Protecting a download page ?

Could somebody please tell me the quickest easiest and cheapest way to protect a download page on a html site. I cant afford DL guard right now and I download RAP from here but that has way more than I actually need.

Thanks in advance

cpawizard...search here..its free

Well this method uses a php script, but it is easy to setup.

I found a free membership site script (phpAutoMembersArea). I modified the signup and login pages so that where it originally said 'joining' the 'membership site', now it says 'purchasing' the 'files to download'. Set it up for paypal payment and autoactivate, then when the customer purchases the file (ie. join the site) they fill out the customer info, are sent to paypal to pay, then paypal lets my site know the payment cleared and my site sends an email to the customer with login info. You can set the membership site up for the account to be active as long as you want. a day, few days, week, month, whatever.

What it means though is that if someone orders from your site and then passes the info on to others, they will only be able to download for as long as the account is active. To Download the file they will need the account and password the script setup for them. So, you can even check your logs once a day and if you see logins from many different ips for the same account, you know it is being abused. you can suspend the account and end it there. email the account holder if you want to, or just let it go.

I'm sure this is probably a nonstandard way of dealing with this but it works well for me. I was selling a cd of files, using this method I set up the membership site to offer the files on the cd for digital download eliminating burning the cd and shipping. The files are in a secure directory so no worry about the download link being given out.

It has been working great for me for several months now.
Hope that helps.

GreyWolf said:

I found a free membership site script (phpAutoMembersArea). I modified the signup and login pages so that where it originally said joining the membership site, now it says purchasing the file to download. Set it up for paypal payment and autoactivate, then when the customer purchases the file (ie. join the site) they fill out the customer info, are sent to paypal to pay, then paypal lets my site know the payment cleared and my site sends an email to the customer with login info. You can set the membership site up for the account to be active as long as you want. a day, few days, week, month, whatever.

What it means though is that if someone orders from your site and then passes the info on to others, they will only be able to download for as long as the account is active. To Download the file they will need the account and password the script setup for them. So, you can even check your logs once a day and if you see logins from many different ips for the same account, you know it is being abused. you can suspend the account and end it there. email the account holder if you want to, or just let it go. I'm sure this is probably a nonstandard way of dealing with this but it works well for me. I was selling a cd of files, using this method I was able to offer all the files on the cd for digital download, without worrying about the download link being given out.

It has been working great for me for several months now.

Click to expand...

Thanks Im gonna check that out.

shadysays said:

quickest easiest and cheapest way to protect a download page on a html site.

Click to expand...

Create a password protected directory using .htaccess you then manually send them the download instructions via email once they have paid.

Just type the following in to google:

savvypro said:

Create a password protected directory using .htaccess you then manually send them the download instructions via email once they have paid.

Just type the following in to google:

.htaccess password protected folder
​

Click to expand...

That is a simpler solution, but there is no protection if your password it shared. You also have to manually send the password each time someone pays. I went with the membership script because it takes the payment and sends a password automatically, and every customer is given a unique password that will expire in a given time.

GreyWolf said:

That is a simpler solution, but there is no protection if your password it shared. You also have to manually send the password each time someone pays. I went with the membership script because it takes the payment and sends a password automatically, and every customer is given a unique password that will expire in a given time.

Click to expand...

I can do that

astift777 said:

I suggest manually verifying each order and then sending out the emails your self. Create subdomains for each buyer where they will be able to download it. After 3 days, delete the subdomain.

The thing with automatic sending, if a person chargesback, or uses stolen info, you are SOL

Click to expand...

That comes down to an evaluation of each situation. In my case the time is more valuable. I might have an occassional chargeback ( I haven't yet but it could happen), but I haven't really had to do any work since setting it up. I love automating the process, the time I save is worth a lot more than the cost of an occassional chargeback. If the situation arose where the chargebacks were regular and frequent, then manually verifying would be the better idea.

GreyWolf said:

That comes down to an evaluation of each situation. In my case the time is more valuable. I might have an occassional chargeback ( I haven't yet but it could happen), but I haven't really had to do any work since setting it up. I love automating the process, the time I save is worth a lot more than the cost of an occassional chargeback. If the situation arose where the chargebacks were regular and frequent, then manually verifying would be the better idea.

Click to expand...

I agree. My ideal solution is that a customer pays, automatically a password is generated for them to enter a protected area.

Simple in theory and thats why I posted my original q

i use wordpress + wp-ecommerce with setting only 1 ip can download the item after payment.

I'm amazed noone mentioned e-junkie. Its the only piece of service you need. Its only $5/month and I'm sure there's a 180 days free trial coupon code somewhere.

Standard Toaster said:

I'm amazed noone mentioned e-junkie. Its the only piece of service you need. Its only $5/month and I'm sure there's a 180 days free trial coupon code somewhere.

Click to expand...

well e-junkie also in my mind, but the OP asking for free solution...

shadysays said:

I agree. My ideal solution is that a customer pays, automatically a password is generated for them to enter a protected area.

Simple in theory and thats why I posted my original q

Click to expand...

Were you able to check out the script I told you about yet? That's exactly how I have mine set up to work.

Sorry for bumping this thread. But I have some question for greywolf. I hope you receive my PM dude.

Anyways, please teach mo how you change the 'joining' the 'membership site' into 'purchasing' the 'files to download' and have you avail its service so that the "AD" that pops up on the header won't show up?

Or you decode it manually? Please share it to me. Thanks