UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

What command(s) do I use to change the security on a file? I need to change the owner as well as read write end execute options.

The chown command will change the owner

chown newowner filename

The chmod command will change the permissions. Permissions are specified as an octal number that can go from 000 to 777.
The read bit is decimal 4, the write bit is decimal 2, and the execute bit is decimal 1. Assuming you want rwx for owner, r-x for group, and r-x for other (decimal 755), the command would be

chmod 755 filename

A hint if you're trying to find information on any command - use the man page.

Just type in "man command_name".

Now if you don't know what the command is - as I figure you didn't in this instance - then try using "man -k search_word"

The -k does a keyword search through man and gives you a list of instances where this keyword is in the command name or command description....i.e for the "permissions" on a file

$ man -k permissions
chmod chmod (1) - change the permissions mode of a file
fbtab logindevperm (4) - login-based device permissions
logindevperm logindevperm (4) - login-based device permissions
uucheck uucheck (1m) - check the uucp directories and permissions file

Very helpful information. I especially like the man -k tip. Thank you very much.

I have some cgi scripts that created directories and files owned by "nobody". How do I change the "nobody" owner to mine so that I can edit some files in the dir manually?

Do I need to run another cgi script to change the permission from web browser (chmod 777 ??) ?

Thanks.

You would either need root access (to change ownership from "nobody" to you), or perhaps it may work to jot out a quick CGI that would chmod or chown the files... Since it looks like it's being run as "nobody", it should be able to change the files for you.

Let us know...