How to password protect a directory in cPanel?

Updated: 28 September 2026 · Applies to: cPanel & WHM 138 (Jupiter theme)

Directory Privacy (called Password Protect Directories in older cPanel) asks visitors for a username and password before they can open a folder of your website.

Protect a folder

1. Log in to cPanel (for example at https://yourdomain.com:2083, or from the Ucartz client area).
2. Open Files › Directory Privacy.
3. Click folder names to reach the folder, then click Edit next to it.
4. Tick Password protect this directory, enter a name for the protected area (visitors see it in the login prompt) and click Save.
5. Click Go Back. Under Create User, enter a username and a strong password and click Save.

Add a user for each person who needs access. Protection covers the folder and all its subfolders.

Note: Protecting wp-admin this way can break some WordPress features that call admin-ajax.php. Test your site after turning it on.