You can mix and match any of the types to grant seven levels of access, as illustrated below.Read, write, and execute permissions overlap to create seven octal permission notations.You’ll learn how to modify permissions using the Info window in the next section. Permissions control three types of access: reading, writing, and executing. Use trial and error to find an adequate level of security that everyone can live with.File Permissions Crash CourseEvery file and folder on your Mac has a configurable set of permissions. And if you give users too much power, you risk privilege escalation or worse. Users who are too restricted won’t be able to perform basic tasks. Whether you use your Mac in public places or share it with other users, you may want to change the permissions on your documents to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of your data.Of course, it can be difficult to strike a balance between convenience and security when using permissions. Utilizing this security control can help protect your data from unauthorized access. Mac OS X uses permissions to restrict access to applications, files, and folders.
