security

[bigfigkid]

I am considering securing workstations at the office via a smart-card login. I have no experience with this type of security, but it seems practical. I presume smart card device (reader/writer) to operate from serial port. I would like to write a vb application to check authorization on start up. So here are 2 questions...

1. what vb commands would I use to read and write through com port ? I have read a little about mscomm1 commands, anybody have some examples for this type application
2. how to call program from windows start up

You help is much appreciated

 

[ADoozer]

we have a similar device in operation to update mods and projects on the local intranet, using our own product (not available as of yet). however in answer to your questions:-

1) the specifics will depend on your card reader, but essentially mscomm1.input and mscomm1.output in conjunction with mscomm1_oncomm event will be what your looking for, you may need to use the clear to send etc lines but so far i have never had too.

2) as for starting a program when the pc starts, the easiest way is to stick a shortcut in the startup folder, or you could stick a key in the registry under,
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

hope this helps in some way! If somethings hard to do, its not worth doing - Homer Simpson

 

[mattKnight]

bigfigkid,

What operating system are you intending this for?

I ask because, this kind of thing may well be catered for by the card reader. It may be possible to have this device generate a SAS (Secure Attention Sequence) to allow a logon. The default SAS in ctrl-alt-del. However, this requires altering the GINA. Altering GINA is [bnot a trivial[/b] thing to to do. It is also not possible from VB.
However, the hardware manufacture may have done this for you, so you may not need to code anything!
Take Care

Matt
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.