Is there a way to set folder permissions so that web users can't see a folder's contents, but they can use the files or folders within it?
For example, my cgi-bin folder is protected from viewing contents, but my /images/ folder is not.
Better yet, is there any way to set a default here with apache or something? Perhaps if there is no index.html page, then it says it gives a 403 error instead of listing all folder contents?
btw, i'm on an apache/linux box

Fo the first question I can't answer, but for the second...
Use .htaccess file with the following content:
403.txt file will contain the error message.


Best regards,

Pavel.

------------------
The Web's leading provider of Free Top Sites hosting.
http://www.cellwarp.com