Download Page Protection Techniques

It may be hard to imagine that there’s someone with nothing better to do than to scavenge the internet for unprotected product files and folders.  Still, it is just so.

There are certain search engines that will ferret out these products very easily.  I won’t reveal which ones because I’d rather not encourage anyone in this way.

However, I would like to share a simple technique that I’ve recently learned. It’s called ‘change permissions’ or CHMOD.  I found it in a short report from Mieke Jannsens called Stopping Snoopers.

The process begins with logging into your cpanel and going to your File Manager.  Once you’re inside the File Manager, open your public_html folder in the left pane and then all of your folders will appear in the right pane.  You’ll see a check box next to each folder.  Select the folder you’d like to protect by checking the box next to that folder.  Then look up at your File Manager Menu and you’ll see a function called ‘change permissions’ or CHMOD.  Select that function and a small window will appear that allows you to customize the type of access that will be allowed for the folder or file that you’ve selected.  The default access for folders is typically 755 which means anyone can access that folder.  If you untick the ‘world’ box it will create a CHMOD of 751 and thereby prevent access to that folder.

This technique is generally used to protect the folders or sub-folders that contain your thankyou.html or thankyou.php download pages.  If, for example, someone types yoursite.com/gifts into their address window your host will return a 403 Forbidden page to the searcher thus preventing access.

However, this technique does not prevent access when someone types in yoursite.com/gifts/thankyou.html or yoursite.com/gifts/thankyou.php.

It requires page protector software in order to protect the thank you page itself and the ubiquitous Louis Alport has provided us with the remedy.  It’s aptly named Download Page Protector.

I’ve included the link to the free download of DLP and it’s on the bottom of the page of Video 3 below this article.

When I tested the security for my giveaway gifts page I found only one weakness yet to be solved.  You’ll see what I mean when viewing the video below.  I suspect that it may require additional software to fully secure your products from professional scavengers.

Video 3, Parts 1, and 2 cover the completion of our thank you page template as well as the security measures mentioned above.  Please leave any thoughts or comments you may have about the videos or any suggestions or personal recommendations you may have as regards product protections and security software.

Though “from ashes to ashes and dust to dust”
We so often stipulate;
It’s from the light and towards the light
We grow and gravitate.

Please click on the graphic below to view Video 3, parts 1 and 2