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EXIF data in Jpeg Images

atheist

atheist

Member
Just a heads up to everyone who is not aware of it. Jpeg images contain metadata that can include the serial number of the camera that took the picture, and in some cases that serial number can be traced back to the camera owner. I've seen a thread from OldPink stating that all the EXIF data is stripped from Jpeg images uploaded here, but it didn't take me long to verify that is NOT the case by looking at images that have been uploaded by other members. So remember, if you're uploading images, get a 3rd party program that will remove all of the EXIF data from your pics before uploading them.
 
TheGoodStuff

TheGoodStuff

Member
I haven't uploaded any pictures yet, but I think that what I'll do before I upload is get my pictures on my computer, open them up, take a screenshot, and paste it into Paint or something.
A bit more hassle, but a lot more secure.
 
Y

yamaha_1fan

I guess thats an issue for those that registered their cameras. My camera has never been registered so there is no link from the serial number to me. Of course if I get raided they can proove it was me but at that point I am screwed anyway
 
Y

yamaha_1fan

how do you retrieve the EXIF info?

EDIT Never mind I downloaded a free EXIF reader. Google its amazing !!!

I did download one pic from one of my posts and sure enough it had my camera model and all sorts of info. So IC is NOT stripping the EXIF info. However it does not seem to have a place for serial number. I wonder if my camera doesnt put a SN on the image or if the reader doesnt read it. It has all sorts of info, so I wonder why it wouldnt get the S/N. Its a Sony camera
 
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boroboro

boroboro

Member
Has anyone actually seen serial numbers or information that specific in EXIF data? I looked a while ago, and cheap Canon cameras, at least, don't put anything like that in EXIF data.
 
abirdintheair

abirdintheair

Buteo Jamaicensis
Veteran
well i just d/l a pic.... gave me the camera type, date, shutter speed, focus, distance away along with a few more pieces of info... fcuking shitty... :badday:
 
OGRaq

OGRaq

Member
download batch image resizer, it will strip exif out of all your pics in one click, it's what i use.
 
G

Guest

It doesn't say serial number but each image is given a unique "serial number" so who knows how that can be used.

I just open any image I want to upload in photoshop and use the save for web which makes it smaller and when you load it into exif reader it comes up as "error could not open the exif file.

Who knows what can be gleaned off of an image. They've already figured out how to unscramble image smudging so I dunno.


Better safe than sorry in this game.
 
atheist

atheist

Member
There is a section in the EXIF data where the camera manufacturers can store proprietary or encrypted info called the makernote tag. For more info, see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exif

You don't necessarily need to have registered your camera for images to be traced back to you. If you post images from that camera elsewhere using your real identity, then that could potentially be used to match your real identity to your icmag account. That kind of thing would be possible now for the big search engines (like google) to do, but would probably be outside of the resources for LEO. At least at the moment.
 
m@rg

m@rg

go on .. pull my finger
ICMag Donor
Veteran
i use exifpro ,resize image,delete the original . shrinks the file by over half
 
L

Liam

Active member
In Canada, they cannot enter photos into court unless the person that took them, testifys that he took the pictures.
 
boroboro

boroboro

Member
Atheist has a good point, regarding matching your photos using whatever EXIF info happens to be included in the pics. It may not be proof that stands up in court, but it could be one of the bricks in the wall..

I guess I'll start stripping out EXIF info, then: 'mogrify -strip *.jpg' is a pretty quick command, if you're fortunate enough to be using a linux PC or one with imagemagick installed.


-- He tried to touch me with his noodly appendage, but I told Him to back the f**k off...
 
S

SoEx

Member
boroboro said:
Atheist has a good point, regarding matching your photos using whatever EXIF info happens to be included in the pics. It may not be proof that stands up in court, but it could be one of the bricks in the wall..

I guess I'll start stripping out EXIF info, then: 'mogrify -strip *.jpg' is a pretty quick command, if you're fortunate enough to be using a linux PC or one with imagemagick installed.


-- He tried to touch me with his noodly appendage, but I told Him to back the f**k off...
Click to expand...

Imagemagick is wonderful in many ways. If you're unfortunate enough to be using Windows, you can use jstrip to strip EXIF data from images you upload. You can even right click an entire folder and select "Start jstrip here" to bring up the program screen to strip all files within that folder.
 
atheist

atheist

Member
I've done some followup checking on EXIF data that is embedded in the jpeg images. Some digital cameras store their unique serial number in the images and some dont. It's completely dependent on the camera manufacturer and model.

Just to clarify my concerns though. I'm not at all worried that the images would be used against me in court. If my home is raided while I'm growing, they won't need the images, they'll have the plants. I just don't want to post something on line that could possibly be traced back to my real name and address, giving them a reason to raid my home. I don't know that it has ever happened, but if it's technically possible, I'm not gonna take the chance. I've got way too much to lose.
 
J

Joey56789

Member
FYI, "save for web" or "save for web and devices" in photoshop should erase all that info too (best to verify with Exif reader). Photoshop isn't a cheap alternative, but if someone already has it, you shouldn't need another program.
 
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