File extensions suddenly shown on desktop, but why?

Hi 8 users.

This morning I had to print and fax a document at my office. Using my laptop at home, I plugged in an old USB drive that I haven't used in three years, scanned it with McAfee, ultimately quarantining a single low-risk trojan. I wasn't very concerned and went about my business. The laptop has some shortcuts to Notepad files on the desktop. Yesterday and this morning, none of those files displayed their file extensions. But when I got home from work this evening and restarted the laptop, I noticed there was a collection of three .db files on the desktop that I didn't move there, and all the Notepad files had their file extensions (.txt) displayed.

Huh?

I went about hiding the file extensions in File Explorer>View>Uncheck Show File Extensions because there's no reason for me to have to see them. But I'm really confused how this happened? Where did the database files come from and why were all the file extensions displayed?

Any ideas? I searched for old threads, and can't seem to find mention of it. I'm not worried, just confused and really want to know what happened.

Thanks.

Chris

I suggest temporarily turn on "Show Hidden Fildes" and uncheck "Hide protected Operating system files...". Look under the Root folder of the USB to see if you have a file autorun.inf. I you do then edit to see what it does and delete it.

topgundcp said:

I suggest temporarily turn on "Show Hidden Fildes" and uncheck "Hide protected Operating system files...". Look under the Root folder of the USB to see if you have a file autorun.inf. I you do then edit to see what it does and delete it.

Click to expand...

Thanks, I had actually looked at the root of the USB to see what was else there when McAfee was tripped. I think that's what it found this morning because it isn't there any more. The only other files hidden in the root directory of the USB are some utilities with strange names, not sure exactly what they do but I deleted them also. One was a "desktop utility." This drive should not have any autoplaying software or drivers.

Noticed some more hidden .db files appearing in file folders now, like My Pictures. McAfee says business as usual, hasn't detected anything else.

That might explain the problem you had. Even though Windows Autorun feature is convenient when it is used correctly. However, it also provides a way for hacker to spread virus into your PC by way of external USB devices. That's why I always have this feature turned off after any Windows installation.

EDIT: The utilities with strange names might be related to what was instructed to run in the autorun.inf. You should delete them

topgundcp said:

That might explain the problem you had. Even though Windows Autorun feature is convenient when it is used correctly. However, it also provides a way for hacker to spread virus into your PC by way of external USB devices. That's why I always have this feature turned off after any Windows installation.

EDIT: The utilities with strange names might be related to what was instructed to run in the autorun.inf. You should delete them

Click to expand...

All deleted now, thank you.

How can I turn off the autorun feature? Seems like a simple enough precaution.

Just use this tutorial:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/30511-autoplay-turn-off-windows-8-a.html

topgundcp said:

Just use this tutorial:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/30511-autoplay-turn-off-windows-8-a.html

Click to expand...

Awesome, thanks.