How can PHP scripts be used to hide direct download links and restrict access to downloads only to authorized customers?

To hide direct download links and restrict access to downloads only to authorized customers, you can use PHP scripts to generate temporary download links that expire after a certain period of time or after a certain number of downloads. This way, unauthorized users won't be able to access the files directly, and only authorized customers with the generated links can download the files. 

<?php
// Check if user is authorized to download the file
if($user_is_authorized) {
    // Generate a unique token for the download link
    $token = md5(uniqid(rand(), true));
    
    // Set the expiration time for the download link (e.g. 1 hour)
    $expiration_time = time() + 3600;
    
    // Save the token and expiration time in a database or session
    $_SESSION['download_token'] = $token;
    $_SESSION['expiration_time'] = $expiration_time;
    
    // Generate the download link with the token
    $download_link = "http://example.com/download.php?token=$token";
    
    echo "Download link: <a href='$download_link'>Click here</a>";
} else {
    echo "You are not authorized to download this file.";
}
?>

Keywords

PHP direct download links restrict access authorized customers file permissions

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