Question about file permissions attributes

[dman76]

When you change the attributes on a directory to, say 777, so you can edit them, is it necessary to change them back to 644 or whatever it was on? I don't really understand this. What could happen?

[nomadrw]

What 777 does it allows you to make any changes on a file. When you change it back to a 644 it basically locks the file up ie its protected. So it is wise to protect your files.

nomad

[dman76]

Right. But it only protects it for someone logged in as an admin, correct? It wouldnt be vulnerable to outside users if its left on 777 would it?