DESCRIPTION
htpasswd is used to create and update the flat-files used to store unames and password for basic authentication of HTTP users.
If htpasswd cannot access a file, such as not being able to write to the output file or not being able to read the file in order
to update it, it returns an error status and makes no changes.
Resources available from the httpd Apache web server can be restricted to just the users listed in the files created by htpasswd.
This program can only manage unames and passwords stored in a flat-file. It can encrypt and display password information for
use in other types of data stores, though. To use a DBM database see dbmmanage.
htpasswd encrypts passwords using either a version of MD5 modified for Apache, or the system's crypt() routine. Files managed by
htpasswd may contain both types of passwords; some user records may have MD5-encrypted passwords while others in the same file
may have passwords encrypted with crypt().
This manual page only lists the command line arguments. For details of the directives necessary to configure user authentication
in httpd see the Apache manual, which is part of the Apache distribution or can be found at <URL:http://www.apache.org/>.
OPTIONS
-b Use batch mode; i.e., get the password from the command line rather than prompting for it. This option should be used with
extreme care, since the password is clearly visible on the command line.
-c Create the passwdfile. If passwdfile already exists, it is rewritten and truncated. This option cannot be combined with
the -n option.
-n Display the results on standard output rather than updating a file. This is useful for generating password records
acceptable to Apache for inclusion in non-text data stores. This option changes the syntax of the command line, since the
passwdfile argument (usually the first one) is omitted. It cannot be combined with the -c option.
-m Use Apache's modified MD5 algorithm for passwords. Passwords encrypted with this algorithm are transportable to any plat
form (Windows, Unix, BeOS, et cetera) running Apache 1.3.9 or later. On Windows and TPF, this flag is the default.
-d Use crypt() encryption for passwords. The default on all platforms but Windows and TPF. Though possibly supported by
htpasswd on all platforms, it is not supported by the httpd server on Windows and TPF.
-s Use SHA encryption for passwords. Faciliates migration from/to Netscape servers using the LDAP Directory Interchange For
mat (ldif).
-p Use plaintext passwords. Though htpasswd will support creation on all platforms, the httpd deamon will only accept plain
text passwords on Windows and TPF.
passwdfile
Name of the file to contain the user name and password. If -c is given, this file is created if it does not already exist,
or rewritten and truncated if it does exist.
uname
The uname to create or update in passwdfile. If uname does not exist in this file, an entry is added. If it does
exist, the password is changed.
password
The plaintext password to be encrypted and stored in the file. Only used with the -b flag.
EXIT STATUS
htpasswd returns a zero status ("true") if the uname and password have been successfully added or updated in the passwdfile.
htpasswd returns 1 if it encounters some problem accessing files, 2 if there was a syntax problem with the command line, 3 if the
password was entered interactively and the verification entry didn't match, 4 if its operation was interrupted, 5 if a value is
too long (username, filename, password, or final computed record), and 6 if the uname contains illegal characters (see the
RESTRICTIONS section).
Adds or modifies the password for user jsmith. The user is prompted for the password. If executed on a Windows system,
the password will be encrypted using the modified Apache MD5 algorithm; otherwise, the system's crypt() routine will be
used. If the file does not exist, htpasswd will do nothing except return an error.
htpasswd -c /home/doe/public_html/.htpasswd jane
Creates a new file and stores a record in it for user jane. The user is prompted for the password. If the file exists
and cannot be read, or cannot be written, it is not altered and htpasswd will display a message and return an error sta
tus.
htpasswd -mb /usr/web/.htpasswd-all jones Pwd4Steve
Encrypts the password from the command line (Pwd4Steve) using the MD5 algorithm, and stores it in the specified file.
SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
Web password files such as those managed by htpasswd should not be within the Web server's URI space -- that is, they should not
be fetchable with a browser.
The use of the -b option is discouraged, since when it is used the unencrypted password appears on the command line.
RESTRICTIONS
On the Windows and MPE platforms, passwords encrypted with htpasswd are limited to no more than 255 characters in length. Longer
passwords will be truncated to 255 characters.
The MD5 algorithm used by htpasswd is specific to the Apache software; passwords encrypted using it will not be usable with other
Web servers.
Usernames are limited to 255 bytes and may not include the character ':'.
SEE ALSO
httpd(8) and the scripts in support/SHA1 which come with the distribution.
May 2000 htpasswd(1)
_________________ Paul Laudanski, Microsoft MVP Windows-Security
CastleCops: [de] [en] [wiki]
GMPrometheus Private
Joined: Jan 30, 2003
Posts: 35
Location: USA
Posted:
Thu Feb 06, 2003 8:20 am
Thank you very much for the infomration. Yes I have been playing with the (.htpasswd/.htaccess) files...
I will take a look and see what I am missing...
Once again thank you.
_________________ --Prometheus
You are limited by your own mind.
GMPrometheus Private
Joined: Jan 30, 2003
Posts: 35
Location: USA
Posted:
Fri Feb 07, 2003 1:03 pm
Zhen-Xjell and ArtificialIntel Thank you both very much for all your assistance. I finally have my downloads section secured to the way I want it.
I have but two questions to ask..
1. Is there a way that the Admin of the site can view who is and is not logged into the site with their IP showing? Is there a way to disable the guest account?
2. Where can I download more images for my topics and other sections?
Regards,
_________________ --Prometheus
You are limited by your own mind.
ArtificialIntel
Joined: Jan 31, 2004
Posts: -88
Posted:
Fri Feb 07, 2003 3:43 pm
There are 2 ways of doing the first one:
1. Download a "Who Is" module from somewhere (I think NukeResources has it). This will display all users online, their IPs and I think one version of it tells u where on the site they r. It'll also tell you how long they've been online.
2. (the more complicated method). Use phpMyAdmin and view the Sessions table.
As for topic images, erm... there are quite a few on some sites. NukeResources? Shivasite ( http://www.shivasite.com ) has some I think but u have to register on it to download anything.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
