Secure directory

[wardl]

Hi, I'm a new WAMP user and am trying to move an existing web site off IIS
(where I have NTFS permissions on the entire sites directory on the server)
to a Godaddy linux web hosting account.

I know how to setup a .htaccess file but don't want the password traveling in clear text etc.
I have a php auth app from a Janet Valade book that works, but from what I read, has
to be prefixed to every page served!

I have over 100 static pages in the dir and was wondering how to serve these pages
only to auth'ed users without having to learn and install a CMS app or prefixing a php
script to each one.

ward