RHEL Linux - Red Hat System Administration Practice Exam

In terms of file permissions, which permissions override others?

1. Others; group; user

2. Group; others; user

3. User; group; others

4. User; others; group

The correct answer is: User; group; others

The correct choice emphasizes that user permissions take precedence over group and others' permissions within the Linux file permission model. In this model, each file or directory has three levels of access: user (the owner of the file), group (members of the file's group), and others (everyone else). When determining access, the permissions for the user are evaluated first. If the user has the necessary permissions, they can access the resource without consideration of the group or others' permissions. This hierarchy is crucial because it ensures that the file owner retains the most control over their files, which is a foundational principle of file security and management in Linux. In scenarios where a user has the necessary permissions, those permissions will always be honored regardless of the broader group or others' settings. Conversely, if the user's permissions do not allow access, the subsequent group or others' permissions will not be considered. This structure reflects the importance placed on the file owner's rights, ensuring they have the final say over their files.