Program launch blocker?

[Digicoder]

I've been wondering for a while and have googled for days on this and returned nothing at all.
Is there a way to stop a program from launching?

In my particular case I'm trying to find a way to get a program to launch.
You see, every time I open my Command prompt or PHP client the window will show up and then BOOM it just disappears along with the process and services it started on launch.

So the way I figure it, you could keep a program from launching completely by removing or adding something to the registry that would disable it.
What ever seems to be blocking the Command prompt and PHP clients is waiting for their specific processes to start and kills them.

With this bit of assumed knowledge, is there a way to work around this process killing program? On another note, WHAT is this program that keeps killing my programs?

Thanks for the help guys.

[deepfriedtree]

A few things to try.

Try Process Explorer, if something is actually stopping cmd.exe from running this should help determine what. You can get it here
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx

However, In my experience command prompt, stops working because of either a virus/spamware or a fundamental problem with the OS, like important files were deleted.

If you in a business situation, its possible that your access to application has been revoked by an net admin. If you are on a personal machine then it is possible to actually disable access via a windows utility. Its extremely powerful tool and only use it if you feel comfortable doing so, open the run box and enter gpedit.msc, I know there are many options for disabling access to utilities and applications in there, unfortunately, I no longer use windows on my personal machine and cant guide you better, on where exactly in the many, many options in the group policy, the options are.

[sage45]

The type of technology you are looking for is most commonly referred to as "Zero Day Defense" - http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22Zero+Day+Defense%22.

Essentially, a zero day defense mechanism is a piece of software (or hardware) that contains a list of "legal" applications/devices. This list is then used to protect the client from exploits and attacks. The list of "legal" applications/devices represents what you - "the user or your sysadmin", have defined as trusted entities.

This type of defense mechanism is really starting to catch on but many of the more reliable zero-day defense mechanisms cost alot of money.

-saige-

[Digicoder]

Ah, good bit of info from the both of you, all things I can use.

Please don't think of me as a hacker by saying this.
My problem is that I'm working on a public network, and of course any good network would have this kind of security installed.
I've been working on a project for some time now, using the PHP client, as the Command prompt has always been disabled, and I for one can easily tell why.

Now, after doing my work and nearly completing my project using the Camstudio software they have installed, the network IT seems to have added my program to the list of things to block.
Now here is the catch, the PHP client will still run if you simply open it, but you can't run a file with the client.

I'm a little more than sure that this would be a losing battle if I tried to work around it, but is there a way that I can work around it for just long enough to get my project done?

[sage45]

The best way is to approach the network administrators and see if they can add your application to the "legal" or trusted list. They may ask to see what you are doing with your application and may even request to see all of the source code (I know I would). If they deem it safe, your application should be added with no problem whatsoever.

-saige-

[Digicoder]

Lol, well I doubt that they would add it to the safe list again.
It is as powerful, if not more, than the command prompt after all.


That and the fact that they don't have a local office, its all central some place and know one knows the number.
I'll be sure to find it and make a call.

Thanks for the help guys.