Creating Additional User Accounts in Plesk

Managing User Accounts in Plesk: A Comprehensive Guide

In the digital realm, security and accessibility are paramount, especially when managing websites through platforms like Plesk. Plesk simplifies web hosting management but understanding how to effectively manage user access is crucial for maintaining website integrity and security. This guide will delve into the process of creating, managing, and removing additional user accounts in Plesk, enabling you to grant limited access to third parties such as contractors or team members, without compromising full control over your web assets.

Creating Additional User Accounts in Plesk

The necessity for additional user accounts arises when you need to provide limited access to Plesk’s features and controls. Whether it’s a developer needing access to a specific domain or a content manager updating website content, setting up additional user accounts with appropriate permissions is essential.

Steps to Create a User Account:

1. Log in to Plesk and navigate to Users > Create User Account.
2. Fill in the required details:

• Contact Name: The name of the individual or role.
• Email Address: This acts as the username for Plesk login. Optionally, create a new email address for the user by selecting a domain name and specifying the left part of the address before the “@” sign.
• External Email Address: An alternative email for password reset purposes.
• User Role: Choose a predefined role that determines the user’s access level.
• Access to Subscriptions: Specify which subscriptions the user can access.
• Username and Password: Credentials for Plesk access.
• Keep the User is active checkbox selected to activate the account immediately. Alternatively, use Activate account by email for user email verification.

Adding Contact Information:

After account creation, you might want to add more contact details for the user:

1. Go to Users, click on the user’s contact name, and then Change Settings.
2. Under the Contact Details tab, enter the information and click OK.

Modifying User Account Properties

To change an existing user’s details or permissions:

1. Navigate to Users, click on the user’s name, and make the necessary adjustments.
2. Click OK to save changes.

Suspending or Activating User Accounts

There may be times when you need to temporarily revoke access from a user without deleting their account:

• To Suspend: Clear the User is active checkbox.
• To Activate: Select the User is active checkbox.

Resetting a User’s Password

Plesk allows for password resets through a direct link:

1. Find the user under Users and click Change Settings.
2. Click “Show link” next to “Password reset link” and choose the appropriate method to send the reset link to the user.

Removing a User Account

If a user no longer needs access:

1. Select the user account under Users and click Remove.
2. Confirm the removal by clicking Yes.

Best Practices for Managing User Accounts in Plesk

• Regularly review user access levels and adjust as necessary.
• Use external email addresses for password recovery to enhance security.
• Communicate changes to user accounts promptly to avoid confusion.

Conclusion

Effective user management in Plesk not only enhances security but also ensures that tasks are efficiently distributed among team members or third-party contractors. By following the steps outlined above, you can maintain optimal control over your web hosting environment, ensuring that each user has the access they need without compromising the overall security and functionality of your websites.