Help me with security please - windows login

[programmer91]

I am a programmer that uses visual basic 6, using c++ language. I was wondering if there is a way to replace shell of explorer.exe on login with a vb6 compiled application.


any help will be useful

thanks

programmer91

 

[2ffat]

You might get a better answer in the one of the VB forums.


James P. Cottingham
^{I'm number 1,229!
I'm number 1,229!}

 

[programmer91]

the only difference that vb has is the compiled exe of the created program, i want to know how to switch explorer.exe to a self crated application... VB forums will not have anything to do with this because this can not be done with vb, it has to deal with either regedit or gpedit. I just stated that i was a vb user because if any other vb users might have some kind of answer to this as well

 

[CaptainCommandLine]

Your shell is controlled by the registry...

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Shell=Explorer.exe

There are alternate shells available; however, if you make a mistake or Windows doesn't like your replacement, it may be difficult to revert back to Explorer. You'd then need to try to edit the registry remotely or, in a worst case scenario, reinstall the O/S. There are replacement shells available...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_shell_replacement

I haven't truly done any experimenting with Windows Shell replacement since the days of Windows for Workgroups, though.

 

[Diancecht]

Well, keep a shorcut in your desktop to a regedit command so you can revert back changes.

Btw, the idea sounds like a virus ...

Cheers,
Dian

 

[programmer91]

ok thanks, and no it is not a virus, my old laptop was stolen and the hacker used a user password recovery software to gain access to my files. i know this because when i got the laptop back my password to my user was erased. i'm creating this program to keep it out of reach from password recovery software and further more secure my personal data.


I thank you for your help all the users who have added to this topic.

(and just to let you know, all the application that i'm trying to replace explorer with is just a standard user and password form with user and password coded inside the program, task manager is disabled and with your help now i can disable windows from fully logging on until requirements are met)

 

[CaptainCommandLine]

The problem is, if Explorer is not your shell, you might not see your shortcut. As far as it being plans for something malicious -- not necessarily... If you are looking to restrict what users are able to do, this is one possible method. For example, if you have a public kiosk type computer, this may be one of the things you do to help restrict what users are capable of doing. You may not want them to have a "Desktop".

 

[programmer91]

i'm starting out on a virtual pc so i'll have it all figgured out before i put it on to my host OS, thanks for that info

 

[mattKnight]

This sounds like security through obscurity...

You'd be much better investing (either time or money) in a file level encryption system.



Take Care

Matt
I have always wished that my computer would be as easy to use as my telephone.
My wish has come true. I no longer know how to use my telephone.

 

[programmer91]

Thanks to all for your input, i have finished creating my program and will no longer need this thread anymore, if anyone on this site were to ask me for help with something that i do not have the answer to, i will gladly send them your way


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