How to Grant Access to a Specific File in cPanel Using FTP

When managing a website through cPanel, you may need to grant access to a particular file to a developer or team member. Instead of providing full access to your hosting account, you can use FTP (File Transfer Protocol) to restrict access to a specific directory or file. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of setting up and sharing access securely.

Step 1: Create an FTP Account in cPanel

To restrict access to a particular file, you first need to create an FTP account that has permission to access only the required directory.

How to create an FTP account in cPanel:

1. Log in to your cPanel by visiting https://yourdomain.com/cpanel.

2. Navigate to the Files section and click on FTP Accounts.

3. Under Add FTP Account, fill in the following details:

   • Username: Choose a username for the FTP account.

   • Domain: Select the correct domain if you have multiple domains on your hosting.

   • Password: Set a strong password for the account.

   • Directory: Enter the directory path where the file is located. If you want to limit access to a specific folder, enter its path (e.g., public_html/config/devices/).

   • Quota: Set a limit for the account or leave it as unlimited.

4. Click Create FTP Account.

Step 2: Provide FTP Login Details to the Developer

Once the FTP account is created, share the following details with the developer:

• FTP Host: yourdomain.com (or the server IP address)

• Username: (The FTP account username created in Step 1)

• Password: (The FTP password you set)

• Port: 21 (default FTP port)

These details will allow the developer to connect to the FTP server using an FTP client like FileZilla or Windows File Explorer.

Step 3: Developer Accessing the File via FTP

After receiving the FTP credentials, the developer needs to log in to the server and access the file.

Using FileZilla (Recommended Method)

1. Download & Install FileZilla from https://filezilla-project.org/download.php.

2. Open FileZilla and enter the credentials in the Quickconnect bar:

   • Host: yourdomain.com

   • Username: FTP account username

   • Password: FTP password

   • Port: 21

3. Click Quickconnect.

4. On the right side (remote site), navigate to the directory where the required file is located.

5. Right-click on the file (e.g., viewDevicesdemo.php) and choose Download to edit it locally.

Using Windows File Explorer

If the developer prefers Windows File Explorer instead of FileZilla:

1. Open This PC / My Computer.

2. In the address bar, type:

    ftp://yourdomain.com
   

3. Press Enter.

4. Enter the FTP Username and Password when prompted.

5. Navigate to the required file (viewDevicesdemo.php) and copy it to their local system for editing.

Step 4: Editing & Uploading the Updated File

Once the developer has downloaded the file, they can edit it using a code editor like Notepad++, VS Code, or Sublime Text.

After making changes, upload the file back to the server:

• In FileZilla:

  1. Drag and drop the modified file back into the remote server directory.

  2. When prompted, choose Replace to overwrite the old file.

• In Windows File Explorer:

  1. Copy the modified file from the local computer.

  2. Paste it back into the FTP folder, replacing the existing file.

Step 5: Testing the Changes

After the file has been updated, verify that the changes are working correctly.

1. Open a web browser and enter the file’s URL:

    https://yourdomain.com/config/devices/viewDevicesdemo.php
   

2. Check if the changes are reflecting properly.

3. If changes are not visible, clear your browser cache by pressing CTRL + Shift + R.

Step 6: Secure the File (Optional but Recommended)

To restrict access further and enhance security, use .htaccess rules.

Restrict access to a specific IP address:

Create or edit the .htaccess file in the directory where the file is stored and add:

<Files "viewDevicesdemo.php">
    Order Deny,Allow
    Deny from all
    Allow from 123.456.789.000
</Files>

Replace 123.456.789.000 with the authorized user’s IP address.

Change File Permissions

To prevent unauthorized modifications, set the file permissions to 644:

1. Go to cPanel → File Manager.

2. Locate the file.

3. Right-click → Permissions.

4. Set the value to 644 (Read & Execute only).

Conclusion

Granting access to a specific file in cPanel using FTP ensures that only authorized users can view or modify important files without exposing the entire website. By following the steps above, you can create a restricted FTP account, provide secure access to developers, and ensure safe file management.

For additional security, always use strong passwords, restrict IP access, and keep a backup of critical files before making any modifications.

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If you have any questions or run into issues, feel free to comment below!