Password Protected Categories GPL v2.7.9 By Barn2 Media

Password Protected Categories is a powerful WordPress plugin that allows you to lock entire categories or taxonomies with a password, keeping all posts, pages, products, or custom post types inside completely hidden from unauthorized users. It is the perfect solution for creating private sections on a public WordPress website without forcing visitors to create user accounts.

With this plugin, you can easily build private blogs, client-only areas, hidden portfolios, invite-only events, or exclusive product collections. Each protected category can have one or multiple passwords, making it easy to share access with different people while keeping your content secure.

Unlike standard WordPress password-protected posts, this plugin protects entire categories and subcategories, ensuring that all associated content remains invisible until the correct password is entered. Protected categories are hidden from menus, widgets, archives, and search engine indexing, ensuring full privacy and SEO safety.

The plugin supports any custom post type that uses hierarchical taxonomies, including portfolios, WooCommerce products, events, downloads, and more. It works seamlessly with popular plugins such as WooCommerce, Easy Digital Downloads, and The Events Calendar, making it ideal for eCommerce stores and event-based websites.

Password Protected Categories also includes a central login system, allowing visitors to enter a password from a single page or sidebar widget. Once authenticated, users are automatically redirected to the correct category, creating a smooth and professional user experience.

For advanced control, you can create “Private Categories” that are only visible to logged-in Administrators or Editors—similar to private posts, but at the category level. This makes the plugin suitable for internal documentation, staff-only content, or client review areas.

Overall, Password Protected Categories is a simple, secure, and flexible alternative to membership plugins, offering category-level access control with minimal setup and maximum performance.