I've been feeling uneasy about my computer for the past couple of years, suspecting that I might have a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) lurking on it. Recently, I discovered an access.txt file on my desktop that contains an onion link along with a login and password, but when I tried to check it out on Tor, I couldn't find it. Even if it turns out not to be a RAT, the whole situation makes me uncomfortable. I'm wondering if using the "Reset this PC" feature in Windows could potentially eliminate a RAT from my system, or if I should instead opt for a complete wipe and fresh installation of Windows. Any advice would be much appreciated!
3 Answers
Honestly, if you're really worried about a RAT, the best bet is to do a total wipe of your drive. You might want to consider options like NVMe format or a SATA Secure Erase. Sometimes, malicious drivers or applications can stick around even after a reset, so a clean slate is safer.
If you don't trust your system anymore, formatting the drive and doing a clean install with trusted media is definitely the way to go.
The built-in reset can be pretty buggy and sometimes even corrupts the reset process itself. It's best to go for a clean install right from the start if you're looking to ensure everything is wiped.
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