A user reports that several documents have vanished from their Desktop, while other files now have random alphanumeric names the user does not recognize. According to CompTIA A+ 220-1102 security-troubleshooting objectives, which symptom does this BEST represent?
Missing or renamed files are a hallmark of the "altered system or personal files" symptom set. Malware often hides, deletes, or renames data to avoid detection or to prepare files for encryption or exfiltration. Other issues-such as browser pop-ups, high network traffic, or false antivirus alerts-indicate different categories of security problems but do not specifically confirm changes to stored files.
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Why is it important to monitor for missing or renamed files?
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What are some common methods that attackers use to modify files?
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What steps can I take if I notice files are missing or renamed?