UNIX for Advanced & Expert Users

Hi,
What are the default file permissions for /etc/shadow file in Linux. and What is meant by open files in linux.Any body please help me.Thanks in advance.

The default file permissions might be distro dependent. What does ls -l /etc/shadown tells you? On mine box:

Code:

loic@noether:~/private/math$ ls -l /etc/shadow
-rw-r----- 1 root shadow 1397 2010-11-19 17:36 /etc/shadow

In which context? I'd guess: there is at least a file descriptor attached to the process (see lsof)

HTH, Loïc

/etc/shadow file is readable only by the root user because of there is security risk.for detail information you can look this page

Code:

Linux Password & Shadow File Formats

open files is opened files,dirs,pipes,fifos,character device,file descriptor,sockets,shared libary .. in the system.
These files are opened(loaded) by a process or kernel threads or user comamnds or user shell or startup services(daemon)...
try lsof(open fıles) or fuser(opened files in ps buffer) or ps(open proces) or netstat(open sockets)

regards
ygemici