check if file is being uploaded using FileSystemWatcher class

[Maidenz08]

Hi,

I am developing a monitoring tool which logs all the files that are being uploaded. I am using FileSystemWatcher class to achive this. When a file is selected for upload the Changed event of FileSystemWatcher is fired. But is there any way of knowing that the event is fired for upload only. Coz the changed event is fired even when the file is renamed.

Is there any other "Better" way of logging the files that were uploaded.

Thanks,

Alvin

[tlhintoq]

I'm curious.. How is that just selecting a file is causing a 'change' event? The OpenFileDialog shouldn't be doing that.

I don't believe there is any reasonable way to detect the reason or cause of a file change. Several file changes occur as a file is written because the size keeps changing. If someone marks the file as "read-only" attribute, that's a change. If the file is opened, worked on, and saved that's a change, rename is a change.

How are you going about selecting files for up load, the way your program stands right now?

[Maidenz08]

@tlhintoq
I too was surprised initially. But it does trigger the changed event when that file is selected for upload..!!!


@tlhintoq
Actually i do not have an upload control in my app. I watch for a particular folder and need to capture any file that is being uploaded from anywhere. like say gmail or yahoo..

[tlhintoq]

Actually i do not have an upload control in my app. I watch for a particular folder and need to capture any file that is being uploaded from anywhere. like say gmail or yahoo..

I meant, how is your program keeping a list of which files need to be uploaded?
At some point you have to be creating a list of what to upload and then working off that list, right?

[Maidenz08]

@tlhintoq
Thanks for your response

I do not have a list of files. I just have a folder that i need to monitor (eg : C:\Data) and if anyone tries to upload any file that is present in C:\Data i need to capture it.

[tlhintoq]

Let's try this from another angle....

Your user selects the file to upload via a standard FileOpenDialog, right?
Why are you not using the file path returned from the FileOpenDialog?

[Maidenz08]

how can i access the return path of the FileOpenDialog as the FileOpenDialog control is not present in my app. It could be from any web app. Is there an event which will be triggered which i can capture to read the return path.?

[tlhintoq]

I am now completely lost as to how you are trying to do this.

If you aren't using a FileOpenDialog to select files to upload then how are your users deciding what files your application should upload?

Oh. Wait...

I am developing a monitoring tool which logs all the files that are being uploaded.

Your users aren't using your application. They aren't telling your application anything, are they? You application is sitting quietly in the background watching folders and trying to determine what is being uploaded. Is that right?

Sounds like spyware.

[Maidenz08]

@tlhintoq
Yup thats right..

@tlhintoq
U can name it that if you want to. But we need to use this in an advertising agency where ideas are being stolen. So......

[tlhintoq]

Sorry for the lag in response: I'm doing an installation in Alaska.
I think you're going to have to find a different way to cut down on the theft.
There isn't a way to determine *why* a file is being changed through a FileSystemWatcher. You know know that it is being changed and a few other particulars but not by which program or for what reason.

You would be better off restricting and monitoring the email itself, than trying to watch the files. Don't allow use of non-company issued email addresses. For example. But someone can copy the ideas of the files in so many ways... copy the server file to the local desktop then upload it would be an easy way to circumvent what you're trying to do. Taking screen snapshots of the files while open and leaving with them on thumbdrive. Taking snapshots of a monitor with their cell phone while lower resolution is still a way to steal the idea even if they have to re-create the file.