Filtilgangen

Filtilgangen is a Norwegian term commonly used to refer to file access—the ability of a user or a running process to interact with a file or directory in a computer system. It encompasses actions such as reading, writing, and executing a file, and it is governed by the system’s authentication and authorization mechanisms. The governing rules determine whether an access request is allowed, denied, or restricted.

In operating systems, file access is enforced by permissions and access control mechanisms. In Unix-like systems, access is traditionally managed through permission bits assigned to the file owner, the group, and others, with read, write, and execute rights. Modern systems may also use access control lists (ACLs) to grant more granular rights to additional users or groups. Some models rely on capabilities, where a process receives tokens that confer specific permissions independent of user identity.

Access control models include discretionary access control (DAC), where the owner determines permissions; mandatory access control (MAC), which enforces system-wide policies; and role-based access control (RBAC), which assigns permissions based on roles. When a process attempts to access a file, the kernel evaluates the credentials, ownership, ACLs, and any applicable security policies before granting or denying access. File descriptors in many systems serve as handles for open files within processes, linking access decisions to concrete operations.

Cross-platform differences are common. Windows relies heavily on security descriptors with discretionary and system-level access controls, while Unix-like systems center on permission bits and ACLs. Filtilgangen remains central to security, privacy, and the proper functioning of multi-user environments, guiding how data is protected and shared.