Help! Files being eaten!

Jonny English · 13-April-04, 05:55 PM

This is a wierd (but scary) problem - this started yesterday, but only a couple of files seemed to be affected so I restored them & didn't think any more of it ... till about an hour ago...

Basically, a file looks fine in explorer, till I try to access it ... there's nothing in the file, & returning to explorer shows the file as 0kb.

All the affected files are still "there", they're all marked as hidden (not by me), and have a created date/time of 30th April 1986, 12:43.

All sorts of files are affected: EXEs, PDFs, GIFs, BMPs, DOCs, TXTs, JPGs, DLLs, etc, etc

The affected files seem to be limited to 3 folders at the moment: the one containing all my PR stuff (reviews, articles, etc - mostly already posted but there's a fair bit lost since my last backup

), the one I use for downloaded software, and the once containing my webpages.
Not all the contents of those folders has been "eaten" though.

I just got the last week's updates for my AV s/w (sophos) & ran a full scan (found nothing), the scan acessing the files showed how many files are affected: about 2,000

Any ideas?

Links to good online AV scans would be good too (I want to double check).

jcarkeys · 13-April-04, 06:01 PM

I'd make a backup in a giffy and limit further loss. After that I'd disconnect from the internet after getting the last updates to rule out a hacker/trojan. Hope everything works out well

jinxÂ© · 13-April-04, 06:24 PM

Sounds odd JE, have you checked your running processes?

You could try an online scan as well maybe. I use the TrendMicro one occasionally.

I'd definitely be doing some backing up of what you can while sorting this out though.

Erad · 13-April-04, 06:25 PM

Try F-Prot, It's what I use often.
Good luck.

nev_payne · 13-April-04, 07:02 PM

dam JE that doesnt sound too healthy mate - what security software do you use?

Jonny English · 13-April-04, 07:21 PM

Thanks

I've done a backup, & also restored the "missing" files, well, all except 80 or so that for the most part I can work around.

The TrendMicro online scan refuses to work for me, I remembered I've got Norton AV 2004 somewhere, so if I'm going to install something, it might as well be that.

13-April-04, 05:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jonny English Etiquette & English Gentleman Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 5,766	Help! Files being eaten! This is a wierd (but scary) problem - this started yesterday, but only a couple of files seemed to be affected so I restored them & didn't think any more of it ... till about an hour ago... Basically, a file looks fine in explorer, till I try to access it ... there's nothing in the file, & returning to explorer shows the file as 0kb. All the affected files are still "there", they're all marked as hidden (not by me), and have a created date/time of 30th April 1986, 12:43. All sorts of files are affected: EXEs, PDFs, GIFs, BMPs, DOCs, TXTs, JPGs, DLLs, etc, etc The affected files seem to be limited to 3 folders at the moment: the one containing all my PR stuff (reviews, articles, etc - mostly already posted but there's a fair bit lost since my last backup ), the one I use for downloaded software, and the once containing my webpages. Not all the contents of those folders has been "eaten" though. I just got the last week's updates for my AV s/w (sophos) & ran a full scan (found nothing), the scan acessing the files showed how many files are affected: about 2,000 Any ideas? Links to good online AV scans would be good too (I want to double check). __________________ [img] [/img]

13-April-04, 06:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
jinxÂ© Still Duck's Hoe Though Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Limbo Posts: 2,166	Sounds odd JE, have you checked your running processes? You could try an online scan as well maybe. I use the TrendMicro one occasionally. I'd definitely be doing some backing up of what you can while sorting this out though. __________________ "Life isn't like a box of chocolates...It's more like a jar of jalapenos... What you do today, might burn your @ss tomorrow."

13-April-04, 06:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
Erad Radic-Hoe Gallery Mod Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 1,930	Try F-Prot, It's what I use often. Good luck. __________________ - Sig by Jobistober -

13-April-04, 07:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
nev_payne Apex Tech God Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Somerset, England UK........ News Threads: 8,143 Posts: 4,085	dam JE that doesnt sound too healthy mate - what security software do you use? __________________ You have reached Nev's Voicemail. Please leave a message in the PM. Thank-you.

13-April-04, 07:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jonny English Etiquette & English Gentleman Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 5,766	Thanks I've done a backup, & also restored the "missing" files, well, all except 80 or so that for the most part I can work around. The TrendMicro online scan refuses to work for me, I remembered I've got Norton AV 2004 somewhere, so if I'm going to install something, it might as well be that. __________________ [img] [/img]

13-April-04, 06:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
jcarkeys Key Hoe Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Defiance, MO (real city) Posts: 2,333	I'd make a backup in a giffy and limit further loss. After that I'd disconnect from the internet after getting the last updates to rule out a hacker/trojan. Hope everything works out well

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