Prevent Direct Access Gold: File Access and Storage Options

Choose files and folders to protect

Prevent Direct Access Gold manages access to files through an interface in the WordPress Media Library. Protect ebooks, files, images, audio, video, and other media that should not be openly accessible through their original URLs. Gold supports unlimited files and all file types. Protect files one at a time, select several together, or use Folder Protection for every file in a selected folder under the WordPress root or uploads directory. New uploads can be protected automatically or on the fly.

You can also prevent users from browsing the uploads directory and use picture hotlink prevention to stop other sites from linking directly to images.

Set access rules and share downloads

Restrict protected files to logged-in customers or custom user roles, and control which users can view them in the Media Library. Create and personalize unlimited Private Download Links to share selected files without exposing their standard file URLs. Set a link to expire after a chosen number of days or clicks.

Referrer Links grant access to individual files or groups based on the referring location. IP-based restrictions are available for protected access. The WooCommerce Integration extension can restrict access to a WooCommerce order page by IP address.

Manage file handling and page content

• Encrypt protected files to prevent unauthorized users from viewing them.
• Search content for unprotected file URLs and replace them with protected references.
• Control which users can view files in the Media Library.
• Disable text selection and right-click on web pages as an option for reducing content copying.
• Prevent Google and other search engines from indexing protected files, helping keep their content and original URLs out of search results.

Connect storage, membership, and course processes

Amazon S3 Integration can synchronize or offload multiple files to Amazon S3, replace unprotected URLs in content, and set expiration times. The Amazon S3 and Wasabi Smart File Uploads Plugin can upload multiple files directly from a local computer to Amazon S3 or Wasabi.

Prevent Direct Access Gold integrates with WordPress Multisite Network and membership add-ons. With LearnDash integration, course materials can be made available to enrolled students.

Get started

Install and activate the extension, then open its Media Library interface and select files to protect. Choose the relevant access, link, folder, or integration options. Share protected downloads using the available private URLs. For cloud storage, membership, WooCommerce, or LearnDash workflows, configure the relevant integration after activation.