I need to make sure that in my client application the user doesn't dramatically change the machine date (e.g. bringing it to 1 month before).
To the best of my knowledge, the best way to check the current time in Java is
System.currentTimeInMillis()
How can I make sure that this is the correct date, in a multiplatform environment (either Windows, Linux, Mac, etc.)?
No connection to remote servers available, nor to the internet. Also, at startup time the time could be already tampered. I just need to check the time for internal biz logic purpose, not to set anything.
解决方案
Radio Clock
Obtain a radio clock with a USB connection for output of current time synchronized by a time code transmitted by a radio transmitter connected to a time standard such as an atomic clock. Similarly, a receiver of GPS signals could also capture the time signal.
Sundial
Position a sundial outside a window. Attach a webcam to the computer in question. Position the webcam in the window. Write an app to interpret the time of day from current image of the sundial.
Black Box, No Inputs = No Go
More seriously, if you do not trust the system time, you have no access to a time server, and you cannot ask the user for current time, I cannot imagine any solution. You have a black box with no inputs. The radio clock via USB is adding such an input.
Wikipedia has an article on Clock synchronization.