folder automatic filling with Millions of empty files
 

I had a problem that my harddisk kept working hard, even when I didn't do anything. I tried to look at KsysGuard, but I could't find a process that was running. Then I found a normal folder (not hidden) in the "Home folder", which contained millions of empty files and my computer was adding more and more. The name of the folder and files was for each item a random collection of letters, capital letters and figures. I tried to delete the folder in Dolphin, but only caused the computer to hang. The same happened when I tried to wipe the folder via Wipe in Nautulis of via the command "rm" or simular commands for files and or folders. In the end I manage to delete the 2.500.000 files via Gnome Commander. It took a long time and in that same time, it produced 4000+ new files. These I could delete, folder included, a lot faster.

My question is: what was happening, What caused it and how can I prevent it from happening again.

I have a relative new installation of Mint 16 with KDE desktop, without any server or Sql installations. I did install owncloud client a few weeks before this all happened and I used a virus programme from Comodo. For the rest I only added software via synaptic.

I hope somebody can help me with this, as I was worried it was a virus/Trojan or something like that.

Hello,

You can see what process is writing to a directory with FUSER

This will tell you what PID(s) are accessing that dir.

--C

Thank you
 

Thank you for the reply, but sadly I can't try this anymore as I have deleted the folder and files, So I won't be able to track the process anymore. But I will keep it in mind for when this happens again. At least I can try and track it then.

greatings.