[APACHE DOCUMENTATION]

Module mod_digest

This module is contained in the mod_digest.c file, and is not compiled in by default. It is only available in Apache 1.1 and later. It provides for user authentication using MD5 Digest Authentication.
  • AuthDigestFile

    • AuthDigestFile

    Syntax: AuthDigestFile filename
    Context: directory, .htaccess
    Override: AuthConfig
    Status: Base
    Module: mod_digest

    The AuthDigestFile directive sets the name of a textual file containing the list of users and encoded passwords for digest authentication. Filename is the absolute path to the user file.

    The digest file uses a special format. Files in this format can be created using the "htdigest" utility found in the support/ subdirectory of the Apache distribution.

    Using Digest Authentication

    Using MD5 Digest authentication is very simple. Simply set up authentication normally. However, use "AuthType Digest" and "AuthDigestFile" instead of the normal "AuthType Basic" and "AuthUserFile". Everything else should remain the same.

    MD5 authentication provides a more secure password system, but only works with supporting browsers. As of this writing (July 1996), the majority of browsers do not support digest authentication. Therefore, we do not recommend using this feature on a large Internet site. However, for personal and intra-net use, where browser users can be controlled, it is ideal.

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