CHMOD 777 vs. 755
 

I have noticed that several hacks here have suggested CHMODING directories to 777. My server does not allow any permissions higher than 755, and so far all of the hacks that have required me to change the permissions have worked fine with the permissions set to 755 instead. When I have set permissions to 777 I have gotten errors due to the fact that my server does not allow permissions higher than 755. It seems to me that if the hacks work fine with 755 why would anyone need/want to set their permissions any higher than that? The techs at my server have said to me that to set any folder to 777 is a security hole. My suggestion is to have all authors of hacks that require folder permissions to first try 755 before suggesting anyone set it to 777.

Having directories set 777 IS a security risk, especially on shared servers.