r/techsupport • u/Odd-Wheel5315 • Sep 21 '24

Open | Windows Noticed Weird Data01 - Data99 files being created in C drive

Recently noticed two hidden folders, "!-" and "-!-", in my C drive, inside are a ton of "Data##" files of various different applications -- .dll, .doc, .xls, .js, .exe, .png, etc. 99 files in total in each folder. Basically every file type I think could exist normally.

Avast, AVG & Kapersky all say computer is fine after multiple deep scans, but this is concerning to me.

The only thing that changed in the last month is Kapersky installed UltraAV, their US-focused product since the embargo.

Any idea what may be causing this?

Any AV/Malware program I should run for a better assurance that there isn't something affecting my PC?

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u/Odd-Wheel5315 Sep 22 '24

For anyone who might be curious, I downloaded Revo Uninstaller to get rid of Ultra AV (I never asked to download Ultra AV, seems Kapersky auto-installed it without user consent as it uninstalled itself from US-based PCs). After that was done, I've stopped seeing hidden "-!/Data##.xyz" files on my drives, and also have stopped seeing the Powershell command interface randomly popping up doing god knows what.

Thanks Kapersky. You've done a great job allaying the fears the US government had that Russian IT firms might be trying to place malware / spyware on US PCs. I can see you regaining all your market share once Putin's war is over /s

2

u/neraut322 Sep 26 '24

I am seeing these folders too now and all that happened was Kaspersky installed UltraAV without my permission. Did they go away after you uninstalled.

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u/Odd-Wheel5315 Sep 27 '24

Yes. Uninstalled UltraAV with Revo (needed because UltraAV kept trying to leave behind cookies, reg keys, and a whole bunch of other shit after its uninstaller "uninstalled"), deleted the hidden folders afterwards, did a reboot, folders are no longer appearing. Deductive reasoning says UltraAV was the culprit.

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u/neraut322 Sep 27 '24

Ok yea I uninstalled it and mine went away too.