Avast creates thousands of 0-byte files on SD card

system · 2015-04-07T14:48:11.000Z

Hi all,

I noticed my SD card on Android 4.4.4 (Moto G) was slow to explore, and this was due to thousands of 0-byte files without extension at the top directory of the SD card.
The file is always empty and named after the same pattern, like a Windows registry key. Only hex characters, 32 of them, grouped as 8-4-4-4-12.
Example :
/storage/sdcard1/ab490a24-0a6c-47eb-80a8-037d06a5a165

These files need to be removed manually. I noticed they appeared only when some activity happened on the phone. They stopped being created when I de-activated the Avast App-shield and File-shield.

Therefore I think it comes from Avast. Can anyone tell me if there is a trick to stop that, or if it’s a bug?

Thanks,

jb

system · 2015-06-15T23:21:44.000Z

Hey jb,

I have the same issue, can confirm Avast Mobile is creating a large number of these null files, usually 4 or 5 a day, but sometimes dozens created in a short period.

Same phone, Moto G on 4.4.4

cheers
John

system · 2015-06-28T15:57:01.000Z

I have the same issue as well on my Android 4.4.4 Moto G 4G.
If Avast is indeed responsible, a fix would be more than welcome as it causes my old and broken single surviving USB port of my laptop to take years to read them all making.

system · 2015-07-02T17:56:32.000Z

Same here on Moto G 4G 1st Gen with Android 4.4.4. [using a 32GB microSD card]

Also have a Moto G 1st Gen 16GB - no prob there - doesn’t have a card slot!

Clearly avast has a bug of some sort.

Announcements