Folder Security

[ScndTim]

I have a website up and running for some time now. I have recently uplaoded
about 2.5 gigs of audio files into some folders in the root directory. I have
embedded a media player into specific pages so that these files can be
listened to. I am also selling these files via download from a merchant
account. None of my merchant info is in my root directory.

I was viewing my logs and found that people are viewing the content of these
folder that the audio files are contained in. So why sell them when people
are most likely downloading them staight to their computer off my site right.
I have stuffed them all into my _private folder for the time being until I
can figure out a game plan. Any suggestions as to how I can secure up these
files, but yet gain third party access to them through my media player html
generator?

 

[Andrew Murray]

I suggest you make sample clips of the files; so people won't be able to
circumvent the purchasing routine to d/l the full file.

Perhaps not put the full files on the net at all; but take the orders then
distribute the files on CD or something.

Or, use Paypal since the download page can be the "thanks for your payment"
page or something like that.

Another way, have people sign up for an account; you'd need server side
scripting to accomplish this to make a password protected area, or use the
built in FP method of doing this (links below) - for various versions of
Frontpage.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;301554
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;825498
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;825451

The above require Windows server; if you're on a linux host, and they have
a control panel such as cPanel, it should have the facility to password
protect folders, same as with a Windows host if they have a control panel
feature, it might offer a method of doing this. Cpanel on my host has a
shopping cart facility - which is really what you need, I expect. So you
collect payment before your users can get the download that they want. I'm
sure you can make up a list of sample clips and then offer the full one for
sale.