Chmod 700 Explained
Chmod 700 grants full access exclusively to the owner. Group and others have no permissions. Maximum privacy for sensitive files.
Permission
700
rwx------
chmod 700 filename
Permission Breakdown
| Role | Read (4) | Write (2) | Execute (1) | Octal | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | r | w | x | 7 | read, write, execute |
| Group | - | - | - | 0 | no permissions |
| Others | - | - | - | 0 | no permissions |
Visual Permission Grid
Detailed Explanation
The permission 700 is a highly restrictive permission that gives only the owner full access while completely blocking group and other users.
Octal breakdown:
- 7 (Owner): read (4) + write (2) + execute (1) = full access
- 0 (Group): no access
- 0 (Others): no access
In symbolic notation this is rwx------. Only the file owner can read, modify, and execute the file. No other user on the system can interact with it in any way, not even to view its contents.
This is the most secure permission for sensitive executable files and private directories. It is commonly used for SSH directories (~/.ssh), private key storage, and any directory containing confidential information. System administrators use 700 for home directories on multi-user servers to prevent users from browsing each other's files.
Use Case
Standard permission for ~/.ssh directories, private key files, and personal home directories on multi-user systems where privacy is essential.