Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: AOL IM -- Storing all my Instant Messages!?

This is topic AOL IM -- Storing all my Instant Messages!? in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Nate Lehrke (Member # 1460) on 07-12-2003, 01:18 AM:

I utilize AOL Instant Messenger Version 5.1.3036

I just stumbled upon a folder on my PC that seems to have every Instant Message & image that I have ever sent/received from the time when installed. (Located ----My Documents -- AIM Logs)

My question is: How do I get my computer/AOL IM to not save all my confidential messages, besides just deleting the folders every couple days?

Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 07-12-2003, 02:11 AM:

This is a pretty standard feature of instant messaging services; ICQ does it. I actually find it quite usefull. I could tell you how to delete them if you used ICQ. Unfortunately I can't help with AOL since I don't use that service.

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 07-12-2003, 03:31 AM:

I run this same version and I don't see these logs or anything in the settings or help about them. I'm on Win98se on this machine.

I do know, however, that AIM Plus can be set to automatically keep your logs.

Posted by Don Bruechert (Member # 1538) on 07-12-2003, 03:32 PM:

Go into your preferences and look around. There is a checkbox for "Automatically log conversations." By default it is not checked, and AOL usually dumps your message pool as soon as you shut it down. It may keep temp files while you are actually in a conversation, and it is possible that if you shut down your computer abnormally when you are in a conversation that some of them might not get deleted, but I am assuming that somehow the checkbox got marked to log all your messages. Clear it if you find it, do apply-OK or whatever, shut down the prog and reboot. You should be fine after that. You will probably have to delete the files that are already there yourself.

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 07-13-2003, 03:23 PM:

Tell me where I should go so that my screenname is not listed somewhere for spammers to send me junk IM's. I don't want to block all users except those on a list; if someone knows my SN they ought to be able to IM me but I don't want to appear on some list somewhere to be harvested. I presume they are not stumbling onto my SN by trial and error.

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 07-13-2003, 03:57 PM:

I like to go back and read mine from time to time. Some of them make for interesting reading.

Posted by Scott D. Neff (Member # 185) on 07-15-2003, 06:26 PM:

I'd be afraid to read mine. They'd either be too embarassing or just plain and boring. But I should go check mine at home... the ones here... well... I guess this is my work laptop... I should remove any possibly incriminating evidence... [Wink]

Posted by Bob Maar (Member # 763) on 07-15-2003, 08:04 PM:

Nate, Your files go directly to the CIA FBI and the DEA. They are watching you. [Smile]

Posted by Steven Privett (Member # 718) on 07-15-2003, 10:44 PM:

that's right, if you lose them and need a copy, they will email to you every IM you have ever participated in. For a fee, of course. I'm requesting yours right now.

Posted by Nate Lehrke (Member # 1460) on 07-16-2003, 01:07 AM:

I think the CIA and FBI might be interested in mine! -- Just kidding, I am always planning world domination though!

I have just password protected the folder so only I have access to them. They are kinda funny to read though!