User Privacy

User Privacy

On a multiuser system, users may have access to personal files that belong to others. Such access can be controlled by setting file permissions with the chmod(1) command. Default permissions are controlled by the umask shell parameter. (See "Configuring Default File Permissions With umask" for information on setting umask.)

However, to make it easier to exchange data, many users do not set their umasks, and they forget to change the access permissions of personal files. Make sure users are aware of file permissions and of your policy on examining other users' personal files.

You can make this policy as lenient or stringent as you deem necessary.