In what ways can a PHP-based download management script be implemented to enhance security and prevent unauthorized sharing of digital products?

One way to enhance security and prevent unauthorized sharing of digital products in a PHP-based download management script is by implementing user authentication and authorization checks before allowing the download. This can be done by verifying the user's credentials and permissions against a database of authorized users before serving the download link.

// Check if user is authenticated and authorized to download the file
if($user_authenticated && $user_authorized) {
    // Serve the download link
    header("Location: http://example.com/downloads/file.zip");
    exit();
} else {
    // Redirect to a login page or display an error message
    header("Location: http://example.com/login.php");
    exit();
}