Forbidden directories after fresh install

[mrtopher]

I just installed Apache 2.2.3 on CentOS5 and things appear to have worked properly. I was able to put an index.html file in the web root and view it appropriately.

The problem I'm experiencing is that I can't put any folders inside the web root because when I try to bring them up in a browser I am getting a Forbidden error. I can't seem to gain access into any subdirectories I place inside the web root. I have checked permissions and such and I can't see any difference between the permissions of those directories and the files in the root.

Do I need to make any changes to the httpd.conf file from it's default settings? Anyone know what I'm doing wrong?

[dklynn]

top,

'nix is a different beast and actually knows how to handle file security far better than WinDoze. In other words, it sounds like a chmod problem which you can get around using a root account (not a smart thing) or setting permissions differently. Apache SHOULD be protected from attacks with file permissions and run as its own owner - which means that you (as a user) have no rights in its directories except those set (which would NOT include write).

IMHO (and LinhGB will correct me when he comes by - he's an Apache Admin on a university's 'nix system), create separate directories UNDER htdocs for each of your domains and assign their ownership to you as a user. Change your httpd.conf to add a VirtualHost for each domain and update your hosts file accordingly.

Regards,

DK