I agree with heshanh-ga that it is extremely unlikely that the file
you mention is an indication that someone tried to initiate a chat
session ? at least a chat session of a conventional AIM/MSN/Yahoo
variety.
I disagree with heshanh-ga that the file is a ?gif file with some
arguments? as files do not ?have? arguments per se, and the mere fact
that the filename does not end in .gif prevents the file from behaving
as a gif (i.e. compressed picture) under all normal circumstances.
Having searched Google I?ve established that the keyword hiddenchat is
associated with various seedy-looking adult websites, at least one of
which indicates that it offers proprietary chat programs.
I do not believe that it is likely that this file is intended to
indicate that someone tried to initiate interactive chat however it is
possible that it is a side effect of running some unusual software ?
either intentionally in participation in some minority interest ? or
as a result of malware, spyware, adware or a virus.
You might want to check your PC for malware, spyware and adware using either
?AdAware? or ?Microsoft Antispyware? (both available for free
download.) A virus scan would also likely be prudent ? either using
one of the commercial products (such as Norton Antivirus - aka
Symantec Antivirus; McAfee; Sophos etc.) or using ?clamwin? the free
open-source alternative.
As for the contents of the file, this may or may not be a gif image?
it would be fairly safe to take a copy of the file, rename it to X.gif
and double click it?(I?d check any available patches have been applied
to your operating system ? i.e. use ?WindowsUpdate? and take any
critical patches first.) If that file is a gif file that has been
renamed then this will display the file in the program windows has
registered as the default handler for gif files. If it is something
else (which both heshanh-ga and I suspect) then you will likely get an
error message. My suspicion is that this file represents some
identifying ?hash? for a picture used either in a website or some
program you downloaded from one. |
