Can the conversation history be changed and edited?

Can the conversation history be changed and edited? - Printable Version

-Shoutbox (https://shoutbox.menthix.net)
+-- Forum: MsgHelp Archive (/forumdisplay.php?fid=58)
+--- Forum: Messenger Plus! for Live Messenger (/forumdisplay.php?fid=4)
+---- Forum: WLM Plus! Help (/forumdisplay.php?fid=12)
+----- Thread: Can the conversation history be changed and edited? (/showthread.php?tid=81406)

Can the conversation history be changed and edited? by adamkkk on 02-03-2008 at 11:54 AM

Hi All (Hopefully posted this in the right folder now)

I wanted to know if it is possible for the XML document which contains the conversation history with a contact to be edited and changed using programmes such as Oxygen XML Editor.

I ask because I have been sent a transcript of a conversation which has been edited, with comments that have not been made.

Many thanks

RE: Can the conversation history be changed and edited? by Mnjul on 02-03-2008 at 12:56 PM

Yes indeed it can be modified with a text editor. (Messenger's own) XML documents are only plain text, not encrypted and there's no validation for the integrity.

RE: RE: Can the conversation history be changed and edited? by adamkkk on 02-03-2008 at 01:05 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Mnjul
Yes indeed it can be modified with a text editor. (Messenger's own) XML documents are only plain text, not encrypted and there's no validation for the integrity.

Many thanks for your reply. Therefore someone who has the expertise and using the right software e.g. Oxygen XML editor CAN change the conversation to read whatever they want it to?

If so, then surely a transcript of the conversation cannot be used as evidence to show what conversation took place?

Mnjul thanks again for your reply. I forgot to ask, do you have an external evidence to support that fact ie any links to any sites etc.

your assistance is very much appreciated

Hi All

I have only heard of Messenger Plus - so not too sure of its exact capabilities.

The Questions I want to ask are

1. what file format does the conversation be saved in? e.g. XML etc

2. is the file encrypted

3. can the file be edited afterwards given the right knowledge and software. For example Oxygen XML editor can be used to edit XML files.

Many thanks

RE: Can the conversation history in Messenger Plus be changed/edited by Chris4 on 02-03-2008 at 03:02 PM

quote:
Originally posted by adamkkk
I have only heard of Messenger Plus - so not too sure of its exact capabilities.

Depends what you choose in Preferences > Conversations > Chat Logging. Either HTML (default) or plain text.

quote:
Originally posted by adamkkk
2. is the file encrypted

You can choose for them to be encrypted in Preferences > Conversations > Logs Encryption

quote:
Originally posted by adamkkk
3. can the file be edited afterwards given the right knowledge and software. For example Oxygen XML editor can be used to edit XML files.

Yes, you can edit the HTML or plain text file.

RE: Can the conversation history in Messenger Plus be changed/edited by vaccination on 02-03-2008 at 03:03 PM

you can edit xml files without a XML editor, just right click > Open With > Notepad

RE: Can the conversation history in Messenger Plus be changed/edited by adamkkk on 02-03-2008 at 03:11 PM

Thanks for the responses guys.

So either way, it is possible to edit and change a conversation that is saved in the history folder?

RE: Can the conversation history in Messenger Plus be changed/edited by Chris4 on 02-03-2008 at 03:18 PM

quote:
Originally posted by adamkkk
So either way, it is possible to edit and change a conversation that is saved in the history folder?

That's correct.

quote:
Originally posted by adamkkk
Thanks for the responses guys.

No problem.

RE: Can the conversation history in Messenger Plus be changed/edited by adamkkk on 02-03-2008 at 03:30 PM

Chris4 Thanks again.

The issue I am facing is as follows:

I had a conversation with someone (who is very clued up on computers, software, web design, html, codes etc) and I have been accused of making certain comments, which I have not made.

On receiving the transcript of the conversation, it appears to have been edited, quite a lot and it is for me to prove that I did not say what is in the conversation.

Therefore ultimately I should now be able to prove that given the original file, whether saved in messenger history or messenger plus can be edited and so cannot be used as evidence against me.

This is so much of a relief as I was being accused of saying things which I have not and would not say.

Thanks again.

RE: Can the conversation history be changed and edited? by Chris4 on 02-03-2008 at 03:35 PM

Ok

What I would do is open up the HTML file in notepad and have a look at the lines you think he has edited and compare them to other lines. He might have made a tiny mistake which proves it's edited.

RE: Can the conversation history be changed and edited? by vaccination on 02-03-2008 at 03:36 PM

Doesn't really take a genius to edit some text files... 8-)

Also, if you had chat logs enabled, surely you could just check your, un-tampered, version against his fake one?

RE: Can the conversation history be changed and edited? by adamkkk on 02-03-2008 at 03:40 PM

thats my problem - ive never had chat logs enabled

MSN also have no record of the transcripts and therefore the only source of the information that is being relied upon is this other persons copy - which it not seems whether html, xml, or txt files -- can all be edited

So ultimately his transcript cannot be used as evidence!

RE: Can the conversation history be changed and edited? by Spunky on 02-03-2008 at 03:49 PM

It will have a modified date in the file properties... If it's a monthly log and is edited after that month ended for example, it is likely to have been tampered with.

RE: RE: Can the conversation history be changed and edited? by adamkkk on 02-03-2008 at 03:59 PM

quote:
Originally posted by SpunkyLoveMuff
It will have a modified date in the file properties... If it's a monthly log and is edited after that month ended for example, it is likely to have been tampered with.

That is true. However coming back to Windows Live Messengers own History Conversation Log, it stores one file per contact.

Therefore I could have a chat with you on 31/01, go offline and edit parts of the conversation and then speak to you today and the conversation I had with you today will just add at the end of the conversation and the date and file properties will just change to today.

I have already spoken to a techie who said that the file properties date and time can be quite useless. For example I could change the date and clock on my PC to 02/05/2010 and therefore when the changes are made to the file, the modified properties would say thefile was last modified on 02/05/2010 -- when both you and I would know that is not even possible!