The data fields are often written by the device used to take the photo but can also be populated by programs such as Photoshop.Ĭheck out the full list of data fields supported by Exif. Exif Data in PhotosĮxchangeable image file format, or Exif data, is information that accompanies an image file and contains many data fields that can be populated or left blank. They collect it and add it next to your likes, comments, your network of ‘friends’ etc., to profile you. While social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram ( same company – Facebook ) strip out the metadata before it shows your photo to the world, they don’t just erase that metadata. Make sure the service you use strips out metadata. Luckily, most social media platforms eliminate this threat by stripping out metadata from your published files. That’s metadata.īesides what’s visible in the photo itself, metadata can reveal when and where the photo was taken, the device used to take the photo and other unique characteristics that can fingerprint you across the web.īy not removing metadata, a hacker or OSINT researcher can easily find out where you live, where you work, your preferences and habits, etc., just by extracting the Exif data hidden inside the photos you post online. And both file types have one thing in common that can give away a lot more information than you might think.

The two most common file types shared online today are photos and videos. Libimage-exiftool-perl is already the newest version (10.80-1).Ġ upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.ALSO READ The Easiest Way to Remove EXIF MetadataĪLSO READ Metadata Cleaner: View and Clean Metadata ( Linux ) Note, selecting 'libimage-exiftool-perl' instead of 'exiftool' I downloaded the tar file, but then I wasn't sure what to do next:ġ) Do I first need to uninstall the old version? If so, how do I do that? (I no longer have the original tar file for that version.)Ģ) When I run sudo apt install exiftool, I get this output: Today I see there is a new version of exiftool, 12.01. I installed exiftool on this computer LONG ago, I don't even recall how. I think I might just not be using the correct search terms.

I tried searching the forum, but I could find nothing helpful. I read the page about installing exiftool, but that does not address my problem.

Ubuntu install exiftool