CodeGuru content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.
Environment: Visual C++ 5.0, DDK, Windows 95/98 (*will not work in Windows NT*)
This article demonstrates a technique of monitoring the File Input and Output in Windows 95/98. It uses VxD (Virtual Device Driver) to accomplish this. This program cannot operate in Windows NT.
Using this program it is possible to analyse the ins and outs that are happening in the File System in Windows. This is done by hooking the specified function through which the file io happens. Registry access, Swap File access, DLLs, even VxDs are opened only through this hook. Hence all these operations are logged to a file called C:FileCall.Spy. It is done using Dynamic VxD loading. This is similar to DLL technique but VxDs operate in Ring 0 which is where the Kernel operates in Windows. DLLs operate in Ring 3 and which are less privileged.
I have provided the source code along with the code that accomplishes this. Ask me your doubts and suggest me for improvements.
Load the driver through SpyExec program. The Spy.VxD must be in the current working directory or in the Windows system directory. After it is loaded the hook remains active, till OK button is pressed in the message box, at which point the box is dismissed and then the logging stops. A short duration of the hook produces a lot of logging activity, so be quick in your analysis. If you want to know the DLLs that a program is opening then use this program to monitor the file IO.
