The file called " ~ "

[David Prahl]

For years, I've seen files all over my PCs with just a tilde (~) for a filename. I always assumed it was Windows related. But I'm beginning to think otherwise.

A few weeks ago I read a comment on an abandoned message board that said that these files contained harvested e-mail addresses. Well, THAT got the nerd juices going! :D

Try opening up one of those files using Wordpad! You'll find MANY of your addresses, organized by user, etc. :evil:

They're difficult to read, and Windows Find can't find them (looking for "~" or "~.*"). :?:

Does anyone know what this ugly little file's story is? Know any tricks to search for them?

I've found them right under the root and in other major folders.

[maximus]

Some of those ~ files are temporary files. I think.

p.s. So you are no longer supernerd_dave ?

[Kati Compton]

I split the topic. SuperNerd_Dave's title and name change can be discussed here:
http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=16954&highlight=

[davidspalding]

~*.tmp files have been in Windows since dirt was new. Nothing unusual about them.

But your description seems to indicate dingleberries from a specific application or Trojan Horse you may have run (or may still be running).

Suggest you download Ad-Aware or Spybot Search and Destroy and see if they find anything questionable on your system. ;)

[Kati Compton]

Also make sure you're not hiding extensions of known file types (Tools > Folder Options > View tab from an explorer window). The files may actually have an extension and you're not seeing it.