Protected Image in PDF Template

I need to add a signature to a pdf template. I have the signature in a png file. I have added the png file to a directory in the htdocs folder of suiteCRM. When I put in the url to the image all works fine. However when I put the url to the image directly in my browser I’m also able to get to the signature image without being logged into the suitecrm system. I don’t want the signature to be accessible directly with the url. I tried adding a .htaccess file but when the pdf renders I only get the red x box. I also tried simply putting it in a directory not in htdocs and got the red x box. How can I protect the signature so someone trolling can’t just come across the signature?