Control Direct Access to Downloadable Files (J 2.5, IIS 7.5) - Joomla! Forum - community, help and support

how can prevent user downloading file unless logged in member of viewing access level? example: domain http://example.com , wish link http://example.com/files/example.zip. create article security set custom viewing access level called "file access" , provide therein link user can click file. however, save link , try download file without being logged in, link should not work.

i'm aware of many download extensions out there, need far more simple , subservient joomla acl. solution has work hundreds of files (specifically, pdf , zip files). can in given parent directory (though divided child directories under parent sake of have maintain files). file submission process matter of copying directly /files directory via network share. example, copy example.zip \\webserver\files, make article linking zip archive. i'd set security on article viewing access level. the problem is, go http://example.com/files/example.zip , download file.

as see it, kind of link proxy needs happen, wherein link resource requires being in viewing access level view. resource call upon actual file through server-side means, preventing user knowing file came from. perhaps resource located @ http://example.com/downloads/example.zip, real file located @ http://example.com/files/secretlocation/example.zip. however, process can't involve requiring user create more complicated article each time, content maintainers not developers.

i realize suggestion no means bulletproof, far better nothing.

i'm open suggestion. let me know if can provide other details. thanks.

"you can't have cake , eat too" - has give, whether means educating user, or giving upload function more skilled resource. document management system becomes handy. have had @ docman example - http://extensions.joomla.org/extensions ... oads/10958?