{"id":3622,"date":"2024-06-24T10:55:15","date_gmt":"2024-06-24T10:55:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kb.cloudhostgeek.com\/?p=3622"},"modified":"2025-11-05T10:48:31","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T10:48:31","slug":"disable-directory-listing-cpanel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bigcloudy.com\/knowledge-base\/disable-directory-listing-cpanel\/","title":{"rendered":"Disabling directory listing to enhance website security via cPanel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

cPanel uses directory listing to show files and folders within a directory when there’s no main page (like index.html or index.php). When a visitor accesses a directory on a website without an index file, the web server may show a list of files and folders in that directory. This is called directory listing or directory indexing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While directory listing can be useful for website administrators to see a directory’s contents from a web browser, it’s also a security concern. Disabling directory listing for public access is highly recommended. This prevents users from seeing your website’s file structure and potentially accessing sensitive files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To manage directory listing in cPanel, use the “Indexes<\/mark><\/strong>” option: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steps to Disable Directory Listing in cPanel <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

1. Log in to your cPanel account<\/a><\/strong> using your username<\/mark><\/strong> and password<\/mark><\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Once logged in, go to the “Advanced<\/mark><\/strong>” section or use the search bar to find “Index Manager<\/mark>.<\/strong>” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Disable<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Click on the “Index Manager<\/mark><\/strong>” option to control directories that are shown on your website,  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Next, choose the specific directory where you want to disable directory listing. For a global effect, you can select the “public_html<\/mark><\/strong>” directory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Once you’re in the “Index Manager<\/mark><\/strong>” interface, you’ll find various options for directory indexing. To disable directory listing, simply choose the “No Indexing<\/mark><\/strong>” option. Selecting this option will prevent the public from viewing the contents of this directory on your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"cPanel<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

6. Don’t forget to click “Save<\/mark><\/strong>” or “Save Changes<\/mark><\/strong>” to apply your adjustments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Once you’ve disabled directory listing, if someone tries to access a directory on your website without an index file (like index.html or index.php), they won’t see a list of the directory’s contents anymore.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Instead, they’ll likely encounter a “403 Forbidden<\/mark><\/strong>” error or a similar message, depending on the server’s configuration. This helps to enhance the security and privacy of your website’s file structure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n