Basic HTTP authentication - password protect a directory

[eluser]surfgatinho[/eluser]
Ho do I password protect a directory using basic HTTP authentication - i.e. the basic popup username password combo?

I want to protect the /admin/ directory and don't want to have to implement a login script for every controller and function there in.

The problem is the admin directory does not actually exist - it is just the path created by CI. If I try creating it and protecting it the normal way I get a 404.

This is on a live site (eek!) so any suggestions would be appreciated

Thanks,
Chris

[eluser]juddmuir[/eluser]
I'd like to know the answer to this one as well.

I'd like a url /admin/, which goes to admin controller. Normally I'd stick a .htaccess file in the folder, but obviously with the way CI works, there *is* no folder.

[eluser]monaye[/eluser]
Found this thread,
but can't figure it out how he did it.
http://ellislab.com/forums/viewthread/162670/

[eluser]InsiteFX[/eluser]
Read these!

.htaccess Tips and Tricks Part-1

more .htaccess tips and tricks..

htpasswd - Manage user files for basic authentication

InsiteFX