How can I password protect a directory with my windows-based hosting plan?

Answer by: George Kaloyanov, Aplus.Net Knowledge Base Support.

In order to password protect a directory within your web space with a windows based hosting plan (Business Class Windows, Pro Windows, eCommerce Windows) you will have to use the MS FrontPage Manager (the FrontPage Extensions manager) through your web control panel.

Basically you have to create a subweb within your main web site and disable the anonymous access to that particular subweb. By doing that, only specific users will have access to the files located in that subweb (directory).

Note: You can password protect folders that reside in your “WWWROOT” folder only.

Here’s how:

1. Start by logging into the Aplus.Net Control Panel at http://cp.aplus.net using your Registration Number and Customer Password.
2. Select Web Hosting from the top navigation bar.
3. Next, select Hosted Domains and click on Manage Hosted Domains.
4. Now, select your domain name (NOTE: if your actual domain name does not yet resolve to Aplus.Net’s servers, you must use your utility domain (ftpusername.win.aplus.net).
5. Next, click on Protect Directories.
6. Login using your main FTP username and ftp password associated with your windows-based hosting plan.
7. Select Administration from the top navigation bar of the FrontPage Manager Administration panel.
8. Click on Create a subweb.
9. Choose a name for your subweb that has to match the name of the folder that you want to protect.
10. Choose Use same permissions as parent web. Now, click Submit to have your subweb created. The administrator for your new subweb will be set to your main FTP username automatically by the FrontPage Manager. Important: Do not choose another user as administrator because you will lose access to that directory.
11. Now, click on your subweb name located in the Subwebs section.
12. Click on Change subweb permissions.
13. Select Use unique permissions for this Web site and click Submit.
14. Select Administration from the top navigation bar of the FrontPage Manager Administration panel for the subweb.
15. Click on Change anonymous access settings.
16. Choose Off and click Submit to turn on the protection. Click Ok to confirm the change.
17. Now, you have to create users that will have access to that subweb.
18. Click on Manage users. Next, click on Add User.
19. Specify the login information (username and password) of the user that will have access to your protected folder.
20. Choose Browser – view pages and documents as a role type for this user.
21. Finally, click Add User to have this new user created.

Note: If you want to create more than one user with access to your protected directory, repeat steps 18 – 21.