As a Linux user, it’s important to know how to manage permissions on files and directories. Permissions are essential to ensure that files and directories are secure and only accessible to the right people. In this article, we’ll show you how to change file permissions on Linux desktops.

Before we jump into the steps, let’s quickly understand the basics of file permissions. Files and directories have three types of permissions: read (r), write (w), and execute (x). These permissions are set for three different groups – owner, group, and others. The owner is the person who created the file, and the group is a collective of users who have access to the file.

Now, let’s move onto the steps!

Step 1: Open the Terminal

The first thing you need to do is open the terminal. You can do this by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on the keyboard.

Step 2: Navigate to the File or Directory You Want to Change the Permissions Of

Once you have the terminal open, you need to navigate to the file or directory you want to change permissions for. You can use the “cd” (change directory) command to navigate through the file system. For example, to navigate to the Downloads directory, you can type “cd Downloads.”

Step 3: Check the Current Permissions

Before changing permission, you need to know the current permissions of the file or directory. The command for this is:

ls -l FILENAME

Replace “FILENAME” with the name of the file or directory. This will display the current permissions of the file or directory.

Step 4: Change Permissions

Now that you know the current permissions, you can change them using the chmod command. The chmod command is used to change the permissions of a file or directory. Here is how to use it:

chmod o+r FILENAME – this command will grant read permission to others on the file.
chmod o-w FILENAME – this command will revoke write permission from others on the file.
chmod u+x FILENAME – this command will grant execute permission to the owner of the file.
chmod g-rw FILENAME – this command will revoke read and write permissions from the file’s group.

Step 5: Verify the Changes
After making the changes, it’s important to verify that they have been applied. You can use the “ls -l” command again to see the updated permissions.

In conclusion, changing file permissions on Linux is essential for keeping your data safe and secure. It might seem a bit intimidating at first, but with these simple steps, you can get started and take control of your files and directories. Remember to always check the permissions of your files before making any changes, and stay diligent in keeping your system secure.