Strange folders in my Preferences

Hi All,
Since I got this iMac a few weeks ago I've been seeing several wierdly named folders appearing in my Users/Library/Preferences folder. It seems like the number of them grows each time I use the Mac. When I click on them nothing happens, that is they either don't open or there is nothing in them. I've checked in the Library/Preferences and System/Library/Preferences folders and there are none of these in either of them. Here are a few examples of the names:
{’ê◊8øˇ‘ê†~
{fi0ê◊8øˇ‘ê†~
|0ê◊8øˇ‘ê†~
Does anyone know what these are?
Thanks.
Rick

Hi Steve,
The thread got removed. It seems Apple has revised the Terms of Use and the Moderators & Hosts have been busy removing and editing posts. Anything that could be construed as "offensive" is a no no.
New Discussions Use Agreement
Also, no more posting about the point system. Some folks were more obvious about fishing for points, "Hey, give me a star!" They have even removed what I have posted before; "To assist others who in the future may conduct a search on this topic, please mark as Helpful or Solved any of the above posts that were useful in resolving your issue.

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