Webmaster forum - Is it possible to get the computer name?

Author

Is it possible to get the computer name?

Brian Cryer

2007-10-26, 6:16 am

I know that I can uniquely identify a pc (or at least distinguish between
two pcs behind a router - I can do that with a simple cookie), but does
anyone know any way to obtain the name of a PC (or even its local IP
address)? JavaScript, ActionScript or some other way that doesn't involve
lowering the security settings of the browser?

The reason for asking is I'm investigating the possibility of tightening up
on licensing for a web based product. There isn't an issue with someone
having multiple browser sessions on their own pc, but the idea is to detect
where two or more people in an office are using the same account on the
website at the same time (because different individuals should have separate
accounts). I can detect that (at least in theory), but its not very
effective if I can't than name the pcs involved - a message to the user that
they are already logged in on PC-X is more effective than saying simply that
they area already logged in elsewhere. (Yes, I'm aware of issues such as
closing the browser without logging off, which do complicate things.)

I've almost come to the conclusion that it can't be done. Any ideas
appreciated.
--
Brian Cryer
www.cryer.co.uk/brian

Jerry Stuckle

2007-10-26, 6:19 pm

Brian Cryer wrote:
> I know that I can uniquely identify a pc (or at least distinguish between
> two pcs behind a router - I can do that with a simple cookie), but does
> anyone know any way to obtain the name of a PC (or even its local IP
> address)? JavaScript, ActionScript or some other way that doesn't involve
> lowering the security settings of the browser?
>
> The reason for asking is I'm investigating the possibility of tightening up
> on licensing for a web based product. There isn't an issue with someone
> having multiple browser sessions on their own pc, but the idea is to detect
> where two or more people in an office are using the same account on the
> website at the same time (because different individuals should have separate
> accounts). I can detect that (at least in theory), but its not very
> effective if I can't than name the pcs involved - a message to the user that
> they are already logged in on PC-X is more effective than saying simply that
> they area already logged in elsewhere. (Yes, I'm aware of issues such as
> closing the browser without logging off, which do complicate things.)
>
> I've almost come to the conclusion that it can't be done. Any ideas
> appreciated.

Nope. Security features are designed to prevent access to "personal"
information such as this.

--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry Stuckle
JDS Computer Training Corp.
jstucklex@attglobal.net
==================

Brian Cryer

2007-10-26, 6:19 pm

"Jerry Stuckle" <jstucklex@attglobal.net> wrote in message
news:j4idnZK1DraSW7zanZ2dnUVZ_hninZ2d@comcast.com...
> Brian Cryer wrote:
<snip>[color=darkred]
>
> Nope. Security features are designed to prevent access to "personal"
> information such as this.

Thanks Jerry. That was the conclusion I was coming to, but its nice to have
it confirmed.
--
Brian Cryer
www.cryer.co.uk/brian