Some versions suggest "atlive" is a misspelling or code for "still alive," implying the subject of the videos is trapped in a digital or physical limbo.
As the protagonist watches the contents, they begin to experience auditory hallucinations or the feeling of being watched in their own home. Community Perspective
While the file itself is a fictional trope used in horror storytelling, it taps into the common fear of "lost media" and the idea that some data is better left unread.
The files often "glitch" the user's computer, showing distorted images that shouldn't be possible.
"The atmospheric dread in atlive59 stories usually comes from the ambiguity—you never quite know if you're looking at a snuff film, a haunting, or just a very elaborate ARG (Alternate Reality Game)."