Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
14. How do I monitor password-protected websites?
There are 2 types of authentication used on the web: HTTP-based and form-based, we support both methods.
A web site uses HTTP-based authentication if your browser pops up a dialog for you to enter the username and password. To monitor this type of website:
- Login to your account
- Go to Monitor -> Add a Test
- Select "Monitor a website"
- Fill in the username and password fields and complete other details
The second type of authentication is form-based. Websites using this method have a login prompt on the website itself, examples are web-based emails like Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail and GMail. This authentication method works by posting your credentials via the form to the website for verification. To monitor these websites:
- Login to your account
- Go to Monitor -> Add a Test
- Select "Monitor a website"
- You can use Live HTTP Headers / Firebug to get the POST data.
- Instructions for using Live HTTP Headers:
- Install Live HTTP Headers to Firefox.
- Open the form submission page in Firefox. Fill in the form, but DO NOT submit yet.
- Go to Tools menu and open Live HTTP Headers. Clear any contents that is shown, so that we can see the form submission request.
- Now submit the form.
- Locate the POST request at the top of the Live HTTP Headers window.
- Copy the POST URL and data to the website test form. The POST data may look like parameter1=value1¶meter2=value2....
- Add keywords that signify a successful login (eg. Login successful, or Your last login was on...) into the required keywords field
- Optionally, add keywords that signify a failed login (eg. Bad username or password) into the excluded keywords field
- Complete other details (but NOT the username and password fields)
Setting up monitoring for websites with form-based authentication can be challenging. We will be glad to assist if you are unsure how to set this up. Simply send us the URL, username and password.
