To protect a directory on the web carry out the below steps:

1. Open a .htaccess file within the directory you wish to protect (good housekeeping)

vim .htaccess

2. Insert the followoing code:

AuthUserFile /route/to/directory/.htpasswd
AuthGroupFile /dev/null
AuthName "Custom text to show in pop-up"
AuthType Basic
<Limit GET>
require valid-user
</Limit>

3. Now we need to create the username and password:

 
htpasswd -c /route/to/directory/.htpasswd username

4. You should be prompted for a password.

5. Browse to the directory in your browser and you should be prompted for your username and password.