Is it possible to find out "who" owns "which" ID number??

Hi group! I've been finding files on my comp that I know I didn't recieve.
Thru numerous attempts, I've finally got some info about MSN messenger ID
numbers. I've located them and I've found 9 ID's on my comp and there are
only 5 people living in my home. What I need to know is if it's possible to
find out who owns each particular number. Since all the files in each folder
show as .DAT files, I can't read them to find out if I recognize anyone's
backgrounds, etc. The kids only have one ID each. Just need to find out if
their friends are using our comp to chat...which we've forbidden. Any help
would be great!

 

About the only way I know to track this down would be if you searched the
registry for the ID number of the folder. This should reveal the user logon ID
name associated with the ID number. Tread lightly in the registry, though.
-steve

 

Hi, Stephen....

I'm not even sure how to find files in the registry. How do I get there, or
is it best I leave it alone????Thanx:JOc'

 

Greetings,

You can calculate the ID if you know the e-mail addresses:
http://www.m00.cx/misc/msgrid.php

 

Hi, Jonathon...

I appreciate your help & tried the addy you provided. I guess what I'M
trying to do is the opposite. I've tried it this way before but I guess what
I need is to find out the email addy, since I already have all of the ID
numbers. It's kinda tricky, I guess, but I guess I'll have to grill the kids
some more...LOL. Just wanted to be sure other kids weren't using messenger
while the adults were away during the day. My own kids know the rules about
downloading files and stuff, but others may not abide by it. There were no
viruses or anything...just things unsuitable for my 10 yr old to see. Thanx
again for your help...Joc'

 

It may be best to leave it alone. However, if you want to poke, go to Start/Run
and type regedit in the run box. When the registry editor opens go to edit/find
on the menu and enter the numerical ID in the search box. You can repeat the
search by pressing F5 after the first entry is found as there may be multiple
entries or keys with the ID for you to look at. Be sure not to delete or change
anything or you may be faced with a corrupt registry.

I'm thinking that you may want to rethink your computer usage, though. You
should create individual user accounts for each member of the family with
passwords and set them to an account type of limited user. This will not prevent
people from signing on to other Messenger accounts, but it will prevent the
installation of many programs by the members of your family.

MSN has also been working to improve parental controls and you should see
something on this in the near future. It may help what you're trying to
accomplish.

-steve

 

Hi Joc,

Unfortunately you can't really reverse the process as it's intended to be obfuscated to
prevent rogue apps from stealing your address.