Need to password one folder

on a website so only "members" can access

[vkaryl]

Since the site manager is clueless, I don't know whether the site has cpanel or not (site is "maybe" hosted on secure-net servers, but site manager actually doesn't seem to know who her host is *sigh*); if cpanel is available when I get to her office on Friday, there's no problem. If it's NOT, then I will have to (I think) do something with .htaccess and .htpasswd.

What I've been reading about this makes no sense to me at all. I have apache set up at home to view pages on localhost - that's absolutely ALL I know about it. I searched here and found a few posts which only managed to confuse me further.

The situation will be that a link on the main page ("Members ONLY!" or some such) will go to a folder with info only the "memberset" can access. The memberset right now is about 100 people. The site manager wants only one password to hand out to everyone. I'm assuming that each person will have to be entered by username into a file, and the password set somehow in a file. Of course, with cpanel it's pretty simple, but I can't count on having that available.

Help?

[coopster]

This Apache Authentication Example [httpd.apache.org] should get you off on the right foot. The link to the Tutorial within the example explains use the htpasswd utility that comes with Apache.

Daunting at first, but quite simple once you absorb the information. Remember, this is Basic Authentication, no encryption or otherwise.

[vkaryl]

Thanks! From a quick look just now, I think that will be what I need. I'll look into it in more depth once I get an Excel tutorial out of my way this morning - too bad I'm not getting paid the going rate since she's a friend.... oh well....