if you're using NT you can use cacls to see extended security on the file or directory. "cacls" is not a perl funtion, but i think it comes with the resource kit. i'm still new to perl but i think you might be able to do something like system("cacls FileName /extention") or something of the sort. Like i said, i am just a newbie still, but i would try something like that first :). Happy Hunting. ~Ray~