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Frequently Asked Questions

Setting up a Non-Web Accessible Root Folder

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Last Updated: January 24, 2012 11:02 AM

When setting up your shared hosting account, you are required to enter the primary domain name to be used for your website. The primary domain name serves as one of several unique identifiers for your site, and it is also the primary address visitors use to access your site’s root content folder through a Web browser.

By default, this root folder is set as an application root and also set to allow anonymous access. These options cannot be changed directly. However, you can make your root folder non-web accessible using a false domain name. A domain name (real or false) is still required to act as one of your site's identifiers.

Note: This procedure applies to Deluxe and Unlimited Hosting accounts only.

To Make Your Root Directory Non-Web Accessible

  1. Log in to your Account Manager.
  2. Click Web Hosting.
  3. Next to the hosting account you want to use, click Launch.
  4. From the Settings section, select Domain Management.
  5. Click the check box next to your domain name, then click the Change Primary button.
  6. Enter a false domain name for the hosted site. This domain name should not be a real domain used by you or anyone else. You can use your site's primary domain with a suffix to indicate it is not a working domain. For example, if your domain is www.coolexample.com, you can use www.coolexample-false.com.

    NOTE: Changes to the primary domain affect the availability of your site. Your site is not accessible until the remaining steps are completed. This change also requires the use of server IP address and not domain name to FTP. If you have an SSL certificate applied to your hosting account, you cannot change your primary hosted domain name.

  7. Click Continue.
  8. Click Submit. If the domain name is in use by another account, you will be asked to enter another domain name at this time.

You now need to add your real domain name as a non-primary domain for your account.

To Add Your Domain Name as a Non-Primary Domain for Your Account

  1. Log in to your Account Manager
  2. Click Web Hosting.
  3. Next to the hosting account you want to use, click Launch.
  4. From the Settings section, select Domain Management.
  5. Click Add Domain.
  6. In the Domain field, select your domain from the list or enter the full domain name. This domain must be a registered domain you own; however, it need not be registered with us.
  7. In the Domain Hosting Path field, enter the path to your new Web root folder. This path must point to a subfolder; if it points to the root folder of your site, your root folder is accessible through a Web browser. To indicate its purpose, name the folder webroot or something similar.
  8. Click OK.

After you update your account in this way, it is important to remember that the root folder of your site still allows access to anonymous users, but not through a Web browser. It is possible that your site may allow users to access files stored in these directories. If you would like folders to be more secure, create a new virtual directory off of the site root and restrict its access.