I have a black dog icon in my Windows/TEMP folder. It is an application and has a different name every time I reboot the computer. It has not been multiplying recently but in the past was reduplicating itself with different names, always a combination of capital letters and numbers : currently it is LFA429. No matter what I try it won't allow itself to be deleted. Does anyone know if this is a virus or spyware or some other sinister creature ? I have run virus scans and spyware scans with negative results. So far there don't seem to be any foul consequences.

Are you using Pest Patrol? It is a black dog icon near your clock.
Try this free
On-line Spyware Scan
Remove anything it finds....Good Luck

Hopefully my advice will help you...Please post back with your results....thanks

Also winpatrol uses a Scottie icon.

http://computervitals.com/

Thanks for the comments. However I am not using either of those programs (WinPatrol, Pest Patrol). The icon is not on the desktop but always in the Windows/TEMP folder. Following another person's advice I rebooted in safe mode and was able to delete it but the next time I rebooted in normal mode it reappeared, as usual with a different name - this time : ROA2D9. I am on a school network and others have the same file in their TEMP folders. So far no other ill effects observed, but we would like to know what it is.

"I am on a school network and others have the same file in their TEMP folders.....but we would like to know what it is"

You might ask the schools NE....nevermind.

Something tells me, they are using TrendMicro software, or something incorporating Trends software. If it is, just means it's doing it's job.

Just an Opinion,
CrazyOne
watchdog

Actually I meant WinPatrol, not Pest Patrol, did you try my scan on Response # 1?

Hopefully my advice will help you...Please post back with your results....thanks

Sorry for the delay in replying - I'm in Japan and there's a big time diff. Re #1, yes, I did try the scan yesterday and again just now, with nothing foul detected. Re #4 : yours is possibly the most perceptive comment to date. The school IS using Trend Micro (Virus Buster) software. Do you have any other information on how the presence of the doggie icon might mean the software is just doing its job ? I'd be interested. Thanks to all.

Me again - further searches on Google unearthed frequent discussions about this icon, and all seem to agree that it is something intentionally done by Trend Micro to make it more difficult for would-be attackers to find and kill their anti-hijack program. Thanks for the assistance. I think my problem then is not a real problem.

Shirapet,

You're most welcome, and glad to be of assistance. Also glad, that you did some 'legwork' of your own ;-)

Good Luck,
CrazyOne