I recently downloaded something suspicious and it looks like my Google account got hacked, possibly due to a keylogger or remotely administered Trojan. I have some small files I'd like to save onto a USB drive before I reset my Windows and erase everything. I'm worried about whether the USB could also be infected when I connect it. Is there a safe way to transfer those files, or am I just out of luck? I'd appreciate any help, thanks!
5 Answers
If you want an extra layer of safety, try uploading the files to Google Drive first. Google scans for malware, and then you can download them again onto your new PC, which should also have antivirus protection.
One solid approach is to use a clean USB drive, plug it into the infected PC, and copy your essential files over. Be sure to also grab bookmarks, emails, and saved passwords. After that, plug the drive into a secure computer and run an antivirus scan on it.
Another option is to boot from a portable Linux system via USB. This way, you can copy the files from your PC without booting into the infected OS. If your Windows drive isn't encrypted, you can use a Windows installer ISO to do the same. It helps keep the potential infection at bay while you back up important files.
Do you have a recommendation for a user-friendly Linux distro for someone who's never used Linux before?
If you need to work with encrypted drives, you can unlock them using specific commands from a Windows installer ISO, just remember to have your recovery password ready.
For the safest transfer, use a Raspberry Pi that's offline to check for viruses after you've copied the data. You could also employ antivirus software in a Windows VM that's not connected to the network. Taking these precautions minimizes the risk of infection spreading.
Getting files off an infected PC is tricky, and unfortunately, there's no foolproof method that ensures the USB drive won't become compromised. If you absolutely need to salvage those files, it's best to transfer only a few of them at a time and scan each one with an antivirus program on a different, secure computer. It’s risky, but better than losing everything!
Thanks for the tip! I was mainly looking to save some emulator save files. Could those carry a virus?
Shutting down the PC and using a Linux live USB to handle the transfer is a good route. You avoid using the main OS, which keeps you safer.
That sounds like a plan! Thanks for the clear advice.