Mike Oliver wrote:
> 
> [Mandrake 8.2, kernel 2.4.18]
> 
> Every now and then, without warning and a propos of nothing,
> the permissions on my /home directory suddenly change to drwx------.
> 
> I've learned to keep a root console open on my desktop so I
> can quickly change it back, and this is actually workable,
> but obviously not ideal.  Has this happened to anyone
> else, or does anyone know what might be going on?
> 
> A couple of other pieces of information:
> 
>   (1) I have the security level set to "higher"
>   (2) /home is mounted from its own partition.  the relevant
>       entry in /etc/fstab is
> 
>          /dev/hdb8       /home       ext2         defaults            1 1
> 
> Thanks for any help.

Mike, 

Assuming you are using 8.2. Read this

http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/doc/82/en/ref.html/prog-msec.html

It's the online documentation for msec (Mandrake Security). Particulaly
note 12.3.1 (umask in the table) and 12.3.1.1 - to paraphrase these "umask
for level 4 and 5 is set to 077" Translation - "This octal number is
applied every night at around 4AM to all users file permissions. The result
is as you have noticed".

If you feel up to it look at Customising your m-sec (read 12.4) otherwise
as root just change it to level 3 (man msec). Level 3 is the highest
recommended level for a home computer as it is a good compromise between
tight security and ease of use. 

BTW This online document is one of the manuals that the purchasers of the
box set recieved.

HTH
Michael

-- 
A man from AI walked across the mountains to SAIL to see the Master,
Knuth.  When he arrived, the Master was nowhere to be found.  

"Where is the wise one named Knuth?" he asked a passing student.

"Ah," said the student, "you have not heard. He has gone on a pilgrimage
across the mountains to the temple of AI to seek out new disciples."

Hearing this, the man was Enlightened.

Want to buy your Pack or Services from MandrakeSoft? 
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