❓ What's the difference between file protection and password protection?

File protection (PDA) secures actual files in your Media Library from direct URL access.
Password protection (like PPWP) protects pages/posts content. For complete security, many sites use both.

❓ Will this break my existing content?

No! PDA's Smart URL Replacement automatically updates all embedded file links across your site.
Your content continues working seamlessly while files become protected.

❓ What about caching plugins?

PDA works with all major caching plugins.
Protected files bypass cache automatically while your pages stay fast.

❓ Can I protect files already on my site?

Yes! PDA works with existing files.
Just click protect and all embedded links update automatically.
You can also bulk protect hundreds of files at once.

❓ Does it work with page builders?

Absolutely! The automatic URL replacement works with Elementor, Divi, Beaver Builder, and all other builders.
No manual updates needed.

❓ What happens if I deactivate the plugin?

We include a safe deactivation process that can restore original URLs if needed.
Your files won't disappear, but they'll no longer be protected.

❓ Is there a file size limit?

No limits!
Protect tiny images or massive video files. PDA handles all file sizes efficiently.

❓ How is support?

Exceptional!
With 286+ five-star reviews, our support is consistently praised.
Free users get WordPress.org forum support, Gold users get priority email support.

2.8.8.3 Apr 23, 2025

• [Improvement] Security: Restrict REST API access to file protection endpoints to admin users only.

2.8.8.2 Feb 26, 2025

• [Bugfix] Resolved the developer tool alert issue for page builders.

2.8.8.1 Feb 17, 2025

• [Bugfix] Fixed an issue with shortcut blocking and detection in developer tools prevention.
• [Improvement] Enhanced security measures for generating unique strings.

2.8.8 Jan 28, 2025

• [Improvement] Added customizable right-click alert with tooltip message.
• [Improvement] Enhanced developer tools prevention with shortcut blocking and detection.

2.8.7 July 01, 2024

• [Bug Fix] Resolved issues with Protection and Unprotection links for custom upload directories without year-month paths.

2.8.6.1 May 15, 2024

• [Bugfix] Code improvements and optimizations

2.8.6 May 13, 2024

• [Bugfix] Fixed Callback permission in rest api

2.8.5 September 11, 2023

• [Improvement] Comprehensive code comment documentation has been added
• [Improvement] Added text domains for strings in places where they were previously missing
• [Improvement] Removed unnecessary commented-out code, ensuring a cleaner and more efficient codebase
• [Improvement] The settings page sidebar has been revised to provide users with updated information and a helpful guide

2.8.4 April 07, 2023

• [Fix] Free plugin not working if we have install premium plugin and activate the license and then deactivate the premium plugin

2.8.3 Dec 16, 2022

• [Improvement] Disable right-clicks on iFrames
• [Improvement] Show error messages when protecting deleted files
• [Improvement] Show confirmation messages when protect/unprotect files under Media Library Grid View

2.8.2 August 25, 2022

• [Improvement] Show alert messages when right-clicking on web pages
• [Improvement] Disable more keyboard shortcuts
• [Fix] Allow text input on Safari when disabling right-clicks

2.8.1 Jun 12, 2022

• [New Feature] Restrict media files access to file’s authors only
• [Improvement] Show warning messages on multisites
• [Fix] Show non-latin characters in protected file names

2.8.0 April 20, 2022

• [Improvement] Disable text selection and image drag-and-drop features
• [Improvement] Disable content copy functions
• [Improvement] Display alert message on mouse right click

2.7.10 February 9, 2021

• [Refactoring] Secure input and output data
• [Refactoring] Update Settings UI using WordPress built-in jQuery libraries

2.7.9 Jan 28, 2022

• [New Feature] Provide an settings option to prevent right-clicking on all pages
• [Improvement] Remove “Invite & Earn” submenu & UTM tags on the plugin author URI

2.7.8 December 6, 2021

• Allow admins to access protected files whose FAP are “the file’s author” via a hook
• Display success & error messages when saving IP Restriction settings

2.7.7 October 5, 2021

• Allow protecting unlimited files with PDA Lite plugin
• Improve UI: Remove disabled options

2.7.6 August 13, 2021

• Update embedded documentation links in UI settings
• Test compatibility with WordPress 5.8
• Update GetResponse API 3.0

2.7.5 June 16, 2021

• Provide hook to display PDF thumbnails in the Media Library
• Fix error PHP log when updating a new PDA version

2.7.4 April 7, 2021

• Show rewrite rules for IIS users
• Improve UI: Hide PDA Gold features in the settings page
• Remove error log
• Show Configure pop-up under Media Library for all servers

2.7.3 February 10, 2021

• Improve UI on settings page and show rewrite rules for Nginx users
• Allow users to protect files under Media Library Grid View

2.7.2 December 18, 2020

• Allow admin users to access protected files

2.7.1 August 24, 2020

• Fix PHP notices with WP 5.5

2.7.0 June 16, 2020

• PDA Gold requires PDA Lite
• Un-protecting files don't update _pda_protection value
• Remove unused files & folders
• Hide "upgrade to PDA Gold" notice if PDA Gold is active
• Change the domain of translation
• Do not support in multisite mode

2.6.0 April 3, 2020

• Improve UI: compatible with WordPress 5.3
• Allow the file's author to access protected file by default

2.5.1.2 February 5, 2020

• Improve UI: hide Like Plugin column in the settings page

2.5.1.1 November 16, 2019

• Fix add_submenu_page PHP notice issue

2.5.1 November 7, 2019

• Add feature "Prevent Image Hotlinking"
• Prevent Google Indexing for private links
• Fix file access permission when filename contains size

2.5.0.4 October 4, 2019

• Improve UI under settings page

2.5.0.3 August 9, 2019

• Update switch button under settings page
• Show notification when saving settings successfully

2.5.0.2 May 16, 2019

• Fix get lucky button

2.5.0.1 December 04, 2018

• Fix typo

2.5.0 November 18, 2018

• Revamp UI

2.4.0.1 August 10, 2018

• Hot fix [] array declaration cannot work under PHP version < 5.4

2.4.0 June 14, 2018

• Fix cannot remove rewrite rules when deactivate plugin

2.3.9 Tue, April 17, 2018

• Fix "This plugin is not properly prepared for localization"

2.3.8 Thu, April 12, 2018

• Apply localisation

2.3.7 Wed, February 28, 2018

• Test WordPress 4.9.4

2.3.6 Wed, January 31, 2018

• Fix undefined index when get option FREE_PDA_SETTINGS

2.3.5 Fri, January 26, 2018

• Improve UI for settings page

2.3.4 Tue, January 23, 2018

• Improve UI on settings page by revamping checkbox option
• Integrate stop image hotlinking feature
• Show information in order to know whether the file is protected

2.3.3 Mon, January 8, 2018

• Revamp settings page

2.3.2 Wed, November 15, 2017

• Fix wp::prepare warning messages when using in WordPress version 4.8.3.

2.3.1: Sat, November 4, 2017

• Add warning messages when users are using a deprecated wp api plugin.

2.3: Thu, August 17, 2017

• Protect files from search engine's index

2.2: Wed, June 14, 2017

• Add settings page

2.1.5: Thu, June 1, 2017

• Notify users to upgrade to Gold version
• Update plugin's data after users remove media files

2.1.4: Mon, May 22, 2017

• Change the way to get non-protected URL
• Redirect to default 404 page if the file is protected
• Support websites hosted on WP Engine

2.1.3: February 25, 2017

• Tweak: Change the plugin's logic to cater for those files that couldn't be found in the _postmeta table

2.1.2

• Fix Twitter, Google Plus and Facebook open graph issue

2.1.1

• Fix .htaccess rules to recognize the special characters
• Find in _postmeta table in case of cropped images via wordpress

🚀 Get Started in 60 Seconds Quick Start Guide: 1️⃣ Install - Search "Prevent Direct Access" in WordPress plugins
2️⃣ Activate - Go to Media Library and switch to List View
3️⃣ Protect - Click "Configure file protection" on any file
4️⃣ Share - Copy the private link and share securely

First Steps After Installation: - ✅ Protect your most sensitive file as a test - ✅ Set up custom 403 redirect page
- ✅ Enable hotlink protection - ✅ Configure IP restrictions if needed - ✅ Test the private download link

Pro Tip: Start by protecting a single file to see the magic, then use bulk operations or folder protection (Gold) to secure everything at once.

Once you have installed the plugin, click Activate



Go to Media to protect your files. Prevent Direct Access works best on List View.



There’s an extra column called "Prevent Direct Access" auto-generated by our plugin. Click on "Configure file protection" and start protecting your private file.



Click on "Protect this file" button to make the file private.



The file is now "protected". Its File Access Permission is set to "The file's author", which means it's accessible to the file's author only. Other users are able to access your protected file using a private download link.



You can also protect your file under Media Grid View.



There’s an extra “Prevent Direct Access” option generated by our plugin under Attachment Details. Check the “Protect this file” box to protect your file.



Once your file is protected, it’ll have a red border.