Hello, I am sorry tio see this. Those files are OK.
You might have pisck it up downloading a torrent.
Consider getting an external harddrive to keep your important docs,music and pics on, so they can stay safe.
2 guidelines/rules when backing up
1) Backup all your important data files, pictures, music, work etc... and save it onto an external hard-drive. These files usually include .
doc, .txt, .mp3, .jpg etc...
2) Do not backup any executables files or any window files. These include
.exe/.scr/.htm/.html/.xml/.zip/.rar files as they may contain traces of malware. Also, .html or .htm files that are webpages should also be avoided.
Download
Belarc Advisor - builds a detailed profile of your installed software and hardware, including Microsoft Hotfixes, and displays the results in your Web browser.
Run it and then print out the results, they may be handy.
Only back up your important documents, personal data files, photos to a CD or DVD drive, not a flash drive or external hard drive as they may become compromised in the process. The
safest practice is not to backup any executable files (*.exe), screensavers (*.scr), autorun (.ini) or script files (.php, .asp, .htm, .html, .xml ) files because they may be infected by malware. Avoid backing up compressed files (.zip, .cab, .rar) that have executables inside them as some types of malware can penetrate compressed files and infect the .exe files within them. Other types of malware may even disguise itself by
hiding a file extension or adding to the existing extension as shown
here (
click Figure 1 to enlarge) so be sure you look closely at the full file name. If you cannot see the file extension, you may need to
reconfigure Windows to show file name extensions. Then make sure you scan the backed up data with your anti-virus
prior to to copying it back to your hard drive.
Here's some more info(some is repeated)
If your CD/DVD drive is unusable, another word of caution if you are considering backing up to an external usb hard drive as your only alternative.
External drives are more susceptible to infection and can become compromised in the process of backing up data. I'm not saying you should not try using such devices but I want to make you aware of all your options and associated risks so you can make an informed decision if its worth that risk.
Again, do not back up any files with the following file extensions: exe, .scr, .ini, .htm, .html, .php, .asp, .xml, .zip, .rar, .cab as they may be infected.
If you're not sure how to reformat or need help with reformatting, please review:
These links include step-by-step instructions with screenshots:
Vista users can refer to these instructions:
Don't forget you will have to go to
Microsoft Update and apply all Windows security patches after reformatting.
Note: If you're using an IBM, Sony, HP, Compaq or Dell machine, you may not have an original XP CD Disk. By policy Microsoft no longer allows OEM manufactures to include the original Windows XP CD-ROM on computers sold with Windows preinstalled. Instead, most computers manufactured and sold by OEM vendors come with a vendor-specific Recovery Disk or Recovery Partition for performing a clean "factory restore" that will reformat your hard drive, remove all data and restore the computer to the state it was in when you first purchased it. See Technology Advisory Recovery Media. If the recovery partition has become infected, you will need to contact the manufacturer, explain what happened and ask them to send full recovery disks to use instead..
If you need additional assistance with reformatting or partitioning, you can start a new topic in the
Operating Systems Subforums forum.
Here some good prevention info.
Tips to protect yourself against malware and reduce the potential for re-infection:•
Avoid gaming sites,
pirated software,
cracking tools,
keygens, and
peer-to-peer (P2P)
file sharing programs. They are a
security risk which can make your computer susceptible to a smörgåsbord of malware infections, remote attacks, exposure of personal information, and identity theft. Many malicious worms and Trojans spread across P2P file sharing networks, gaming and underground sites. Users visiting such pages may see innocuous-looking banner ads containing code which can
trigger pop-up ads and
malicious Flash ads that
install viruses, Trojans and spyware. Ads are a target for hackers because they offer a stealthy way to distribute malware to a wide range of Internet users. The best way to reduce the risk of infection is to avoid these types of web sites and not use any P2P applications. Read
P2P Software User Advisories and
Risks of File-Sharing Technology.
•
Keeping Autorun enabled on USB and other removable drives
has become a significant security risk due to the increasing number of malware variants that can infect them and transfer the infection to your computer. To learn more about this risk, please read:
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