WordPress file permissions play an integral role in the overall security of your WordPress website, which is why you should be sure to get them right. In this post, we’ll cover all you need to know about WordPress file permissions.
Whether you’re a blogger or business owner, the simplicity of WordPress means that it is the most popular CMS system by far. If you are going to use the platform, though, you should give WordPress security the attention it deserves. While there are many different factors to consider, setting up the correct file permissions should be one of the top items on your agenda.
What are WordPress File Permissions?
In a nutshell, WordPress file permissions determine who can access the files on your WordPress site. File permissions are essentially a way to organize and manage files and folders that live on your website’s server (where your website resides). Failure to set them correctly can put your website and your site’s visitors at significant risk.
Without the right file permissions, hackers can gain access to your admin account and potentially your entire server. This may allow them to read, write and execute sensitive files, including the addition of malicious codes that run malware inside the backend of your site.
On a separate note, if your WordPress site is used by several users (such as contributors of blog posts or news pieces), the right file permissions prevent the threat of internal mistakes (honest or otherwise) while also offering a layer of protection for them against attackers too.
While file permissions aren’t the only key element of WordPress security best practices, they ensure the right execution of files, making them a key aspect of the site’s function.
Understanding File Permissions
Servers consist of directories (or folders) and files. Permissions can be created that dictate who can “read (r)”, “write (w)”, and “execute (x)” a specific file and/or directory. There are slight differences between rwx permissions when it comes to file permissions versus directory permissions.
File Permissions Codes
- Read (r) permissions declare if the user has authority to read the file.
- Write (w) permissions declare if the user has the authority to write or modify the file.
- Execute (x) permissions declare if the user has the authority to run the file and/or execute it as a script. It is important to note that a file is not granted delete permissions.
Directory Permissions Codes
- Read (r) permissions declare if the user has the authority to access the contents of the identified
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This article was written by Kristen Wright and originally published on WordPress News | iThemes Blog.