Login to view files

I need to add a login to a part of a site so that people have to enter a username and password to view certain parts of the site. There will be some pdf files that I will need to add a login to, as well as possibly some of the html pages.

No one will need to sign up for anything. The people will be given the usernames and passwords beforehand.

I really don’t know what would be best to do for this, and I really don’t know much, so I am looking for something free and easy… not that such a thing ever exists.

if your givign people passwords and usernames beorehand do some research on .htaccess and .htpasswd files (assuming you using apache).

These basically allow you to restrict access to given directories on your webserver.

Just make sure you read up and understand the security issues with this method as its not difficult for a savvy hacker to find your .htpasswd file if you dont do it properly.

If you do want to go the database / php route head over to http://www.phpfreaks.com they have some excellent tutorials.

.htaccess is the easiest way.

you need the .htpasswd file aswell. ... and remember to read up on it.... get it wrong and you leave security holes the size of elephants ... get it right and its pretty secure

Indeed....