diff --git a/backend/app/routers/downloads.py b/backend/app/routers/downloads.py
index 75cdca6..78d7fa6 100644
--- a/backend/app/routers/downloads.py
+++ b/backend/app/routers/downloads.py
@@ -27,37 +27,32 @@ router = APIRouter(tags=["downloads"])
 def _check_api_access(request: Request) -> None:
     """Verify the caller is a browser user or has a valid API key.
 
-    When no API key is configured, all requests are allowed (open access).
-    When an API key is set:
-      - Requests with a valid X-API-Key header pass.
-      - Requests from the web UI pass (have a Referer from the same origin
-        or an X-Requested-With header set by the frontend).
-      - All other requests are rejected with 403.
+    Browser users (X-Requested-With: XMLHttpRequest) always pass.
+    Non-browser callers must provide a valid X-API-Key header.
+    If no API key is configured, non-browser requests are blocked entirely.
     """
+    # Browser users always pass
+    if request.headers.get("x-requested-with") == "XMLHttpRequest":
+        return
+
     config = request.app.state.config
     api_key = config.server.api_key
 
     if not api_key:
-        return  # No key configured — open access
+        # No key configured — block non-browser access
+        raise_api_key_required("API access is disabled. Generate an API key in the admin panel, then provide it via X-API-Key header.")
 
     # Check API key header
     provided_key = request.headers.get("x-api-key", "")
     if provided_key and secrets.compare_digest(provided_key, api_key):
         return
 
-    # Check browser origin — frontend sends X-Requested-With: XMLHttpRequest
-    if request.headers.get("x-requested-with") == "XMLHttpRequest":
-        return
-
     raise_api_key_required()
 
 
-def raise_api_key_required():
+def raise_api_key_required(detail: str = "Invalid or missing API key. Provide X-API-Key header."):
     from fastapi import HTTPException
-    raise HTTPException(
-        status_code=403,
-        detail="API key required. Provide X-API-Key header or use the web UI.",
-    )
+    raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail=detail)
 
 
 @router.post("/downloads", response_model=Job, status_code=201)
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/AdminPanel.vue b/frontend/src/components/AdminPanel.vue
index 3eb65f0..181dcbf 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/AdminPanel.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/AdminPanel.vue
@@ -47,6 +47,10 @@ const passwordError = ref<string | null>(null)
 const apiKey = ref<string | null>(null)
 const showApiKey = ref(false)
 const apiKeyCopied = ref(false)
+const regenConfirming = ref(false)
+const revokeConfirming = ref(false)
+let regenConfirmTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null = null
+let revokeConfirmTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null = null
 
 const canChangePassword = computed(() =>
   currentPassword.value.length > 0 &&
@@ -193,6 +197,7 @@ async function generateApiKey() {
 
 async function regenerateApiKey() {
   await generateApiKey()
+  regenConfirming.value = false
 }
 
 async function revokeApiKey() {
@@ -203,6 +208,27 @@ async function revokeApiKey() {
       showApiKey.value = false
     }
   } catch { /* ignore */ }
+  revokeConfirming.value = false
+}
+
+function handleRegenClick() {
+  if (regenConfirming.value) {
+    regenerateApiKey()
+    return
+  }
+  regenConfirming.value = true
+  if (regenConfirmTimer) clearTimeout(regenConfirmTimer)
+  regenConfirmTimer = setTimeout(() => { regenConfirming.value = false }, 3000)
+}
+
+function handleRevokeClick() {
+  if (revokeConfirming.value) {
+    revokeApiKey()
+    return
+  }
+  revokeConfirming.value = true
+  if (revokeConfirmTimer) clearTimeout(revokeConfirmTimer)
+  revokeConfirmTimer = setTimeout(() => { revokeConfirming.value = false }, 3000)
 }
 
 function copyApiKey() {
@@ -618,8 +644,8 @@ function formatFilesize(bytes: number | null): string {
         <div class="settings-field">
           <label>API Key</label>
           <p class="field-hint">
-            When set, external API access requires this key via <code>X-API-Key</code> header.
-            Browser users are not affected. Without a key, the download API is open to anyone who can reach the server.
+            Generate a key to enable external API access (e.g. scripts, automation).
+            Without a key, downloads can only be submitted through the web UI.
           </p>
           <div v-if="apiKey" class="api-key-display">
             <div class="api-key-value">
@@ -633,13 +659,25 @@ function formatFilesize(bytes: number | null): string {
               </button>
             </div>
             <div class="api-key-actions">
-              <button class="btn-regen" @click="regenerateApiKey">Regenerate</button>
-              <button class="btn-revoke" @click="revokeApiKey">Revoke</button>
+              <button
+                class="btn-regen"
+                :class="{ 'btn-confirm': regenConfirming }"
+                @click="handleRegenClick"
+              >
+                {{ regenConfirming ? 'Sure?' : 'Regenerate' }}
+              </button>
+              <button
+                class="btn-revoke"
+                :class="{ 'btn-confirm': revokeConfirming }"
+                @click="handleRevokeClick"
+              >
+                {{ revokeConfirming ? 'Sure?' : 'Revoke' }}
+              </button>
             </div>
             <span v-if="apiKeyCopied" class="save-confirm">✓ Copied</span>
           </div>
           <div v-else class="api-key-empty">
-            <p class="field-hint" style="margin-bottom: var(--space-sm);">No API key set — download API is open.</p>
+            <p class="field-hint" style="margin-bottom: var(--space-sm);">No API key set — external API access is disabled.</p>
             <button class="btn-save" @click="generateApiKey">Generate API Key</button>
           </div>
         </div>