Weird folder names in ~/Library/Preferences These empty folders are in my Library > Preferences.  Have I been infected with malware?  



I am running OS X 10.10, Yosemite, with the latest update on a Mac Mini.
It is unlikely your Mac is infected.

The odd folder names within ~/Library/Preferences is likely due to a crashing Mac application or process. The crash may be happening within a preferences related section of the application and causing garbage values to be passed to the preferences.

Safe to remove

Assuming a reasonable application is responsible for these files, you should always be able to delete contents from ~/Library/Preferences without loosing critical information or work.

Delete the folders and check again after running a few of your applications. Do they return?