Download Counter with PHP and htaccess

[CalypsoClub]

Hi folks,

I want to install some sort of a download security system including a download counter. Whenever someone requests a file from the downloads directory I want it to redirected via htaccess to a php script. This script is supposed to redirect directly to the requested file and increment the download counter. I also want to check the referrer if it comes from my domain or if someone is hotlinking the files.

How can I do something like that? Or would that result in an infinite loop?

The download counting is no problem I just need help with the htaccess redirect.

Thanks!

[piz]

If you don't redirect to the file with the script, it won't result in an infinite loop.

I just pasted a script here a week or two ago to do something like this:

<?php

    // place here your code to count the downloads, for example:
    $conn = @mysql_connect("localhost", "user", "pw");
    @mysql_select_db("database", $conn);
    @mysql_query("UPDATE downloadConterTable SET downloads = downloads + 1");

    // Setting MIME-type, for example a zip
    header('Content-type: application/zip');
    // header('Content-type: audio/mpegurl');
    // header('Content-type: audio/x-mpegurl');
    // header('Content-type: m3u/text');
    // Setting Name of download
    // header('Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="playlist.m3u"');
    header('Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="test.zip"');

    // ouput file content
    readfile('original_file.zip');
?>

A list of some Mimetypes can be found here:

http://www.phpfreaks.com/mimetypes.php

Saludo
piz

[CalypsoClub]

Thanks for your answer! This will help me.

But I still have a problem...

I need help with the .htacces file itself, so that it redirects to the php file.

I want to have something like this (pseudo code)

rewrite /downloads/{filename} /downloads/download.php?file={filename}

I would be nice if someone could provide me with something like that or help writing one.

Cheers!

[piz]

mod_rewrite has to be installed on your apache and running.

.htaccess:
======================
RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule /downloads/([^/\?]*) /downloads/download.php?file=$1
======================

should work - not tested.

[CalypsoClub]

Thanks again, but still another thing...

Can I do the same also with mod_alias?
And how would that look like?

Thanks!

[piz]

Sure, but I never used mod_alias...
It should be something like this:

AliasMatch /downloads/(.*) /downloads/download.php?file=$1

[CalypsoClub]

Thanks for all your replies, but there'sstill a problem. I always get a Forbidden 403 message, when I try t access the directory.

phpinfo() tells me mod_rewrite is compiled, so i guess it should work, right? I added "RewriteEngine on" (without quotes) to the .htaccess file, but it still doesn't work.

Is it a common problem? Can I fix it, or do I have to speak with my hoster?

Thanks in advance!

Cheers

[piz]

Is it a common problem?

Yes, it is.
But don't ask me where the problem is...

Can I fix it, or do I have to speak with my hoster?

yes, you've to contact your hoster.

Greetz
piz