filesystem permissions

Filesystem permissions control access to files and folders, determining who can read, modify, or execute them. Think of them as security settings: "read" allows viewing contents, "write" allows changing or deleting, and "execute" enables running programs. Permissions are assigned to different user groups—owners, groups, and others—ensuring sensitive data is protected and only authorized users can perform specific actions. Properly configured permissions help maintain security and prevent accidental or malicious changes, balancing accessibility with protection.