Phony file name extension likely malware

I’ve been getting unexplained popups on my Windows 10 PC. One says, “How do you want to open this file?” when the file name extension (letters after the dot) is “.vdykyvf.” I can’t determine what kind of file has that extension name.

The other popup is related to Microsoft OneNote, a program I’ve never used. I’m offered “screen clippings” to click on, but when I do, the entire screen becomes light blue. I can close it by clicking on a OneNote icon in the toolbar. What’s causing these problems? Are they related?

You probably have a virus on your PC that’s generating the “open this file” messages. The OneNote pop-up is legitimate, but you can turn it off.

Normally, a “How do you want to open this file?” message pops up when your PC doesn’t know which program opens a legitimate type of file. But you are correct that there is no file name extension called “.vdykyvf.” This phony file extension is most likely generated by a malware program that is trying to fool you into activating it. Download the free version of Malwarebytes and make sure your antivirus soft- ware is current.

OneNote is a program that allows you to combine text, drawings, web pages and other information (some of these elements are called “screen clip- pings”). The “Send to OneNote” pop-up you are see- ing is a “helper program” for OneNote. To make the pop-up disappear for good, click the box next to “Start with OneNote,” and then click “exit.”