A copy of the raw data on physical disk of an inaccessible source file is automatically generated in an accessible target file. When accessed, the copy of the raw data of the inaccessible source file in the accessible target file can be read allowing a user or application to evaluate the data of the accessible target file, and thus indirectly the raw data of the inaccessible source file. In some embodiments, the copy of the raw data is evaluated for malicious code, allowing a user or application to take protective actions, such as deleting the inaccessible source file. Where the raw data of the inaccessible source file is encrypted, the copy of the raw data is automatically decrypted by the operating system when read yielding unencrypted data. Where the raw data of the inaccessible source file is compressed, the copy of the raw data is automatically decompressed by the operating system when read yielding uncompressed data.