# Module mod_auth

This module is contained in the `mod_auth.c` file, and is compiled in by default. It provides for user authentication using textual files.
- AuthGroupFile
- AuthUserFile

## AuthGroupFile

Syntax: AuthGroupFile filename
Context: directory, .htaccess
Override: AuthConfig
Status: Base
Module: mod_auth

The AuthGroupFile directive sets the name of a textual file containing the list of user groups for user authentication. Filename is the absolute path to the group file.

Each line of the group file contains a groupname followed by a colon, followed by the member usernames separated by spaces. Example:

> `mygroup: bob joe anne`

Note that searching large groups files is very inefficient; AuthDBMGroupFile should be used instead.

Security: make sure that the AuthGroupFile is stored outside the document tree of the webserver; do not put it in the directory that it protects. Otherwise, clients will be able to download the AuthGroupFile.

See also AuthName, AuthType and AuthUserFile.

## AuthUserFile

Syntax: AuthUserFile filename
Context: directory, .htaccess
Override: AuthConfig
Status: Base
Module: mod_auth

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

Each line of the user file file contains a username followed by a colon, followed by the crypt() encrypted password. The behaviour of multiple occurrences of the same user is undefined.

Note that searching user groups files is inefficient; AuthDBMUserFile should be used instead.

Security: make sure that the AuthUserFile is stored outside the document tree of the webserver; do not put it in the directory that it protects. Otherwise, clients will be able to download the AuthUserFile.

See also AuthName, AuthType and AuthGroupFile.