Web Password Documentation

What Is WebPassword?

WebPassword is a program which protects your web pages with password. Once you have password-protected your page, no one unauthorized person will be able to view its content without having a correct password, either in browser or as an original HTML source. In a Web browser, the content of a password-protected page may be viewed only after a valid password is entered. In a text viewer, the content of an encoded page appears as a block of JavaScript data in an HTML page. Also you can use WebPassword to protect your HTML code (just put an empty password). You can upload password-protected web pages on your Web server or place them on CD or DVD. WebPassword v5.0 also supports e-book output, so you can compile your own password-protected e-books.

Why WebPassword?

Using this program, a web page or a website owner is able to protect his HTML page with a password quickly, easily and reliably. Normally, password protection is implemented by server applications, and this is often the preferred way to do it. However, this is not always an option. Most of those using free and/or virtual hosting are deprived of this opportunity, because server hosts prohibit access to web server setup. There exists a vast quantity of programs that implement web pages password protection in a number of ways, but they all are unreliable, as it is enough to view the source code of a page to access its relevant data. Unlike these programs, WebPassword GUARANTEES that a page cannot be accessed without knowledge of a correct password. This is achieved through usage of a strong crypto algorithm which cannot be cracked within reasonable time limits, provided that the password is long enough (9 characters is sufficient in most cases).

WebPassword’s Features

• WebPassword features easy-to-use one-window wizard-type dialog interface with drag-and-drop support implemented.
• WebPassword uses strong crypto algorithm which prevents unauthorized access to web pages. CAUTION: if your password is accidentally lost or forgotten, you will NOT be able to access your web page anymore.
• WebPassword protection scheme used in encoded pages employs JavaScript. All major browsers including Netscape Navigator, Internet Explorer and Opera are supported.
• WebPassword supports all hosting types. No special support on the server side required; works with ANY standard server.
• WebPassword supports File Transfer Protocol; all processed pages can be uploaded to server via FTP. 
• Built-in e-book compiler allows you to create your own password-protected ebooks.
• Created password-protected files could be automatically sent by email.
  

WebPassword’s Limitations

• Certain scripts on encoded pages may not work or work incorrectly.
• SSI scripts will not function on encoded pages. However, you probably do not have SSI support if you need this program.
• Larger encoded pages (50K and more) may take more time to open in a user’s web browser.
• Demo version is fully functional but adds a banner into every protected page. Registered version does not add a banner.

WebPassword Pro vs WebPassword Standard

There are two WebPassword editions: WebPassword Standard and  WebPassword Pro. The only difference is an ebook compiler available in Pro version. Standard version does not allow to compile ebooks. Please visit product's home page if you want to upgrade to Pro version.

WebPassword Usage

WebPassword has a wizard-based user-friendly interface. Please note that WebPassword does not allow to decode encrypted web pages, so do not overwrite source pages with protected ones!

STEP 1. Start the program to view its first window

Drag-and-drop HTML documents you wish to encode onto the program window or click "Add files" button and select desired HTML documents. Also you can click "Enter the text" button and create source text on-the-fly. If you have made an error, you may clear the list of files by pressing the “Remove All” button and start over selecting the files. Use "Remove" button if you want to remove some files from the list (select these files first). You may also “Save list” of files you want to encode to use it in the future or “Load list” of these files. Note that you can protect plain text (*.txt) files. If you select text file, WebPassword will automatically convert it into HTML format. You can add any files into your project however only plaintext and hypertext files will be encrypted. Other files (such as graphics) will be copied to the destination without modification.

Press “Next” to proceed.

STEP 2. The program window will now change its appearance.

• In the textboxes provided, enter the password you wish to use every time you will be accessing your pages in the future. (We strongly recommend that your password is at least 6 characters long; this way, your password protection will be reliable enough). You can left the password empty to hide and protect your HTML code (no password will be asked).
• ATTENTION: Password is case sensitive. Only alphanumeric passwords are acceptable.
• Password must be long enough if you want strong protection.
• Select desired page style: popup or embedded (an example is shown below).
• Enter password prompt text. Leave the field blank for default prompt. You can use html tags inside password prompt if you selected "embedded" style. Also you can specify background and text colors (embedded style only).
• "Use cookies to cache password". If you protect more than one page with a password you may want to enable password cache so user does not have to enter the password for every page (user will be asked for the password only once). WebPassword uses so called "session cookie" which is kept in memory and valid for one session only. So it does not impact security in any way. We recommend that you use this option (especially for e-books).
• "Disable right mouse click".  If you check this checkbox right mouse button will be disabled in the protected web pages.
• Press “Next” to proceed.

STEP 3. The program window will change its appearance again.

• The program is almost ready to process your files. You may choose to save your resulting files into any folder you specify. To do it, check the “Save files into the specified directory” radio button and type the folder name directly or use the “Browse” button to locate it.
• Or, you may choose to place your pages directly on your server. To do it, check the “Upload pages directly to my server (using FTP protocol)”. Type the server URL into the text box provided. You will probably also have to specify your username and password in order to gain access to the server. Type them into the corresponding textboxes. (You may also check the “Remember FTP password” checkbox, so you don’t have to enter it every time you run the program. However, you should only use this option if you are sure that no unauthorized person will access your computer in your absence, otherwise your stored FTP password could be stolen).
• Or, you may choose to send encrypted files to the email recipient(s).
• Or, you may choose to compile an a-book. This feature is available under Windows NT/2000/XP only. This feature is available in WebPassword Pro version only. Standard version does not allow to compile ebooks. Compiled e-book could be viewed under Windows 95/98/Me as well. E-book is a single .exe file that shows included HTML files in its window.  index.htm file is used as a start page. You should specify output file name. You can disable print feature and/or copy to clipboard feature in your ebook.
• Press “Next”.

Your processed files are now placed to the location you have specified. 

While using the program, you may choose “Back” to move one step backwards, if you wish to cancel or correct your entries at any time. You may also choose “Cancel” to quit the program immediately, or “Help” to get this help window.

Page styles

There are two page styles supported by WebPassword.

1. Popup style (the only style available in WebPassword prior v4.0). Password is asked in a popup window. Password is not masked.

2. Embedded style (new style available in WebPassword v4.0). Password is asked in a text box placed into document. If valid password is entered, original document contents will appear. Entered password is masked with asterisks.

If you have any problem or question, feature request or inquiries, do not hesitate to contact us. Just send us email, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.