Protect private WordPress files
Prevent Direct Access Gold is a WordPress plugin for protecting files uploaded to a site. It is designed for ebooks, documents, images, audio, videos, and other media that should not be openly accessible through their original URLs. The plugin provides an interface in the WordPress Media Library, where files can be protected and managed.
Gold supports unlimited files and all file types. It can protect new uploads automatically or on the fly, and it can protect files stored under specific folders in the WordPress root or uploads directory. Folder Protection can protect all files inside a selected private folder at once, while multiple files can also be protected together.
Access controls and private links
Protected files can be restricted to logged-in users or custom user roles. The plugin can create and customize unlimited Private Download Links, giving you a way to share selected files without exposing their standard file URLs. Private links can be set to expire after a specified number of days or clicks.
Gold also supports Referrer Links, which can grant access to individual files or groups of files based on the referring location. IP-based restrictions are available for protected access, and the WooCommerce Integration extension can restrict access to a WooCommerce order page by IP address. These options are useful for controlled downloads, customer materials, and content delivered through a site’s own access rules.
File protection and content management
- Encryption: encrypt protected files to stop unauthorized downloads from viewing them.
- URL management: search for unprotected URLs in content and replace them with protected references.
- Folder protection: protect files within selected WordPress root and uploads folders.
- Media access: control which users can view files in the Media Library.
- Content protection: disable text selection and right-click on web pages as an option for reducing content copying.
The plugin can also prevent Google and other search engines from indexing protected files, helping keep their content and original URLs out of search results. It can protect the WordPress uploads directory so visitors cannot browse its contents, and it includes image hotlink prevention to stop other websites from linking directly to images.
Cloud storage and integrations
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 top membership plugins. LearnDash integration can grant course material access to enrolled students. These connections support sites that distribute private downloads, member resources, or learning materials.
Installation and first use
Install and activate the plugin in WordPress, then open the Media Library interface to select files for protection. Choose the applicable access, link, folder, or integration settings, and use the available private URLs when sharing protected downloads. For cloud storage, membership, WooCommerce, or LearnDash workflows, configure the relevant integration after activation.
