I just got a new Windows 11 computer for Christmas and have been downloading games from various sites, including some less reputable ones. I'm worried that I might have picked up some malware from downloading Plague Inc Evolved from a sketchy site or from other downloads like Happy Humble Burger Farm. I've noticed something odd, like a weird Chinese process running, and I'm not sure whether to take my computer for repairs or risk it. What should I do? Should I be looking for a virus or malware?
3 Answers
Downloading games from unreliable sites can definitely lead to issues. A full clean install is usually the best way to go if you suspect an infection. Make sure to back up any essential files—just keep in mind that syncing to the cloud might not protect you from the malware that could still be there. And hey, consider buying the game on Steam; it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind!
If you're serious about getting rid of anything potentially harmful, you should definitely reinstall Windows. When you do, reformat the partitions and don’t try to keep any files. It's safer that way.
Wait, does that mean my ‘Gallery' folder with all my downloaded games will be wiped too?
You definitely want to take precautions if you think there might be malware on your computer. Running an antivirus scan is a good first step to see if you can detect and remove anything suspicious. However, the most foolproof way to ensure everything is clean is to create a bootable install USB and completely wipe your hard drive. Just be careful with your data before changing anything!
How do I actually make that USB? I’ve got one, but it’s full of Baldi's Basics mods!
But what about all my files? Can I just factory reset everything? How do I do a proper backup?