Hide directories on Unix

anhtt · 08-06-2007, 07:38 AM

How to hide or unhide a directory or file on Unix.

colucix · 08-06-2007, 07:47 AM

It depends on what do you mean for hide/unhide. The most simple answer to your question is: all files/directories whose name begins with a dot "." are not visible by the command ls or from a window, unless you tell explicitly to show them. BTW, I don't believe this is what you're looking for, since this is the default behaviour on most systems, aren't you?

anhtt · 08-06-2007, 12:03 PM

If we can't display all files/directories whose name begins with a dot "." by command "ls". And how can you know the existing of these files/directories if "ls" can't use?
If you want to set a file/diretory with "." as you told, which command you have to do ?

jeenam · 08-06-2007, 12:19 PM

ls -a

^^ Displays files/directories that begin with a dot. man ls.

colucix · 08-06-2007, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anhtt

If you want to set a file/diretory with "." as you told, which command you have to do ?

Simply rename a file/directory with a leading dot:

Code:

mv pippo .pippo

makes the file or directory pippo to be "hidden". Beware of overwriting existing hidden files in your home directory, since the most of them are user's configuration files!

unSpawn · 08-06-2007, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anhtt

How to hide or unhide a directory or file on Unix.

Use a rootkit?