Can xnview be used for possible privacy breach?

Discussion in 'Software' started by lola, Jan 2, 2010.

  1. lola

    lola Private E-2

    I currently own but share with significant other xp pro desktop. I've noticed a lot of weird file exts lately. Well I opened up xnview and tried to access some of these files. Not sure I understand all. I found .txt files in code or something, well I finally got copies of 3 0r 4 files that began with just one file. It just kept leading to other files. It seems a little suspicious but I don't know all the lingo. Can you tell me if my computer or my information is being sabotoged. I can send you the files, the first starts out as file name signons3.txt with only 3 things on the page
    (#2e ) no parenthesis. That file led me to file name (DOM source of selection.txt), that led me to file name (Dom source 2 firefox.txt) and then to file name (dta_log2.txt) Can you help make sense of this code and tell me if someone is abusing the use of my computer? I'll atach the files but you'll have to have xnview on your machine and open them by'right clicking the file with your mouse and selecting edit. Thank you in advance for your assistance. The possible breach of information has me worried.:confused Thank you Lola
     

    Attached Files:

  2. plodr

    plodr MajorGeek Super Extraordinaire Moderator Staff Member

    signons3.txt will appear in every FF profile. It starts with #2e and what follows is a list of websites and if you have saved info, it will show an encrypted username and an encrypted password.
     
  3. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    I suppose many applications could be used for privacy breach, however someones going to have to get your data or on your PC first, XNView is just a file viewing application, no more no less that opens up many for file types than other basic applications.

    From what you have posted those files just look like logs and file location logs to tell firefox where various account locations and add-on locations are and so Firefox knows where to get other files it needs from, with nothing securtity wise showing.

    Only and its not a real threat is that I know your names not Lola (just have to be careful what you post), you posted logs on the internet, they can show at times your user account name, does not show any password or way into your machine, and likely you have your PC secured with good security applications anyway.

    If you where to go digging around the folders on your PC you will see loads of log files from many applications, they are pretty much harmless, just like internet cookies.
     
  4. lola

    lola Private E-2


    :major
    Thank you for your response. I'm not very knowledgeable in this area and not sure I understand all.
    On just my personal home computer for just surfing and basic apps why would someone (BF) want or need this capability? Know one uses it for any work reasons. Basic apps are on the computer thats it except this xnview thing. Are these basic app file exts being purposefully created or changed to differerent ext sources that are uncommon on a typical computer like mine for just home use? If so I would tend to suspect the other user is doing this to disguise routine documents so as to hide or be unreadable to me because I am not familiar with anything but the basic apps and file exts that open up legible? What else would be the purpose? I am the only other user and owner of a simple computer not used for any work purposes. The other user does'nt use for work and I only see typical surfing and basic files being opened legibly as is common. The only thing that got me questioning this was that all these weird file exts with contents that appear in illegible type started showing up. So I began to investigate. I don't want this other user to be using my computer to do something illegal or unethical. Please advise so if I need to I can stop this other user from using the computer at all. What was in those attachments I sent? I feel I need to take action to protect myself either legally or ethically or both. Oh yeah the other user put xnview on my computer. I never needed to open any files with less common exts or store data in some other form than the basic file apps. I just need to protect myself. There is some purpose this other user is doing this and that worries me. Thanks in advance
    [/FONT][/FONT].:confused:eek :boxing
     
  5. lola

    lola Private E-2

    :confused :majorWhy would someone want to do this on a typical personal home computer with only two users? Myself who owns it and one other. Not used for work just for surfing and basic applications. The other user put xnview on the machine. Now all these weird exts and coded documents are showing up that I don't know why they are like that or how to read or open them.Never had happen before or had a need for a file viewing app before cause basic apps are all thats on my computer and files are just basic exts with the basic app on that just opens up everything readable format, nothing like coded info or anything. What was on those attachments I sent? Could a cover up be going on by the other user? An attempt to disguise something from me.I don't want my computer being used for something illegal or unethical. I will stop use of my computer by this other user to protect myself. Your thoughts and incites appreciated.:major:eek
     
  6. plodr

    plodr MajorGeek Super Extraordinaire Moderator Staff Member

    Before you get too carried away, xnview is a free program. Read the description
    http://download.cnet.com/XnView/3000-2192_4-10067391.html

    It isn't being used for nefarious purposes!

    Bottom line, it is YOUR computer. Uninstall the program and any others you did not install and do not want on your computer. Set up a password or change the password on your login account and do not share this password. Then set up a limited user account for the other person, if you feel he/she can not be trusted.
     
  7. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    I agree with what plodr has posted above an in some part I maybe shoukd not have posted all rhd info I did, it seems to have spooked you a little, it was not my intention at akk, but to give you sone detail on your question.

    As plodr mentions XNview is a safe application and oone i use for opening various image files and filws i dont have the correct application installed to open them. its not a application to spy on a pc at all. The fikes you mentioned will have always been on your pc if you use Firefox as they are rhe types i mentioned the usage. There is no real usage information in those files for anyone, unless you where wanting to troubleshoot a issue with Firefix and only then all they mention is file locations.


    if you are worried that your other half is upto something then do as plodr suggests and remove the applications in XNview and Firefox, but in all honesty you are making something out of nothing, I will likely have those files in my pc if i searched for them as i run Firefox on a few pcs


    I know its great to be extra vigilent in computing these days but trust me many folk get spooked buy files on their pcs as we are now more used to pcs and when we go routing around the multitude of fikes and folders all sorts pops up.
     

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