Throttling users (bots) who download hundreds of files

[yeverett]

Hi

Most of my users are humans who download a few files of interest. But I also get those (some of whom I know are human! not all bots) who systematically download every single file on my website.

I have just put a recaptcha on the download to try stop the bots. I am also going to add Blackhole for Bad Bots.

I don’t have a membership site, so am wondering if Simple Download Monitor has a “throttle” which would limit the number of files an ip address can download in a day (or similar time period) to slow down the humans who do the wrong thing. I know they can just use a VPN to change IP, but a throttle will still impose some friction.

Alternative is to use the squeeze form add-on (which I bought a couple of years ago) and email people their downloads. Or make a membership site. But I thought I’d ask if you have a way of throttling downloads first.

Thanks for a great plugin

[admin]

Hi, Currently, using CAPTCHA is the most effective bot protection method available in the plugin.

If you want to further restrict downloads to human users and block or ban abusive accounts, the most reliable approach is to combine CAPTCHA with a membership system and use the Enhanced File Protection Feature.

Restricting Download Access to Members Using WP eMember Plugin

Restricting Download Access to Members Using Simple Membership Plugin

Relying on IP-based blocking is not ideal in this context, as it can be easily bypassed by human users.

[Author]

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