HTTP Authentication Links

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 (GateKeeper-II) | Version 2.2 Installation Overview | HTTP Authentication | The Vault

While the GateKeeper is a nifty piece of JavaScript that rather effectively password protects pages, there is a more "by the book" method... HTTP authentication. This is entirely server based and under most circumstances, you can use it.

Here is an example of a .htaccess protected directory.

The procedure to set this up can vary widely, and I'm not that knowledgable about different variations, so I'll just give you a few links...

HotBot on the subject
Mosaic User Authentication Tutorial
Apache Week: Using User Authentication

Also, because I thought it might help*, I set up a protected directory and documented it step by step complete with screen captures...

* You'll hear computer people talk about how simple this stuff is. It is simple... after you've done it a few times. That's the part they forget about. So, if at first you struggle, and fumble, and curse the day you ever bought your computer - you're normal. After a few times though, you too will be able to boast... "http authorization is a very simple matter to set up".