I'm using a Windows 11 desktop and have been dealing with some frustrating network connectivity issues. My connection randomly drops, and my mouse occasionally freezes for brief moments. However, the real alarm bell went off today. While using my phone to browse YouTube, I noticed a strange search term I don't recognize appearing in the search bar of my browser. It wasn't something I typed, and I found it in my clipboard, too. This term was related to some music stuff I've never heard of. Normally, I would just wipe my PC, but I have tons of presets and files saved locally, not to mention several external hard drives that might also be infected. I'm looking for advice on what could be happening and what my next steps should be since I've already tried anti-virus solutions and dabbling with Wireshark, although I'm not an expert with it.
2 Answers
Changing BIOS settings and messing with disk setups can lead to data loss if you’re not careful. Make sure to test your backups before making any drastic changes. If you have critical data on those external drives, consider isolating them and scanning thoroughly for malware before any cleanup actions.
Honestly, if I were a hacker, I wouldn't waste time searching for random stuff on YouTube. The network issues you're experiencing do seem a bit odd, but algorithms on sites like YouTube make suggestions based on general user activities. So, it could just be a coincidence that the term showed up in your clipboard. If you're really worried about malware, though, a clean install might be the safest route. It's a pain, but losing data is worse! As for Wireshark, it’s complicated and probably more than you need right now. Just ensure you've backed up anything you can't afford to lose!
I get what you mean, but don't forget that some malware can be pretty stealthy. If those external drives have been connected to a compromised system, they could potentially carry over some malicious software when you connect them to a new install. Just be cautious and maybe consider running a full scan of those drives before wiping anything.