Folders are empty - missing files

I have been having trouble with newly created folders. When I say newly created, I mean folders created by Stuffit or folders that have been sent via the network. i.e. new to this computer and not created by it.

The easiest way to explain this is to give an example.

I purchased a new font. It was in a .sit file. I uncompressed it. A nice little custom iconed folder popped out and inside---nothing. Under the folder it says "No Items".

Another,

I transfered some files in a folder from my powerbook to my iMac desktop. Folder is there, files are not. It says "16 items" inside the folder but there are not any visible.

My only work around so far is to open Cocktail and check "show invisible file" then cmd-opt-esc and restart the finder. Tada. Files are there, but I don't want to see all of the other invisible files.

Strange thing about this is that this only started happening after I did the most recent iTunes/Security Update. It is affecting my iMac and my Powerbook. I assume the problems are somehow linked. If the security update addressed the apps as jpeg type problem, it may have affected the way other files show up as well. I'm knowledgeable about the 'nix underpinnings of OS X just enough to do real damage and not be able to correct it. 🙂 Any expert help would be greatly appreciated. I will list the things I have done so far.

1. Restart
2. View Options
3. Cocktail/Finder restart (works but impractical)
4. Repaired Privileges
5. Deleted files and re-downloaded.