HTACCESS

Password Protect a Directory

If your web site address begins with http://www.gmu.edu, HTACCESS allows you to password protect a directory. Follow the instructions below to enable HTACCESS:

1. Logon to your osf1 account
   Type:
   cd /usr/local/htdocs/your_directory_path
   
   
2. If you have a directory already created for the page(s) that you want to protect, change into that directory:
   cd your_directory_path
   
   
3. If not, type:
   mkdir your_directory_path
   
   
4. Move to the new directory:
   cd your_directory_path
   
   
5. Create a file called ".htaccess" in your_directory_path
   To do this type:
   pico .htaccess
   
   
6. Type the following information just as it appears:
   (directory means your_directory_path)
   
   AuthUserFile /usr/local/htdocs/your_directory/directory/.htpasswd
   AuthGroupFile /dev/null
   AuthName Your_Site_Name
   AuthType Basic
   
   
   <Limit GET>
   require user JohnSmith
   </Limit>
   
   
7. Save the above file, and at your command prompt type:
   /usr/local/apache/bin/htpasswd -c   .htpasswd JohnSmith

   Replace JohnSmith with your first username as it appeared in the previous step-it is case sensitive!!!

8. Now type each of the below as separate commands:

   

9. To add more users, type:
   
   pico .htaccess
   
   add another line under require user JohnSmith with a different username i.e. require user JaneSmith
   
   Example
   
   < Limit GET >
   require user JohnSmith
   require user JaneSmith
   require user JoeSmith
   < /Limit >
   
   Save the .htaccess file
   
   
10. At your prompt type:
    /usr/local/apache/bin/htpasswd .htpasswd JaneSmith
    
    Create a password and remember it! Repeat this step for each new username replacing JaneSmith with the necessary username.
    
    (**Note the above command is different than what you've typed before. There is no -c; If you use -c it will erase all previous usernames/passwords and create a new file)