PMFJI...
Mind if I take a shot?
wwIPStuff.vcx, available as freeware from WestWind. Has a few functions you might find useful.

httpget wil retreive the contents of a URL and save them to a string. All without a browser. This would allow you to have your program decide if it needs updating, build the URL, and retrieve the contents from the web (static page or otherwise). You could then use this string to build your file and put it wherever you please.

If you need any server side processing (I was still a little unclear on the mechanics of your verification process), your fastest route for very simple pages IMHO is FoxIsapi. Pass a parameter in the URL, return a page from your COM object's mthod... what could be simpler?

I don't think the answer is as far as you may fear...