Accessing Files Across Web with VB

Here’s what I’m trying to do. I’ve got files that are being generated to a folder on a server out there on the internet somewhere. And I then Have a VB App access them. The problem is that it needs to be somewhat secure. I can’t just put them in a virtual directory exposing them for the entire web.
What I’d like to do is set up a web share on the server, and then run something similar to this:
cFolder = “\\192.168.0.10\webshare\”
cValidate = DIR$(cFolder,vbnormal)
But when I run this (using a real IP address on the web with a webshare) I get a runtime error #52 Bad file name or number.
What I’m really looking for is a way to map a network drive across the internet. Is that possible?