This is a basicl explanation as to how dynamic
signatures work. A dynamic signature can be created very easily with a
little bit of knowledge in PHP and planning. To use a dynamic signature
access to an Apache based server with a GD plug-in is required; being
that the .htaccess files needs to be modified to parse a jpg type file
as a PHP, hence tricking the server to think it is displaying an image
file; jpg is commonly used as it supported by pretty much all browsers.
You simply modify the .htaccess file as mentioned above, you then
create the signature via PHP code which structures the background
images, colors, text so as to create the layout you wish. Now when
publicly viewing a dynamic signature only the person viewing the page
will be able to see the information displayed as it is only specific to
them, thus other user A will never be able to see user B’s information
and visa versa; unless of course they are together in the same room and
are looking at each other monitors.
As well, more advanced dynamic signatures enable the possibility to
pull data from files via the remote server file and parse that data
into the displayed signature for display such as in the case of a “This
signature has been viewed by X number members since a given date”
comment sometimes seen in others signatures, or a similar random quote
feature. Though all information is processed locally on the server-side
where the files for the dynamic signature are actually contained and
then the requesting image is then passed and displayed on the remote
active server that is making the request for the image or (dynamic
signature), where then the coding syntax (PHP) included within that
image is to be converted or parsed into their appropriate values
locally for each user viewing that signature, these values contain each
users own information as passed visa vi the server they active within
locally.
PHP and JavaScript both have rules built into them which both limit
and restricts the functions they are capable of performing (i.e.
JavaScript is not able to covertly delete your files, format your
drive, etc.), this was done to prevent developers, hackers, and the
like from abusing the users of their sites, thus there is no way to
capture any of the so called “private” user information and store it,
as it basically in a read only format, i.e. it is an image that is
being displayed, or more precisely a dynamic image that changes itself
for each individual viewer. Worms and viruses can never be passed
through any form of a signature dynamic. Dynamic signatures can’t send
monitoring files to your computer, although it may be possible to set a
cookie via a dynamic signature it would never function correctly s
cookies can't portal information from one server to another. PHP does
not have that type of functionality built into it when using this type
of an application. These restrictions are known as web-standards and
semantics and are decided by the W3 or World Wide Web Consortium
http://www.w3.org/.
In fact a hacker would have much better luck gaining administrative
access by either cracking the admin’s password and finding the users IP
address and other personal information or by hacking into their SQL
databases and decoding the user fields.
There are many tutorials and templates available that show you the
exact steps for creating and enabling a dynamic available, simply
Google similar to: “creating a dynamic signature”. Now your Kung Fu has
grown stronger!