How to Manage Database Users

Managing Database Users

Proper management of database users is important for security and access control. Each application or website should have its own database user with only the permissions it needs.

Viewing Existing Users

1. Log in to cPanel and navigate to MySQL Databases.
2. Scroll down to see the Current Users section, which lists all database users on your account.
3. The Current Databases section shows which users are assigned to which databases and their privilege levels.

Creating a New Database User

1. In the MySQL Databases page, find the MySQL Users section.
2. Enter a username and a strong password.
3. Click Create User.
4. Then assign the user to a database using the Add User to Database section.

Setting User Privileges

When adding a user to a database, you can choose specific privileges:

• SELECT – Read data from tables.
• INSERT – Add new records to tables.
• UPDATE – Modify existing records.
• DELETE – Remove records from tables.
• CREATE – Create new tables.
• DROP – Delete tables.
• ALTER – Modify table structure.
• INDEX – Create and manage indexes.

For most CMS applications like WordPress, granting All Privileges is necessary. For read-only applications or reporting tools, grant only SELECT to follow the principle of least privilege.

Changing a User Password

1. In the MySQL Databases page, find the user under Current Users.
2. Click Change Password next to the user.
3. Enter and confirm the new password.
4. Click Change Password to save.

Remember to update the database password in your website's configuration file after changing it, otherwise your site will lose its database connection.

Deleting a User

To remove a database user, click the Delete link next to the user in the Current Users list. This revokes all their access but does not delete any data in the databases they were assigned to.