Are images in WP Upload directory protected?

I searched the site about my question and this is what I found
http://www.s2member.com/forums/topic/image-protection-why-not-possible-to-upload/

Last reply may 2012.

I can’t help but sympathize the poster of that topic because I also believe it is a BIG security hole as it is.

But like I said, the post was made last 2012. Has there been a change on that since?

I also saw a plugin offered on that post but like the original poster pointed out, it is not like wordpress uploader.

Will there be a plan to protect media folder/upload folder of wordpress?

Does changing media upload folder to s2member protected file the only close solution? What will happen to the media when s2 was uninstalled and deleted?

Thanks