Configure Joomla Restrict Files / Folders / Media Access Plugin

Overview

The miniOrange Joomla Media Restriction Plugin helps you protect media files and folders on your Joomla site. You can restrict access to any file type or custom folder/subfolder based on user login status, user groups, purchased memberships, or custom rules. The plugin supports Apache, Nginx, and other servers. It also prevents your files (like eBooks, PDFs, and other important documents) from being indexed by Google, keeping your content secure and protected from unauthorized access or downloads.

Configuration Steps

Step 1: Setup Joomla Media Restriction Plugin

• Download the zip file for the miniOrange Media Restriction plugin for Joomla from the link here.
• Login into your Joomla site’s Administrator console.
• From left toggle menu, click on System, then under Install section click on Extensions.

• Here click on Browse for file button to locate and install the plugin file downloaded earlier.

• Once Installation of plugin is successful. Now click on Start Using miniOrange Media Restriction plugin.

Step 2: File Restriction

• Navigate to the Settings tab and enable the Enable Media Restriction option.
• Now write the file extension in the File types to restrict the field which you want to restrict on your website
• You can enter the folder name which you want to restrict from access in Enter the folder name field. We have already restricted images folder.
• There are multiple options for restricting the folder. Select any one of the following options:

403 Forbidden page:

• If this option is selected and the user tries to access a restricted file or folder. Then they will be redirected to a 403 forbidden page.

Joomla Frontend Login:

• If the Joomla Frontend Login page option is selected, then the non-logged in users will be redirected to the Joomla Frontend Login page whenever they try to access a restricted file or folder and after successful login they can access the file or folder.

Joomla Backend Login:

• If the Joomla Backend Login page option is selected, then the non-logged in users will be redirected to the Joomla Backend Login page whenever they try to access a restricted file or folder and after successful login they can access the file or folder.

Custom URL:

• If the Custom URL option is selected, then the non-logged in users will be redirected to the Custom URL page whenever they try to access a restricted file or folder. You need to add the Custom URL to where you want to redirect the users.

SSO URL:

• You can use this option only when you have miniOrange SAML SP or miniOrange OAuth Client plugin installed on your site. If the SSO URL option is selected, then the non-logged in users will be redirected to the SSO URL page whenever they try to access any restricted file or folder. You will get the SSO URL in our SAML SP or OAuth Client plugin. After successful authentication users will be able to access restricted files or folders.

• Click the Save Settings button.

Step 3: Role Based Folder Restriction

• Navigate to the Advance Settings tab and enable the Enable Role Based Media Restriction option.
• Now enter the folder names for a particular role which you want to restrict to a particular folder for a particular role.
• Click the Save Settings button.

• Now, click on Show Rules button.

• Update rules using either Apache or NGINX according to your server.

Apache:

• If you have a .htaccess file and don’t want to update the file manually then click on Write rules in .htaccess directly button.

• If you don’t have a .htaccess file on your server, then you can click on Yes button to create a file with those rules.

NGINX:

• Copy the code and add it in your nginx config file.

If you face any issues or if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at joomlasupport@xecurify.com. In case you want some additional features to be included in the Plugin, please get in touch with us, and we can get that custom-made for you. Also, If you want, we can also schedule an online meeting to help you configure the Joomla Media Restriction Plugin.