If a program has the suid bit set, it will run as though it were being run
by its owner, no matter who actually runs it. Its most common use is to let
all users have some controlled access to files or devices that, normally,
only root can access. The most familiar example is the executable passwd
(/usr/bin/passwd), which runs suid so users can write to /etc/passwd (or
/etc/shadow) to change their own passwords.
sgid is the same thing, except for the program's group id.
I've deleted your second question below since I can't help with it.
At 11:41 PM 7/23/99 PDT, EDUARDO EDUARDO SANCHEZ wrote [in part]:
>Hi all..!!!
>I just want to know if anyone can explain me what suid and sgid means...and
>why they are important....
------------------------------------"Never tell me the odds!"---
Ray Olszewski -- Han Solo
Palo Alto, CA 94303-3603 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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