Restricting Access to uploaded files

[BlueBanana]

What I am trying to achieve is having files on my Website, which can only be accessed with a certain membership level.
I know I could only link the file on some protected page, but people can still just access the file by typing the link directly in the browser.
I did not find any options in this Plugin and the documentation, so I tried to also use other Plugins, but I could not find a free Plugin with the desired functionality.
Any suggestion how this might be done?

Note: I do have some experience in writing html/php/jscript, so If there is some programming solution that works, it’s fine by me.

[mbrsolution]

Hi, check the following plugin.
https://wordpress.org/plugins/simple-download-monitor/

Let me know if this is what you are looking for.

Thank you

[BlueBanana]

Hi, thank you for the suggestion, but sadly this pluguin also does not protect the link.

I will try to explain more precisely what I mean by that:
I have a file “test.pdf” which I want to upload to the wordpress site and maybe link the file or show a preview (iframe) of the file on some membership protected page. The main Problem is that when I upload the file using WordPress Media site, it has a permanent link like “https://www.my-website.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/test.pdf”. If anyone types this link in their browser, they can directly access the pdf without needing to login.
The Usage of “Simple Download Monitor” did not change that behaviour.

Though, after hours of searching through available plugins I just found a small plugin (MCM Protected File View) which does work somehow, but on a very basic level. Problem with it is, that it can only track if users are logged in or not (so I cannot give access based on user roles). Also the file uploaded through the plugin is not integrated in the WP Media section.

I would still be intrigued in a better solution, but the MCM plugin is will suffice if there is no other option.

[BlueBanana]

I forgot to say, one function which would be awesome, is that one could also protect existing files. So I would not have to reupload the files I want to protect.

[mbrsolution]

Hi,

I understand what you are trying to achieve. The plugin I mentioned above also has an addon that protects the physical URL of the download file. Please check the following addon.

https://simple-download-monitor.com/hidden-downloads-for-simple-download-monitor/

Kind regards

[BlueBanana]

Hi again,

this addon does cost 40$, but I could convince my customer to buy it. Now I tried it out but it does not seem to work, even after playing around with some settings.
(When I paste the direct file path link in the browser adress bar, the file still shows up.)

Should I contact the support of the Download Monitor Plugin, or can you help me with this?

Kind regards

[mbrsolution]

Hi, yes use the following contact form. They should be able to help you.

https://simple-download-monitor.com/contact-us/

Thank you

[Author]

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