Password Protect WordPress File Directory in Motion Hosting
If you are looking to host your own website, you have a variety of options to choose from depending on your budget. Regardless of the type of website you have in mind, there is a hosting package that can satisfy your needs.
One of the popular options among webmasters is the WordPress platform. Since its introduction in 2004, it has consistently gained popularity as more and more individuals and businesses have discovered its several advantages.
WordPress is a Free and open-source content management system (CMS) that is very popular amongst bloggers and small businesses. It allows individuals and businesses to build unlimited custom websites with little to no coding skills using a variety of templates and designs.
As its popularity has grown, so has the demand for more advanced features and functionalities. In response, WordPress developers have created several premium add-ons and themes that extend the functionality of the platform.
One of the more popular tools created by WordPress developers is the Password Protect WordPress File Directory (or simply PWPFD) extension. The tool allows site owners and administrators to set a unique password for a series of folders (or directories) within their WordPress installation. When visitors or members try to access a directory or file that is password protected, they will be asked to input the correct password before being granted access.
The PWPFD extension was first introduced to the public as a part of the GenuineWP Plugin in 2012. Since then, it has been downloaded over 4 million times and is a popular choice for those looking to secure their WordPress installation.
While the basic premise behind the extension is to deter unauthorized website activity, it has several advantages for individuals and businesses using the platform. Here are just a few:
Flexible And Customizable
One of the main appeals of the PWPFD is its simple setup process and intuitive interface. Simply install the extension from the WordPress repository and then activate it from your WordPress admin dashboard.
The setup process is rather straightforward and only requires you to enter a username, password, and optional confirmation code. From there, you can move around in your admin dashboard in a similar fashion to how you would for a non-protected WordPress installation, allowing you to administer your website and its various features without fear of unauthorized access.
As mentioned above, the PWPFD isn’t just limited to WordPress installations. You can use it with any directory or folder within your storage space. This means you can protect the files and directories that store your website’s content as well as the downloads and images associated with your site. Additionally, you can apply the settings to specific user groups when needed.
Increased Security
The PWPFD allows you to set a complex password for the specific directories and files you want to secure. When visitors or members try to access a restricted area of your site, they will be required to enter the correct password. Once their password is verified, they will be given access to the area they requested.
This is a significant security advantage when compared to the default or insecure setting for WordPress. This setting requires a user to input their username and password before accessing restricted areas of your site. In other words, without the PWPFD extension, users would have to type in their username and password multiple times to access areas of your site that require additional security measures (for example, login confirmation or an additional authentication step).
A major drawback to the PWPFD is that it only works with PHP 5.3+ and requires a Linux-based hosting environment (or a compatible OS with xampp). If you are using an older version of PHP or another hosting platform, then you will need to choose another solution.
More Organized Files
When you use the PWPFD, your website’s files will be stored in alphabetical order. This makes it much easier to find a specific file or document when you are looking for it later on. Your files will be stored in a single place which can also be accessed directly from your site’s navigation bar.
This feature is particularly beneficial if you are working with a lot of images or videos in your website. Searching for a specific file or document can become cumbersome if you don’t have an organized file system. With the PWPFD, you can rest assured that all your files and folders will stay neat and tidy and will be much easier to find when you need them.
Extends The Life Of Your Website
One of the biggest draws of the PWPFD is that it can extend the life of your website. Unlike some of the other security extensions for WordPress, the PWPFD doesn’t just lock out unauthorized users but also prevents them from accessing certain parts of your website that you have restricted access to. This adds an extra layer of security for your site.
By default, WordPress allows users to download a copy of your website’s source code. While this may not seem like a security threat, allowing people to download your source code is like giving them the keys to your house — you never know when or if you might need that code again. If you use the PWPFD, the copy of your site’s source code will only be accessible by those with the correct password.
As you might expect, there are many reasons why someone would want to restrict access to their WordPress files and folders. Whether you are a professional individual looking for additional security for your website or a blogger/creative looking to limit the amount of content stolen by hackers, the PWPFD is a great choice.