avast! sandbox folder

[Dinobot2]

This folder popped up on my computer today on my C drive today. Not sure how. Could have been due to downloading an .exe file and Avast scanning it, but otherwise I can't be sure. I'm curious as to how it got there, especially because I don't have the Avast Sandbox feature because it's only available in Premium. So curious how/why this sandbox folder was created. Also, I can't delete the folder, but I was able to delete the small file inside it.

[DavidR]

Just my opinion here - I believe this relates to the Web Shield, in that it does its checking within a sandbox so anything malicious can't get on to your system.  I'm sure I have seen it in the forums very recently, but for the life of me I can't find it.

In all honesty I don't spend much time checking this sort of thing.

[Dinobot2]

I mean, I didn't go out of my way to check it. I just opened up my File Explorer and navigated to the C drive and there it was, staring through me into my soul.

[DavidR]

I rarely ever bother checking File Explorer, I have shortcuts for folders mostly in my data drive.

Win10 File Explorer if I open that the default view shows frequent folders, recent files.  The Quick Access doesn't look anything like your screenshot.

[Dinobot2]

Alright, I was able to delete it by disabling Self-Defense mode temporarily. Did a Repair just in case deleting that folder broke anything.

Still curious how it got there and I guess we'll see if it re-appears in the future.

[DavidR]

Alright, I was able to delete it by disabling Self-Defense mode temporarily. Did a Repair just in case deleting that folder broke anything.

Still curious how it got there and I guess we'll see if it re-appears in the future.

Why do you keep doing this, banging your head against a brick wall, especially if it purports to be a part of Avast.  This is shades of Emsisoft again.

The best thing would have been to investigate and if found to be part of avast, leave it be.  If there was an executable file in that folder you could have checked its digital signature. Why do you think Avast's Self Defence module was trying to prevent the deletion.

Do you delete all of the other folders in your screenshot.

[Dinobot2]

I mean, I'm not waking up every day and deliberately deciding to look for things on my computer that could cause me to worry. It's not on my agenda of things to do. Like I said, I went to my C drive folder like I've done a billion times and noticed the folder. With the EEK thing I was concerned I had some malware after an Avast block alert from a website (unrelated to the Avast Program Files folder) and used a scanner I had used dozens of time with no issues. It picked up those results, I googled and it lead me to the thread created earlier this week by someone else with a similar issue, and I posted in there.

There was no executable file in the avast! sandbox folder, it was a small (16 kb) .DAT file, and I was already able to delete that file, so all I was left with was an empty sandbox folder. And i'll repeat: I don't have the sandbox portion of Avast installed or enabled as part of my Avast installation. So I googled how to delete it, found no issues or warnings from other people, and it lead to results from this forum and on this forum it was suggested to disable Self Defence mode, and the delete it from there.

No, I obviously did not delete the other C drive folders in the screenshot.

[DavidR]

Why then would you delete the Avast sub folder then when Avast was trying to protect it (that would have been the time to ask not after deletion) ?

As I mentioned " I believe this relates to the Web Shield, in that it does its checking within a sandbox so anything malicious can't get on to your system." 
So it doesn't necessarily relate the the Sandbox component.

At this point I'm bowing out, as replying seems pointless after you have already taken the decision before asking what it may be about.

[Dinobot2]

Well, I uninstalled and re-installed Avast last night (a process that took less than 30 minutes to do, don't worry), and the folder didn't pop up there. So, take that for what it's worth.

[DavidR]

Honestly, do you not think it is better to ask 'before' taking action ?

[Dinobot2]

I believe I did, if you follow the thread.

[DavidR]

I believe I did, if you follow the thread.

I did follow the thread.
First you deleted the file in the folder:
"So curious how/why this sandbox folder was created. Also, I can't delete the folder, but I was able to delete the small file inside it."
Then you deleted the folder:
"Alright, I was able to delete it by disabling Self-Defense mode temporarily". Did a Repair just in case deleting that folder broke anything."

At no point had you 'ask' should you delete them !

[Dinobot2]

Ah, I thought you were referring to the folder itself. My bad.

Hey just out of curiosity, do you have the sandbox folder in your C drive?

[DavidR]

I haven't even looked.  If it's there Avast put it there so why would I worry about it.

[Dinobot2]

I haven't even looked.

It would have taken you less keystrokes and mouse clicks to check than it did for you to type out that response. I'm not sure if this is your way of proving a point.

If it's there Avast put it there so why would I worry about it.

I wouldn't be so sure about that.

https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/pm4i80/avast_sandbox_appeared_out_of_nowhere/

https://support.avg.com/answers?id=9065p000000glVNAAY

https://www.techguy.org/threads/avast-sandbox-folder-left-on-c-drive-root.1201786/