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File permissions control who can read, write, and execute files on your hosting account. Incorrect permissions are a common cause of website errors and security vulnerabilities.
TypeRecommended Value
Files644
Folders755
Configuration files (e.g. wp-config.php)600
Executable scripts755
Never set files or folders to 777. This grants write access to all system users and is a significant security risk. Our server environment uses CloudLinux with CageFS, which isolates each account — but 777 permissions can still be exploited within your own account’s context.

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Changing Permissions in the File Manager

1

Open the File Manager

Log in to Plesk and click Files in the left sidebar.
2

Select the File or Folder

Navigate to the item you want to change and right-click it.
3

Select Change Permissions

Click Change Permissions from the context menu.
4

Set the Value

Enter the permission value (e.g. 644) or use the checkboxes to set read, write, and execute access for owner, group, and others.
5

Save

Click OK to apply.

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Applying Permissions Recursively

To apply permissions to all files and folders within a directory at once, check the Apply to all files and subdirectories option in the Change Permissions dialog before saving.
If your website is throwing a 403 Forbidden error, incorrect folder permissions are often the cause. Ensure your httpdocs/ folder and its contents are set to 755 for directories and 644 for files.