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36044
August 18th, 2008 23:00
Index DAT File (Temporary Folder) Virus?
Hello...always seem to end up here again eventually. :)
My computer has been acting "funny" lately, slower than usual, not responding to certain tasks and the mouse action is often delayed or sporadic. I tried to clean up the temporary files through Disk Cleanup, but when I looked into the Temporary Folders, there exists a file I've never seen before called Index, which is a DAT File that opens in Notepad. The file is enormous and tracks every website I've been to. I figured I could just delete it to save space, but it says it's being used by "another user" and when I try to open it in another program, it says it's locked by another user. This freaks me out. I have no problem with my computer automatically recording history, but I don't want someone tracking personal information, such as accounts and passwords. Is this a virus or someone in my computer? How do I "fix" or remove it?
Thanks in advance!
Mylola13
13 Posts
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August 19th, 2008 00:00
Thank you...I will look into that now. I actually wrecked my fingers deleting everything within that file and saving it as an empty document, (took forever). I just don't want a "3rd party," as you say, obtaining personal information like passwords or account information via website tracking. So long as you don't think there is anyone within my computer. When it said it was created and locked by another user, the warning lights went on.
Another question...what is the latest and best security program (ex. McAfee) out there? I have McAfee now, but feel like it isn't always catching everything, and it's always downloading some new update and interrupting/delaying other tasks. Any info you may have would be extremely helpful.
Thanks again!
joe53
2 Intern
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5.8K Posts
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August 19th, 2008 00:00
Mylola13:
Ah, the ubiquitous index.dat file!
Firstly, it is not spyware or a virus, but placed there by Microsoft for reasons nobody knows. And it can grow to enormous size as it tracks your IE surfing. You can read about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Index.dat
As you have discovered, it cannot be erased in Windows. There are 3rd party utilities that can erase the contents of the index.dat file at your next reboot (using a batch file). I use the free (and reputable) utility CCleaner, which you can download here:
http://www.ccleaner.com/download/
Just make sure you have placed a check next to Delete Index.dat files, when you run the cleaner.
joe53
2 Intern
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5.8K Posts
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August 19th, 2008 01:00
Mylola13:
No, your computer has not been hacked. I suspect the index.dat file was created by Microsoft to aid various police agencies who have reason to seize and examine a suspect's computer.
However, when this file becomes huge, it can certainly slow down your PC, hence the advisability of using a utility like CCleaner to erase its contents. Note that while CCleaner will erase the contents of the index.dat file, the file itself will be re-created (empty) at bootup. So you will have to run CCleaner on a regular basis to keep the size of this file reasonable.
As far as security programs go, I have to admit I am not a fan of McAfee products, for various reasons. I will refer you to the info in the link in my sig below for what I feel are good, free, and sufficient security programs.
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Free security software: A primer