What exactly is redirect when referring to downloadable products?

I'm just curious, what does "redirect" mean exactly, as pertaining to downloadable files?

Mine is set to false which is correct for my configuration, I just want to know what it means??

Thank you.
Kay
PS-- If you are having trouble with downloadable files, I highly recommend switching to a host recommended on ZenCart sight. I struggled for two months trying to get it to work, switched hosts and had store up and running in 30 minutes. (Of course I had lots of practice doing things over and over when on my old hosting service!)

Redirect ON means the files are Redirected or copied to another directory /pub where they are given an ambigous directory that is set with a symbolic link to protect the access to the same file on your server ...

This is more secure than taking the file from the downloads directory ...

Usually when you cannot use Redirect ON it is due to a server issue that you need your hosting site to fix ...

NOTE: Window servers cannot use Redirect ON ...

So, if my host is a Linux server, I can use redirect ON and be more secure? Just want to make sure I understand, cause I'm all for security of my downloadable lfiles.......and thank you, very much.
kay
https://www.dragonflydigitals.com

If you cannot use the Redirect ON when on a unix server then something is not configured right on the server that you are using ...