How to determine if a file has been copied? Solved

Question

Hello,

I have just corrected two strictly identical assignments done in Word.

How can I prove that one person's work (on USB drive) has indeed... "been transferred to the other’s drive?

I have edited the properties (general and statistical) of each file. But that doesn't seem sufficient to me.

Thank you in advance for your insights...

Best regards.

Framboiz.

Configuration: Windows XP / Internet Explorer 8.0

Rochat1 · Accepted Answer

Hello,
It's not so easy to establish a fraud report! On closer inspection of a copied file, I noticed this. By looking at the "Properties" of the file, we see that at the moment it was created, the date changes, but the "modified on" line does not change and remains the same as the original, which could provide evidence of fraud. Indeed, this date concerning the original and that of the "copied" one are strictly identical. Good luck and a bit of authority!!!@+

Pacorabanix · Answer

it's technically not possible, in absolute terms.

now, I think that if in a test you correct two papers with the same answers etc., you don't need to have the sheets expertized to conclude that they copied from each other, do you?
if there are the same sentences, the same ideas, in the same order, with possibly some minor modifications so that it doesn't look like the same assignment, you shouldn't have to look far...

nevertheless, another possible scenario is that both students copied their text from a third source (on the internet, for example), and not from each other. But let's not kid ourselves... copying from each other is likely if you suspect it. Are they "friends" or at least good buddies?

Raymond PENTIER · Answer

Hello Framboiz.  There's no need to stress: Are the 2 assignments identical? They will receive the same grade: zero! -- Retirement is nice! Especially in the Caribbean... :-) &#9787; Raymond &#9794;

fidraman · Answer

Hello,
this is doable on Linux; if both students work on Linux, you'll be able to know the document's origin, as well as its journey, whether copied via USB, burned onto a CD, or transferred over the network, and finally where it ended up.
But on XP or Vista or Microsoft products, it's impossible to know...
So don’t bother trying to find out; with us, 2 identical copies = 2 identical grades = 0. That’s the equation since the exams came into the world, hhhhh.

jimmy1120112 · Answer

Hello Framboiz,

It may be a little late, and you are probably retired, but still...

A file created by yourself cannot be tracked, the modifications by Rochat1 are good ideas, but the answer is in your previous message...
You created and modified the file, so the date will remain as you modified it and not when the students modify it...

If they take the file home, it won't be easy to track the file; it's possible but will be recognized as a virus by external machines.

If it’s on your school or college machines or elsewhere... then you could ask to have a keylogger installed on each machine, connected to a local network or the internet, and request that the reports be sent to an email or saved in a local folder, then you would have a report from each workstation every 1, 2, or 3 hours, depending on the configuration...

So this is the only way to see the copy/paste, USB drives, open windows, keystrokes, in short, all the usage of the PC summarized in each report...

I hope I haven't been too complicated or absurd in my explanation.
If it can help someone else with their machine that they're lending to a friend or a concerned teacher/network admin, it's the same...

Have a nice day and best wishes!

Framboiz · Answer

Hi Jimmy,
Thank you very much for the explanations about the files.
Yes! I’m officially retired now for a few months, but I was happy to receive your response.

I smile because, at the moment, I was really worried and... in the end... the two students didn’t take long to... admit their cheating!!!
We have a lot to deal with, sometimes, in this profession!!

Thanks again and best of luck.
I am keeping the information that can only help me improve my computer skills. It’s good to learn at any age.
Best regards.
Framboiz.

spipouh · Answer

good luck, you care a lot and it's nice to know there are teachers like you.  good luck

Frambouz · Answer

Good evening Spipouh!

Thank you for your kind message.
But I am no longer a teacher in the present. I am a teacher in the past!
I am now retired. I am left with the memories of my students.
Have a good evening.
Framboiz.

How to determine if a file has been copied?

8 réponses

Error 103 (net::err_connection_aborted) - chrome

Texture issues in enshrouded

Old lullaby

Unable to connect to freebox os

Edit ad on leboncoin for free

Freebox wifi password

Computer tower that won't turn on

Blocked: are my messages still being delivered?

Video intercom inspector

Your computer can't use another display.