In the root of the Instant IDE directory you will find a .htaccess file that includes some useful bits of code for various configurations. By default only the Options -Indexes code is uncommented, preventing the Instant IDE directory from being indexed by search engines. But other bits of code that are commented out by default include the following:
- # deny all except those indicated here = The section beginning with this line of text allows you to deny ALL visitors from Instant IDE except those indicated by the “Allow from” IP address lines. So, for example, if you wanted to prevent ALL visitors except those coming from your home and/or office you could do so by uncommenting-out this section of code and then replacing the example IP address code with your own.
- # password protect iIDE directory = This section allows you to password protect your Instant IDE directory to provide even greater security. This means that even if your Instant IDE directory were located by an outside entity, and even if that entity were to spoof the correct IP to bypass your IP restriction mentioned above, then they would still need to know your directory password to even begin to try and bypass the secure login form. Learn more about password protecting web directories in this manor by reading THIS ARTICLE.
- # force https = This section allows you to force the Instant IDE directory to display as an SSL secure web application, ensuring that if you have an SSL certificate installed the Instant IDE URL will always be set to https instead of http. So to enable this feature you would simply uncomment the three “rewrite” lines and then save your changes.
Beyond that you can always add your own custom HTACCESS code through this included file if needed or just leave it set to the default configuration. This just allows you make your Instant IDE installation as simple or customized as you like, in terms of both security and general configuration.
And of course editing this .htaccess file can be done either through FTP, navigating to the root of your Instant IDE installation and making sure hidden files are set to visible through your FTP software, or super simply by just clicking the “.htaccess” button at the top of the Instant IDE Manager admin page.
