How to change file permissions via an SFTP or FTP client

This guide shows you how to change the permissions of the files and folders (directories) on your web space using an SFTP or FTP client.

File permissions control who can read, write and execute your files. If the permissions are too strict, (parts of) your site may not function properly. If the permissions are too loose, it can create a security risk as everyone will have full access.

Note: For customers on our new servers, FTP is no longer available due to security limitations, as it is an outdated protocol. We recommend switching to SFTP for a more secure and reliable transfer method.

If you don't see "FTP Administration" on your SSH & SFTP page, you are on our new servers. FTP remains available for customers on older servers.

• Step 1 - Connect using SFTP (or FTP)
• Step 2 - Select all files and folders
• Step 3 - Change permissions for files
• Step 4 - Change permissions for folders (directories)

Step 1 - Connect using SFTP (or FTP)

For this guide, we'll use FileZilla as our SFTP client. We recommend connecting with SFTP because it is encrypted and more secure. If you use another client, the steps might look slightly different.

1. Make sure SFTP access is enabled in your one.com Control Panel. If needed, follow the steps in the section Activate SFTP for my web space first.
2. Your connection details are also found here. Click here to open the SSH & SFTP section directly.
3. Under SSH & SFTP Administration, your domain's specific connection details are displayed.
4. Open FileZilla and enter the connection details from the Control Panel in the required fields: Host, Username, Password and Port.

Forgot your password?
No worries! Just follow the steps in the section above Create or change SSH/SFTP password.

• FTP login details

  Enter the following FTP login details, replacing yourdomain.com with your actual domain:
  
  Host: ftp.yourdomain.com
  Username: yourdomain.com
  Password: the password set for FTP via your Control Panel
  Port: 21

3. Click Quickconnect to connect to the server.
If this is the first time you log in using SFTP on this device, you'll see a popup message saying that the server's host key is unknown and asking whether you trust it. Click "OK" to approve the connection.

If successfully connected, your files and folders will appear on the right side of the screen.

Step 2 - Select all files and folders

1. Select the files and folders for which you want to set the permissions.
2. Right-click on the selected item(s) and select File permissions from the menu that appears.

Tip: To select multiple items, click the first item, hold the Shift key, and click the last item to select everything in between. If items are not laying next to each other, hold the Ctrl key (or Cmd key on Mac) and click each individual item you want to select. 

Step 3 - Change permissions for files

First, we will set the permissions for files.

• In the Numeric value field, type in 644.
• Check the box Recurse into subdirectories.
• Select Apply to files only.

Step 4 - Change permissions for folders (directories)

Finally, we will set the permissions for folders, also known as directories. Folders require execute permissions, therefore their settings differ from those for files.

• In the Numeric value field, type in 755.
• Check the box Recurse into subdirectories.
• Select Apply to directories only.

Related articles:

• Using SFTP 
• Disable file execution in the WordPress uploads folder