to my website from this resource box.
Knowing when it is time to move onto a dedicated... Read More
There are a couple of key things to look at... Read More
If you are looking for a deluxe web site hosting... Read More
There are various reasons why an online business owner like... Read More
If your like many another webmasters you might be thinking... Read More
Just finished your first website? So it's the time to... Read More
There are literally hundreds of thousands of web hosting companies... Read More
Managed Hosting Services are used primarily by companies that either... Read More
Once you have your company's web site up and running,... Read More
If you run a website hosting business, you already know... Read More
When it comes to budget web hosting, there are a... Read More
For a website to appear on the Internet, you require... Read More
Reseller Defined:The term Reseller according to the dictionary means to... Read More
John's online business is expanding. His customers are increasing day... Read More
There are many attributes that makes a web hosting provider... Read More
One of the important decisions you'll make when you decide... Read More
Linux web hosting is so named, based on the operating... Read More
There are few things as critical to your e-business success... Read More
There is no concept of free lunch in the world,... Read More
There are several types of hosting. Among them are:Free hosting... Read More
A client of mine paid for a solo advert to... Read More
If you're reading this article, you might be interested in... Read More
With literally hundreds of web hosting providers competing for your... Read More
The fact that an estimated 40,000 new blogs are being... Read More
If you've got or are considering a web hosting account... Read More
Have you ever gone car shopping with a former car... Read More
Whenever you have a technical question that needs answering, you... Read More
Web Hosting AdviceChoosing a web hosting company to host your... Read More
The main thing wrong today with trying to find a... Read More
Choosing a budget web hosting company can be overwhelming. In... Read More
Once you have a website you then need to think... Read More
The DNS is a distributed, hierarchical database where authority flows... Read More
What is web hosting? Whenever you visit a website, what... Read More
With hundreds of web hosting companies to choose from today... Read More
If you're about to set up your first web site... Read More
Let's face it, the Internet is here for good. Today's... Read More
With literally thousands of web hosting companies in the industry... Read More
How To Select A Web Hosting CompanyWhen starting out, it... Read More
You're not alone! Many people are bound to the old... Read More
When it comes to budget web hosting, there are a... Read More
One of the most confusing decisions someone new to web... Read More
Before you begin your search for a web host you... Read More
All the good ones are taken. The really good ones,... Read More
When building your first site the main things that you... Read More
Personal Computers, Servers Or ISP?You need a server to host... Read More
"2GB web space with 50GB traffic for $5.95 per month!"A... Read More
What is a Dedicated / Virtual Dedicated server and why... Read More
There are so many hosting companies offering to host your... Read More
First of all, some people are worried that they will... Read More
If you are looking for a solid, reliable web host,... Read More
The first questions you have to ask yourself are: how... Read More
Perhaps your web hosting company has a technical support group... Read More
Here are the following three methods that can help you... Read More
Choosing the right web server will be one of the... Read More
Some folks classify low cost web hosting on the same... Read More
Here are some things you should know before finding a... Read More
Consider the following web hosting blunders and do not allow... Read More
In search of a webhosting company for personal or small... Read More
So you want to publish a web site do you?... Read More
Are you looking for web hosting? If you want to... Read More
Are you disgusted or disappointed with your current web host?... Read More
Just finished your first website? So it's the time to... Read More
The website hosting business is very competitive these days with... Read More
You've already got a website, but your current hosting provider... Read More
So - you know shared hosting no longer cuts it,... Read More
Professional web designers don't come cheap. A good web designer... Read More
Web Hosting |