I ran a suspicious RAT for a couple of seconds—should I be worried?

I wouldn’t panic outright, but stay alert. If you know the exact link used and it’s currently down, that’s a good sign. Still, I would keep an eye on your event viewer for any suspicious installs around the time you executed the command. Better safe than sorry!

You might be okay since you shut it down quickly, but it would be smart to check for more persistent threats. Malware often sets up ways to hide deeper in your system. A clean reinstall is the safest bet if you can do it without losing important data. Consider doing a system restore to a date before you ran the command, just to cover your bases.

Two seconds may seem like a short time, but in the world of malware, that can feel like an eternity for your computer. Just because you didn’t see any immediate effects doesn’t mean everything’s okay. I suggest checking further into your system. If there's any doubt, it’s safer to reinstall Windows to ensure everything is cleared out. Also, consider changing your passwords just to be cautious and set up two-factor authentication wherever possible.

Honestly, relying on an .msi installer means they could have set up hidden processes or registry changes that wouldn’t show up right away. If you have the option, a full reinstall is the best way to ensure you’re fully rid of anything malicious. Also, be cautious about clicking any links in the future!