If you see directories named .cagefs, virtfs, or paths containing /virtfs/ in your hosting account, these are part of CloudLinux's CageFS virtualization system. They are not actual directories on your account and you should leave them alone.
These are system directories - ignore them
CloudLinux creates virtualized filesystem entries for each hosting account to isolate it from other users on the server. You may see references to /home/virtfs/, .cagefs/, or similar paths in certain tools. These are not taking up your disk space and do not contain your actual files. Do not attempt to modify or delete them.
01. What CloudLinux CageFS Does
Ultra Web Hosting runs CloudLinux on all shared hosting servers. CageFS creates an isolated virtual filesystem for each user account so that:
- Users cannot see each other - Your account cannot browse or access files belonging to other accounts on the same server
- System files are protected - You see only the parts of the operating system that your account needs (PHP, Python, Perl, etc.)
- Security is improved - Even if a vulnerability in your website is exploited, the attacker is confined to your isolated environment and cannot reach other accounts or the server's core system
02. Where You Might See These
You will typically never encounter these directories during normal website management. They may appear in:
- PHP error messages - Paths in error logs may show
/home/virtfs/username/...instead of the expected/home/username/... - Some FTP clients - Rarely, an FTP client may display system-level symlinks
- SSH directory listings - Running
ls -la /may show CageFS mount points - Server-generated paths - Backup restoration logs or server-side scripts may reference virtfs paths
03. What Should You Do?
Nothing. These directories are managed by the server automatically. You should:
- Not delete them - You do not have permission to, and attempting it may generate errors
- Not modify them - They are read-only from your account
- Ignore them in file counts - They do not count towards your disk space quota
- Use normal paths in your code - Your scripts should reference
/home/username/public_html/as usual. CageFS handles the translation transparently.
If a PHP error message shows a virtfs path, the actual file location is the same path without the /virtfs/ segment. For example, /home/virtfs/username/public_html/index.php is really /home/username/public_html/index.php. Use the shorter path when troubleshooting. You can find the correct paths for your account in our Server Paths guide.
Seeing Unexpected Directories or Errors?
If you are seeing CageFS-related errors in your PHP logs or encountering permission issues, let us know.
Open a Support TicketFrequently Asked Questions
What are the .cagefs and virtfs directories in my account?
They are part of CloudLinux's CageFS virtualization, which isolates your account from others on the server. They are not real directories in your account; they are how CageFS presents a safe, private view of the filesystem. Leave them alone.
Are the virtfs directories safe to delete?
Do not delete them. They are system-managed by CloudLinux CageFS, not your content, and removing or modifying them can disrupt how your account runs. They take no real space in your account and require no action.
What does CloudLinux CageFS do?
CageFS isolates each account into its own private filesystem view, so one user cannot see or interfere with another's files, and sees only a safe set of system tools. It is a core part of the security that keeps shared accounts separated.
Why do I see /virtfs/ paths in my logs or file manager?
Those paths reflect the CageFS-virtualized view of your account's location on the server. They are normal and expected under CloudLinux, not an error or a sign of a problem. You can ignore them.
Quick Recap
- virtfs and .cagefs directories are system-generated - Part of CloudLinux security
- They isolate your account from others - A security feature, not a problem
- Do not delete or modify them - They are managed by the server
- They do not count towards your disk quota
- Use normal paths in your scripts - CageFS handles the rest transparently
Understanding your hosting environment · Last updated November 2026 · Browse all General articles
