Protect files through the Media Library

When WordPress media should follow site access rules, Prevent Direct Access Gold lets you protect files from open access through their original URLs. Its Media Library interface helps manage ebooks, files, images, audio, videos, and other media.

Choose files or folders

Gold works with unlimited files and all file types. Protect individual files or groups, or set new uploads to be protected automatically or on the fly. Folder Protection applies to all files in a selected private folder under the WordPress root or uploads directory.

Set access rules and share links

Restrict protected files to logged-in users or custom visitor roles, and control who can view files in the Media Library. Create and personalize unlimited Private Download Links to share selected files without exposing their standard URLs. A link can expire after a specified number of days or clicks.

Referrer Links can 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 protected content

• Encryption: Encrypt protected files to stop unauthorized downloads from viewing them.
• URL management: Search content for unprotected file URLs and replace them with protected references.
• Media and folder controls: Protect files in selected WordPress root or uploads folders and control which users can view files in the Media Library.
• Copying controls: Disable text selection and right-click on web pages as an option for reducing content copying.

The add-on can prevent Google and other search engines from indexing protected files, helping keep their contents and original URLs out of search results. It can also protect the WordPress uploads directory from visitor browsing and prevent other websites from linking directly to images.

Connect storage, membership, and courses

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 extensions. Its LearnDash integration can grant course material access to enrolled students. These integrations support private downloads, member resources, and learning materials.

Install and configure access

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