I've been dealing with what seems like a remote access trojan (RAT) on my laptop. I don't have much experience with coding or tech issues, but a friend mentioned that the malware could have infected my bootloader after the malware was on my machine, even after I reset my laptop twice. I've heard suggestions to flash the BIOS and do a clean installation of Windows using a USB stick, but I'm worried about whether that's enough. Is there anything else I should do, or is there a chance the malware could come back?
2 Answers
Definitely consider using a reputable malware removal tool before reinstalling the OS. Sometimes, malware can be tricky and might not be completely wiped out by a simple clean installation. You might even want to boot from a live USB to run diagnostics before you commit to reinstalling everything.
It sounds like you're dealing with a tough situation. First off, the steps you mentioned are on the right track. A clean install via USB and flashing your BIOS can help get rid of the malware. Don't forget to change all your passwords afterwards, especially for important accounts, and enable two-factor authentication for extra security. Also, remove any unknown devices linked to your accounts. That should tighten up your security. Good luck!
Just be cautious, because if the malware has affected your firmware, that could complicate things a bit. Make sure you have everything backed up before proceeding.