How to Ensure My PC is Clean After Potential RAT Infection?
Asked by
TechieJamie42
I found out that I might have inadvertently gotten a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) from someone I trusted, especially after performing a factory reset on my PC without properly wiping files. I've run full scans using Windows Defender and Malwarebytes, and neither detected anything. My main concern is whether the attacker might still have access to my system. Is there anything specific I should do to ensure my computer is secure?
Answers
A factory reset isn't enough; you really should perform a secure wipe of your hard drive. After that, use the Microsoft media creation tool to do a fresh Windows install from scratch. Don't forget to change the passwords for all your accounts that were ever accessed from this PC and enable two-factor authentication for extra security.
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If the Windows was completely reinstalled and there are no strange processes or open ports showing up, you should be in the clear. But double-check just to be sure.
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After a clean install of Windows and if both scans came back clean, it's unlikely that they can get back in. Just make sure to change your passwords and turn on 2FA. That should ease your worries.
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Even after a reset, some old files might stick around. If the malware hid itself deep enough, it could potentially survive. To be safe, it’s wise to use a reputable online antivirus scan.
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If you're seriously worried and didn't care about the files, consider getting a new storage device. I personally wouldn’t risk it, just to be on the safe side.
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