Website Directory Listing

TL;DR

You can sometimes see a website’s files and folders by adding / to the end of its URL, or using online directory listing tools. However, this is often disabled for security reasons.

How to Browse Website Files & Folders

1. Try Adding a Slash: The simplest method is to add a forward slash (/) to the end of the website’s address. For example, if the website is https://www.example.com, try visiting https://www.example.com/.
   • If directory listing is enabled on the server, you will see a list of files and folders in that directory.
   • Most websites disable this feature for security reasons, so you’ll likely get an error message (like 403 Forbidden) or be redirected to the homepage.
2. Try Common Directories: Some common directories might be enabled for listing even if the root directory isn’t.
   • /wp-content/ (for WordPress sites – often contains images, themes and plugins)
   • /images/ or /img/
   • /css/
   • /js/
   • /fonts/
3. Use Online Directory Listing Tools: Several websites offer tools to attempt directory listing.
   • DirBuster: A popular tool for finding hidden files and directories. It requires downloading and installing software, and some technical knowledge.

     # Example DirBuster command (simplified) - actual usage varies

   • Online Directory Scanners: Websites like SiteCheck or similar tools can scan a website for directory listings without requiring software installation.

     Warning: Be cautious when using online scanners, as some may be unreliable or collect your data.

4. Check the robots.txt file: This file tells search engines which parts of a website *not* to crawl. It might reveal directories that exist but are intentionally hidden from public view.
   • Visit https://www.example.com/robots.txt
   • Look for lines starting with Disallow:, as these indicate restricted areas. The presence of a directory here doesn’t guarantee listing is enabled, but it shows the directory exists.
5. Use Web Archives (Wayback Machine): The Wayback Machine (https://archive.org/web/) sometimes has snapshots of websites that include directory listings from past dates.
   • Enter the website’s URL and browse through historical versions.

Important Considerations

• Security: Attempting to access files you don’t have permission to view is illegal and unethical. Only explore publicly accessible directories.
• Server Configuration: Directory listing is controlled by the website server (e.g., Apache, Nginx). Website owners can easily disable it for security reasons.
• File Extensions: Common file extensions you might see include .html, .css, .js, .jpg, .png, .php, and others.