Download problem

I have a load of zip files downloads at a certain web address.

i.e. http://www.yourdomain.com/download/...ad2/zipfile.zip

The files are available for download only if people sign up. However if they enter the address correctly then they can directly download the files without having to sign up. I do not allow directory browsing.

Using Win 2k adv server and iis 5.

what is the best way to stop people directly downloading, they have to be signed up first.

I don't know if this is the magic bullet everyone use to solve your problem, but if I would need to solve this problem for myself I would put the files outside the filestructure that is accessible over the web:

c:\wwwroot - your webcontent (shared through browser)
c:\ftproot - your FTP (shared through FTP)
d:\files - your "secret" files (not accessible over the internet)

Then you use your favourite script language like php, python, jsp, perl, CobolScript or whatever. I think even asp can handle this. And use this to create the file access and validate user precedure. Since these scripts are executed locally, they can access the catalog d:\files but no external progam can get to that directory.
This makes it impossible to access your files without going through your validation... Well, except actually hacking the server of course.

Simple and secure...

/Fjodor

Very Simple and very secure - now why didnt i think of that?

Thank you for all your help

You're welcome.

The simple things are the first to escape when trying to solve a problem.

/Fjodor