I've been downloading a lot of random stuff from the internet, and while most of it works well with active developers, I'm starting to worry that some of it might have malware or infologgers. Is there an easy way to check for these harmful programs on my computer without needing to reset everything? I've never been hacked, and I keep my accounts secure, but it'd be nice to have peace of mind, especially since I'm the only one with my email and session info. Any genuine advice would be appreciated!
3 Answers
Using Virustotal.com is a great way to scan both websites and files before you actually run them. If you’re feeling paranoid, definitely consider following the advice from this other commenter about clearing out nasties you might have collected over time. Their tips are solid!
You might want to perform a clean install of your operating system. Wipe everything and start fresh, it’s the safest bet. After that, reset your passwords and set up multi-factor authentication for all your important accounts from a secure device. Better to assume everything might be compromised and act accordingly. Plus, seriously stop downloading sketchy stuff, it’s not worth the risk!
If you're worried about malware, consider using a Windows sandbox or an isolated virtual machine (VM) setup for downloading stuff. Just relying on antivirus software or things like Virustotal isn't always foolproof because you might still face issues with legit apps later. It’s about being cautious!
Very helpful, thank you so much!