Reviewing the OpenLinux Directories Getting Started Guide 93 Previewing File Permissions Because Linux is a multi-user system, Linux provides a method of protecting each user’s data from access by all other users. Linux uses a simple system of permissions for each file and directory: A file or directory can have permission granted separately for each of these operations: • Read • Write • Execute (for applications, scripts, or directories only) Each of these possible permissions can be granted independently for three differ- ent groups: • The owner of the file or directory • The group that the owner belongs to • All other users on the system For example, many of the configuration files located in the /etc subdirectory of your Linux system are marked as Read or Write for their owner, root, but as Read for all users. This allows you to access the configuration information as you launch and use applications, without permitting you to alter the configuration file. To see the permission information for a file, follow these steps: 1. Locate the file in a file manager window. 2. Right-click on the file’s icon and choose Properties.