This site utilizes JavaScript to function correctly. Looks like it's disabled on your browser. Please enable it for your best experience.

For instructions on enabling JavaScript, click here

Skip to main content

Just Host Web Hosting Help

Hotlink Protection

Summary

You can use the .htaccess file to enable HotLink Protection on your site. This will prevent people from linking to your images.
Note: You can also enable hotlink protection through the cPanel interface, or with mod_rewrite.

Apache has a built-in method for protecting images within directories from prying eyes, using the .htaccess file.

When your browser sends a request for an image, it usually also sends the URL of the page that linked to that image. The following .htaccess file causes the server to check this URL ("Referer" in the following snippet) and, if it is one of the authorized URLs that you specify, it will set an internal flag called "locally_linked". This internal flag is technically called an "environmental variable". If the URL sent is not in this list of authorized URLs, the flag (or ev) is not set. Note that we also set the "locally_linked" variable if the browser does not send any URL at all: this occurs when the visitor accesses your site using a browser or a proxy that suppresses the referring URL.

The web server then checks if the file requested has an extension in the list given below (gif, png, jpg and jpeg). If so, and the "locally_linked" variable is set, it will send the image. Otherwise, an error will be sent. If this is too complex, then you can use the Hotlink manager or the Password Protect icon in the cpanel.

SetEnvIfNoCase Referer    "^http://www.example.com/" locally_linked=1
            SetEnvIfNoCase Referer "^http://www.example.com$" locally_linked=1
            SetEnvIfNoCase Referer "^http://example.com/" locally_linked=1
            SetEnvIfNoCase Referer "^http://example.com$" locally_linked=1
            SetEnvIfNoCase Referer "^$" locally_linked=1
            <FilesMatch ".(gif|png|jpe?g)$">
              Order Allow,Deny
              Allow from env=locally_linked
            </FilesMatch>
Knowledgebase Article 171,747 views bookmark tags: hotlink htaccess protection


Was this resource helpful?

Did this resolve your issue?


Please add any other comments or suggestions about this content:





Recommended Help Content

How can I protect the images on my website?
Knowledgebase Article 290,033 views tags: click code image images javascript protect save saving script tips tricks

Preventing bandwidth theft using the mod rewrite engine and .htaccess
Knowledgebase Article 206,947 views tags: htaccess rewrite

How do I password protect a folder on my website?
Knowledgebase Article 313,227 views tags: folder password protect

Related Help Content

How do I setup Hotlink Protection?
Knowledgebase Article 203,165 views tags: link protection

Why don't my images display on my site?
Knowledgebase Article 253,417 views tags: display image images link site website

This article will show a way to protect specific pages of your website with SSL. This may have benefits for SEO and can be used on pages that contain forms, shopping carts or any other page where users might enter sensitive information.
Knowledgebase Article 119,639 views tags: htaccess pages specific ssl

What should I do if I am having problems with multiple password prompts on my password protected directory?
Knowledgebase Article 241,168 views tags: folder password protect

What is the .htaccess file and where can I find more information?
Knowledgebase Article 2,081,099 views tags: htaccess tips tricks

How do I make a sub directory (or sub folder) act as the public_html for your main domain?
Knowledgebase Article 1,095,449 views tags: Drupal domain htaccess joomla wordpress

How do I Password Protect a single file on my website?
Knowledgebase Article 286,297 views tags: file passwd password prompt protect secure single

Explains how to edit the .htaccess
Knowledgebase Article 365,561 views tags: htaccess

** Google ad credits are only available to customers in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom at this time.

¹ VAT (Value Added Tax) is not included in our advertised price and will be charged separately and itemized on invoices and billing information. Standard VAT rates based on EU Member State regulations may apply. Learn more.