RE: chat logs

["Nick Kriger" <Nick.Kriger () bigbandnet com>]

Easier way, Install google desktop search, it records (and makes
searchable) all AIM and messenger conversations. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Kinnell [mailto:kinnell.t () gmail com] 
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2005 10:34 AM
To: Steve
Cc: Melissa Fischer; security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: Re: chat logs

I hate to present this possibility since it will lead to total loss of
privacy, but depending on when these threats were made and how long has
past you may be able to catch one of the students actively discussing
the threats with possibly the threat maker.  So you could install a
key-logger on the computer and sift through the logs at a later time.
Now granted you will not be able to see both sides of the conversation
(unless you're doing screen captures as well) but it may lead you to a
time at which these conversations were taking place, or a site at which,
or any number of things.  I'm sure that if your police department wanted
they could sophena the site for its logs and find what users were logged
in at a specific time and so forth.

good luck.
Kinnell

On 5/12/05, Steve <securityfocus () delahunty com> wrote:
> Good luck in your search and my thoughts are with your community that 
> this all turns out fine without incident.
>
> Most high school students will use AOL's instant messenger for chat.  
> I did some quick research and did not see much on checking logs for 
> AOL instant messenger but perhaps others on the list can help.
>
> See the web browser history log check recommendations here:
> http://www.perverted-justice.com/guide/?pg=parents
>
> http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/ceos/onlinesafety.html
> "In addition, the Internet browser (such as Internet Explorer, 
> Netscape, or America Online) that children use to surf the web 
> automatically tracks useful information. Parents can easily review the

> browser "history" file to see approximately 20 sites that have been 
> most recently visited by that browser. Parents can use this Internet 
> history function by clicking on the small downward shaped arrow in the
address box of their Internet browser.
> Along similar lines, parents can search their computer's Internet
"cache"
> files, which are system resources that store a longer list of recently

> visited Internet sites. The simplest way for parents to access the 
> cache files is search for the word "cache" using the computer system's

> search function; the search function is typically found in the start 
> menu in the bottom left hand corner of the computer screen. Parents 
> can gather information using their computer's "cookies" records as 
> well. Cookies are trace files that contain information about Internet 
> users and can provide additional clues for parents about the kinds of 
> sites that their children are visiting. However, parents should 
> recognize that technically skilled children can edit or delete all of
these kinds of records."
> STEVE
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Melissa Fischer" <Melissa.Fischer () NorthMemorial com>
> To: <security-basics () securityfocus com>
> Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2005 2:52 PM
> Subject: chat logs
>
> Our community, Waconia, Minnesota has recently been the victims of 
> threats against our children and schools.
> http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5399090.html
>
> The Emergency Response Task Force assigned to our case asked parents 
> to go home and check their kids computers for any chats or emails with

> information.
>
> We are trying to find a document explaining where and what to look at 
> to find any information.  We would like to post this on our school 
> main page www.waconia.k12.mn.us for a resource for parents to use on 
> how to find any information.  Can you tell me where to find this
information?
> Thank you in advance,
>
> Melissa Fischer
> Database Administrator
> Data  and System Engineering
> North Memorial Health Care
> 763/520-1533
> melissa.fischer () northmemorial com