Yes, all files are protected from theft that are attached to the Download products. Whenever a file is uploaded to a Download product, it will automatically be placed in a special folder on your server that is protected via a . htaccess file. This will also prevent a web browser from viewing ad visiting the folder that holds your files.

How does the download work?

Easy Digital Downloads has permission to access the file and also knows the location. Then the customer receives a download link that goes to a special URL that will determine if the file can be accessed at all or fetching it and sending it to the browser, etc. 

What about if it’s hosted someplace like Dropbox or Amazon?

Easy Digital Downloads will keep these files safe as well. It uses the same method as above. 

What if my server isn’t using Apache?

The files that use the Apache server are protected by default. If you are running something else on the server then will need to take a look at protecting them through another means.

What about images and audio files?

Audio (MP3/OGG) and image files are two exceptions to the “protected” rule. These files are left unprotected so that the visitors get to view the original pictures and audio you have uploaded. 

So if you are selling image or audio files, they will not be protected. To make sure these files are protected you need to compress these files into a .zip file and upload these files again.