"Access Denied"

[six-h]

I have a folder on my D:\backup sector that is named 23125eda25a7e5c21a2d8547,
Mousing over it shows it to contain a folder named "update" size 0 bytes,
attempts to open it result in the above message.
Any ideas what it is, and if it's likely to be malignant?

 

[R. McCarty]

It's likely an unpacked update or install that went automatically to the
volume on your drive with the largest free space after being downloaded.
It likely has some attributes that prevent it's removal. If XP Pro then you
can modify it's Security ACL to include your account and full privileges.
If XP Home you'll have to boot to Safe Mode to change the Access
Control List.

 

[six-h]

Thanks for that, I'm running XP Home, so I'll have to try to acess it in safe
mode, but how do I go about changing the access control list?
and since it perports to contain "0 bytes" is it likely to have anything in
there to see?

 

[R. McCarty]

It hurts nothing to leave it as is. To change the ACL you Right Click
the Folder, take Properties. When the details box opens, you'll see
a TAB titled "Security", click that TAB in the Group or User name
Click the Add button - enter your account name, then the box below
tic/check the "Full Control" privilege. Apply, OK... to close out.
After changing the ACL you should be able to delete the folder &
all the contents.

 

[six-h]

when you say "It hurts nothing to leave it as is.", do you mean that it is
definately not malware?
If so, I'll leave it alone!

 

[Chris K.]

Those folders, as the previous poster mentioned, are just tempoary place
holders for Windows Updates. It is safe to delete, but it is also safe to
stay.

I usually delete whenever possible just to keep the root of my drive clean
BUT if it is too much hassle or if I am unfamiliar with performing this
types of operations I'll leave it alone.

Chris K.

 

[six-h]

Thanks Chris K,
I'll leave it alone then, 'cos I don't really know what I'm doing!