How to Create a Password Protected WordPress Website?

Do you need to apply passwords to protect your WordPress site from non-users? Sometimes we don’t want to make everything on your site public, and that’s just fine! A password allows you to restrict access to either your whole site or just specific parts of your website. In this article, you’ll learn how to create a password-protected WordPress website.

How to Create a Password Protected WordPress Website?

The Force Login plugin is simple, straightforward, and very easy to use. The plugin name reflects exactly what it does when active. So, firstly, it hides your WordPress website from public viewing by requiring visitors to log in first.

While plugin usage and setup are as easy as flipping a switch, it still comes with several great features that you can use to your advantage. Some of the main features include:

1. Firstly, login will redirect visitors back to the URL they tried to visit. But now is a password protected website.
2. Compatible with WordPress multisite installation.
3. Secondly, the ability to restrict REST API to authenticated users.
4. Developer API (Extensive hooks and filters).
5. Highly customizable (Set specific URL).
6. Page and post-filter exceptions.
7. Finally, WPML and translation ready.

Basically, you can force login and block content in several ways to protect your website with a password. Let’s take a look at how to get the plugin installed and activated.

Another Free Plugin

If you want to password protect your entire WordPress site, you’ll need a third-party plugin to get things done. To password protect your entire WordPress site, we recommend the free Password Protected plugin from Ben Huson, highly rated and available at WordPress.org. To use it, install and activate the plugin like you would any other WordPress plugin. Then, head to Settings. In addition, password Protected. All you need to do is configure the following page to password protect WordPress: Here’s what everything means.

1. Protected Permissions: If you check one of these boxes, visitors with those permissions will not need to enter a password. They’ll see your site like normal.
2. New Password: Enter the password you want to use for your site.
3. Allow IP Address: If you enter an IP address here, anyone visiting your site from that IP address will not need to enter a password.
4. Password Protected website: When on, your site has a password.

Forcing a user to login to view your WordPress website is as easy as installing and activating the plugin above. Once it is running, your site visitors will automatically be forced to login before they can view any pages on your website.

Using WordPress’s Built-In Password Protection for Pages and Posts

WordPress comes with a simple, built-in feature for password protecting individual posts and pages. This feature is ideal if you only need to restrict access to specific content rather than the entire website.

Step-By-Step Guide to Password Protecting a Post or Page

1. Navigate to the Post or Page Editor: Go to Posts > All Posts or Pages > All Pages, then select the post or page you want to protect.
2. Access Visibility Settings: In the editor, locate the Publish or Visibility section on the right-hand side.
3. Set Password Protection: Click on Visibility and select Password Protected. You’ll be prompted to enter a password. Choose a strong, unique password for better security.
4. Update or Publish: Click Update or Publish to save your changes once the password is set.

When visitors navigate to that page or post, they’ll be prompted to enter the password before they can view the content.

Recommendation: This method is quick and easy for single pages or posts but may not be ideal if you need comprehensive site protection.

Using .htaccess to Create a Password Protected WordPress Website

For more advanced users comfortable with website files, password protecting your entire site with .htaccess provides a high level of security without the need for a plugin. However, this method requires access to your site’s backend and some knowledge of FTP or file manager.

Steps to Password Protect with .htaccess

Create an .htpasswd File: Generate an .htpasswd file to store usernames and encrypted passwords. You can use an online tool to generate this file and store it securely in your hosting account.

Edit Your .htaccess File: Add the following lines to your .htaccess file:

AuthType Basic
AuthName "Restricted Access"
AuthUserFile /path/to/.htpasswd
Require valid-user

Upload and Test: Upload the updated .htaccess file and .htpasswd file to your site. Test by visiting your site, where you’ll be prompted to enter the username and password.

Good Ideas: This method is recommended for tech-savvy users or developers managing sensitive information, as it offers strong protection but requires some technical setup.