word documents shows 0KB , blank when opened

[Abdullah]

Hi,

I have very important word and excel documents on my computer that I
update often. suddenly last week, whenever I click on any of those
documents I get a blank page or spreadsheet. Also, when I use windows
explorer to check the file size of any of these documents, it shows a
size of 0KB.

The file name is still there but the document is completely empty.When
I ran Norton antivirus (updated to date) it does not detect a virus on
these files nor anywhere on my computer.

all my documents are saved on my hard drive, and the problem is
widespread on our network.

My OS is windows XP SP2, office xp, and I am using norton 2004 fully
updated. Others experincing this problem are using windows 98 SE with
office 2000.

I looked everywhere on google and I found many people who have the
same problem, but none of posting had a solution to the problem.

 

[RWN]

You say the docs/xls' are on your HD, then you say the problem is
widespread on your "network".
Does this mean both HD *and* network files are being clobbered?

I'm not an expert but it certainly sounds like a malicious virus.
Perhaps a VBA macro - which Norton (I believe) won't pick up .

 

[Abdullah]

other users in our network are having the same problem I am having.
thier word and excel documents have shrunk to 0KB as well.

I already have a feeling that it is a virus, however, Norton is unable
to detect it. If it is a VBA Macro virus, how would I be able to
detect it and recover my files?

 

[RWN]

Abdullah;
Even though you say Norton did not detect anything, it sounds a lot like
the "Explorezip" trojan.
I'm not an expert but you may want to start here and see if it applies
to you;

http://www.kentcc.com/techpages/virus/wormvirus.htm

As to Macro viruses, ensure that the security levels in you office
products are set sufficiently high enough to warn of macro's.
(wd/Xl 2k) - "Tools->Macro->Security" and choose a level on the
resultant "Security Level" panel.
The route/format to/of this may be different on diff versions but it
will be there.
HTH.