File and directory permissions is a complex topic and this article provides a basic overview. If you have any questions or need help with setting permissions, contact HostPapa Support by opening a support ticket. Details about how to open a support ticket are here.
File and directory permissions overview
One of the important ways of securing web servers and web applications such as Joomla!, is through file and directory permissions. In Unix-based operating systems, like those installed on HostPapa servers, permissions are defined by a combination of file ownership and permission types. Every file and directory on a server has a set of permissions applied to it.
Permission types
| Permission type | When applied to directories | When applied to files |
| Read (r) | Can view the names of the files in the directory. | Can view the contents of the file. |
| Write (w) | Can delete the directory, and create, delete, and rename files in the directory. | Can change and delete the file. |
| Execute (x) | Can access the directory and view details (or metadata) about files in the directory. | Can run executable files such as scripts and programs. |
User types
In a Unix-based operating system, there are three user types – user, group, and other. A user can be a regular user or a system account. Typically, regular users interact directly with files and directories, such as creating and updating files, and system users run non-interactive, background processes.
| User type | Description |
| User | The file or directory owner. |
| Group | A group is a collection of users. Every user belongs to at least one group. Files and directories are assigned a group. |
| Other | Everyone else. These are users other than the file or directory owner or members of the group. |
How permissions are displayed
File and directory permissions are often described using a three-digit numeric notation or nine-character symbolic notation.
In numeric notation, the first number describes the owner’s permissions, the second number describes the group’s permissions, and the third number describes other’s permissions.
In symbolic notation, the first three characters describe the owner’s permissions, the middle three characters describe the group’s permissions, and the last three characters describe the others’ permissions. A dash indicates that no permission is granted. For example, rw-r—– shows that the user (first three characters) has read and write permission, users in the group (middle three characters) have only read permission, and others (last three characters) have no permission.
Some examples of common permission sets:
| Numeric notation | Symbolic notation | Owner’s permissions | Group’s permissions | Others’ permissions |
| 755 | rwxr-xr-x | rwx | r-x | r-x |
| 644 | rw-r–r– | rw- | r– | r– |
| 777 | rwxrwxrwx | rwx | rwx | rwx |
More information
For details about the recommended permission settings for Joomla!, see Verifying Permissions on the Joomla! documentation website.
If you have any questions or need help, you can always contact HostPapa Support by opening a support ticket. Details about how to open a support ticket are here.
