What's this Unix executable file on desktop?

[eric j]

Hi,
Normally I download to desktop then stow stuff where I want it.
Today appeared a locked file that "Get info" revealed to be a Unix Executable File:-
2waot___X__¶__________˛___________________
Of course I unlocked it and sent straight to Trash.

I had been Googling in Camino for cooking recipes when one of those "Test your computer for viruses" popped up. I always thought that they could only function under Windows. It was stubborn to remove. I shut down Camino then re-opened.
Not sure that the file appeared as a result of the pesky virus remove pop-up, just happened to notice it soon after.

Anybody know what this could be?

Thanks,

eric j

[Xairbusdriver]

You are correct that it is a Unix file. And it is widely used to run a virus or Trojan Horse on Windows. But you might be surprised to find several in your own system. They are valid files mostly!

[dboh]

I get those from time to time. It's because there's no file type in the file name (like .pdf or .doc). I find that when someone sends me a file with a file name longer than the permitted 31 characters (from Windows users), the type gets cut off. I rename the file, including the file type, and the icon changes into something valid and openable.

[tacit]

QUOTE(eric j @ Nov 18 2008, 02:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi,
Normally I download to desktop then stow stuff where I want it.
Today appeared a locked file that "Get info" revealed to be a Unix Executable File:-
2waot___X__¶__________˛___________________
Of course I unlocked it and sent straight to Trash.

I had been Googling in Camino for cooking recipes when one of those "Test your computer for viruses" popped up. I always thought that they could only function under Windows. It was stubborn to remove. I shut down Camino then re-opened.
Not sure that the file appeared as a result of the pesky virus remove pop-up, just happened to notice it soon after.

Anybody know what this could be?

Thanks,

eric j

Technically, it is not a Unix executable. The Mac just puts "Unix executable" on any file that has no type and creator code and that the Mac can't figure out how to use. "Unix executable" is the OS X version of the generic "document" that you'd see in OS 9. It just means "The Mac doesn't know what this file is."

The "test your computer for viruses" thing you saw isn't a test at all. Everything you see on your screen is fake--it's totally bogus, designed to trick the gullible into panicking and downloading a computer virus disguised as fake antivirus software. It's easy to run into these fake virus sites; they are advertised all over the place with common Google keywords. Do you remember the Google search term you used, and where you found the link? I know who's responsible for these viruses, and I've made it a hobby of mine to track them over the last year.

[Xairbusdriver]

QUOTE

I had been Googling in Camino for cooking recipes when one of those "Test your computer for viruses" popped up.

Do you mean a pop up window?

[eric j]

Hi Folks,

Thanks for your responses.

Tacit, "Master of the Arcane in Computing" I was hoping that you would come in. Unfortunately I can't now recall where I was when the "virus test" appeared. I'm aware that it's a spoof - have seen it before - but somehow this time it was more obstinate to get away from.

ABD, yes it was a pop-up window.

Best wishes,

eric j

[Xairbusdriver]

you can usually turn off pop up windows in most browsers. Any good site that needs them will tell you. The others may make it obvious when nothing seems to happen or of you see something trying to run a javascript with (void) in the text.

[eric j]

ABD,

I blocked Pop-Up windows in Camino long since but the occasional one still seems to get through.

eric j

[Xairbusdriver]

QUOTE

the occasional one still seems to get through.

Same thing happens to me with Safari. But very occasionally. It's very nice of better sites to warn you that a link will require pop ups enabled. I think that should be a big RED FLAG that users detest those things. But there are plenty of sites that couldn't care less about users...