Restricting Access

[PSLoh]

Hi,

I am some files (.doc, .xls, .zip) on my website that I only want a group of people from reading. I tried user validation with a database, but if a public user knows the exact URL of the file, he will be able to download it.

I tried using .htaccess, but failed. Are there any other ways to do this if my server is a WINDOWS Server?

Thanks
PS