*.tmp files in XP

[Jolt2]

I have a question about tmp files in WindowsXP. I had a computer here that showed a huge amount of tmp files on it when I ran a scan of the system. This thing was loaded with spyware and sasser virus. The question is that when I used WindowsXP search, it only showed about 40 *.tmp files on the system. Using Windows Explorer with the settings changed to show all system files, I could only see the same files that the XP search showed. I then used the DOS prompt and went to the path that I saw when the scan was running with all the *.tmp files flashing by. At the prompt, I dir /p the directory and page after page of tmp files showed up. Why didn't XP show all these tmp files in a file search using *.tmp?

 

[Smilin]

You may not have permissions to the folders that some of those .tmp files reside in.

If you are sure you do then it is likely someone has installed a root kit on your computer (you've been hacked)

 

[InlineFive]

Is it safe to delete *.tmp files?

 

[Psych]

In general, yes. Soemtimes these files are backups and could possibly be files used by a program, but the designer would have to be kind of dumb to name their program files .tmp.

 

[Smilin]

Originally posted by: Psych
In general, yes. Soemtimes these files are backups and could possibly be files used by a program, but the designer would have to be kind of dumb to name their program files .tmp.

Yep.

Besides, you have a recycle bin right? Just don't empty it for a bit.