Having read the man ftpd_selinux page I can get anonymous ftp to work (only tested read only mode so far) by typing what is suggested in a terminal window. chcon -R -t ftpd_anon_t /var/ftp But what I cant get to work with selinux protection on is ftp access to a users home directory just by either using the system-config-securitylevel tool to enable acces to home directories or by typing the following command in a terminal window. setsebool -P ftp_home_dir 1 When I try to login as a user with a home directory I get this error message at the client end after the password is entered Error sending status request (Operation not permitted) Login failed. Do you also have to use chcon to appropriatly label a users home directory.