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What else besides a virus would keep turning on "Show Hidden Files" in WinXP

What else besides a virus would keep turning on "Show Hidden Files" in WinXP

I've got a couple of machines that definitely recently had viruses and very likely still do.

Asked by: Guest | Views: 269
Total answers/comments: 1
Guest [Entry]

"You may also want to monitor these registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\Hidden\NOHIDDEN

and

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\Hidden\SHOWALL

A little bit of research shows a lot of viruses which tamper with all 3 registry entries. It is very likely there is still something on your system. Personally I don't feel safe using an OS after it's been compromised, even if a scanner picks up a lot of viruses and successfully removes them, who knows what it's left behind? If it is an option (even though you prefer not to), I would suggest you do a clean install. Immediately after all of your must-have programs and drivers are installed, make a backup image with Acronis True Image or Norton Ghost that you can fall back on. I would also suggest updating said backups frequently."