All Folders On My Usb Drive Now Have No Content..

[bapak]

All folders on my USB drive now have no content... However, they do have a shortcut flag.... shortcut goes to: C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /c mziwmda.exe & explorer.exe F:\Banned

There is nothing there. USB drive has been scanned for malware and virus with no indications.

[maprao]

Sounds like the Recycler Virus. It turned all my folders into short cuts with no content inside. This happened once when I put a stick into a computer in a business center and once in the local school. Lost the content on the stick both times!

I formatted the USB drive on both occasions because I had back ups both times.....Searching on forums I found no solution.....

[h90]

Sounds like the Recycler Virus. It turned all my folders into short cuts with no content inside. This happened once when I put a stick into a computer in a business center and once in the local school. Lost the content on the stick both times!

I formatted the USB drive on both occasions because I had back ups both times.....Searching on forums I found no solution.....

you mean if I have that virus and next time I put in my USB backup drive I end with my backups lost and my computer infected......

Scary....

[ricklev]

Make sure that you have it set to show hidden files. Sometimes all a flashdrive virus does is hide them.

[ITGabs]

first you need to try looking the space of the external unit, if you have full of free space probably you lost all, but if see that something is taking the space probably the virus only hide your folders and files

Try this:

open the usb (folder) got to organize -> folder and search options -> view and in this windows check these items:

hideen files and folders -> show hidden files folders and drives

uncheck these:

hidden extension for known file types

hide protected operating system files

and press ok, now you can see a lot of files usually hidden for the user, try to find your folders and files, later format the usb unit, and after that rever the changes in "organize" if you want.

if not find any file and there was something important you can try with some recovery tool

[ricklev]

This might help, but I have never used it....

http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/show-hidden-files-and-folders-in-usb-drive/

[Chicog]

Panda do a nice utility called USB Vaccine which makes the autorun.inf read only and prevents your USB's getting infected on other machines.

I assume your own PC's have autorun turned off and up to date antivirus on them.

[bapak]

first you need to try looking the space of the external unit, if you have full of free space probably you lost all, but if see that something is taking the space probably the virus only hide your folders and files

Try this:

open the usb (folder) got to organize -> folder and search options -> view and in this windows check these items:

hideen files and folders -> show hidden files folders and drives

uncheck these:

hidden extension for known file types

hide protected operating system files

and press ok, now you can see a lot of files usually hidden for the user, try to find your folders and files, later format the usb unit, and after that rever the changes in "organize" if you want.

if not find any file and there was something important you can try with some recovery tool

I am tardy in my response... Little while I done exactly what suggested... and all was revealed... Am now doing full format of the USB and will check if the nasty is still around.

Thanks all.

[Sayonarax]

Sounds like ya bought a fake USB stick.

[bapak]

Sounds like ya bought a fake USB stick.

Well, I do not think Cruzer consider that their Cruzer Edge 32gb ScanDisk is a fake.

[nicktheviking]

It is a worm called kido. I am currently dealing with it at work. If you search google using the following it is the third post 'kido worm removal kioskea 13/07/10' this contains some useful information

Good luck

Cheers Nick

Sent from my GT-I8160L using Thaivisa Connect App

[ITGabs]

Probably is not only Kido, I don't know why antivirus are so slow to detetct this kind of worms, many PC get infected before the antivirus detect the infection.

I have some tips about how to prevent but I need to rememebr or find where...

[therealmrbrightside]

Are you using a high speed USB port?

Sometimes if the hard drive requires it, you will only see the shortcuts of the files unless you connect to a high speed USB port.

[TommoPhysicist]

Download a program called FreeCommander.

You have a virus that hides the original folders then links the them using an .exe, usually the virus comes from an internet cafe.

The .exe spreads the virus everytime you use it.

Freecommander will show the virus files on both your PC and the USB stick, and you can then delete them.

[Chicog]

Let me run it by you one more time:

Panda.USB.Vaccine

And Turn Off Autorun.

These two steps will stop (a) USB drives getting infected, and ( Your computer getting infected just by inserting an infected USB drive.

[bangkokburning]

Turn off autorun!

Boot to windows w/ prompt or format in Linux so USB is clean (later format in Windows).

Format USB drive

Name folder (FOLDER!) AUTORUN.inf (same thing Panda vax does)

YOUR PC MAY STILL BE INFECTED THOUGH!