Hide FTP Files and Folders

Websites require a lot of files to run and a lot of configuration files that you shouldn’t be messing with. For instance, on a Shared cPanel host I have, the main directory is littered with far too many unnecessary files and folders. These files can’t be deleted since they are required but only required for the server software and not of any use to me. The good news is, you probably already have the solution on your computer to hide these files for good (or until I need to see them again).

FileZilla is the answer to your tech based, shared hosting, FTP Server prayers. With their built in Directory and File filtering, you can create custom rules, or use pre-existing ones, to hide all, none or some files.

Hiding Unwanted Files and Folders on your FTP Server

1. It goes without saying, but still going to list it. You need to download and install FileZilla Client. It’s free and available across many different platforms.
2. Open Directory Listing Filters. The last divider area of the Toolbar (furthest right) and the first button of that cell. Hovering over it will display “Directory Listing Filter”. Alternatively, you can open this window by navigating to View - Filename Filters
3. The Directory Listing Filters window allows for you to disable and enable the filters on either local files or the remote (FTP) files.
4. Create a new filter on the bottom left by clicking onto Edit filter rules
5. Create a new rule by clicking on New on the bottom left.
6. Once a filter is created, use a check box next to the items to enable or disable them. Once you have the ones on that you want you can close the filter window. Right clicking on the button in the toolbar will then disable or enable those filters. Need to see those files quickly? Just right click on that button.

Filter Setups

Below are some filters you can create that I find useful and use on a regular basis. Just having them made and disabled so in the future you can use them is a good idea.

This following code will hide all configuration files (files starting with a period) and still show your .htaccess file.

Filter name: Config_Htaccess
Filter conditions: Filter out items matching ALL of the following

Filename - begins with - .
Filename - does not contain - .htaccess

The next filter will hide normal cPanel folders you don’t need to be visible. It’s usually easier to use the filter for hiding configuration files (filenames beginning with a period), but this manual setup listing will only hide the cpanel folders and not other config files you may want to see.

Filter name: cPanel_Hide
Filter conditions: Filter out items matching ANY of the following

Filename - is equal to - .cpanel
Filename - is equal to - .attracta
Filename - is equal to - .cagefs
Filename - is equal to - .cl.selector
Filename - is equal to - .fontconfig
Filename - is equal to - .softaculous
Filename - is equal to - .trash
Filename - is equal to - bin
Filename - is equal to - etc
Filename - is equal to - logs
Filename - is equal to - php
Filename - is equal to - mail
Filename - is equal to - ssl
Filename - is equal to - tmp
Filename - is equal to - .bash_logout
Filename - is equal to - .bash_profile
Filename - is equal to - .bashrc
Filename - is equal to - .cpanel-logs
Filename - is equal to - .ftpquota
Filename - is equal to -.lastlogin
Filename - is equal to - .pearrc

For most websites you will have files you only need to see or work with once or twice. Below are some custom rules I setup to find files that most sites will have but never need to be seen.

Filter name: website_unnessasary
Filter conditions: Filter out items matching ANY of the following

Filename - begins with - google
Filename - is equal to - robots.txt
Filename - is equal to - favicon.ico
Filename - is equal to - .htaccess
Filename - is equal to - .ftpquota