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Using File Attributes and Permissions

Both file attributes and permissions determine user and group access to files throughout the file system. Therefore, being able to use file attributes and permissions effectively is an essential system administrator skill. In this Hands-On lab, you will be using commands to view and set permissions and attributes for files. When the lab is complete, you should know how to use file attributes and permissions to control user and group access to files in the file system.

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Path Info

Level
Clock icon Beginner
Duration
Clock icon 15m
Last updated
Clock icon Apr 06, 2025

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Table of Contents

  1. Challenge

    View the Current Permissions of /opt/myapp/start.sh

    Let's see where we stand, as far as permissions go. Run ls -l and stat on the /opt/myapp/start.sh file:

    cd /opt/myapp
ls -l start.sh
stat start.sh

  2. Challenge

    Change Permissions on /opt/myapp/start.sh to Allow Full Privileges for User and Group Only

    Currently, the permissions of the file /opt/myapp/start.sh are rw-r--r--, or mode 644. We need the user and group to have all permissions and the others to have none. Using either command will have the same result:

    ls -l start.sh
chmod u=rwx,g+wx,o-r start.sh
ls -l start.sh
stat start.sh
chmod 770 start.sh
stat start.sh

  3. Challenge

    Verify That /opt/myapp/start.sh Is Executable

    The permissions of the file /opt/myapp/start.sh should now be -rwxrwx--- or mode 770, and the file should execute. Look at the permissions again to make sure:

    stat start.sh

    Now let's try running it:

    ./start.sh

  4. Challenge

    Make the /opt/myapp/start.sh Immutable Using a File Attribute

    The i attribute should appear when we run lsattr on the file:

    lsattr start.sh

    If it doesn't, then we've got to set it:

    sudo chattr +i start.sh

    Verify that the file is set immutable:

    lsattr start.sh

    Note the use of sudo there. We've got to run chattr as root.

Pluralsight Skills - Labs - Pluralsight
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Pluralsight Skills

Pluralsight Skills gives leaders confidence they have the skills needed to execute technology strategy. Technology teams can benchmark expertise across roles, speed up release cycles and build reliable, secure products. By leveraging our expert content, skill assessments and one-of-a-kind analytics, keep up with the pace of change, put the right people on the right projects and boost productivity. It's the most effective path to developing tech skills at scale.

What's a lab?

Hands-on Labs are real environments created by industry experts to help you learn. These environments help you gain knowledge and experience, practice without compromising your system, test without risk, destroy without fear, and let you learn from your mistakes. Hands-on Labs: practice your skills before delivering in the real world.

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We will provide the credentials and environment necessary for you to practice right within your browser.

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Follow along with the author’s guided walkthrough and build something new in your provided environment!

Did you know?

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