Copy-detection

This software restricts users from copying and pasting files or content from a specific "root" folder to any location outside this folder, including external drives or cloud locations. It uses system-level hooks to monitor clipboard events and intercept file operations, ensuring that users adhere to these restrictions.

Features

• Clipboard Monitoring: Monitors the clipboard for copied files.
• File System Monitoring: Watches for file transfer attempts to ensure files copied from the "root" folder are not pasted outside of it.
• Threaded Operation: Uses threads to run both clipboard monitoring and file system monitoring concurrently.
• Multi-Language Implementation: Available in both Python and C++ for flexibility.
• Cross-Platform Design:
  • Python: Designed for Windows systems but can be adapted to Linux.
  • C++: Primarily targeted at Windows 11 using Windows-specific APIs.

When a user copies a file from within the root folder, they can only paste it inside the root folder, including its subfolders. Copying a file from outside the root folder allows the file to be pasted anywhere.

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Requirements

Python Implementation

• Operating System: Windows (Tested on Windows 11)
• Python Version: Python 3.6 or above
• Python Libraries:
  • pywin32
  • watchdog

C++ Implementation

• Operating System: Windows 11
• Compiler: GCC (TDM-GCC-64) or any C++17 compatible compiler
• Libraries:
  • Standard C++ Libraries
  • Windows-specific APIs for clipboard and file system monitoring

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Installation

1. Clone the Repository

Clone the project to your local machine:

git clone https://github.com/sitaram077/Copy-detection.git
cd Copy-detection

Running the Python Implementation

Setup

1. Install Python dependencies:

   pip install pywin32 watchdog

2. Set the ROOT_FOLDER: Open the Python script (file_transfer_restriction.py) and modify the ROOT_FOLDER variable to point to the folder you want to monitor.

Example:

ROOT_FOLDER = r"C:\path\to\root"

3. Run the Script Run the Python script from the terminal or command prompt:

python file_transfer_restriction.py

Example Behavior

Files Copied from the Root Folder:

-Pasting inside the root folder → Allowed. -Pasting outside the root folder → File will be deleted. -Files Copied from Outside the Root Folder: -Pasting anywhere, including the root folder → Allowed.

Console Output Examples:

Files copied from the root folder: plaintext

Files copied to clipboard: ['C:\\path\\to\\root\\file1.txt']
Files detected in the clipboard!
These files are from the root folder.
Unauthorized paste attempt: plaintext
File created: C:\path\to\unauthorized_location\file1.txt
Unauthorized file paste detected! Deleting: C:\path\to\unauthorized_location\file1.txt

Running the C++ implementation

Run the Program Run the compiled executable:

Copy code
./restrict_paste

Example Behavior Files Copied from the Root Folder: Pasting inside the root folder → Allowed. Pasting outside the root folder → Blocked. Files Copied from Outside the Root Folder:

Pasting anywhere, including the root folder → Allowed.

Output
Files copied from the root folder: plaintext
Clipboard event detected: File copied from root folder.
Unauthorized paste attempt: plaintext
Unauthorized file paste outside root folder detected. Action blocked.

Feel free to contact me for errors in execution: sitaramyeleswarapu@gmail.com