Plugin info
Maintenance & Compatibility
Maintenance score
Actively maintained • Last updated 57 days ago
Is Z Authorized Downloads abandoned?
Likely maintained (last update 57 days ago).
Compatibility
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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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Files that are not marked as “Authorized only” will still be directly accessible by URL.
No. The plugin will manage the .htaccess rules for you when you save settings.
We currently have on our roadmap:
* Adding information to the media overview screen.
* Make the plugin pluggable.
* 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].
Review feed
Screenshots
Settings page where you define protected file types and user roles.
Media modal showing the "Authorized only" checkbox.
Changelog
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.