I've just gone through a tough situation with my laptop. I'm not very tech-savvy, but here's what happened: I bought a cheaper laptop and didn't do much with it since I was worried about getting hacked. I didn't have any antivirus software installed – I realize now that's a huge mistake. I decided to try a chrome extension for organizing things online after reading good reviews. However, within a few days, my computer got hacked; I saw a little black window with some code running. I thought it was nothing since I didn't have anything sensitive on my laptop. But then, I discovered my bank accounts were hacked. It's been a frustrating few weeks.
I have several questions moving forward. I did a factory reset on my laptop to erase everything; will that clear out any malware? I also checked my Wi-Fi, and it looks like no one else is connected. If someone hacked in, should their IP address show up on my network? Lastly, I bought a new laptop, and I'm wondering if my lack of protection caused the hack or if the chrome extension itself was the problem. I still have a few days left on my subscription for that extension and have mixed feelings about using it now. My new laptop has built-in antivirus, and I was advised to use BitTorrent for downloading antivirus, but I'm cautious after my recent experience. I've also been told to use the Brave browser, even though the extension is for Chrome. Please keep answers simple since I'm still trying to understand all of this!
3 Answers
I get that you're cautious now, but running pirate antivirus software is risky, especially after getting hacked! It's good that your new laptop has built-in protection. Just make sure you don't download anything suspicious or free versions that aren't from trusted sources. Stick to reputable antivirus programs, and always check extensions before installation. Keep your passwords secure and consider using a password manager to help you out!
It's really concerning that you went through that! First off, doing a factory reset is a good move; it should remove most malware if done properly. Just make sure to change your Wi-Fi passwords after resetting to be safe. And yes, if someone hacked into your Wi-Fi, their IP would typically show up in the connected devices. As for the extension – it sounds like it might have been malicious, especially since you didn't have any antivirus protection. I recommend avoiding that extension in the future. I would also suggest installing a reliable antivirus like Bitdefender or Malwarebytes on your new laptop; don't risk using pirated software!
Great advice! It's crucial to stay protected moving forward; especially after what you've experienced.
You did the right thing with the reset; just ensure it was a complete one. If you’re unsure about your setup, completely reinstall your operating system from scratch. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Also, steer clear of that extension you used before; sounds like a recipe for trouble! And definitely look into a good password manager to keep your stuff safe in the future. Good luck!
Thanks for clarifying! I guess I need to do my homework before downloading anything next time.