Setting Permissions Correctly Question by Newby

This is a fresh install: 1.3.8

First off... I’m new to Zen Cart. I have installed a couple of other applications on my server before such as a forum etc. But I’m no expert on html or php, or managing servers.

I’m just in the process of completing the FTP part of the install and noticed some of the directory permissions need to be set to 777.

I have heard all kind of security warnings about 777 - so my question is:

Where the install instructions say 777 should be set to: /catalog/admin/images/graphs

Do this mean all directories in that path - so:

catalog = 777
admin = 777
images = 777
graphs = 777

Or does it mean just the last directory in the path.

Thanks
GL

OK, I found this - so I guess that’s it. All directories in the path - including: /catalog

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=114364&highlight=Permissions+directories

Garden Lady:

OK, I found this - so I guess that’s it. All directories in the path - including: /catalog

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=114364&highlight=Permissions+directories

NO...

... just the LAST folder in the path (and usually all folders within that, so in the case of images...

images/attributes
images/large
images/medium ... etc...

To render the contents of these invisible to browsers, just put a blank index.html file in each folder.

A couple, like images/upload should have a .htaccess as well for added security.

:oops:

Thanks... did seem a bit odd. I’ll make your recommended changes: pronto

Detailed instructions are in the install documentation... See inside the DOCS folder of an unzipped copy of the software. Click on index.html and read what is said in each "chapter"... Start with Item 2.

I did that, but I don’t think it’s clear enough for numpties like me. I would suggest changing the first line of the instructions to: Change permissions of the last directory at the end of the following paths.... just so there’s no confusion... I am easily confused.

I have now made your recommended changes.

Many thanks

**Instructions **> Now, change the permissions on the following directories to 777 (read/write/execute).

/catalog/cache
/catalog/images
/catalog/includes/languages/english/html_includes
/catalog/media
/catalog/pub
/catalog/admin/backups
/catalog/admin/images/graphs

Note: open the catalog/images directory and change all of the subdirectories and their subdirectories to 777 as well. For example (this is a partial list):
/catalog/images/attributes
/catalog/images/dvd
/catalog/images/large
/catalog/images/large/dvd
/catalog/images/medium
/catalog/images/upload

NOTE: If you miss any of the images directories and subdirectories inside /images and try to use them later, you will get an error message that you cannot write to these directories.

Other folders/files

As for other folders and files, depending on your webserver configuration, they can be set to:

• folders: CHMOD 755 ("CHMOD" is a linux/unix term for setting/changing permission levels)
• files: CHMOD 644
  These are typically the defaults that your FTP program will use when uploading, so usually do not need to be set manually.

I would suggest changing the first line of the instructions to: Change permissions of the last directory at the end of the following paths

Unfortunately, it is assumed that users have this basic knowledge to start with. And as CHMOD is not exclusive to zencart, it is not really a zencart issue. There are literally hundreds (if not thousands) of tutorials on the internet that explain permissions.

You may be interested in looking at tutorials on other general issues like html and css... Go to https://www.w3schools.com for a good collection of help tutorials.

NB: Bear in mind too that changing permissions on a FOLDER can (but not always) change the permissions of its CONTENTS.

Please make sure that FILES are 0644 (or 644). In the case of configure.php files, this is usually 444.

Thanks for the pointers. I’m literally learning as I go along... no teacher etc - that is outside of forums.

I’ll probably ask all kinds of dummy questions, but I’m hoping to learn quickly - I want to get my business online and start selling asap.

Garden Lady:

Thanks for the pointers. I’m literally learning as I go along... no teacher etc - that is outside of forums.

95% of the members of this forum - me included - started like this too.

There are LOTS of resources that teach web management, and yes, you'll need to invest time in the learning process. But if a complete idiot like me can do it then even a chimpanzee has a chance! (Oops... I am not suggesting you are a chimpanzee :D )