I recently encountered a virus after opening an .exe file from someone on Discord. This person sent me a message demanding money and even shared personal photos. After realizing what had happened, I disconnected from the internet, changed my passwords, and attempted a secure erase of my SSD. I then reinstalled Windows from a USB stick created on a different computer. However, despite these efforts, the virus seems to remain, as a suspicious MSI driver installer opened unexpectedly, and Microsoft Defender flagged a trojan. I'm considering doing another secure erase, flashing the BIOS, and reinstalling Windows again. Is this necessary, or are there better ways to handle this?
3 Answers
Just a heads-up, if this person had access to your webcam and personal photos, there's a possibility they had deeper access than you might think. Make sure to check for unusual startup programs or settings in your network. If the threat persists after a clean reinstall, then getting professional help would be a wise option. Bios flashing could be more than you need for this issue.
It sounds like you're dealing with a tough situation. When you did the secure erase, did you wipe the entire drive? If you just formatted it, you might not have removed everything. It's crucial to make sure you're installing from a clean USB stick, and be cautious about restoring any old programs or files from backups, as they could reinfect your system. Also, keep an eye on your startup programs; make sure nothing suspicious is running. Flashing the BIOS is usually a last resort, especially for basic malware from scams like this.
Totally agree! The BIOS flashing sounds like overkill. Just make sure your network is secure, too. If he had access to your webcam, he might have compromised your router. A thorough antivirus scan after your fresh install is a must.
Exactly! Ensure your passwords are changed across the board and do regular scans. Malware can be sneaky, and you need to stay vigilant.
Did you actually delete all partitions when installing Windows? If any partition was untouched, it could harbor the virus. It sounds like you're doing everything possible, but oversight in partition management can be an issue.
Yes, it can make a big difference! You need to ensure there's nothing lingering there from the previous installation. If you've done that, just keep your guard up and regularly check your system.
Right? A thorough inspection of your network and device settings is important. Getting a good antivirus on board post-reinstall could help catch anything that slipped through.