My zipped folders have all turned into mp3 nfiles

I have a Dell Inspiron with Windows Vista. I logged in one day and found that
all the zipped folders on my computer had turned into mp3 files. This
includes all that I had created to store and send files via email and all
that I received via email. I know that my son was using my computer and had
accessed my Itunes. I have tried everything, including system restore, but
nothing has worked. Can anyone tell me what happened and how I might
re-convert these files to zipped folders? Thank you.

You have a virus. I would try the download from the Win Update site for the
"Malicious Software Removal Tool". You can also try Windows Defender, on
Start.

--
Please use the Communities guidelines when posting.
http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...help_en-us.htm
Mark L. Ferguson MS-MVP
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Mark.Ferguson

"YaBoy Ruuusssooo" <YaBoy > wrote in
message news:1CBCCEE9-2F1E-47F9-A8E9-...
> I have a Dell Inspiron with Windows Vista. I logged in one day and found
> that
> all the zipped folders on my computer had turned into mp3 files. This
> includes all that I had created to store and send files via email and all
> that I received via email. I know that my son was using my computer and
> had
> accessed my Itunes. I have tried everything, including system restore, but
> nothing has worked. Can anyone tell me what happened and how I might
> re-convert these files to zipped folders? Thank you.

YaBoy Ruuusssooo wrote:
> I have a Dell Inspiron with Windows Vista. I logged in one day and
> found that all the zipped folders on my computer had turned into mp3
> files. This includes all that I had created to store and send files
> via email and all that I received via email. I know that my son was
> using my computer and had accessed my Itunes. I have tried
> everything, including system restore, but nothing has worked. Can
> anyone tell me what happened and how I might re-convert these files
> to zipped folders? Thank you.

I don't understand your observation.

Did "BIRTHDAY.ZIP" simply have its name changed to "BIRTHDAY.MP3"

Are your MP3 files now in a ZIP file?

What is a "zipped folder" anyway?

Can you give an example of what you had, what you have now, and what you
want?

YaBoy Ruuusssooo wrote:

> I have a Dell Inspiron with Windows Vista. I logged in one day and found
> that all the zipped folders on my computer had turned into mp3 files. This
> includes all that I had created to store and send files via email and all
> that I received via email. I know that my son was using my computer and
> had accessed my Itunes. I have tried everything, including system restore,
> but nothing has worked. Can anyone tell me what happened and how I might
> re-convert these files to zipped folders? Thank you.

Your computer is infected. It is unlikely that you will be able to retrieve
data from the changed files but you can see what happens after your
computer is clean. I would opt for restoring those files from a recent
backup instead.

Go through these general malware removal steps systematically -
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware

Include scanning with David Lipman's Multi_AV and follow instructions to do
all scans in Safe Mode. Please see the special Notes regarding using
Multi_AV in Vista.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Multi-AV - instructions
http://tinyurl.com/yoeru3 - download link and more instructions

You can also check to see if there are targeted removal steps for your
malware here:
Bleeping Computer removal how-to's -
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum55.html

When all else fails, get guided help. Choose one of the specialty forums
listed at the first link. Register and read its posting FAQ. PLEASE DO NOT
POST LOGS IN THE MS NEWSGROUPS.

Standard disclaimer: I can't see and test your computer myself, so these are
just suggestions based on many years of being a professional computer tech;
suggestions based on what you've written. You should not take my
suggestions as a definitive diagnosis. If you can't do the work yourself
(and there is no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea), take the
machine to a professional computer repair shop (not your local equivalent
of BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). Please be aware that not all local shops
are skilled at removing malware and even if they are, your computer may be
so infested that Windows will need to be clean-installed. If possible, have
all your data backed up before you take the machine into a shop.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

"YaBoy Ruuusssooo" <YaBoy > wrote in
message news:1CBCCEE9-2F1E-47F9-A8E9-...
>I have a Dell Inspiron with Windows Vista. I logged in one day and found
>that
> all the zipped folders on my computer had turned into mp3 files. This
> includes all that I had created to store and send files via email and all
> that I received via email. I know that my son was using my computer and
> had
> accessed my Itunes. I have tried everything, including system restore, but
> nothing has worked. Can anyone tell me what happened and how I might
> re-convert these files to zipped folders? Thank you.

Have you tried simply changing the file extension back to zip?

"Mark L. Ferguson" <> wrote in
message news:46D09974-0FE6-424D-8A4D-...
> You have a virus. I would try the download from the Win Update site for
> the "Malicious Software Removal Tool". You can also try Windows Defender,
> on Start.
>

How about naming the virus and citing some reference pages.

"Sinner" <> wrote:

>
>"Mark L. Ferguson" <> wrote in
>message news:46D09974-0FE6-424D-8A4D-...
>> You have a virus. I would try the download from the Win Update site for
>> the "Malicious Software Removal Tool". You can also try Windows Defender,
>> on Start.
>>
>
>How about naming the virus and citing some reference pages.

Why don't you give it a whirl, hot shot?

I tried Windows Defender and the Malicious Software Removal Tool. Neither
detected any problems. What shall I do? I really need some of the files in
those folders.

"YaBoy Ruuusssooo" wrote:

> I have a Dell Inspiron with Windows Vista. I logged in one day and found that
> all the zipped folders on my computer had turned into mp3 files. This
> includes all that I had created to store and send files via email and all
> that I received via email. I know that my son was using my computer and had
> accessed my Itunes. I have tried everything, including system restore, but
> nothing has worked. Can anyone tell me what happened and how I might
> re-convert these files to zipped folders? Thank you.

"Nonny" <> wrote in message
news:...
> "Sinner" <> wrote:
>
>>
>>"Mark L. Ferguson" <> wrote in
>>message news:46D09974-0FE6-424D-8A4D-...
>>> You have a virus. I would try the download from the Win Update site for
>>> the "Malicious Software Removal Tool". You can also try Windows
>>> Defender,
>>> on Start.
>>>
>>
>>How about naming the virus and citing some reference pages.
>
> Why don't you give it a whirl, hot shot?

Because I didn't claim it was a virus, moron!

YaBoy Ruuusssooo wrote:

> I tried Windows Defender and the Malicious Software Removal Tool. Neither
> detected any problems. What shall I do? I really need some of the files in
> those folders.
>
> "YaBoy Ruuusssooo" wrote:
>
>> I have a Dell Inspiron with Windows Vista. I logged in one day and found
>> that all the zipped folders on my computer had turned into mp3 files.
>> This
>> includes all that I had created to store and send files via email and
>> all that I received via email. I know that my son was using my computer
>> and had accessed my Itunes. I have tried everything, including system
>> restore, but nothing has worked. Can anyone tell me what happened and how
>> I might re-convert these files to zipped folders? Thank you.

What happens when you rename a file to [some-file].zip? You told us that you
"tried everything" but didn't tell us what you tried. I would not rely on
Windows Defender and the MSRT as a definitive answer as to whether your
computer is clean. What are you using for a regular antivirus? Perhaps
questioning your son more closely in a loving fashion (if you can stand to)
will help. These things don't magically happen all by themselves.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ