Random named files

[VoidLord2]

Today i went in C: and saw some files with names like "4e2a6018caf0c8f5922e48079fd5a1" and having 0KB size, any idea what is it? i didn't install anything today, and it says they were created today

 

[Ralston18]

Where are the files, that is to say in what folder are the files? What file extension is on the file names?

Could be temporary files from some update.

The folder location and file extension should provide some clue.

 

[lwrage]

Possible ransomware?

 

[VoidLord2]

Where are the files, that is to say in what folder are the files? What file extension is on the file names?

Could be temporary files from some update.

The folder location and file extension should provide some clue.

They are in the drive C, they arent extensions, their type is "file" and size is 0KB

 

[Ralston18]

Something to consider but I would expect that if ransomware is on the system the OP would be having another set of problems.

Once the location and nature of the files is known, there is the option to use the admin tools to clean old files via the Control Panel Adminstrative Tools. Or third party ulitilities such as CCleaner.

Might do away with the files making the matter moot. TBD.

 

[Ralston18]

Read that Windows uses .file for files without and extension but could not confirm.

Found this:

http://filext.com/alphalist.php?extstart=%5EF

Does not allude to Windows/Microsoft per se.

I think my action would be to run the admin tools to see if the Windows admin tool removes them. Or a utility like CCleaner.

If not I would create a new folder for the files and move the files from the root to the new folder. Perhaps just one or two at time.

Trusting there are no consequences then eventually I would delete the new folder and its contents.

 

[boosted1g]

This is completely common.

Windows will do this as temporary directory to calculate hash values or other things typically during windows updates.

These should clear out on their own, but if a week or two goes by with them still there then you can delete them, or if you really want to take it safe then just make them hidden.

 

[VoidLord2]

Something to consider but I would expect that if ransomware is on the system the OP would be having another set of problems.

Once the location and nature of the files is known, there is the option to use the admin tools to clean old files via the Control Panel Adminstrative Tools. Or third party ulitilities such as CCleaner.

Might do away with the files making the matter moot. TBD.

I tried scanning my laptop with malwarebytes without any detected virus, and then tried cleaning up with CCleaner, but they didn't go away.

 

[Ralston18]

Then, to take a perhaps safer router, go with boosted1g's suggestion.

Just keep an eye on the files. See if some do start to dissapear or if more files are added.

Print out a list (screen capture maybe) of the existing files as a reference.