I recently realized that I might have downloaded malware on my PC after falling for a scam related to Counter-Strike and FaceIt. A Discord bot, posing as a FaceIt verification tool, sent me a link to download something that was supposedly an anti-cheat, but I now suspect it was a trojan or a backdoor. My antivirus software flagged it, indicating it accessed numerous files on my computer, including those related to Steam.
I've already wiped my laptop and reinstalled Windows via the cloud, and I deleted all my files beforehand to avoid any potential spread of the malware. Since I haven't logged back into Windows yet, I'm looking for advice on what additional steps I should take beyond just reinstalling the OS. I know I need to change my Steam password, but I've heard I should also reset my Steam API Key, and I'm not quite sure how to do that.
What other accounts should I be concerned about? Should I prioritize resetting accounts like Gmail or Microsoft? Also, I saved important university files on Discord—is there a risk they could be infected? Any guidance on securing my system would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
After dealing with malware, it's definitely a good idea to wipe your drives and do a fresh install of Windows from a USB, rather than just reinstalling from the cloud. This ensures you're getting a completely clean slate. Don't forget to change all of your passwords right after! It's tedious but worth the security.
Make sure to reset your Steam API Key for extra safety. You can do this from your Steam account settings under the API section. Don't skip changing passwords for any accounts linked to your PC, like Gmail and Microsoft accounts. They could also be at risk.
Changing your network settings can help too. Ensure your router is secure and change its password. Just to be safe, keep monitoring your accounts for any unusual activity after you've changed your passwords. You want to make sure that the malware didn't save any details before you wiped everything!
I agree, a complete format when reinstalling helps eliminate any remaining threats. But remember, if you saved important files from Discord, ensure they’re safe and not potentially compromised. It's usually best to download files again from a trusted source, just to be safe!
Got it! I'll take extra caution with those files and redownload them.
Thanks for the tip! I already wiped my drives and reinstalled Windows, but I appreciate the reminder about changing passwords.