Adding Read Access for Other Users: Step-by-Step Guide

Managing file permissions is a critical skill for server administrators. It ensures secure access while allowing appropriate collaboration. This guide explains how to add read access for other users on a Linux system using the chmod command.

Step 1: Understand Linux File Permissions

Linux file permissions follow a three-tier structure:

1. Owner: The user who created the file.
2. Group: A collection of users with similar access needs.
3. Others: All other users on the system.

Each tier can have three types of permissions:

• Read (r): Allows viewing the file’s content.
• Write (w): Allows modifying the file.
• Execute (x): Allows executing the file as a program.

Step 2: Verify Current Permissions

Use the ls -l command to check the current permissions of a file. For example:

ls -l filename

The output might look like this:

-rw-r--r-- 1 user group 1024 Dec 12 2024 filename

The first segment, -rw-r--r--, indicates the file's permissions. The first r-- represents the "Others" category, which currently has read access. If it’s ---, others have no permissions.

Step 3: Add Read Access for Others

To grant read access to "Others," use the chmod command. Run:

chmod o+r filename

Here’s what the command does:

• o refers to "Others."
• +r adds read permission.

Step 4: Confirm the Changes

Re-run the ls -l command to verify the updated permissions:

-rw-r--r-- 1 user group 1024 Dec 12 2024 filename

The r-- under "Others" confirms that the file is now readable by all users.

Additional Tips

• Use chmod -R o+r directory to apply this change to all files in a directory.
• Be cautious when granting permissions. Allowing read access might expose sensitive data to unauthorized users.

Why Choose SurferCloud?

If you’re looking for a reliable and secure server provider to manage your Linux system, SurferCloud is an excellent choice. With global data centers, competitive pricing, and robust customer support, SurferCloud empowers you to achieve seamless server operations.