php - Generate unique URL for each customer downloading the same file -
i need deliver file example.com/realpathofthe/file.zip to customers don't want communicate same url customers (they share url non-customers, , difficult track if product delivered or not). instead, i'm generating random string in php , want share such url: example.com/download/djbf6xu83/file.zip which different each customer. question: should generate symlinks each customer link random string path path of actual file on server? or use rewriterule in .htaccess this? if done way (ie rewrite /download/*/file.zip actual file), all random strings link same file. not because non customer generate download link himself. how handle correctly? note: i'd avoid if possible php has process gigabytes of files data (through file_get_contents() ) before delivering it. thought (please correct me if i'm wrong) lighter server let apache distribute file. there can many ways approach problem. here's suggest. make file, /download.php , pass in download code ...