Printer config file in *nix

Question

Are the settings or configuration specifics of a printer on a *nix system using CUPS stored in a file? My assumption is yes, as *nix systems seem to use files for everything as opposed to using a registry system as does Windows. If so, where are such files located? Are they capable of having their file permissions modified, and if so, what could cause such a thing to occur in a non-manual way?

This question relates to one of my other questions in helping to explore a single, individual theory toward an answer there, but is decidedly separate.

Answer 1

Check on /etc/cups, for printers the file is printers.conf.

They can have permissions modified since they usually belong to the lp group, not a single user. Check cron jobs, system updates and any other cups interface that your distribution provides.