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My private files has a visible URL like the following: https://mywebsite.com/system/files/myimage.jpg.

How can I restrict access to the file, so it cannot be viewed directly from this URL but only from link on my website?

I have tried to use SESSION as follows.

$_SESSION['file-access'] = TRUE;
$output = theme('image_style', array('style_name' => 'foto_preview', 'path' => $uri));

Then I controlled in hook_file_download() if the SESSION key 'file-access' exists, but the session key never exists. The image I wish to display is the value of an image field. I cannot use $user because I wish to display private files also for anonymous users.

Can anybody help on how to restrict the direct access to a private file, but allow access from website?

EDIT 30.7.2013: my mistake, using sessios works OK, I had a mistake in another unrelated part of code. The problem is solved.

2 Answers 2

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You need to use private filesystem as shown in documentation. Then you can create custom module to implement more advanced rules, like link timeouts et cetera.

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  • I am using private filesystem. The problem is, how apply this system specifically for my situation. I have set my image field as private files and I am using hook_file_download. But how should I solve my problem? Link timeouts doesn't solve exactly the problem, there is still chance to use the timeout for unallowed visit. Jul 29, 2013 at 20:16
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You can do this similar with hot linking htaccess protection.

RewriteEngine on
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} !^$
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} !^http://(www\.)?mydomain.tld/.*$ [NC]
RewriteRule \.(gif|jpg)$ http://www.mydomain.tld/image_or_page_to_show_instead [R,L]

Just put your condition instead \.(gif|jpg)$

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  • 2
    +1, but it has to be pointed out that referer comes from the client and this protection is easily circumvented.
    – Letharion
    Jul 29, 2013 at 9:34
  • I can't understand what you are really trying to do. User can download file if only he visited any site page before? I can emulate this with curl, save session && cookies and then download file. So, what kind of profit you are wanna to reach. :) Jul 29, 2013 at 10:17
  • I tried to use session (as it is code snippet in question) but for an unknowned reason, I cannot get the session value in hook_file_download. The best solution for me to use the $_SESSION, if it works somehow. Jul 29, 2013 at 20:19
  • As pointed by Letharion, I am afraid, that skilled programmers can circumvent the restriction Jul 29, 2013 at 20:23
  • The sessions works in hook_file_download, I have mistake in other place in code. The solution is in code snippet in question. Aug 11, 2013 at 5:28

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