One of the most commonly seen errors while browsing is Error # 403. It is basically a hypertext transfer protocol response that a user can get due to numerous reasons.
Possible reasons for 403 Error and its solution:
Solution-1. Hotlink protection
Solution-2. Bad Permissions
Solution-3. Hidden Files / Wrong URL
Solution-4. IP Rules
Solution-5. Index Manager
Hotlinking is stealing someone’s bandwidth by linking to their website’s assets like images and videos etc.
I see.
To set up Hotlink protection in cPanel, head to Security > Hotlink Protection:
Ok then?
From here, you can enable or disable the hotlink protection: Ok.
Now, if you are the owner for both website1 and website2,
you can disable the hotlink protection for own site so that
you can link the content to and from your website.
The following screenshot will elaborate it for you: Ok Done.
Did this resolve your issue?
Yes
The most common reason for 403 forbidden errors is inappropriately setting up the file permissions.Ok.
To resolve such issues, the owner must set up the permissions as under:
Yes
- Dynamic Content: 700
- Folders: 755
- Static Content: 644
To setup the permission, follow the steps:
1. Log into your cPanel using the specified URL and assigned login credentials.
2. Click on the File Manager icon in the Files field.I see.
3. On the left of the window that opens, you will see permissions of all files and folders
4. Ensure that the permissions of the public_html folder are 750 as shown below:
Ok Done.
If it is 750, move to the next troubleshoot else follow the steps:
a. Choose the public_html folder > click on the Change Permissions icon
b. Set up permissions to 750 > Save.
c. Clear the browser cache
d. Clear your local DNS cache
Got it.
Did this resolve your issue?
Yes
The hidden files are not supposed to be accessed publicly and therefore the server restricts the access for public.
When a user tries to access the hidden files, a 403 forbidden error is thrown.
Likewise, for some servers, if the user enters an invalid URL intentionally or unintentionally, a 403 forbidden error message may occur.
It may vary from server to server and depends on what the user has entered, for example, you may see an error if you enter a folder directory instead of a file path.
OK.
Did this resolve your issue?
Yes
As stated earlier, that the error 403 arises mainly due to an authentication error.
The users can see 403 rules due to any IP Deny rules defined in the cPanel.
In that case, verify the rules in cPanel to ensure that you are not blocking your own IP Range.
IP Rules comes very helpful if you need to block access for certain users.
I see.
To check for the IP rules, follow the steps:
1. Log in to cPanel account using the URL and provided login credentials.
2. Go to the Security section and click the IP Blocker icon.
Then?
3. Enter one or a range of IP addresses you want to deny access.
Ok. Take me through ranges.
4. Click the Add button.
Done.
| Single IP Address | 192.168.0.1 |
| 2001:db8::1 | |
| Range | 192.168.0.1-192.168.0.40 |
| 2001:db8::1-2001:db8::3 | |
| Implied Range | 192.168.0.1-40 |
| CIDR Format | 192.168.0.1/32 |
| 2001:db8::/32 | |
| Implies 192.*.*.* | 192.*.*.* |
Did this resolve your issue?
Yes
By default, the web server will load the index or home page from the target directory.
If the index file is missing from the folder, the web browser will display the folder content, but this can cause security risk.
The security risk is lowered by not to show the folder content directly and as an alternative, a 403 error is displayed.
I see.
You can resolve this issue by uploading the appropriate index file to the directory or changing the values of “Index Manager” from cPanel.
Ok.
