Description
This plugin allows site admins to protect specific attachment file types (e.g. Pdf, Doc(x)) from direct access. Instead, the files are served through WordPress, allowing you to check if a user is logged in or has the required permissions before granting access.
Features:
* Adds a checkbox to media attachments to mark them as “Authorized only”.
* Creates an internal page and rewrite rules to intercept requests to protected file types.
* Checks user login status (or other custom logic you add) before serving files.
* Provides a settings page to specify which file types should be protected.
License
This plugin is licensed under GPLv2 or later.
Screenshots
Settings page where you define protected file types and user roles. 
Media modal showing the “Authorized only” checkbox.
Installation
- Upload the plugin files to
/wp-content/plugins/z-authorized-downloads/or install via the Plugins screen. - Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ screen.
- Go to Settings Authorized Downloads to set which file types should be protected and which roles can download protected files
- Mark attachments as “Authorized only” in the Media Library to restrict access.
- Optionally, override the default permitted roles per attachment in the Media Library.
FAQ
-
Yes. The plugin checks if the user is logged in by default, but you can extend
handle_protected_request()to add role checks or other conditions. -
What happens to unprotected files?
-
Files that are not marked as “Authorized only” will still be directly accessible by URL.
-
Do I need to manually edit .htaccess?
-
No. The plugin will manage the
.htaccessrules for you when you save settings. -
Do you have plans to improve the plugin?
-
We currently have on our roadmap:
* Make the plugin pluggable – adding hooks for certain checks.
* Adding a custom capability to manage which users can edit settings (both general and per file).
* Adding more translations.If you have a feature suggestion, send us an email at [email protected].
Reviews
There are no reviews for this plugin.
Contributors & Developers
“Zodan Authorized Downloads” is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin.
Contributors
“Zodan Authorized Downloads” has been translated into 1 locale. Thank you to the translators for their contributions.
Translate “Zodan Authorized Downloads” into your language.
Interested in development?
Browse the code, check out the SVN repository, or subscribe to the development log by RSS.
Changelog
1.2.7
- Fixed typo 🙄
1.2.6
- Renamed plugin to Zodan Authorized Downloads.
1.2.5
- Protected file are now visibly marked in the Media Library.
- Added download log.
1.2.4
- Updated sanitizing method for array of $_POST values to satisfy plugin check.
1.2.3
- Added help text on the settings page.
- Added some screenshots.
1.2.2
- Small adjustments to the rendering of the meta fields to have both versions (meta-box and modal) use the same code.
1.2.1
- Fixed Bug in handling the meta-box update function where changes were not saved correctly.
1.2.0
- Renamed plugin to Z Authorized Downloads.
- Added default Allowed roles to download files.
- Added file-specific Allowed roles to the media file meta-box.
1.1.1
- Added settings page for specifying protected file types.
- Improved security: uses WP_Filesystem for file reads.
- Added caching to database lookups for performance.
1.0.0
- Initial release with meta box and basic rewrite rules.