How to Change Permissions to an FTP Site

Changing permissions on an FTP site happens at three different levels. The first level is site access, which gives users permission to access the site's folders and files through a FTP server. The second level is a folder or directory access, which gives access to the folder and all contents inside the folder. The third level is the file access, which is what most webmasters tends to deal with as far as giving FTP permissions. There is an obvious security threat with giving out too much access. Within those three levels, there are three other levels of permissions to give: read, write and execute. Read access lets an individual just access the file to read; write allows the person to edit and alter the file; execute lets the user run the script that is inside of certain files. Here you will learn how to set permissions on these three levels using the CPanel associated with your hosting account and an FTP software application.

Instructions

Changing Permission Through CPanel

1. Log in to your CPanel. The CPanel (control panel) is an application that came with your hosting account. Information on how to log in was emailed to you after purchasing the account. Refer to the email on how to log in.

2. Click on "FTP Accounts." This will allow you to add new users and/or change permissions of existing users. There is an area at the top to add new users, or you can click on the area next to an existing user to change the permission. Once you are finish with this, go back to the homepage.

3. Click on "File Manager." This is where you can change the permissions to certain files and directories. Once the File Manager comes up, right-click on a folder or file. Click on "Change Permissions." In the dialog box that appears, set whatever permissions you like for users or public access.

Changing Permission Through FTP Software

1. Open the software program and connect to your server. This is done by using the FTP username and password that you set up through the CPanel. Once connected, you will see a list of all of your files and directories on the right side of the program.

2. Right-click on a file or directory. Choose "Change Permission." Set the permission to the file or directory by selecting or deselecting the checks from the "Read," "Write" and "Execute" boxes.

3. Wait for verification that the permission has been changed in the status box. The status box is usually above or below the area where the files are listed. Sometime you will receive an error message if the program wasn't able to change permissions. If this happens, you will have to alter the permissions on the site level by going to the CPanel's FTP Accounts screen.