Which command is used to change file permissions in Linux?

The command used to change file permissions in Linux is chmod. This command allows users to alter the access rights of files and directories by specifying which users (owner, group, others) have the ability to read, write, or execute the specified files. With chmod, you can set permissions using numeric (octal) codes or symbolic notation, making it a versatile tool for managing file security.

Understanding the context of other commands helps clarify the role of chmod. For example, chown is used to change the ownership of a file or directory, allowing you to transfer the file’s ownership from one user to another. Chgrp, on the other hand, changes the group associated with a file, which can affect group-level permissions. The command lsmod is unrelated to file permissions; it is used to display the status of modules in the Linux kernel, focusing on loaded and unloaded modules.

By recognizing the distinct functions of these commands, it becomes clear that chmod is specifically focused on adjusting permissions, which is critical for managing security and access control in a Linux environment.