OK..I admit it.

I snooped.

I fiddled around looking for a chat log [still can't find one] and what I found instead, is that the password I have, does not turn up the character he most uses.

The flags are flying now. There could be an explanation for this, so I'm not packing my bags yet <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> but further investigation is in order.

Any help?

Noodle

noodle, what game is it?

World of Warcraft

familiar with it?

Noodle

Just some thoughts:

in the game I play, buried within subfolders of the main game folder is a folder called "profiles"...there it has many things about the characters you have, but the filenames are pretty indecipherable. But should I open one with Microsft Word or Wordpad, I may come across one that looks like it may contain something readable.

Every other character is a "square"..you know, the gibberish you see when you open some files that aren't meant to be open. Well, if you delete those squares, you have a readable chatlog.

Not saying it's the same for the game you're playing, but just wanted to throw and idea out there.

Also...does the password have to be entered everytime you go in-game? Can you guess what it is?

I know of it. My husband played it for awhile. But I think he played on the other computer or I would've been able to nose around my own folders to see if I could find anything.

If i see anything, I'll let you know, noodle.

Hi Noodle,

My H and I both play World of Warcraft...he plays a female character and up till now I never really thought about it being a protection against predatory female players. I had other reasons for being bugged about it but coming from that perspective I can deal with it better.

Anyway..I will see what I can find out about recording chat logs and such. We also played Everquest and saw the devastation that it can cause in relationships. That's why I play as well (other than the fact I do enjoy it) I want to know who he is talking to and get to know his online friends too.

My H just said make sure you check all the servers. It is possible to have characters on several different servers which widens the pool for meeting people but also the variety of gameplay since different servers have different dynamics. If you find that the password you have doesn't turn up the character he plays most at all then you want to check your credit card to make sure he doesn't have two accounts. Why not ask him what server he plays on?

Will keep thinking about this and get back to you.

VL/Jodi

<small>[ January 11, 2005, 11:54 AM: Message edited by: VeteranLurker ]</small>

Noodle-

I wouldn't flip out just yet about the password issue, there is more than likely a good explanation for this. I don't think your husband probably considered it a risk to your relationship to play this online game....I really don't, most people start these games innocently enough, it just tends to escalate. I think that you are wise to be cautious, but don't jump the gun.

Did your husbands A start online??? If not he probably doesn't have any idea how these things go, I unfortunately do know......not from my husband but from near misses myself....it's really easy to get caught up in it all.

I think you're okay....just keep your eyes peeled.

-Caren

p.s.-My gosh I'm so happy that I have some knowledge of SOMETHING on here LMAO!!!!

A,

Yes, you have to use the password every time.

When I do, I see my character [I made one last night] and about 3 of his..but not the one he uses.

I can't find any sort of profile..or really any info..they seem to be having server troubles today [of course <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> ].

My radar has been poking me for a few days now. Last night, as I sat observing, then later playing I noticed that he said goodnight to one person..a female character..and only to her. Tweak.

I noticed that he was in a big hurry to tell her that I was his wife when I made my char. That he used whisper mode to do it. [so private convo isn't new for them]
Tweak.

I have noticed that he has gotten up and played this game while I am still in bed, and that he prearranges times to meet with her..I mean the guild <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />
TWEAK.

As I have sat reviewing this today..my mind has played connect the dots. It doesn't look good.

Noodle

noodle, try doing a search for

chat-cache.txt

tell me if you come up with anything. Just use the "search all files" function in your windows explorer.

A,

OK..I found some, but they don't have the chat recorded in them..just some comp jargon.

I found the char though..and it doesn't look like they all were recorded..because I KNOW that he has used this char daily, and I don't see that recorded.

Can I look deeper? I'm really comp illiterate.

Noodle

Noodle,

I read your last post with a growing sense of dread. I hope you're wrong.

There are many spy programs on the market, I used this one for a month for free. I got all the awful stuff I needed to know.

Noodle,

Can you log on in your character - or one of his - and "ask around?"

I'm not that familiar with how these things work. But..is it possible in the virtual world to ask if anyone knows of these other characters? At least that would give you some idea of who he has interacted with.

My best suggestion I have to figure out what file MIGHT contain that chat is...

Next time he goes on, make a note of the time he logs on and logs off.

When you can, open up the windows explorere search function.

Search for "all files" and search all drives. Leave the "name" or description blank.

Click on "advanced search options" You should see an option that says "when it was last modified". Make sure that you're searching all system files, all sub files and hidden files (there's an option) Then run your search. *editing in* Make sure you only search for the day of interest, otherwise you're whole system will come up. For instance, if he played this AM, you'd search from 01/11/05--1/11/05

You'll come up with a ton of files--just the nature of Windows. You should have a column where you can arrange the search results by date modified. If not, you can choose that to be a display option. Look for the time your husband played the game and look to see what files were modified. Look in those files to see if you can find anything. Make sure you use either WordPad or Microsoft Word to do this.

If your search results only list icons or filenames, without the time modified. right click in the search window. Choose, "View" and then "details".

I'm assuming your system is windows, btw.

<small>[ January 11, 2005, 12:16 PM: Message edited by: aislinn ]</small>

One more option....

Go to the official WoW site and go to the forums. Maybe technical support.

Make a post..something like needing to know if there's anything on your own computer that contains a chat log. Just say there was some info in there you needed to see and you can no longer see it in game.

It's possible that WoW does not have this kind of file. Star Wars does...but different game <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Andrew,

Heh, I tried that already. My char is on a different..uh continent[?] than the one he plays.

As I have said, I spent most of my time trying to navigate and not run into things.

The person he tried to "helpfully" contact for me, was not on..so I don't think my cover is blown <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> but I don't think that asking around will help. I already have reservations and admittedly paranoia about one woman who he is gaming with. I'd like more info, today if I can get it..but what I need..no other fellow player can get for me.

Binder..

My dread-o-meter is rising also. Not that he necessarily is having an EA. Not my immediate concern although I haven't ruled it out.

Failure to protect..failure to establish appropriate opposite sex boundaries.

Failure to have a clue or a quarter with which to buy one.

I think he may have mentioned using different servers for some reason that went over my head..but in any case..what I already know points to trouble whether manifest or potential.

Yuck. I'm not doing this again. Those chats better be very innocent or I am done right now.

Noodle

Tonight I am going on a fact finding mission.

I will see how many shadows I am jumping at, and how many lions are loose in my house.

It isn't a mutually exclusive choice <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" />

Difficult conversation lies somewhere in the near future, when I have confirmed and digested what is true and what is paranoia.

Isn't this ever over?

Noodle

Will be thinking about you tonight, Noodle.

We all know that good ole knot in the stomach feeling, all too well unfortunately.

I play World of Warcraft Online-- I play on Laughing Skull (a PvP server). I have played online since 1996- Ultima Online,Anarchy Online, Asheron's Call, EverQuest, Planetside, Earth And Beyond,Star Wars Galaxies, ShadowBane and a couple more. I was a beta tester for each of these (including WoW) except UO and EQ. My husband does not play.

I have asked my friends about the chat logs and am waiting for their answer. In EQ, all you had to do was type /log and it logged everything. Im not sure of the WoW setup though. I hadnt even thought of it!

In the meantime, I used this keylogger:
http://www.blazingtools.com/bpk.html

Download the "LITE" version- its entirely free and very, very simple to use. It does not show up in the process list and you can set a password to read the logs. You also set a special key combo to open the program to check it-- I use ALT+Windows key+K to get into mine. The only thing that detected it so far on my system was AdAWare. I run Norton Antivirus and it never found it.

I used it while away on vacation to see if my husband really has stopped using his secret accounts and to see what he'd be up to while I was gone. Im so happy to say I found absolutely NOTHING...Thank you God. This was last Thanksgiving and it really helped me feel much more secure. Our recovery is in full swing!

noodle, IMO, your H is in dangerous territory. If he's not engaging in inappropriate contact with other players, the description of "fertile ground" is on target. It isn't a safe place for him to be, and it appears you know it. Does he agree? Will he? Answers to these questions will tell you what you need to know, I think.

IMO again, just the simple fact that this game-playing is taking you into the territory of doubt and angst is reason enough for H to give it up.

Best wishes,
PM

Noodle, regardless of whether the computer is being used for cybersex, EA, chatting etc, the most important thing I see here is that he has a secret password.

Surely, after DDay, there should be no more secrets and that includes all passwords and (very importantly) phone voicemail access. The internet and the mobile phones in my opinion are dangerous accompaniments of so many affairs. You are wise to be cautious and don't let him tell you otherwise. TT