All about file security

Files as well as folders or directories can be securely stored with certain limitations to their access. There are system files which can not be changed or accessed by a user.

For security reasons, some files can have limitations in using it which can be set to be viewed by everybody and the change of its content only available for a smaller group of people or a single person.

Taking file security measures in any company is highly demanded as there are many risks involved and all information should be kept in a secured format.

Usually the security of a file starts with the authentication process also known as “logging in” by using a user name and password. After being authenticated, there are certain permission levels being set to the file’s properties. Some of the users will have full access to the file while others will have limitations or denied access to a secured file.

Files containing sensitive information can be organized in a secured folder to which only a few persons would have access. The permissions set to the folder are automatically transferred to the files stored in that particular folder or directory.

On a network there is a possibility to share a folder to be accessed by anyone in the organization or company. Actually in this case there can be two security barriers, one is the permission for the shared folder and the other one is the permission of the file(s).

It is also important to mention the difference between file permissions and attributes. A file’s attribute can be set to Read-only which means that modifying in the file is not allowed however this procedure is not secure as anyone can change its attribute and make modifications in the file. File permissions have the option to configure certain level of limitations to different group of users which is more advanced and secure than the use of  Read-only attribute.