chattr command

The chattr command can change the attributes of files or directories stored on the ext2 file system.

Syntax

chattr [-vRV] [mode] [files]

Arguments

  • -R: Recursively process, including all files and subdirectories in the specified directory.
  • -v <version num>: Set the version number of the file or directory.
  • -V: Display the process of the command execution.
  • + <attribute>: Enable the specified attribute for the file or directory.
  • - <attribute>: Disable the specified attribute for the file or directory.
  • = <attribute>: Specify the attribute for the file or directory.

File attributes

  • a: File or directory is only for append functionality.
  • b: Do not update the last access time for the file or directory.
  • c: Compress the file or directory.
  • d: Exclude the file or directory from a dump.
  • i: Make the file or directory immutable.
  • s: Securely delete the file or directory.
  • S: Synchronously update the file or directory.
  • u: Prevent accidental deletion of the file or directory.

Examples

Prevent file.txt from being modified.

chattr +i file.txt

Add two attributes to the file.txt file.

chattr +ac file.txt

Specify the attributes of the file.txt file.

chattr =i file.txt

Daily Exercise

https://github.com/WindrunnerMax/EveryDay

References

https://man.linuxde.net/chattr https://www.howtoforge.com/linux-chattr-command/ https://www.runoob.com/linux/linux-comm-chattr.html