I recently dealt with a hacking incident caused by an account-stealing virus. After changing my passwords and recovering most of my accounts, I reinstalled Windows using a USB. However, my relative transferred some setup files from the infected PC to his own. We didn't run any installations or executables from those files, but I'm worried that the virus might still be lurking. Can the virus reinfect my system without installing anything? Will just deleting those transferred files be enough to eliminate the risk?
3 Answers
Could you share more about how you think the hacking happened? Knowing the specifics might help us offer better advice. But generally, an infection can linger in files, so be careful with anything copied over!
First things first, make sure you've changed all your passwords and check if you still have two-factor authentication set up correctly. Running a solid antivirus scan is also a must! Think back to what might've caused the hack—did you download anything sketchy or click on unusual links? That could provide some clues.
There are different types of viruses, and while a clean Windows install usually removes most, some can hide within files. It's wise to do a full disk scan with a reliable antivirus after reinstalling. Just be cautious about using programs from USB drives since they could carry malware too. If you're unsure, hiring a techie could be worth it for a thorough check.
Related Questions
How To Get Your Domain Unblocked From Facebook
How To Find A String In a Directory of Files Using Linux