Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is a link container?

A link container bundles several download links under a single, short address. The target links are stored server-side encrypted and only delivered to the visitor after the access check is passed – ideal for sharing collections securely and neatly.

Learn more: Container, Encryption

How does Zaulto protect my links?

Every container can be secured with a password, a captcha and geo/IP rules. The target links are stored encrypted and never served in plain text before a visitor passes the access protection. This keeps your sources hidden from crawlers, bots and prying eyes.

Learn more: Captcha, Geo/IP rules, Encryption

How exactly are the links encrypted – is it end-to-end?

The target links are stored in the database encrypted with AES-256-GCM on the server and are never served in plain text while the access protection has not been passed. This is encryption at rest, not true end-to-end encryption: the key lives on the server so that Zaulto can, for example, run the automatic online check on the links. What is encrypted are the target links themselves; a container's title and description are stored in plain text – so don't put confidential information there.

Learn more: Encryption, Online check

Which captcha types are available?

Three: a simple arithmetic challenge, an invisible proof-of-work (compute-based, no clicks) and a custom question with a stored answer. The proof-of-work offers the strongest protection against automated bots.

Learn more: Captcha, Proof-of-Work

Does Zaulto support DLC and Click'n'Load?

Yes. Zaulto generates DLC container files and Click'n'Load links that JDownloader processes directly – a single click adds all links to the download manager at once. The handover only happens after the access check has been passed.

Learn more: DLC container, Click'n'Load

Does Zaulto work with Internet Download Manager (IDM)?

Zaulto generates DLC files and Click'n'Load links for download managers such as JDownloader, which handle this container format directly. Internet Download Manager (IDM) does not support Click'n'Load or DLC. However, after unlocking you can copy the links contained in the container manually and paste them into IDM.

Learn more: Click'n'Load, DLC container

What are DLC, CCF and RSDF containers?

DLC, CCF and RSDF are encrypted link container formats that bundle several download links together and hide them from prying eyes. JDownloader can read all three formats. Zaulto exports your containers in the widely used DLC format and additionally offers Click'n'Load.

Learn more: DLC container, Click'n'Load

Does Zaulto support mirror links?

Yes. You can store several mirror sources for a file. Zaulto checks the links regularly and automatically switches to a working mirror if one goes down (failover), so downloads stay reliable.

Can I share large, multi-part downloads (e.g. RAR archives)?

Yes. Multi-part collections – such as RAR archives split into several parts – can be bundled as a link list in a single container. After unlocking, visitors get all parts at once, ideal for JDownloader.

Does Zaulto check whether the links are still online?

Yes. Zaulto checks the status of the stored links automatically and marks whether a file is online or offline. Combined with mirror links, it switches to a working source if one fails.

Learn more: Online check

How do I share password-protected download links securely?

Create a container, add your download links and secure it with a password, captcha or geo/IP rules. You then share only the short container address (optionally as a QR code) – the actual links stay encrypted until a visitor passes the access protection.

Learn more: Container, Captcha, Geo/IP rules

Does Zaulto cost anything?

Creating and sharing containers is free. You only need a free account to create a container.

Do I need to create an account?

Yes. You need a free account to create a container. With an account you can also manage your containers later, view statistics and organize them in folders.

How does password protection work?

You can set a password for a container. Visitors must enter it before the links are released. The password is not stored in plain text, only as a secure hash (argon2id) for verification. It acts as an access key – the actual link encryption runs independently on the server.

Learn more: Encryption

What do geo and IP rules do?

With geo and IP rules you can restrict access to certain countries or block individual IP ranges. Requests that don't match are denied access to the links.

Learn more: Geo/IP rules

What is stealth mode?

In stealth mode the actual container page is hidden behind an inconspicuous intermediate page. The real content is only revealed after the access check is passed – useful against automated preview and crawler bots.

Learn more: Stealth mode

What does AutoProtect do?

AutoProtect automatically masks embedded containers and places an intermediate page in front of them so links can't be read directly by bots. The settings can be adjusted per account.

Learn more: AutoProtect, Stealth mode

Can I limit a container by time or number of accesses?

Yes. You can set an expiry date and limit the number of permitted accesses. Once expired or the limit is reached, the container is no longer accessible.

Learn more: Expiry & limits

Can I organize containers in folders?

Yes. With an account you can group several containers into folders and share a folder via a single link. This keeps larger collections tidy.

What statistics can I see?

The dashboard shows an access overview of the last 7 days: number of views, rough geographic distribution and the timeline. Zaulto builds no personal user profiles and sets no advertising trackers or third-party cookies. Technical access data is processed solely for statistics, protection rules (geo/IP, rate limit) and abuse prevention.

How do I delete a container?

Containers are always tied to an account. In your dashboard you can deactivate any of your own containers any time with a single click – it is then immediately no longer accessible and disappears from the public directory. The associated links are no longer reachable afterwards.

How secure is the built-in captcha?

The captcha challenges are HMAC-signed, single-use and verified server-side in constant time. After unlocking, the visitor receives a short-lived access token, so the download endpoints cannot be bypassed directly.

Learn more: Captcha, Proof-of-Work

Does Zaulto work on smartphones?

Yes. Creating, sharing, unlocking and the dashboard are fully optimized for mobile devices. Shared links can also be displayed as a QR code.

What happens to expired containers?

Containers with an expiry date, an auto-delete date or a reached access limit are automatically deactivated and are no longer accessible afterwards. A background process checks this continuously (every few minutes), so expired content disappears promptly – you don't have to do anything manually.

Learn more: Expiry & limits

Are there limits for containers and links?

Each container can hold up to 40 links, plus optionally up to 20 mirror groups (mirror sets) with up to 200 links each. Title and description are length-limited. The number of containers per account is not rigidly capped; fair use applies. Per container you can also set your own rate limits, expiry dates and access caps.

Why does Zaulto need JavaScript?

Zaulto runs as a modern single-page application. JavaScript is needed to create containers, handle the access protection (captcha or proof-of-work), release links after a passed check, and provide features such as Click'n'Load and the dashboard. Without JavaScript enabled, containers can therefore neither be created nor unlocked.

Who is liable for the linked content?

Zaulto is a neutral technical service and does not host any files or target content itself – Zaulto is not a file host, it only protects and bundles links. The creator of a container is solely responsible for the linked content. Unlawful content can be reported and affected containers are blocked. Details are in the disclaimer.

How do I report unlawful content?

You can report specific legal infringements via the contact form. Once we become aware, we remove affected containers without undue delay. Please provide the container address and a short justification.

Zaulto roadmap

From the first concept to the finished platform – how Zaulto evolves step by step.

Autumn 2025 – Project start & concept

  • Idea and core concept for secure link containers
  • Technical architecture and security model defined
  • Encryption and access protection designed

Winter 2025/26 – Core development

  • Container creation and management built
  • Captcha, password protection and expiry limits added
  • First internal tests of the release logic

Spring 2026 – Polish & security

  • AutoProtect, stealth mode and geo-IP rules
  • DLC/Click'n'Load support added
  • Analytics, user management and API tokens

June 2026 – Soft launch (Current)

  • Public launch of the platform (beta)
  • Bilingual interface and knowledge base live
  • Gathering feedback from first users

Summer 2026 – Stabilisation & expansion

  • Incorporate feedback, optimise performance
  • Connect more hosters and formats
  • Expand documentation and FAQ

October 2026 – Final version 1.0

  • Official final version of the platform
  • Complete API and stable interfaces
  • Full feature set for all users