How to Create and Manage FTP Accounts

Overview

FTP accounts allow you to give someone access to website files without giving them your primary cPanel or hosting account credentials.

This can be useful when:

• You work with a web developer

• A designer needs to upload website files

• You maintain multiple websites

• You want separate credentials for different users

• You want to limit access to a specific website directory

Have Freedom Hosting provides FTP account management through cPanel on hosting plans where the feature is available.

Why Use a Separate FTP Account?

Your cPanel account provides access to many important parts of your hosting account, including:

• Website files

• Email

• Databases

• DNS settings

• Applications

• Security settings

• Other hosting features

You generally should not give your cPanel password to a website developer or other third party simply because they need to upload files.

A separate FTP account allows you to provide only the access that person needs.

Where Do I Manage FTP Accounts?

If FTP account management is available on your hosting account, you can access it through:

cPanel → Files → FTP Accounts

The exact features available may vary depending on your hosting plan and server configuration.

Creating an FTP Account

To create an FTP account:

1. Log in to cPanel.

2. Open FTP Accounts.

3. Enter the username you want to use.

4. Choose the domain associated with the account, if applicable.

5. Create a strong password.

6. Choose the directory the account should be able to access.

7. Set a storage quota if the option is available.

8. Create the account.

The exact fields displayed by cPanel may vary.

Choosing the FTP Directory

One of the most important settings when creating an FTP account is the Directory.

This determines where the FTP user can access files.

For example, you may want a developer to access:

public_html/developer-site

rather than your entire hosting account.

Limiting the account to the directory it actually needs reduces the risk of accidental changes to unrelated files.

Be Careful With the Directory You Select

Before creating the account, make sure you understand which directory you're giving access to.

An FTP account with access to a broad directory may be able to modify more of your website than intended.

If a person only needs access to one website, try to limit their FTP account to that website's document root or appropriate subdirectory.

FTP Username and Password

Use a strong, unique password for every FTP account.

Do not reuse:

• Your customer portal password

• Your cPanel password

• Your email password

• Another website's password

If a developer or contractor needs access, give them their own FTP credentials rather than sharing your personal account.

Connecting to the FTP Account

After creating the account, you can use an FTP application such as FileZilla or another compatible client.

You'll generally need:

• FTP hostname

• Username

• Password

• Port

• Connection/security type

Use the connection information provided by your hosting account or cPanel rather than assuming a particular hostname or port.

Where available, cPanel's connection information can be found through the appropriate FTP account or Connect Devices information.

Use a Secure Connection

Whenever your hosting environment supports a secure FTP connection method, use it.

Do not choose an insecure connection simply because it is easier to configure.

The exact secure connection method available to you depends on your Have Freedom Hosting account and server configuration.

If you're unsure which option to select, contact Have Freedom Hosting Support.

FTP vs. SFTP

FTP and SFTP are different protocols.

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol.

SFTP stands for SSH File Transfer Protocol and operates differently from traditional FTP.

Do not assume that an FTP account created through cPanel automatically provides SFTP access.

SFTP access depends on the server configuration and the account's available SSH access.

If you specifically need SFTP, contact Have Freedom Hosting Support to determine whether it is available for your hosting account.

Managing an Existing FTP Account

Once an FTP account has been created, cPanel may allow you to:

• Change its password

• Change its quota

• Change its directory

• Delete the account

The exact options available may vary.

Before changing the directory, make sure the FTP user doesn't currently have a file transfer in progress.

Changing an FTP Password

If you believe an FTP password has been exposed, change it immediately.

You should also consider:

• Disconnecting active FTP applications

• Reviewing recently changed website files

• Checking your website for unexpected changes

• Removing the FTP account if it is no longer needed

If you suspect unauthorized access, contact Have Freedom Hosting Support.

Removing an FTP Account

If an FTP account is no longer needed:

1. Open cPanel → Files → FTP Accounts.

2. Locate the account.

3. Confirm that nobody still needs it.

4. Remove the account.

Removing an FTP account does not necessarily mean you should delete the website files associated with it.

Be careful to distinguish between deleting an FTP account and deleting website files.

FTP Accounts and Your Website Files

An FTP account controls access to files. It does not create a separate website by itself.

For example:

Hosting Account
│
├── public_html/
│   ├── index.php
│   ├── images/
│   └── css/
│
└── other-site/
    ├── index.html
    └── images/

You could create an FTP account that only has access to one of these directories.

The exact directory structure depends on how your hosting account and domains are configured.

FTP Accounts for Developers

If a developer needs access to your website, create a dedicated FTP account for them.

This provides several advantages:

• You don't have to share your primary password.

• You can restrict their directory.

• You can change or remove their access later.

• You can give different developers separate credentials.

• You can revoke access without changing your main hosting password.

When their work is finished, remove the FTP account if you no longer need it.

Don't Share Your cPanel Password

If someone asks for your cPanel password simply to upload website files, consider creating an FTP account instead.

Your cPanel login provides access to substantially more than website files.

Only provide someone with the level of access they actually need.

If a developer genuinely needs cPanel access for administrative work, consider the appropriate account-management options rather than casually sharing your primary credentials.

Common FTP Problems

"My FTP Login Doesn't Work"

Check:

• Username

• Password

• Hostname

• Port

• Connection type

• Whether the FTP account still exists

• Whether the account has access to the directory you're attempting to use

Make sure you are using the FTP account's credentials rather than your customer portal credentials unless your hosting configuration specifically indicates otherwise.

"I Can Log In but Can't See My Website"

The FTP account may be restricted to a particular directory.

Check the FTP account's configured directory.

You may also be looking at a directory other than the document root used by your website.

"I Can See Files but Can't Change Them"

Possible causes include:

• File permissions

• File ownership

• Directory permissions

• The FTP account's access level

• Attempting to modify files outside the account's permitted directory

Do not immediately change permissions to 777.

If the files appear to have incorrect ownership or permissions, contact Have Freedom Hosting Support.

"My FTP Connection Keeps Failing"

Check:

• The hostname

• Username

• Password

• Port

• Security/connection type

• Firewall settings

• FTP application settings

If you're still unable to connect, provide Have Freedom Hosting Support with the exact error message from your FTP application.

Security Best Practices

For safer FTP account management:

• Use a unique password.

• Create separate accounts for separate users.

• Limit each account to the directory it needs.

• Remove accounts that are no longer required.

• Use secure connection methods when available.

• Don't share your cPanel password.

• Keep your FTP software updated.

• Don't save credentials on computers you don't trust.

If an FTP credential may have been compromised, change it immediately.

When to Contact Have Freedom Hosting

Contact Have Freedom Hosting Support if:

• You cannot create an FTP account.

• FTP accounts are missing from cPanel.

• Your FTP connection fails despite correct credentials.

• You need SFTP access.

• An FTP account appears to have incorrect access.

• You suspect an FTP account has been compromised.

• Files cannot be accessed because of a suspected server-side permission or ownership issue.

When contacting support, include:

• Your domain

• The FTP account involved

• Your FTP application's error message

• The connection type you're attempting to use

• What you were trying to accomplish

Never send your FTP password in a support ticket.

Need Help?

FTP accounts are a convenient way to provide controlled access to website files without sharing your primary hosting credentials.

When possible, give each person their own account, limit access to the directory they actually need, and remove the account when it is no longer required.

If you're unsure how to configure an FTP account for your website, Have Freedom Hosting Support can help you determine the appropriate setup.