File System Permissions

Permissions

The mkdir, rm, cp, and mv utilities check the file system permissions before acting. These permissions define whether we can operate on the target object. Let’s consider this file system mechanism in detail.

Permissions restrict the users’ actions on the file system. The OS tracks these actions and checks their allowance. Each user can access only their files and directories because of this feature. Users can share files with each other, but they should allow it explicitly. This sharing doesn’t work by default. It also restricts access to the OS components.

Permissions allow several people to share one computer. This workflow was widespread in the 1960s until the advent of PCs. Hardware resources were expensive at that time, so several users often had to operate with one computer.

Today, most users have their own PC or laptop. However, the file system permissions are still relevant. They protect our system from unauthorized access and malware.

Let’s take a look at the following figure.