I accidentally ran a suspicious Python file on my Windows PC. A black Command Prompt window appeared briefly and then closed. The folder contained setup.py, setup.exe, data, lib, renpy, and log.txt, and the file was named archive_free_476340. I disconnected the computer from the internet and deleted my browsers soon afterward. Could the program have copied browser cookies, active login sessions, saved passwords, or other personal data before I disconnected it? What steps should I take now to determine whether the computer was compromised and protect my accounts?
3 Answers
Treat the computer as potentially compromised until you can verify otherwise. From a different, trusted device, change important passwords, sign out of active sessions, and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. Prioritize email, financial accounts, password managers, and any account that was logged in through the affected browsers.
The folder contents and filename alone do not prove that this was malware. Ren'Py is commonly used for Python-based games, but a legitimate-looking library can still be bundled with something malicious. Without examining the exact script and knowing where it came from, nobody can say for certain what it did.
Disconnecting the PC was a sensible first step, but it cannot undo data that may already have been copied. Run a thorough scan with reputable security tools, preserve any important files, and consider a clean Windows reinstall if you need high confidence that nothing remains. If banking details or payment information were stored on the machine, contact the bank and monitor the accounts for suspicious activity.
I only have the screenshot of the folder, not a detailed analysis of the files.