Accessing password protected directory with login details in URL

[ballboy]

If i protect a directory via .htaccess (cpanel creates the code) is it possible to add the username and password as variables in the URL and access the directory without having to type them in the pop up box?

[felgall]

All browsers used to allow:

http:logonid:password@www.example.com

Most now block that sine many people were unaware of the way that works and misunderstood where they'd end up if they clicked on:

http://www.example.com/aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa@infectyourcomputerwithmyvirus.com