Member Avatar for salohcin

I have a project on my hand which is needed to be written in vb.net, which is to create a vb.net installer to install client and host.The host will have the ability to shutdown all host computer in the network ,lock the computers in screensaver mode and also prevent user from typing during locked screensaver mode.moreover in the host installer the script will check for input from keyboard and mouse if there not input for more than 2hrs it will auto shutdown.Client installer will load on startup but however host will be able to start the program when he deem it needed. I hoping someone will point me in the right way with references and webs with tutorial on achieving this as most web has tutorials but not to the point where i needed it. I would also like if guidelines how how am i to start this project.references to books will be greatly welcomed.Thx in advance and for your time in reading this

  • 4 Contributors
  • 5 Replies
  • 227 Views
  • 3 Years Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by THIRUGNANAM.S

Dani AI

Generated

Break the work into small, verifiable milestones and iterate. Start by proving the local behavior first (detect idle, lock the session, perform a controlled shutdown). Then split responsibilities: a privileged Windows Service for system-level calls and a per-user agent (started at logon) for session/GUI tasks. was right to push smaller steps, and ’s hint about network messaging points you toward the comms layer you’ll need.

Architecture notes you won’t see spelled out in the thread: services run in Session 0 and can hold shutdown privileges, but they can’t interact with a user’s desktop on modern Windows. That’s why a two-process client (service + interactive agent) is the practical pattern. Have the service expose a local, authenticated channel (named pipe or loopback TLS) to the agent; have the host send commands to the service over an authenticated, encrypted channel (HTTPS/TLS or mutually authenticated TCP). Treat every remote command as untrusted and require strong auth and logging.

Important limits and safe APIs: you cannot intercept or suppress the Secure Attention Sequence (Ctrl+Alt+Del) from user-mode — don’t try. For idle detection use GetLastInputInfo; to lock use LockWorkStation; to shut down you can invoke the system shutdown command or WMI from a process running with proper privileges. Minimal VB.NET example to request a shutdown:

Dim psi As New ProcessStartInfo("shutdown", "/s /t 0")
psi.CreateNoWindow = True
psi.UseShellExecute = False
Process.Start(psi)

Practical checklist before broad testing: implement and test locally and in a VM, add authentication/authorization and message signing, sign installers, provide a clean uninstall, handle UAC and privileges, and expect AV/enterprise controls to flag this kind of tool — get written consent and follow policy. Start with one local command working end-to-end, then add networking and harden security.

Recommended Answers

All 5 Replies

Member Avatar for preetham.saroja

hey,
ru beginner-if yes dont go with such a rustic projects!always go with small things(then once u feel confident ,then u proceed to type of project.which u have mentioned!)....

Member Avatar for salohcin

not really a beginner but able to write complex coding but however i need advice on methods to use and how to really start writing it currently lost as i have no idea on what needed to be used

Member Avatar for matale

Very complex problem, probably some sort of tcp/ip programming to send messages from server to client.

Google is you friend here. break the problem up into smaller part, like shutting down a pc from Vb.net etc

Member Avatar for salohcin

currently due to writing the blockinput using user32 but is it possible to block alt+crtl+del or blocking a key off the keyboard thus preventing the alt ctrl and del to disable the blockinput

Member Avatar for THIRUGNANAM.S

Thank u

Edited by THIRUGNANAM.S because: n/a
Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.