Note: In cPanel, users need to be set up for separate sets of password protected directories separately. A subdirectory will automatically inherit the privacy setting and users of the directory above it when set. However, the users that are set up for one password protected directory will not transfer to another password protected directory elsewhere in the File Manager.

Example: Directories folder_1 and folder_2 are in the public_html directory of the File Manager, and within folder_1 is subdirectory folder_3. If folder_1 is made private, folder_3 will automatically be made private with the same users as are set up for folder_1. If folder_2 is made private and needs to be shared with the same people, the users will need to be set up again manually for folder_2.

Set up a new password protected directory

1. Sign into your My Services page.
2. Click the Web Hosting link.
   
3. Click Directory Privacy in the Files module.
   
4. Navigate to the directory containing the one that you want to password protect and click the Edit button. Note: To make the entire site private, the directory to password protect will be public_html in the Home directory. Learn more about the public_html directory here. 
   
5. In Security Settings, checkmark Password protect this directory. Then update the name to appear for the directory and click the Save button. 
   
6. A confirmation message will appear. Click the Go Back link to go back to the security settings to set up users to access the directory.
   
7. Under Create User, enter a username in the Username field for the user to be set up. Then enter a password for the user in the New Password and Confirm Password fields. Click the Save button. Optionally, click the Password Generator button to automatically generate a secure password.
   
8. A confirmation message will appear. Click the Go Back link to repeat the process for all users being set up.
   

Add a user to an existing password protected directory

1. Sign into your My Services page.
2. Click the Web Hosting link.
   
3. Click Directory Privacy in the Files module.
   
4. Navigate to the directory containing the one that you want to add a user to and click the Edit button.  
   
5. Under Create User, enter a username in the Username field for the user to be set up. Then enter a password for the user in the New Password and Confirm Password fields. Click the Save button. Optionally, click the Password Generator button to automatically generate a secure password.
6. A confirmation message will appear. Click the Go Back link to repeat the process for all users being set up.