Blocking spiders and search engines from downloading our service manuals files?

[ApplianceJunk]

When I open up our download section for guest to use I take it that spiders and such are also able to click the download button and I'm concerned that will increase our monthly band width usage. Is that correct?

I have put a daily limit of three downloads for guest and a wait time of two minutes between downloads, but is there anything I can do to keep spiders and such from downloading our files?

I want google and such to be able to view the download page yet, but just not download the .pdf files we have on them.

What do you think?

Thanks,

[ApplianceJunk]

Any thoughts on this?

Even though spiders can click on the download button do they really download a file to anyplace after that?

Is there any reason to even be concerned about spiders increasing our band width usage by them downloading our .pdf files?

If spiders can download our .pdf files from our download section how about adding a recaptcha or spam verification question that has to be filled in before the download works for guest?

[SMFHacks]

I wouldn't be worried about the bandwidth usage they should only hit the files one time to index them.

I could add some code from blocking to access that page as an option though.

[ApplianceJunk]

I don't want to block them all together from viewing the download page, so I will just keep a eye on it and see how it goes.
If they only hit it once I guess it could be a good thing for use if we end up getting a few more URL's indexed by it.

Having to purchase more bandwidth would not be the worst thing in the world either.

One of our affiliates we work with wanted us to open our downloads so you did not have to register to download a single service manual or two so I'm giving it a try.

We did not have as many new members register yesterday for our site and I believe this is because we opened up our downloads to guest like our affiliate wanted, but we had a great day for selling parts.

Thanks for the reply.

[SMFHacks]

Made an update that may help
2.1.1
+Added setting to deny access to search engines to download file to prevent indexing/resource usage.
+Added setting for basic hotlink protection

[ApplianceJunk]

Made an update that may help
2.1.1
+Added setting to deny access to search engines to download file to prevent indexing/resource usage.
+Added setting for basic hotlink protection

Awesome, Thanks!
I'm currently using 2.0.4.
Do I need to uninstall it first?

[SMFHacks]

I suggest an uninstall  if possible when going to 2.1 since a new tab is added in the Admin.php file

[ApplianceJunk]

I suggest an uninstall  if possible when going to 2.1 since a new tab is added in the Admin.php file

Ok, I just tried to but was shown all these failed.

Hope I don't have to do a lot of manual editing...

[SMFHacks]

I would skip that part then just install over the top and make the changes to Admin.php if they are not down yet.

[ApplianceJunk]

I would skip that part then just install over the top and make the changes to Admin.php if they are not down yet.

Ok, so when you say 'skip that part' you mean do not uninstall 2.0.4, just upload and install 2.1.1

Thanks,

[SMFHacks]

Yes just install the latest version.