Linux File Permissions and Authorization Lab

Activity Overview

In this lab, I used Linux commands to configure authorization by setting proper file and directory permissions. I explored how permissions control access to files and why that’s essential in preventing unauthorized users from reading or modifying sensitive data.

I also gained insight into how ownership and group memberships affect who can access and edit specific files and directories in a multi-user Linux system.

Scenario

My task was to audit and configure the file permissions within the /home/researcher2/projects directory for the researcher2 user, who belongs to the research_team group.

1. I checked the user and group permissions on all files in the projects directory, including hidden files.
2. I identified any files with incorrect or overly permissive access settings and used commands like chmod and chown to correct them.
3. I also reviewed the /home/researcher2/projects/drafts directory and modified its permissions to ensure no unauthorized access was possible.

This hands-on experience reinforced my understanding of managing authorization securely in Linux environments.

What I Learned

I now feel confident in using the following Linux commands:

• Examining file and directory permissions using ls -l and ls -la
• Changing file permissions using chmod
• Changing file and directory ownership using chown

These skills are essential for protecting sensitive information and upholding system integrity in any cybersecurity role.

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