How to Password-Protect a Web Page

Password protection keeps only the users you want on your page. If you know JavaScript or even plain old HTML, you can use password protection.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Placing a Link from an Unprotected Page to a Protected Page

1. Open the unprotected page in a basic text editor. Place the cursor where the link will appear.
2. Type the following, substituting your own text or graphic: Click here to access the password protected page.
3. Upload your file to the correct place in the file directory.

Creating a Script for the Password Page

4. Open a basic text editing program. Begin by typing the opening tags:
5. Type the title of your page and close the title with a tag:
6. Type the following:
7. Close the scripted section of the page by typing the follow: .
8. Add a body section for browsers that do not read JavaScript: This page is designed for viewing with Firefox. Please upgrade your browser and return soon!
9. Close the Web page by typing: Save the page (for this example, save it as "password.html").

Creating the Error Page

10. Open a basic text editing program. Begin by typing the opening tags:
11. Type the error message the viewer will see, such as:

    I'm sorry, the password you typed is incorrect.

12. Give the user an opportunity to re-enter the password: Please click here to try again. This allows the user the opportunity to return to the password script.
13. Allow the user to back out:

    Otherwise, click here to return to the main page. ("here.html" indicates the name of the page that links to the protected page)

14. Close the page by typing the closing tags:

Testing the Password Script

15. Open a Web browser. Select Open from the File menu, locate the page that links to the password-protected page, and click Open to view it.
16. Click on the link to the password-protected page.
17. You will be prompted for the password. Make sure you enter it correctly; passwords are case-sensitive.
18. Gauge the results. If it does not work, go back and double-check that you entered the script correctly.

Finding More Complex Password-Protection Scripts

19. Visit pages that offer free JavaScripts and do a search for "password". Many of these scripts are just cut and paste, with minimal changes.
20. Protect extremely sensitive information by hiring a Web developer (or your ISP) to create a customized password script for you. These scripts are extremely sensitive and very difficult for hackers.
21. Contact your Internet Service Provider and ask if they provide password protection services. This entails setting aside a portion of the server for your pages, so some ISPs may charge extra.
22. If you use a free script, add a courtesy button or reference to the provider on your page.
23. You may need to get permission before using JavaScripts from another Web site. When in doubt, ask!
24. Not all browsers support scripts. Be sure to follow directions for providing alternates to scripts on your Web page.

Tips & Warnings

• Users must click on a link to access a page unless the first page of a site is protected. If the main page is the password protected page, start at Section 2.
• For the purposes of this section, the destination of the link, a script file, is called "password.html".
• Users who enter the correct password are taken straight to the page; users who enter the incorrect password are sent to an error page. You create the error page, called "error.html" here, in the next section.
• Be sure to enter all commands as shown. JavaScript will not work if the command isn't exactly right.
• Format this page to resemble your other pages, so viewers don't get lost.
• Try typing both the correct and incorrect passwords so you will see what your visitors see.
• Do not link back to the password file (password.html). If the person does not know the password, they will be endlessly looped and cannot get out of the script.