EXTREMELY Hidden File - Desktop.ini

I'm not sure if this is a legitimate threat, but it concerns me.

For some reason the directory "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents" on my XP Home PC apparently contains a file called "Desktop.ini". I know this because my virus scanner (NOD32) told me the folder contained this file, but that it could not scan it because it was locked.

When I view this folder in Windows Explorer (with the option to view hidden and system files enabled), the folder shows to be EMPTY. The properties of the folder, however, shows to contain a single file at 62 bytes.

Why do I feel this is a potential security concern:

1. My virus scanner cannot scan the file (desktop.ini)
2. The file (desktop.ini) seems to be very hidden

A scan of the directory with TDS-3 shows a file to be there, and does not generate an alarm, so I feel a little better. But what's up with this hidden file?? Should I be concerned?

 

you might try looking here or here

 

Hi, Big C -

Thanks. That explains it. I'm assuming that since Windows is designed to hide desktop.ini files, that this is not a security issue? And NOD32 not being able to scan this file should also not concern me?

 

It is a windows file and you don't have to worry about this one. But you did just what you should have done with a file or folder that you don't know about. You can always ask someone here and we will be happy to help.


bigc

 

Using the link posted by Big C, I was able to display the file (see attached). Thre are also two more entries that I was unaware of that seem to be two more directories within the .../Documents folder that are unnamed. Am I reading this right?

 

It looks like two empty dirs. and one with 62 bytes. I don't see anything bad.

 

Thanks again, Big C !

I can sleep better tonight now, and that's where I'm headed now.

By the way, I did some testing with the DOS DIR command. Those same two entries that appear to be directories with the dots to the right appear on anytime I do a "DIR /a" command on any folder. So I'm not really sure what that means. I'm not as fluent with DOS commands as I should be.

 

Anytime I can help.

bigc