In the world of web hosting security, it’s essential to ensure your website’s content and restricted areas are protected from unauthorized access. One such powerful tool offered in cPanel is Leech Protect.
If you’re hosting your website with Hostrago, you’ll have access to cPanel features like Leech Protect, designed to secure password-protected directories and prevent misuse. This tool is particularly useful when multiple users have access credentials, such as in forums, membership websites, or subscription-based content.
In this guide, we’ll explore what Leech Protect is, why it’s important, and how to enable it in cPanel step-by-step. Whether you’re a new website owner or managing multiple cPanel accounts, this tutorial will help you keep your site secure and professional.
What is Leech Protect in cPanel?
Leech Protect is a built-in cPanel security feature that helps prevent users from publicly sharing their login credentials. It monitors access to your password-protected directories and limits the number of logins that can occur within a specific time frame.
If a user exceeds the allowed number of logins, Leech Protect can take several automatic actions:
- Redirect the user to another URL
- Disable the compromised account
- Receive an email alert notifying you of the activity
Benefits of Using Leech Protect
Using Leech Protect ensures your site:
- Prevents credential sharing
- Protects premium or member-only content
- Reduces server resource abuse
- Increases your website’s security and credibility
How to Enable Leech Protect in cPanel (Step-by-Step)
Follow these simple steps to set up Leech Protect in your cPanel dashboard:
Step 1: Log in to cPanel
Access your cPanel through your hosting provider.
Step 2: Navigate to the Security Section
Scroll down to the Security tab and click on Leech Protect.
Step 3: Select the Directory
You’ll be prompted to choose the directory you want to protect. Click on the desired folder
Step 4: Set Login Limits and Actions
Set the maximum number of logins allowed within a 2-hour period.
Options you can enable:
- Send alert email when triggered
- Redirect to a custom URL
- Disable the account automatically
- And Click the Enable button. That’s it! Your directory is now protected from credential sharing.
How to Disable Leech Protect
If you want to remove protection:
- Go back to the Leech Protect section
- Navigate to the protected directory
- Click Disable Protection
Final Thoughts
Leech Protect is a simple yet powerful feature in cPanel that can save your website from unauthorized access and bandwidth theft. At Hostrago, we recommend all our users to utilize this tool if they manage private directories or membership-based content.
Keeping your web hosting environment secure is not just about firewalls and anti-virus tools—it also means monitoring and limiting access, and Leech Protect makes that easy.
If you’re looking for a reliable hosting provider with robust security features like cPanel’s Leech Protect, visit Hostrago and explore our secure hosting plans tailored for businesses, developers, and agencies.
