File System articles

Last change: 2025-01-10

The lsfd command on Linux can be used to show opened file descriptors and apply filters such as by process or type to reduce the output.

Last change: 2025-01-10

The command fuser is a tool for Linux systems to show the process or processes that have a file or socket opened and can be used for troubleshooting.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Harden system services on Linux by allowing systemd units to access only the specified paths with read permissions using the unit setting ReadOnlyPaths.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Harden Linux services using the systemd unit setting PrivateMounts, which gives the service the service its own mount namespace.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Learn how to use umask to set the default file permissions in Linux. We look at examples, including how and where to implement them.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Got a busy Linux systems and wondering what the culprit is? Learn how to monitor them and focus on disk activity with tools like iotop, sar, vmstat, or iostat.

Last change: 2025-01-06

The file command is a powerful tool for Linux users. Learn how to see the file type of normal and special files on a Linux system.

Last change: 2025-01-06

File systems on Linux store a lot more than just the data itself. Learn how to see the size of a file on Linux systems using the ls or stat command.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Learn how to sort the output of the ls command and list a directory contents by its modification time. Here is which options to use.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Use the find command to search for any files on Linux that are writable. To make this work, the -perm option of find can be used.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Disks will eventually fill up. Learn how to quickly see the size of a directory or folder on Linux systems using the du command.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Files starting with a dot are usually hidden on Linux. Learn how to see any hidden files on the command line or in the terminal using the ls command.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Learn how to see files smaller or bigger than a specific defined size on Linux, using the du command. Or use the find command to achieve a similar result.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Linux filesystems typically store file modification timestamps. Learn how to find the last modification time of a file or subdirectory in a specified directory.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Linux file systems use inodes, unique references to link to a file or directory. Learn how to see inode usage on a Linux file system or mount point.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Learn how to see used and remaining disk space on Linux systems by gathering the statistics of file systems and mount points using the df command.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Symbolic links may point to a directory or a file. Learn how to use the find command to discover symbolic links that refer to a directory.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Learn how to compare two directories on a Linux systems and see their differences between both or what files they are having in common.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Need to delete the contents of a sensitive file on Linux? Instead of just deleting it with rm, have a look at some other options for a more secure deletion.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Linux may store the initial creation of a file. Learn how to use the stat command to find this initial creation time of a file, also known as its birth time.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Learn everything about the output that the stat command returns. Great for forensics, intrusion detection, and system administration.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Find the biggest directories and files on disk by using the du command. The output can be sorted using numeric values to find the biggest entries.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Frequently asked questions about file systems, file permissions, directories and files.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Learn how to change the file permissions of files and directories on a Linux system. Follow the examples and make your system more secure.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Learn the basics of file permissions on Linux systems and filesystems such as ext4, XFS, and ZFS. Guided by examples and common Linux tools.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Learn the basics of how a Linux system applies file permissions. We look at examples to demystify the permissions mean and learn to troubleshoot common issues.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Learn how to find hardlinks on a file system or which files they have in common. We will use the find command to get this information quickly available.

Last change: 2025-01-06

All articles about the purpose of a file system and how it works. Learn how to become a specialist to further secure your system.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Want to rename files in bulk, but looking for a good tool that can be used on Linux? This article has your covered, with several options.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Also wondering what some files are used for on Linux systems? In this article we have a look at the /etc/networks file and show some configuration.

Last change: 2025-01-06

The pseudo-filesystem /proc contains a lot of useful information for the system administrator. With the hidepid option we can restrict what users can see.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Ever wondered why there are files on your Linux system, starting with a dot? The short answer: they are shortcuts. Here is the full story.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Linux supports extended attributes (xattr) on most file systems. Learn how they work and allow security features like access control lists and more.

Last change: 2025-01-06

Since data is stored on file systems, appropriate measures should be taken to protect it. Learn how to secure mount points on Linux.

Last change: 2025-01-06

When file access control lists, or ACLs are being used, the output of ls will change. Learn about the additional plus sign in its output.