chmod – protect users’ file being accessed so only owner can access?

How to set chmod, so that ONLY owner of the file can read, write and execute? (other users cannot read, write, and execute)

Answer

chmod 600 filename will do it; or chmod 700 if it is an executable.

Another way that is less cryptic is:

chmod go-rwx filename

• The “g” is for group
• The “o” is for others
• The “-” is for removing permissions
• The “r” is for read-permission
• The “w” is for write-permission
• The “x” is for execute permission.

For the sake of completeness:

• “u” is for user / owner
• “+” is for adding permissions