Odd User Preferences

[mfife]

Does anyone else find oddly named plists in their user preferences folder? I am seeing them on our ProTools machines.
They have names like:
com.Anahuge.Ratio.plist, com.Entmen.Mousquetaire.plist, com.IntedDevices.Proboscis.plist...

They have false dates and they are not actual Property Lists. If you remove them they seem to respawn when you use ProTools.

I suspect some kind of secret cookies dropped by ProTools or some Plugin, but why?

anyone know?

[jimlongo]

Yes I've seen them as well. I'm convinced it's some copy protection nonsense. As you said you can delete them all but restarting ProTools seems to recreate them. No one will admit to them.

com.Wayxia.Stadium.plist
com.Tnteligenturia.Souther.plist
com.tenesinvestments.tailpiece.plist
com.DevicroupDevices.Steel9.plist
com.calledesign.buttress.plist

[mfife]

Whatever they are and wherever they are coming from, I'm angry about it. These are mystery files disguised as preferences with likely, but anonymous, hard to detect names, just like the names used in viruses and spam, and they have fake dates.

If they have a legitimate purpose they should have the application or developer's name on them. If they are not Property Lists, they shouldn't have a .plist extension, and if they are not preferences, they shouldn't be in the Preferences Folder.

m

[ripple FX]

Has there been any further information regarding the source of these mysterious corrupt "plist" files? I have 15 that recreate themselves automatically after I trash them on my system: OSX.4.11, PTHD 7.4, G4 2x1GHz.

According to DiskWarrior:
"Detected that Property List data is damaged and cannot be repaired.
XML parser error:
Unexpected character at line 1
Old-style plist parser error:
Unexpected character '0x0' at line 1

Files:
com.appleeurope.duplex.plist
com.AppleEurope.Meikle.plist
com.ationetworkcorporation.sickle.plist
com.completebuy.evacuee.plist
com.elitecargo.frontispiece.plist
com.Igenegor.Seismogram.plist
com.INGInvestments.Meikle.plist
com.superitis.craziness.plist
com.Systel.Featherbrain.plist
com.systemstechnologypartners.sweetlost.plist
com.systora.duplex.plist
com.tenesinvestments.islander.plist
com.Tnteligenturia.Frontispiece.plist
com.utterin.tupelo.plist
com.weirdkid.es.plist

[ripple FX]

I've confirmed 12 of the 15 listed are created as ProTools launches and plugins are being loaded in. WTF??

[ripple FX]

More info. Launch PT. Open prefs folder. Toss out rogue plist files. Keep this window open. Insert plugin. New rogue plist files are created.

Focusrite, Bomb Factory, Pultec, Joe Meek, Impact, Reverb One, Echo Farm and Moogerfooger plugs create:
com.appleeurope.duplex.plist
com.Igenegor.Seismogram.plist
com.Tnteligenturia.Frontispiece.plist

TL Space creates these three plus:
com.Atems.Electioneer.plist
com.Diompaci.Shoeblack.plist

Older SoundToys ie PitchBlender etc create:
com.ationetworkcorporation.sickle.plist
com.completebuy.evacuee.plist

Most stock Digi, ChannelStrip and Waves plugs and some others do not create additional plist files.

Each time I discard the plist file and recreate it by opening a plug in, the modification date of the rogue file is different than it was previously.

I've heard it may have something to do with copy protection. Whatever it is, it is troubling to not know why these corrupt files are being created.

[ripple FX]

Fri Jan 22 10:14:14 EST 2010


Pro Tools Version
__________________________________________
Pro Tools HD.app
7.4cs10, Copyright 1991-2007 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.




Plug-In Versions
__________________________________________
AVOX PUNCH.dpm
1.1, Copyright 2006, Antares Audio Technologies

Amp Farm
Amp Farm 3.0, ©2004 Line 6

AmpegSVX.dpm
AmpegSVX, Copyright 2005-2009 IK Multimedia

AmpliTube
AmpliTube version 1.0.1, Copyright © 2004 by iK Multimedia. All rights reserved.

AmpliTube2.dpm
AmpliTube 2, Copyright 2005-2009 IK Multimedia

BF Essential Clip Remover.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

BF Essential Corr.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

BF Essential Meter.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

BF Essential Noise.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

BF Essential Tuner.dpm
7.4, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Broadband Noise Reduction TDM.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Bruno.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

ChannelStrip.dpm
2.2, Copyright 1998-2007 Metric Halo Distribution, Inc.

Chorus.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Click.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Cosmonaut Voice.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

D-Verb.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

DigiReWire.dpm
7.4cs8, Copyright 1991-2008 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Dither.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Dolby Surround Tools.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Dynamics III.dpm
7.4cs2, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

EQ III.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Echo Farm.dpm
2.30, Copyright 2006 Line 6

Elastic Audio.dpm
7.4, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Fairchild 660.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Fairchild 670.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Flanger.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Focusrite d2.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Focusrite d3.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Funk Logic Masterer.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Impact.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Invert-Duplicate.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

JOEMEEK Compressor.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

JOEMEEK Meequalizer.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

L2007 Mastering Limiter.dpm
"1.3.3f, Copyright (c)2006-2007 Steven M. Massey, All Rights Reserved."

LoFi.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

MOTUAudioFeeder.dpm
1.0x0, Copyright 2006, Mark of the Unicorn, Inc.

Massey CT4.dpm
"1.2.0f Copyright (c)2006-2007 Steven M. Massey, All Rights Reserved."

Massey DeEsser Demo.dpm
1.0.0 [1647] "Copyright (C)2008 Massey Plugins Inc., All Rights Reserved."

Massey TD5 Demo.dpm
1.1.3 (1287) "Copyright (c) 2007 Massey Plugins Inc., All Rights Reserved."

Massey Tools.dpm
0.4.0 beta, Copyright (c) 2007-2008 Steven M. Massey, All Rights Reserved.

Maxim.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Mod Delay II.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Multi-Tap Delay.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Normalize-Gain.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Orange Vocoder
2.0.4 ©1990-2004 PROSONIQ PRODUCTS SOFTWARE

PROSONIQ NorthPole RTAS Carbon
2.1.0 X © 1990-2003 PROSONIQ PRODUCTS SOFTWARE

Phoenix.dpm
2.1x3, Copyright 2002-2005 Crane Song Ltd.

Ping-Pong Delay.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Pitch.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Pultec EQH-2.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Pultec EQP-1A.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Pultec MEQ-5.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Purple Audio MC77.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

ReVibe.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

RectiFi.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Reso.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Reverb One.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Reverse-DC Removal.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

SansAmp PSA-1.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

SciFi.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Signal Generator.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

SignalTools.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

SoundCode Dolby Digital.dpm
1.0.2, Copyright 2005 Neyrinck

SoundReplacer.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

SoundToys

Speakerphone.dpm
2.0.2 Copyright 2009 by Audio Ease. All rights reserved.

Stereo Dithered Mixer.dpm
7.4, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Surround Dithered Mixer.dpm
7.4, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

T-RackS Equalizer
T-RackS Equalizer version 1.2.1, Copyright © 2004 by iK Multimedia. All rights reserved.

T-RackS Multiband Limiter
T-RackS Multiband Limiter version 1.2.1, Copyright © 2004 by iK Multimedia. All rights reserved.

T-RackS Soft Clipper
T-RackS Soft Clipper version 1.2.1, Copyright © 2004 by iK Multimedia. All rights reserved.

T-RackS Suite
T-RackS Suite version 1.2.1, Copyright © 2004 by iK Multimedia. All rights reserved.

T-RackS Tube Compressor
T-RackS Tube Compressor version 1.2.1, Copyright © 2004 by iK Multimedia. All rights reserved.

THC Demo.dpm
"1.0.2d, Copyright (c)2006-2007 Steven M. Massey, All Rights Reserved."

TL Space.dpm
7.2.1, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Tape-Head.dpm
"1.3.1f, Copright 2006 Steven M. Massey, All Rights Reserved."

Tel-Ray Delay.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Time Comp-Exp-Pitch Shift.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Time Shift.dpm
7.4cs10, Copyright © 2009 by Digidesign, a division of Avid. All rights reserved.

TimeAdjuster.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Trim.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

VariFi.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Vinyl.dpm
1.7.3, Copyright © 2006 iZotope, Inc.

VocALignPT.pdf


VocAlignASX
2.9.4 © 1995-2005 Synchro Arts Ltd.

Vocal_WaveShell-DAE 1.1
1.1, © 1991-2006, Waves Audio Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Voce Chorus-Vibrato.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Voce Spin.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

WaveShell-DAE 5.0.5
5.0.5, © 1991-2005, Waves Audio Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

WaveShell-DAE 5.4.5
5.4.5, © 1991-2005, Waves Audio Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

bombfactory BF-2A.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

bombfactory BF-3A.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

bombfactory BF76.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

iZRXDeclickerPTHook.dpm
1.0.6, Copyright © 2001-2008 iZotope, Inc.

iZRXDeclipperPTHook.dpm
1.0.6, Copyright © 2001-2008 iZotope, Inc.

iZRXDenoiserPTHook.dpm
1.0.6, Copyright © 2001-2008 iZotope, Inc.

iZRXHumRemovalPTHook.dpm
1.0.6, Copyright © 2001-2008 iZotope, Inc.

iZRXSpectralRepairPTHook.dpm
1.0.6, Copyright © 2001-2008 iZotope, Inc.

jk_phone
ReverseDoubleHalf V1.0d1

moogerfooger AD.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

moogerfooger LP.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

moogerfooger Ph.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

moogerfooger RM.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

vt3.dpm
"1.2.0f, Copyright (C)2006-2007 Steven M. Massey, All Rights Reserved."





Plug-Ins Unused Versions
__________________________________________
Dynamics II.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

EQ II.dpm
7.3, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Mod Delay
6.4b1, ©1993-2001 Digidesign Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Stereo Mixer.dpm
7.4, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

Surround Mixer.dpm
7.4, Copyright 1991-2006 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.

SurroundScope.dpm
7.0, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.







Toolkits and Digitranslator Versions
__________________________________________

Music Production Toolkit is not installed


DV Toolkit 2 is not installed


Digitranslator 2
7.4, Copyright 1991-2005 Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc.


Digitranslator 1 is not installed

[DigiTechSupt]

I've checked with our developer services and no one here (or any 3rd party that we've talked to) knows how or why these would be created.

Now, don't take this wrong, but have you ever had an unauthorized plug-in installed or any kind of 3rd party software that may enable use of unauthorized plug-ins?

[ripple FX]

Thanks for taking time to respond. I don't take it wrong at all. That could indeed be the issue. However, all my software is correctly licensed. I haven't yet tried (but intend to very soon) removing all plugs and relaunching. FWIW, three of these corrupt plist files pop up immediately upon launching ProTools, even before the interface is initialized. Of course, a complete clean reinstall may ultimately be in my future. I've been having some odd SCSI issues as well. I'll post my results.

[Postman]

I've checked with our developer services and no one here (or any 3rd party that we've talked to) knows how or why these would be created.

Nonetheless, they are. I see some of them too, but not as many as the earlier posts, because I have fewer plugins than others. The files are recreated as Pro Tools launches. I don't think it is an evil plot, but the names do invite wonderment. completebuy? tenesinvestments? Some of the modification dates are puzzling, too, obviously intended to evade casual notice.