How To Protect Files Within WishList Member

So if you have a membership site and are using WishList Member, you might want to protect any and all downloads from being shared by members. You might also want to keep them from being viewed unless you’re logged in as a member. This is an issue I came across recently while working with a client.

The short answer is this: WishList Member currently has no way to do this for you (huge bummer). But, I’ve been told that they’re working on their own solution for this problem.

Until then, you can use one or a combination of these plugins to protect your membership files and downloads:

• Secure Files
• WordPress Download Monitor
• Drain Hole

Here’s my theory on this whole situation: chances are your members won’t share your material with their friends because they paid for it and wouldn’t think it’s fair to give someone free access to the information, when they’re paying out of pocket for it.

So if you want a more relaxed approach to protecting your membership files and downloads, do this:

• Add copyright and “do not share this information” notices to your material, along with consequences for if someone does share that material. Hopefully, that will scare them into compliance.
• Get an Amazon S3 account and upload all your members only files and downloads there. That way the only way someone can access your membership stuff is if they have your more complicated, secretive Amazon S3 URL.
  • Will using Amazon S3 for your files make them unsharable? No. But you’ll get the files off of free sites (YouTube, Vimeo, etc), and off of your own server (saving space and preserving site load speed).

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