What is the purpose of an access control list in Linux?

Question

Options

• ATo specify fine-grained permissions for users and groups
• BTo encrypt a file for secure transmission
• CTo compress a file to save disk space
• DTo mark a file as executable

• A
  93% (43)
• B
  4% (2)
• C
  2% (1)

Explanation

Access Control Lists (ACLs) in Linux extend the standard Unix permission model (owner/group/others) by allowing administrators to define precise read, write, and execute permissions for specific individual users or groups on any file or directory - making option A correct. Option B is wrong because encryption is handled by tools like gpg or openssl, not ACLs. Option C is wrong because compression is done by utilities like gzip or tar. Option D is wrong because executable permissions are set via chmod +x, a basic file mode operation unrelated to ACLs.

Memory tip: Think of ACL as a "guest list with custom rules" - instead of just owner/group/world, you can say exactly which named users or groups get which access, like a bouncer with a detailed clipboard rather than a velvet rope.

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