restricting folder access

folder access

[Zoet]

I have a website where I have a number of photo galleries. My galleries are viewed through a Flash gallery which makes it difficult to download the images. However, if someone is clever enough they could locate the folder where the images are located and if they know the image name they could still download the image by going directly to the image in the folder. I don't want anyone to be able to access the image folder(s).

Is there a way to restrict access to the image folder while still allowing the images to be used in the Flash gallery?

I've set up a .htaccess file to restrict directory listing which helps a little.

Thanks!

[jdMorgan]

If the 'gallery' software accesses the images directly in the server filesystem (by filename), rather than by using an HTTP request to access them by URL, then you can completely block all HTTP access to the image storage directories without any problems.

The easiest way to find out may just be to implement an HTTP restriction, and then test; If your 'gallery' still works, then leave the blocking code in.

.htaccess only affects HTTP access. It does not affect FTP or direct filesystem access.

Jim