restricting access to folders on server

[sudhakararaog]

i am using apache server and presently when i try accessing any folders of my website i am able to
browse the files ex = www.website.com/images which is a serious security risk as i am building a
forum website using php and mysql.

in the root directory i have created a .htaccess file and whenever someone access a file which is not
on the server i have created a user friendly message that the file does not exist instead of a 404
error message displayed by the browser.

similar to this how can i go about restricting users to browse all my folders in the toot directory.

if anyone accesses for ex = www.website.com/phpscripts an alert should appear asking them to enter a username and password.

1. how can i do this using apache.
2. where do i write the username and password information and will this apply to all the folders in

the root directory or specific directories.

please advice.

thanks.

[RohanShenoy]

Use .htaccess or disable directory viewing from your Cpanel.

[Aso]

Following on from Rohan, this article on .htaccess password protection should help you out

[djeyewater]

I have set up a password protected directory following those instructions, but how can I access files inside that directory using PHP?

Edit: Never mind, I was trying to access an image file inside the folder and seems this is not possible.