Hello,
I Have a doubt:
The screen shot shown here seems to be on a Trascend Drive - E:\ (which is an external drive), so do you see the same thing happening on your personal drive as well?
These are shortcut files which have have been created on the drive due to virus infection (no doubt).
Suggestion 1:
If this is happening only on E drive, I would say They are many names for this virus but the most common is "the shortcut virus". Its capable of "disappearing" our folder and "appearing" it into shortcut.
The first thing NOT to do is to FORMAT your flash drive. Rumors says that this virus is just a prank..So that unwise user will think they files all gone!
Your file is NOT gone or corrupted, its just HIDDEN. Follow these steps (if you are using windows..):
1) open your infected drive directory (example: drive F:\)
2) open tool, folder option, view tab
3) click "show hidden files & folders"
4) UNCLICK both "Hide extension for known file type" and
"Hide protected operating system files (recommended)"
5) If there is a warning, just click yes
/* Now you should be able to see your lost file (its in transparent folder)*/
6) Enter the hidden folder, CUT all your file and PASTE it inside a new folder. (repeat this step for your other folder too)
7) Delete all old folders that is empty and also the annoying 1kB shortcut folder. (also any suspicious folder or icon such as desktop.ini, thumb.db etc that might be virus)
8) Dont forget to undo step 2 and 3 if your done.
/*if you're infected by this virus again in the future, i recommend you to put all your files and folder in just ONE folder inside your external device.(so you dont have to repeat step 6 so many time)*/
Suggestion 2:
Click on "Start" -->Run --> type cmd and click on OK.
Here, your flash drive letter is H:
Enter this command.
attrib -h -r -s /s /d h:\*.*
You can copy the above command --> Right-click in the Command Prompt and paste it.
Now press "Enter". Now check for your files in Flash Drive.
Suggestion 3:
If the above Steps don't work, check if the Flash drive has a Autorun.inf file.
If you are able to locate the Autorun.inf, Right click on the same and click on "Open with"
Click on "Choose Program"
Select "Notepad"
Once you have opened the file, it may tell you what file is getting autorunned as soon as H drive (USB flash is inserted)
INCASE, this is not your USB EXTERNAL DRIVE then,
1) Update all Microsoft Security Patches
2) Disable Autorun on All Drives
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/953252
3) Disable System Restore
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283073
4) Run a Full Scan sy Symantec Endpoint Protection in Safe Mode.
5) Follow the Symantec Forums Article:
Using Symantec Support Tool, how do we Collect the Suspicious Files and Submit the same to Symantec Security Response Team.
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/using-symantec-support-tool-how-do-we-collect-suspicious-files-and-submit-same-symantec-sec