Restricting File Downloads

Hello zanni,

You mean restriction by an Emerald rule? External files only?
If you "re-link" such files and create a parsable URL "inside" Joomla. Yes.

There are many ways to handle external URLs/file, depends on the amount, use case and level of protection...

Restrict access, but no hidden original URL

• Joomla Articles with simple links in content. (restricted access to "container" only)
• Joomla! MenuItem of type "external URL" (Restrict access to &ItemID)
• Joomla! Articles "Images & Links" (allows up to 3 URLs per article)
• Cobalt CCK has special fields for Access and also for URLs. The latter could be used to attach multiple URLs.
• Joomla core "WebLinks" component is not bad for managing links incl. categories.
  (real URL hidden on first sight and hover, but easy to see on/after download)

Restrict, hide AND protect the original URL:

If you have many files and want to mix local and external files...

• Use any popular 3rd-party downloads extension. Free or commercial. Please, check for external-URL feature and link protection!
• Cobalt CCK uploads field (no external file support!)

zanni Is there any way to restrict the the downlad of file from an external URL?

No, that is not possible. Because emerald check code will not be triggered by that link.

zanni Or perhaps restrict the menu that the file is linked to or do I need a third party component to download through?

Yes. You may create menu element available only for custom access level. And you may move users to that access level on success purchase.

But if we are ok with just hiding a link, then you can use Restrict Anything technique to hide any links even inside any content.

pepperstreet Cobalt CCK uploads field (no external file support!)

Why not? You can use URL field and set none direct link so it will only go through index.php of Joomla. And then you can restrict it.

Actualy redirect link have to create local link and then redirect to external.