Administration timeout occurs in seconds

Our administrative section timeouts in seconds after just logging in. It allows us just enough time to navigate to 1 or 2 screens before it times out asking for a password. We are set at the maximum time of 15 mins. (900). This is happening on a fresh install and a fresh database. We do have Winchester Responsive template, USPS, UPS and Paypal are the only add on's at the moment. The timeout did not start after any add on. It was while we were working on products to the database. We would very much like to correct the timeout problem that is showing up again.

PAST INFO as FYI:

We were having many problems with our site earlier in the week, we found a file in our main directory called 'flamboyant-judge.php'. It was not in any file folder. As soon as we renamed it, our website started experiencing all kinds of problems. We tried to repair by using our backup. No success. The only success we had was to start with a new database and file system as of this morning..

We use all the recommended security functions except protecting the pictures, which we just read about.

Please help. Thank you.

we found a file in our main directory
Have you looked at the contents of this file??

Maybe post it here

kobra:

Have you looked at the contents of this file??

Maybe post it here

No, we did not. Plus, when we started over, we deleted all files and started fresh. I now wished I would have kept it as I see information on the forums about posting anything that could question security. I realize posting this information now does not help the online community or me. This issue is no longer present since I started with a clean slate.

It is now acting normal today. Can other items outside my control affect administrative timeout since this seems to not be consistent in behavior?

Settings in php.ini can have an effect on the session timeout.

Thank you. I will check into this. If this is the solution, I will document it here for others.

Jon