I have a desktop Flex app that users register and login. I need to provide these users access to technical documents in PDF format. However, I don't want to put these docs in my server's public_html directory because then any visitor can potentially view them. Is there any way for the Flex app to open these PDF files in a new browser window, while preventing their access by website visitors? That is, the files can only be opened when logged into the app, and not by copying and pasting a link in an email that goes to someone else for them to open in any browser.
I understand the user can simply download the PDF file and e-mail it if he/she really wants to (I'm just trying to make it a little more difficult). I was thinking maybe there was a way to place the PDF files somewhere in the Java application server since only Flex has access there (a firewall blocks website visitors). Thought maybe someone ran into this before and could help me see what's possible.
