I need to figure out a way to authenticate a vb6 program I am creating, preferably all automatically. I have a web-server with PHP that has 99% up-time, and a Windows Server that I can run a server side VB6 program on that has about a 90% up-time. The issue I am facing though is how can I make it generate a correct key if it is a fresh install, while only allowing there to be one copy per location. Here is what I have thought about, I was just curious if there is any easier/smarter way to do this.
Have the VB6 program generate an MD5 string that is the customers first name + customers last name + business name + customers email, then have the VB6 program save that to a key file, then finally hit a PHP script on my server (Using a hidden browser object) that stores that MD5 string (or key) into a text file. The problem here is my PHP is very weak.
My other problem here is how can I have the vb6 program know if there are multiple copies of the same key, and then de-authenticate itself.
I can post some code that I have scratched, if anyone wants to see it. I look forward to hearing some replies, as the deadline looms on this project, and I am utterly lost.
This open source licensing framework would save some time:
There are some samples and tutorials in the download section(second link).
Hope it would help you.
Wish you good luck.