What are Unix groups?
There is a section of the Web Developer’s Guide devoted to Working in Groups. Basically, Unix groups allow an organization to securely share information and work by granting file access to a group rather than a single individual. Each file still has an “owner” but that person can determine what group has access and what type of permissions they should have. For example, you may want to give someone permission to read a file, but not to modify. To find out what groups you currently belong to, follow this link. If your organization or department does not have a group, you can request one using the form http://www.wings.buffalo.edu/forms/groupaccess.php.