After running repeated spyware scans and anti virus scans, and manually
searching and removing what they could not… I still cannot remove the file
called ‘bridge.inf’. It is supposedly in the ‘downloaded programs’ file, but
that folder is empty. It isn’t causing any problems yet, but I would like to
get rid of it just to be proactive. Any suggestions would be greatly
appreciated.
Apparently ‘bridge.inf’ is related to adware of some sort. Most of the
anti-spyware programs should be able to handle it, but apparently not
always.
We can try to find it manually, which is a good example of searching for
hidden files in general.
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I’ll start by not being helpful, but will point you at this article from
Symantec that covers the adware bridge.inf is related to: Adware.WinFavorites.
The reason it’s not helpful is this quote:
“If your Symantec antivirus product reports that it cannot delete a detected
file, write down the path and file name. Then use Windows Explorer to locate
and delete the file.”
Which, as I understand it, is exactly what you’re attempting to do.
My guess is that the file is hidden. “Hidden” is a setting that can be
applied to a file that causes it not to show up in normal views.
I would do the following:
-
Fire up Windows Explorer
-
Hit the Tools menu, Folder Options item,
and then the View tab. -
In the Advanced settings box, look for the entry that says
Hidden Files and Folders and make sure that Show
Hidden Files and Folders is selected. -
Hit OK
-
Navigate to the directory that supposedly has bridge.inf, and see if you can
see it now. If you can, delete it.
If not … the you might try searching for the file:
-
Click Start, then Search, then For
Files or Folders. -
Enter bridge.inf as the filename.
-
Make sure that Look in: is set to your local hard drive
C:. -
Click on the circled down-arrow next to More advanced
options. -
Make sure that Search System folders, Search hidden
files and folders and Search subfolders are all
checked. -
Click on Search, and see what turns up.
If it still doesn’t show up, then we’ll need to know specifically
what program is telling you it exists, to try and find out why it’s doing
so.
