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Sane · Jul 19th, 2005, 3:20 PM

Is there a way to make a website automatically execute code on your computer in a language like C++ or Python?

For example, if you go to hotmail.com and sign in, it will automatically execute the code required to open MSN messenger on your computer (MSN =/= Hotmail) .

How would that have been done, and can I replicate it to execute my own code on my own webpage?

Ooble · Jul 19th, 2005, 5:13 PM

There is - it's called ActiveX, it works with IE only, and it's the cause of at least half of IE's security holes. I don't want a website playing with my 'puter.

Pizentios · Jul 19th, 2005, 5:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ooble

There is - it's called ActiveX, it works with IE only, and it's the cause of at least half of IE's security holes. I don't want a website playing with my 'puter.

Yeah, ActiveX is just a plain bad idea.

Sane · Jul 19th, 2005, 6:30 PM

And that's the only way?

What if consistency rate is not a high priority? I don't want to see much happening, just able to happen.

EDIT: Is this the right one? http://www.download.com/ActiveX-Cont...3.html?tag=pop

Post Edit: Okay that's really wierd, the installer did nothing. I tried restarting my computer. I even ran a systems check for files created in the last day. Nadda. :mad:

Sane · Jul 19th, 2005, 7:03 PM

Edit button gone. O_o

I fixed it, I copied
C:\Windows\REPAIR\autoexec.nt
to
C:\Windows\System32\

Thankyou comment section!

DaWei · Jul 19th, 2005, 7:10 PM

Browsers have a mandate to not let server-side code or page content run loose on the client machine. It's often referred to as the "sandbox" approach. Active-X and things of that ilk are breaches of contract that you can allow if you choose. Such a control is free to do anything at all to your machine including physically destroy your disk drive if you choose to let it loose.

Sane · Jul 19th, 2005, 7:28 PM

I'm aware, but I'm not using it for anything terribly evil like that.

I've got it working, but have no idea how to add C++ code and whatnot to my new page. I've tried going 'Add ActiveX Control', but I see no option for C++ or Python or Batch or anything else that I could use.

uman · Jul 19th, 2005, 7:58 PM

C++ is mad at you for stabbing it, along with furry rodents and inanimate objects.

tempest · Jul 20th, 2005, 12:43 AM

That wasn't very helpful Uman.

I think you can write ActiveX controls with MS VS.net using any language you'd like.

Ooble · Jul 20th, 2005, 7:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tempest

That wasn't very helpful Uman.

You expected helpfulness?

Jul 19th, 2005, 3:20 PM	#1
Sane Programming Guru Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Posts: 2,028 Rep Power: 6	Is there a way to make a website automatically execute ... Is there a way to make a website automatically execute code on your computer in a language like C++ or Python? For example, if you go to hotmail.com and sign in, it will automatically execute the code required to open MSN messenger on your computer (MSN =/= Hotmail) . How would that have been done, and can I replicate it to execute my own code on my own webpage? __________________ Looking for tough programming challenges? Try participating in Sane's Monthly Algorithms Challenges! Composing Techno is a little side hobby of mine. Techno by DJ Sane. All free for download.

Jul 19th, 2005, 5:13 PM	#2
Ooble I eat cake for breakfast. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: In my box. Posts: 4,434 Rep Power: 9	There is - it's called ActiveX, it works with IE only, and it's the cause of at least half of IE's security holes. I don't want a website playing with my 'puter. __________________ Me :: You :: Them

Jul 19th, 2005, 6:30 PM	#4
Sane Programming Guru Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Posts: 2,028 Rep Power: 6	And that's the only way? What if consistency rate is not a high priority? I don't want to see much happening, just able to happen. EDIT: Is this the right one? http://www.download.com/ActiveX-Cont...3.html?tag=pop Post Edit: Okay that's really wierd, the installer did nothing. I tried restarting my computer. I even ran a systems check for files created in the last day. Nadda. :mad: __________________ Looking for tough programming challenges? Try participating in Sane's Monthly Algorithms Challenges! Composing Techno is a little side hobby of mine. Techno by DJ Sane. All free for download. Last edited by Sane; Jul 19th, 2005 at 6:58 PM.

Jul 19th, 2005, 7:03 PM	#5
Sane Programming Guru Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Posts: 2,028 Rep Power: 6	Edit button gone. O_o I fixed it, I copied C:\Windows\REPAIR\autoexec.nt to C:\Windows\System32\ Thankyou comment section! __________________ Looking for tough programming challenges? Try participating in Sane's Monthly Algorithms Challenges! Composing Techno is a little side hobby of mine. Techno by DJ Sane. All free for download.

Jul 19th, 2005, 7:10 PM	#6
DaWei Resident Grouch Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 6,453 Rep Power: 10	Browsers have a mandate to not let server-side code or page content run loose on the client machine. It's often referred to as the "sandbox" approach. Active-X and things of that ilk are breaches of contract that you can allow if you choose. Such a control is free to do anything at all to your machine including physically destroy your disk drive if you choose to let it loose. __________________ Abstraction doesn't make it impossible to write bad code; it makes it possible to write superior code. Contributor's Corner: Grumpy on C++ Exceptions DaWei on Pointers

Jul 19th, 2005, 7:28 PM	#7
Sane Programming Guru Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Posts: 2,028 Rep Power: 6	I'm aware, but I'm not using it for anything terribly evil like that. I've got it working, but have no idea how to add C++ code and whatnot to my new page. I've tried going 'Add ActiveX Control', but I see no option for C++ or Python or Batch or anything else that I could use. __________________ Looking for tough programming challenges? Try participating in Sane's Monthly Algorithms Challenges! Composing Techno is a little side hobby of mine. Techno by DJ Sane. All free for download.

Jul 19th, 2005, 7:58 PM	#8
uman Expert Programmer Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 794 Rep Power: 4	C++ is mad at you for stabbing it, along with furry rodents and inanimate objects. __________________ Few people deserve to be compared to (Rush) Limbaugh, most of them were convicted at the Nuremburg trials. --WilliamSChips on Slashdot

Jul 20th, 2005, 12:43 AM	#9
tempest Programming Guru Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,041 Rep Power: 6	That wasn't very helpful Uman. I think you can write ActiveX controls with MS VS.net using any language you'd like. __________________

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Is there a way to make a website automatically execute ...