How to set up Web Disk in cPanel?

Cloud storage is becoming more and more popular for both individuals and companies. Storing your files on cloud server has many advantages. For example, you will be able to view your files anywhere and anytime you like. You do not need to take the storage medium with you, you can access your data from just any phone, tablet or computer that’s connected to the Internet. There are a variety of different options available for individual users so it may be somewhat overwhelming when you are picking a cloud storage service. We have Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, Box, Yandex Disk, Baidu Cloud and many more.

In fact, if you have a website already, you can easily turn your web server into your personal cloud storage or web storage without any additional charge. Your site hosting service should allow users to upload files to their server and access them over the internet from phones, tablets, computers or other devices. The Webdisk (also known as WebDAV) in cPanel is such a tool which makes web storage or cloud storage for consumers drag and drop easy. The Web Disk utility allows you to access and manage files on web server in multiple types of interfaces, Mac, Windows, Linux and BSD OS, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Android mobiles and devices, tablet, or certain types of software notably the file manager on your PC. Now follow below steps to create web disk of your own from cPanel so you can store your files and documents on cloud server and access them anytime and anywhere from any devices like PC, Mac, iPhone, Android.

How to set up Web Disk in cPanel?

Log in to your Control Panel. Once you are logged in, look for Web Disk from Home >> Files >> Web Disk.

Click on the Web Disk icon at the Files section in cPanel home page, you will open a new page like below.

Here you can create a new web disk account, manage existing web disk account, find specific instructions to access web disk from various devices. To create an additional Web Disk account in cPanel is super easy. You need to enter a name for the new account and choose your domain name; then enter and confirm the password for the web disk account, double check with the password strength meter to use a secure password; set permission on the web disk account which is set to Read-Write by default, if you choose it to Read-Only, you can only access to read, download, and list the files inside your storage directory or folder on the web; click Create and you are done. Finally click the Access Web Disk button to see how you can access your storage space on the cloud using your computer, smartphone or tablet.

Do I need to enable Digest Authentication?

If you need to access your web disk from Windows computer over a clear text, unencrypted connection, you need to enable it. Web Digest authentication is an unencrypted authentication method as your web disk account credentials may be transmitted in plain text. It is highly recommended that you do not enable it. Fortunately most file hosting services provide free SSL you can use to connect to your own web storage securely. Go to the Access Web Disk page in cPanel, you will find it out.

Do I need to buy a SSL certificate for my web disk?

If your already have your site or domain protected by SSL certificate, you can use it without the need for a separate SSL certificate. If you do not have SSL yet, you can use the free SSL certificate provided by your web host as mentioned above. So a dedicated SSL certificate is optional for most individuals.

How to make my private web disk more secure?

First of all, use a strong password. Check the strength score to select one or click password generator to help generating a strong password. Use a complicate folder name for the web disk. Last but not least, set a password to protect the directories in cPanel so when someone tries to access your web disk from the web, the authentication is required. Without the correct username and password, no one can access to your web disk, files and folders saved there. This can keep your own cloud storage space private and locked from authorized access.