Scan remote client hard drive script

raptor1120

I am trying to develop a web based script that will

scan a remote client's hard drive for certain files and then returns results to a backend sql server.
also retrieve computer information (ie, user logged on currently, computer name).

Does anyone know if there is anyway to do this or point me in the direction? Thanks for the help!

mykg4orce

I can think of one word. I have no idea if this will help you. "SOCKETS"

raptor1120

well ... sockets are used as the basis for the TCP/IP connection yes. How would I use sockets to extract information from remote clients' machines?

Does PHP have this functionality or possibly embed some java in that might take care of it? Anyone?....

parawizard

Hmmm I would say Alot of the sites do it In a Java applet.

greg252

Ideas like this one make me worry about what information people store and ret. on my hardrive.
Please use cookies for this. I hate to think about the security reprocussions.

AstroTeg

I don't believe even a standard Java applet (which would run from within the browser) would be allowed to get that info. It plays in a limited sandbox. Almost the same sandbox the browser plays in. Its a security risk to allow a web page access to that info so its been made difficult to get to it.

ActiveX plus IE is one way to go. But its an IE on the PC only solution. You'll need to know how to write ActiveX objects.

You could also build a Java application which gets installed from the web. Then it could share info back to your server. But the user will be presented with a dialog window asking if they really wish to install the software and such.

raptor1120

yes, you are right, active x will not work since I would like it to be cross platform.

You are right, the user would be prompted for permission. can you give me some pointers on how to get started with writing this java app? Thanks.

AstroTeg

I've done some server side Java, but I haven't tried my hand at client side. I would predict there is Java libraries available which you could string along to do what you would want. Sorry I'm not much more helpful...

raptor1120

Originally posted by greg252
Ideas like this one make me worry about what information people store and ret. on my hardrive.
Please use cookies for this. I hate to think about the security reprocussions.

with user permission of course...
Cookies can scan a client's drive? How? thanks.