Monitoring file usage

[Paul Steele]

I am working in a C# program what monitors the activity on a computer. I
have been able to accomplish quite a bit so far, but one item I have not
been able to figure out is if there is a way to monitor when a file is
opened. The FileSystemWatcher class is useful for monitoring file/directory
changes, but all I want is to monitor when a file is opened. Is there any
way to do that in .NET?

I am also monitoring processes in use on the system, and checking for open
windows. I can do that quite easily for using the Process class, but haven't
figured out a way to tell of Explorer has any open windows. I want to
prevent users from browsing the hard disk, or at least detect if it is being
done.

This program is part of something I'm developing to help Professors monitor
what student's are doing during a computer-based exam. We want to prevent
students from accessing crib notes stored on their computer, among other
things. The more I can control/prevent with my program, the better. For
example, I prevent the use of Ad Hoc wireless connections and the use of
instant messenger type programs with a mini-firewall. The toughest part is
finding information about how to control all of these internal aspects of
windows...

[Christopher Kimbell]

Sounds like you have to use Win32 API's. Have a look at the utilities at
http://www.sysinternals.com/, some of them are with source, they are written
in C/C++
Chris
"Paul Steele" <pa*********@acadiau.ca> wrote in message
news:%2***************@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...

I am working in a C# program what monitors the activity on a computer. I
have been able to accomplish quite a bit so far, but one item I have not
been able to figure out is if there is a way to monitor when a file is
opened. The FileSystemWatcher class is useful for monitoring file/directory
changes, but all I want is to monitor when a file is opened. Is there any
way to do that in .NET?

I am also monitoring processes in use on the system, and checking for open
windows. I can do that quite easily for using the Process class, but
haven't figured out a way to tell of Explorer has any open windows. I want
to prevent users from browsing the hard disk, or at least detect if it is
being done.

This program is part of something I'm developing to help Professors
monitor what student's are doing during a computer-based exam. We want to
prevent students from accessing crib notes stored on their computer, among
other things. The more I can control/prevent with my program, the better.
For example, I prevent the use of Ad Hoc wireless connections and the use
of instant messenger type programs with a mini-firewall. The toughest part
is finding information about how to control all of these internal aspects
of windows...

[Christopher Kimbell]

Sounds like you have to use Win32 API's. Have a look at the utilities at
http://www.sysinternals.com/, some of them are with source, they are written
in C/C++
Chris
"Paul Steele" <pa*********@acadiau.ca> wrote in message
news:%2***************@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...

I am working in a C# program what monitors the activity on a computer. I
have been able to accomplish quite a bit so far, but one item I have not
been able to figure out is if there is a way to monitor when a file is
opened. The FileSystemWatcher class is useful for monitoring file/directory
changes, but all I want is to monitor when a file is opened. Is there any
way to do that in .NET?

I am also monitoring processes in use on the system, and checking for open
windows. I can do that quite easily for using the Process class, but
haven't figured out a way to tell of Explorer has any open windows. I want
to prevent users from browsing the hard disk, or at least detect if it is
being done.

This program is part of something I'm developing to help Professors
monitor what student's are doing during a computer-based exam. We want to
prevent students from accessing crib notes stored on their computer, among
other things. The more I can control/prevent with my program, the better.
For example, I prevent the use of Ad Hoc wireless connections and the use
of instant messenger type programs with a mini-firewall. The toughest part
is finding information about how to control all of these internal aspects
of windows...