How to find all files that is not accessible for the reading?

Rustam Atai
  • quick-tip

For example, we need to find files and directories that are not readable by the "other" group.

Such objects typically have permission modes like:

  • 0770
  • 0750
  • 0700

That means "other" users have no read permission (--- at the end).


🛠️ Method 1: Using -perm

Find files where "other" users do NOT have read permission:

find . ! -perm -o=r

🛠️ Method 2: Using -readable

Alternatively, run the command as a user from a different group ("other"):

find . ! -readable

💡 Notes

  • -perm -o=r checks if "other" has read permission
  • ! negates the condition
  • -readable checks readability for the current user
  • Results may differ depending on which user runs the command
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