Hi, I am developing a CGI script and am looking for a way to allow users to log into it and have certain privlidges once they do. However, every time I look into a method for authenication, I keep finding holes. First, I tried using a password file to keep username/password pairs. Then, when a user logs in, I would check to see if the username exists and the password is correct in the password file and then I would set a cookie (with the username and password). For every subsequent page, I would read the cookie and compare it to the password file to see if the user exists and the password is correct. Perhaps leter, I will hash the passwords with MD5. However, then I found out about CGI::Session. After learning about this and crudely implementing it, I found out that everyone who has a login to the server can read the session data in the /tmp directory. So basically, I have a choice of having a world readable password file (since the apache user needs to be able to read it) or a world readable session file in the /tmp directory. Does anyone know the preferred method for storing username/password paris to allow a user access to only what they should have access to and still be secure on the server? Note: I am using a public server (one for which I do not have root), but have found a way to add needed modules within my program directory. I would be very greatful for any advice. Thank you for reading this. Joe

2004-05-05 Edit by jdporter: Changed title from 'Module relocation'

In reply to CGI and saving passwords by JoeJaz

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