how to limiting downloading file system via browser only through my web application

Question

I need the best way to prevent any access to doc files when it is not my web application, for example, I need some files to be hidden from search engines or public users and only private users may reach and download them.

I would like to save the files in the file system and not in the DB in order not to increase the DB usage.

Answer 1

You can store your files in the file system, in a directory that cannot be accessed through an URL (such as a sibling of your root web directory). This will prevent direct access.

Then, write a PHP script which, when queried for a given file, will check whether the user can access that file, and send it with readfile (along with header for the content type and content disposition).