Password Protection

Is it something I can do myself, or should I buy off the shelf?

[CromeYellow]

Hi

I initially posted this question over in
New to Web development [webmasterworld.com].

I have revised my thinking a little after the replies from Lorax there.

Basically, I want to provide an audio download that people pay for. I obviously don't want other sites to be able to link to the download and provide it for free.

I am guessing that the way to do it is to put the download URL within a password protected area.

I will then need to deliver a username and password to my customer on purchase.

I am thinking of using this [illmatic.net]off-the-shelf solution for it.

Does this seem like the way to go, or would you recommend I use one of the free scripts available?

I have reasonable technical ability, but no experience of programming in these languages.

Opinions warmly welcomed. :)

Cheers

Cy

P.S. While I'm here, does anyone know how I could 'package' the download so that it asks for a password before running for the first time?

[DrDoc]

Before answering your main question - Do you want them to have individual usernames and passwords? Does the user get to pick his/her own username/password?

One easy way to "package" the file is using WinZip, and password protect the file.

[CromeYellow]

Thanks for the reply DrDoc.

Customers need to have unique usernames and passwords, but don't really need to be able to choose their own, as in the majority of cases they will only use them once to download the file.

And nice one re: Winzip - that sounds easy!

Cheers

Cy

[Lisa]

CromeYellow,
Securing websites audio streams is rather simple. What platform and scripting languages are you using?

Just setup a database with usernames and passwords (you may want to encript passwords).

Then have a program like php or perl interface with the client. Then if the program authenicates your user you just set the content-type to your audio type and begin dumping the file to the user.

[CromeYellow]

Phew Lisa!

Thanks for the reply, but I suspect my lack of understanding of it is why I was looking for an 'off the shelf' solution!

Maybe I should get someone to do it for me.

Cy

[Marcia]

If it's a real hassle you could use a third party provider that specializes in downloadables. A key is generated the same as for software and sent to the customer, who first pays the provider, with the vendor getting paid from them at regular intervals. They handle all of that including the financial transaction, so no merchant account is needed. It can be cost-effective to a point when it reaches a certain amount of volume.

[CromeYellow]

Thanks Marcia - I'll consider that option too.

Cy

[lorax]

Actually CY Marcia's suggestion is probably your best bet IMHO. Not only would it meet the immediate need on all fronts (packaging, fulfillment, and payment) but would also buy you time to learn a programming language or to at least do research for a next-level solution. And if/when your sales volume exceeds the worth of using such a service you'll be ready to move.

[CromeYellow]

Of course! I can use a different payment processor on the same site for the downloadables. Doh! Could't see the wood for the trees.

Cheers

Cy

[Marcia]

Hang in CY, I'll go hunt up a free solution that might work

OK. this is 100% free and widely reputable or I wouldn't post it here. Mal's Ecommerce [mals-e.com] has something for downloadables that might or might not work for you. It handles the shopping cart purchase, payment transaction and password database, remotely hosted on his server, but it has to be with your own transaction provider.

You might just get another idea about the process itself, if nothing else. I actually just found out he has this for downloadables; I use another of the systems there for budget sites for the shopping cart for products and it works just fine for that.

Run a differential cost analysis of the different options available; once $$ starts to come in you can alway upgrade to a custom solution if necessary.

[CromeYellow]

Nice one Marcia

I'm nipping over to Mal's as I type to see what he's got on offer. Thanks a lot. :)

Cy