Password protection adds a login prompt before anyone can view a folder on your site. It is handy for staging areas, private downloads, or admin sections. Here is how to set it up in DirectAdmin.
What this does #
- Adds a username and password prompt to a specific folder.
- Blocks access to everything inside that folder until the visitor logs in.
- Works at the server level, separate from any application login.
Step-by-step: protect a directory #
- Log in to DirectAdmin (usually yourdomain.com:2222).
- Go to Advanced Features and click Password Protected Directories (sometimes under File Manager).
- Select or enter the folder path you want to protect.
- Enable protection and set a prompt name (the text shown on the login box).
- Create a username and password for access.
- Save your settings.
Adding more users #
- Return to the same folder settings.
- Add extra usernames and passwords as needed.
- Remove users when they no longer need access.
Removing protection #
- Open the protected directory settings.
- Disable protection or delete the users.
- Save.
Tips #
- Use strong, unique passwords.
- Protect the exact folder you mean, not the whole site by mistake.
- Combine with SSL so the login is encrypted.
Troubleshooting #
- No login prompt appears: confirm protection is enabled on the correct folder.
- Login keeps failing: re-enter the password to rule out typos.
- Locked out: disable protection from DirectAdmin and set it up again.
Need help? #
If protection is not working as expected, our support team can check it for you over live chat.
