Hide javascript folder on server

Question

I've noticed on some sites, when I go to eg. www.example.com/js where there javascript is stored, it is forbidden.

On my website currently, if users browse to www.mysite.com/js they will see all of my javascript files nicely arranged into folders. How can I prevent them from browsing this directory and still keep my javascript working correctly?

PS. I know the user downloads the javascript when they use my site and there is no way to prevent someone from reading the source but I would like to prevent what I am describing, as I see other sites have achieved this.

Thanks.

Answer 1

If you're using Apache here is some helpful documentation:

http://mail-archives.apache.org/mod_mbox/httpd-users/200607.mbox/%[email protected]%3E

http://www.thesitewizard.com/apache/prevent-directory-listing-htaccess.shtml

Answer 2

It is Linux hosting with cPanel Control. is that what you mean?

It's likely using Apache HTTPD server. Drop a .htaccess file in the JS folder with the following content:

Options -Indexes 

This will disable directory indexing.

Answer 3

Ok, all of those people's answers are totally good and valid.

However, there's a much, much, much simpler way of acheiving this:

1. Create a blank text file inside the JS folder called index.html
2. ???
3. Profit!

Answer 4

This is really a question for ServerFault, but you should be able to forbid directory indexes in the /js directory. You could also block access from browsers that don't present a referrer string in your site, though that might break some browsers.

Answer 5

use the .htaccess sent below, =] ... and you can compress your js files to improve the performance and to ensure the "privacy" of your scripts too:

http://javascriptcompressor.com/

http://developer.yahoo.com/yui/compressor/