Is this possible? Script for tagging files on download..

[ladymalice]

Let me first say, I'm not a coder. I made it through my CS111 class by a hair, and realized that graphic design was The Way To Go I haven't the slightest clue if this is the appropriate forum for what I'm asking about, I just made an uneducated guess

I run a website that provides access to files that are modifications for a computer game. Unfortunately, I have a number of users that are downloading the content and redistributing them on other websites and forums without my permission, making my website, well, moot. I've been unsuccessful trying to isolate the specific users--and I haven't been able to get anything done by going through other channels, such as contacting ISPs and webhosts, etc.. so I'm wondering if something along these lines would be possible:

I'd like to be able to tag or somehow ID files that are downloaded with the username of the downloader (contained in the .htaccess file). It would need to be undetectable by the downloader. There would also need to be a (preferably seperate) function that would allow me to read the IDs of tagged files, so that when I receive "shared" files from my site, I can determine which user downloaded and then shared them.

I don't know what language the game was coded in, although I can provide you a sample of the files I'm distributing if that is helpful at all:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=3673UA36

It is a .package file, unique to the game, which contains BMP files that are made to wrap around 3d meshes. I distribute the files in zip format, of necessity because of their size, and for the fact that often more than one file is included in the download.

The most logical method (in my layman's mind) to track the downloader would be to assign each authenticated user a unique ID, and attach that ID to each file that they download.

Again, I don't know if this is even a remote possibility.. so let me know if it is, or if this is all crazy talk.

I appreciate any responses.

[Mr. Tech]

Welcome ladymalice.

This sure does sound complicated... I'm not sure if it's possible...

So you basically want to detect whether a user downloads your file and then uploads it to another wbsite for download?

Is that correct?

[ladymalice]

Well, more or less.
I'm aware of forum where the files are being shared. Unfortunately, all of the members are very careful at concealing their identities--therefore I have no way to link them to the members of my site.
If there was a way to somehow tag or ID the file with the member's username, or with a serial number unique to the member, I'd know who originally downloaded it when it comes back down the pipe, so to speak.

[Mr. Tech]

Ok, there may be a way... What file type is the game modifcations that contain the "main" modifications? .exe? .bat? etc etc

I need to know what we are working with here.

[ladymalice]

I'm not entirely sure I'm understanding your question.
Are you asking what the file extension is of the mod files that are being downloaded from my site, or... ?

The mod files are "*.package" files.. they're proprietary to The Sims 2, which is the game I'm modding. Each package contains 3 BMP files, they are imported/exported via an *.exe .... I have a feeling I'm not answering the question you asked, so help me out here

[Mr. Tech]

Hmmm... that's not good...

The only way I can think of how you would do this would be to add the downloaders ID to the download. You would have to do it on the fly because each ID is different.

You would have to hide the ID so it is not easily picked up. Then when you download the package from another website, you would then uncover the ID to match it with the one on your website.

How do you do this? I have no idea.

I suggest however you check out these forums: http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/

I'm sure there will be atleast somewhere there that will help you with doing what I mentioned above.

Sorry I can't help any further. Good luck

[ladymalice]

Thanks for taking the time to think it over