title: Directory Privacy created at: Fri Oct 18 2024 09:02:20 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) updated at: Sat Feb 08 2025 14:21:32 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) --- # Directory Privacy # Overview This interface allows you to protect specific directories in your cPanel account’s files. After you enable this feature for a directory, when users attempt to view that directory via a website, the system prompts them to log in. !! Note !! This feature modifies `htaccess` and `htpasswd` configurations in order to restrict access to files on your websites. !! This feature does **not** protect directories that users access via FTP, SFTP, Web Disk, or other services, or when they access files locally. # Select a directory To use this interface, select a directory to manage. * To select a directory, click the desired directory’s name. * To view and select subdirectories, click the parent directory’s name. Then, click the desired subdirectory name. To configure the security settings for a directory or subdirectory, click *Edit* under the *Actions* column. !! Note !! A protected directory’s subdirectories inherit their parent directory’s password protection. !! The lock icon () indicates that *Directory Privacy* configurations already exist for that directory. ## Security Settings !! Important: !! You **must** perform these steps and click *Save* in order to enable this feature. To password-protect the selected directory, perform the following steps: 1. Select the *Password to protect this directory* checkbox. !! Note\ To remove password protection from a directory, deselect the *Password protect this directory* checkbox. Then, click *Save*. 1. Enter a label for the directory in the *Enter a name for the protected directory* text box. !! Note\ This name **only** functions as a label for the directory in its `.htaccess` file. Do **not** confuse it with the directory’s actual name. 1. Click *Save*. A confirmation message will appear. Click *Go Back* to return to the directory’s configuration. !! Important !! After you complete this process, you **must** create a user that can access this directory. ## Create User !! Warning !! To create a user for a directory, the directory must have correct directory permissions. If you cannot create a user, change the directory’s permissions to `0700` in cPanel’s [*File Manager*](https://docs.cpanel.net/cpanel/files/file-manager) interface (*cPanel » Home » Files » File Manager*). To create an authorized user for the selected directory, perform the following steps: 1. Enter the desired username in the *Username* text box. 2. Enter and confirm the new password in the appropriate text boxes. !! Note !! The system evaluates the password that you enter on a scale of 100 points. `0` indicates a weak password, while `100` indicates a very secure password. !! Some web hosts require a minimum password strength. A green password *Strength* meter indicates that the password is equal to or greater than the required password strength. !! Click *Password Generator* to generate a strong password. For more information, read our [Password & Security](https://docs.cpanel.net/cpanel/preferences/password-and-security) documentation. 1. Click *Save*. A confirmation message will appear. Click *Go Back* to return to the directory’s configuration. !! Note !! To change an existing user’s password, enter the user’s information and the new desired password. Then, click *Save*. ## Authorized Users The *Authorized Users* menu lists the directory’s existing authorized users. To delete a user, select that user and click *Delete User*. A confirmation message will appear. Click *Go Back* to return to the directory’s configuration.