RHCSA 8 - SELinux : What's with the dot in the file mode?

OK, so what is the dot at the end of the file mode in Linux and why does it matter. If you are using RHEL or CentOS the default is that SELinux is enabled. To show that there is a file context set on a file the dot shows at the end of the file permissions of a long listing with ls. If an ACL is set then the dot will not show. Even if SELinux is disabled the context will be set until the file is edited. Editing a file when SELinux is disabled will ensure the context is disabled and the dot disappears. Disabling SELinux is not desirable as a relabel of the complete filesystem must happen if we ever enable SELinux again. if you don't want SELinux to be operation use the permissive mode.

[slyroy]

What happened if we maintain (.) In file permission

[zanezak]

Do you not have to touch .autorelabel anymore with CentOS 8 when enabling SELinux?

[marcellans]

Hi mate. The dot has a meaning in acl as well as you will know. It will contain a + if set. Maybe worth mentioning.

[danstoian]

haha, using a mac as main desktop, gotcha ;)