Shoutbox

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

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.

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

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.

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

Thanks for the responses guys.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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