Sticky Bit

What is Sticky Bit?

Sticky Bit is mainly used on folders in order to avoid deletion of a folder and its content by other users though they having write permissions on the folder contents. If Sticky bit is enabled on a folder, the folder contents are deleted by only owner who created them and the root user. No one else can delete other users data in this folder(Where sticky bit is set). This is a security measure to avoid deletion of critical folders and their content(sub-folders and files), though other users have full permissions.

Learn Sticky Bit with examples:

Example: Create a project(A folder) where people will try to dump files for sharing, but they should not delete the files created by other users.
How can I setup Sticky Bit for a Folder?
Sticky Bit can be set in two ways

1. Symbolic way (t,represents sticky bit)
2. Numerical/octal way (1, Sticky Bit bit as value 1)

Use chmod command to set Sticky Bit on Folder: /opt/dump/
Symbolic way:
chmod o+t /opt/dump/
or
chmod +t /opt/dump/
Let me explain above command, We are setting Sticky Bit(+t) to folder /opt/dump by using chmod command.
Numerical way:
chmod 1757 /opt/dump/
Here in 1757, 1 indicates Sticky Bit set, 7 for full permissions for owner, 5 for read and execute permissions for group, and full permissions for others.
Checking if a folder is set with Sticky Bit or not?
Use ls –l to check if the x in others permissions field is replaced by t or T

For example: /opt/dump/ listing before and after Sticky Bit set