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BBA Secure File Downloads icon
Actively maintained Tested up to 7.0.7 #74 in downloads

BBA Secure File Downloads

Serve Media Library files through a controlled download endpoint, and place download buttons anywhere with a shortcode.

Active installs<10New
Downloads · 30d140▲ +89.2% vs prev. 30d
Rating—0 reviews
Health score59/100Fair
All-time downloads838Since Mar 2026
Support resolved—No recent threads
RequiresWP 5.8PHP 7.4+
Downloads · 7d70▲ 3.5× week over week
Our verdict

Use with caution

BBA Secure File Downloads works, but test it on a staging site before relying on it in 2026. Was last updated 1 week ago, and scores 59/100 on our health check.

  • Actively developed — last update 1 week ago
  • Small user base (<10 active installs)
  • Very few reviews so far

How does it stack up?

Side-by-side on installs, updates, ratings & support

Daily downloads

102131Jul 10Aug 23Oct 7
Yesterday6
Daily average (1y)4
Peak day43Mar 7, 2026
Last 12 months839

Download spikes usually follow a new release — each site that auto-updates counts as a download.

Rankings

Where BBA Secure File Downloads stands today

WordPress.org search rankings

Live position in the plugin search, top 100
KeywordPositionCompeting pluginsCategory
downloads >100 10,000 Best downloads plugins →
file download >100 10,000 Best file download plugins →
media library >100 5,455 Best media library plugins →
secure download >100 3,037 Best secure download plugins →
shortcode >100 10,000 Best shortcode plugins →

About BBA Secure File Downloads

From the official readme · v1.0.10

Description

BBA Secure File Downloads lets you select files from the Media Library and generate a stable File ID for each file. Then you can place a download button anywhere using:

[bbasfd_download id=”FILE_ID”]

The download is served through a controlled endpoint instead of exposing the direct file URL.

Looking for the PRO version?
https://bigbad.agency/plugins/secure-file-downloads/

Usage

Shortcode:
* [bbasfd_download id=”FILE_ID”]
Optional:
* text=”Get the free plugin”
* class=”my-css-class”

Installation

  1. Upload the plugin folder to /wp-content/plugins/ or install via Plugins.
  2. Activate the plugin.
  3. Go to Secure Downloads -> Files and add your files.
  4. Copy the shortcode and paste it into a page/post.

Frequently asked questions

How many secure files can I create on the free version?

Unlimited. The free version does not cap the number of secure File IDs you can create. PRO does not “unlock more files” – instead it adds analytics (who downloaded what, and when), per-file password protection, and per-file download limits (cap the number of times a specific file can be downloaded).

Does it work with Elementor?

Yes. Use Elementor’s Shortcode widget with the [bbasfd_download] shortcode.

Where can I get the PRO version?

You can learn more about the PRO version here: https://bigbad.agency/plugins/secure-file-downloads/

Changelog

1.0.10 – 2026-09-30

  • Removed incorrect trial offer; upgrade notice now links to the plugin’s page.
  • The Pro notice now shows only on the Plugins screen and this plugin’s own admin pages, and stays dismissed once dismissed.
  • Fix: in-plugin and readme links pointed at a retired page; they now open the plugin’s page.

1.0.9 – 2026-07-23

  • Fix: the built-in “How to Use” help page showed the wrong shortcode ([secure_download]); it now correctly shows [bbasfd_download].
  • New: added “Getting Started” and “How It Works” help pages in the admin so first-time setup and the security model are documented in-plugin.
  • Change: removed the unused “Default link expiry” setting, which described a capability the current product does not ship.
  • Docs: corrected the FAQ (the free version has never capped the number of files) and added screenshot captions.

1.0.8 – 2026-05-21

  • Compatibility bump. Re-verified against current WordPress release.
  • Raised Requires PHP floor to 7.4 (PHP 7.0-7.3 are EOL).
  • No functional changes.

1.0.7

  • Security: Validate the download nonce before touching any other request input.
  • Security: Add clear permission hooks for download authorization.
  • Compliance: Document raw/binary output in the download endpoint for scanners.

1.0.2

  • Fix: Plugin Check compliance (admin enqueue without direct $_GET access, readme headers).

1.0.1

  • Fix: add nonce to download links and validate in handler.
  • Fix: use WP_Filesystem for file reads (Plugin Check compliance).
  • Fix: wp_unslash() before sanitization for request values.
  • Fix: translators comment for placeholder strings.
  • Meta: bump Tested up to.

Full changelog on WordPress.org →

Screenshots

The Files screen - pick any file already in your Media Library, get a stable numeric File ID and a ready-to-copy shortcode.
The Files screen - pick any file already in your Media Library, get a stable numeric File…
Settings - set the default download button text used when a shortcode does not specify its own.
Settings - set the default download button text used when a shortcode does not specify…
The built-in "How It Works" guide explains the security model and what the optional Pro add-on adds (download analytics, password protection, per-file download limits).
The built-in "How It Works" guide explains the security model and what the optional Pro…
The shortcode renders a download link on the front end; the real /wp-content/uploads/ file URL never appears in your page HTML.
The shortcode renders a download link on the front end; the real /wp-content/uploads/…

For developers

Is this your plugin? Show off the numbers.

Add a live badge to your site, docs or GitHub README. It updates on its own — no account needed.

Active installs badge Rating badge Health score badge

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FAQ

BBA Secure File Downloads: quick answers

Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.

Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 8, 2026

Is BBA Secure File Downloads free?

Yes. BBA Secure File Downloads is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.

Is BBA Secure File Downloads safe to use in 2026?

BBA Secure File Downloads works, but test it on a staging site before relying on it in 2026. Was last updated 1 week ago, and scores 59/100 on our health check.

How many websites use BBA Secure File Downloads?

BBA Secure File Downloads is active on <10 WordPress websites and has been downloaded 838 times since it launched in March 2026. It was downloaded 140 times in the last 30 days.

Does BBA Secure File Downloads work with WordPress 7.1?

BBA Secure File Downloads is officially tested up to WordPress 7.0.7, while the latest release is 7.1.3. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.

What PHP version does BBA Secure File Downloads need?

BBA Secure File Downloads requires PHP 7.4 or higher. Most hosts run PHP 8.x today, so it works on any modern WordPress hosting.

When was BBA Secure File Downloads last updated?

The latest version, 1.0.10, was released on October 1, 2026 (1 week ago).

Who makes BBA Secure File Downloads?

BBA Secure File Downloads is developed and maintained by Jordan Alexander.

What are the best alternatives to BBA Secure File Downloads?

The most popular alternatives to BBA Secure File Downloads are Simple Download Monitor (20K+ installs), Prevent Direct Access (10K+ installs) and Easy Media Download (9K+ installs).

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