I keep getting files like this whenever I save a document, they're the hidden
kind ones (transparent icon). At one time, there are a few of them lying in
the same folder the doc I'm working on is, as well as one with the same name
as my doc, but having the first letters replaced by a ~. Is this a bug, a
virus, a worm? Should I worry?

Thanks for your assistance.

Linwen wrote:
I keep getting files like this whenever I save a document, they're
the hidden kind ones (transparent icon). At one time, there are a few
of them lying in the same folder the doc I'm working on is, as well
as one with the same name as my doc, but having the first letters
replaced by a ~. Is this a bug, a virus, a worm? Should I worry?

Thanks for your assistance.

They're perfectly normal temporary files that Word uses while you're working
on a document (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=211632). Stop worrying.

The temp files should be automatically deleted when you close the document
or exit from Word. If they stay behind after a program crash (and sometimes
"just because"), you can clean up manually. See
http://www.gmayor.com/what_to_do_when_word_crashes.htm.

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP FAQ: http://word.mvps.org