So, I recently got hacked after interacting with someone on Discord. They had my IP address, and I suspect my computer was already compromised due to some sketchy software I had installed. I went ahead and did a full clean reset of my system by reinstalling Windows and wiping everything clean. However, I'm still feeling paranoid that they might have somehow infected my motherboard or accessed my BIOS or UEFI. My main questions are: Is it safe to use my PC now? What steps can I take to determine if I'm still compromised, and how can I prevent future hacks? I'd really appreciate any tools or tips you might have!
2 Answers
If you're worried about malware, it's great that you did a full reset! Typically, a virus can't get into the BIOS, so if you've completely reset your system, you should be alright on that front. But be cautious about your accounts; it’s wise to change your passwords just to be safe. After reinstalling, any threats on the PC should be gone. Just keep your security software up-to-date!
Unfortunately, there's no absolute guarantee of safety after a breach. Make sure to use strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts, and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. That way, even if something were to happen, you're protected. It's also a good idea to run a full system scan with a reliable antivirus tool just to be sure that everything's clean!
What about rootkits? Are those a risk even after a reset?
Yeah, most viruses can’t affect the BIOS, but just keep an eye out for any strange behavior. It's better to be cautious.