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    ./.* will include ./. and ./.., which is why you get that evil recursivity covering your entire system in the first place. Commented Mar 26, 2015 at 14:09
  • so ./.* would have been ending up in the same disaster, if I got you right? Commented Mar 26, 2015 at 14:13
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    Have a look at ls -d ./.*. It includes .., the parent directory. And this directory would include its parent as well, and so on... Run ls --recursive ./.* and you'll see it... Commented Mar 26, 2015 at 14:15
  • You are right John, in this case I am going to edit my initial question and remove the wrong conclusion we made. Thank you... Commented Mar 26, 2015 at 14:21
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    Related: Does 'rm .*' ever delete the parent directory? rm specifically protects against this; commands like chmod and chown do not. Commented Mar 26, 2015 at 22:39