How to password-protect a folder Print

Directory Privacy lets you password-protect a folder on your website. Anyone who opens it has to enter a username and password first. It's useful for a private area, a test site or files you only want to share with a few people.

Protect a folder

1. In cPanel, open Files → Directory Privacy.
2. Click a folder name to open it and find the folder you want to protect, for example a folder inside public_html.
3. Click Edit next to it.

4. Tick Password protect this directory, enter a name for the protected area (shown in the login box) and click Save.
5. Under Create User, enter a username and a strong password, then click Save.

Open the folder's address in a private browser window. You should now see a login box.

Good to know

• These usernames are separate from your cPanel and email logins. Create one for each person who needs access.
• Protecting public_html itself locks your whole website. That's handy while you build it, but remember to remove the protection when you go live.
• To remove the protection, click Edit again, untick Password protect this directory and save.