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

Rustam Atai

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