How Can I Safely Clean My Hard Drive After Getting Hacked?

In your situation, I’d strongly recommend doing a wipe and starting fresh. After a compromise like this, it's hard to trust what's left on your machine. Just back up your essential data — focus on files you truly need like documents and pictures, but skip any programs or executable files. Reinstalling Windows can give you peace of mind that the malware is gone.

Honestly, a clean reinstall is the most effective way to remove the malware completely. Trying to clean it up can often leave traces, and it’s risky. I’d suggest backing up only your necessary files (steer clear of executables and scripts), and then wipe and reinstall. You’ll feel much safer afterward!

If you want to avoid a clean install, consider using a Linux live USB to access your files and scan them with tools like ClamAV or VirusTotal. This can help ensure you don't move any infected files back onto your system. However, I still think doing a full reinstall is the best way to ensure there are no remnants of the virus left.

Running various scans can help clear some stuff, but the only way to effectively ensure you're free from malware is to wipe your system and reinstall the OS. Since you just got this PC, backing up essential documents and files on a flash drive should be pretty straightforward. Leave out any executables or scripts to avoid putting the malware back on your system.

It really depends on where the virus ended up. It could be lingering in the game files, temp files, or even the registry. You could potentially remove all traces of it, but if you're looking for a guarantee, honestly, a fresh install is your safest bet. If you want to avoid that, I'd suggest downloading a solid antivirus, running scans, and monitoring your system's processes. Also, consider using a tool like Wireshark to check for any unwanted network activity.