Secure way to store files in web server?

Question

I want my files to be secure in my web server. Only authenticated users to access those files should be able to access those files. I thought of storing files in database as

Answer 1

Downloadable files can be stored in htaccess protected folder/s. A script like the one below can be used to generate dynamic links for downloadable files.

for ex. Secure download links. http://codecanyon.net/item/secure-download-links/309295