I recently returned to my home state and set up my Windows 11 PC after not using it for about a week. Initially, everything seemed fine with my laptop, but when I connected the PC to Ethernet and ran a deep scan with AVG, I opened Chrome and noticed my credentials were autofilled. I entered my 2FA code, but then the page started glitching, which worried me. AVG flagged something called wextract.exe as a spyware variant. I quarantined it and tried using Malwarebytes, which found nothing. After several attempts at scanning and even a fresh Windows install, I still had strange logs in the event viewer tied to AbtPaaS, which I couldn't find much information on. I'm feeling overwhelmed and paranoid. I've changed all my passwords and ensured I'm using MFA, but I still can't shake this feeling that something is wrong. What can I do to finally feel secure? Should I consider a BIOS flash or start new accounts? Are there specialists who can check for hidden threats? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
I get why you’d be paranoid, but from what you've described, it's unlikely that you've got some sophisticated malware lurking around. Just interacting with your portal doesn’t seem like a way to get infected. If you're still worried, try using a USB rescue tool like Kaspersky Rescue Disk or maybe even call in a local IT guy to take a look. They can do a thorough check to put your mind at ease.
I’d definitely suggest clarifying your initial concerns to narrow things down. Your setup and usage sounds pretty typical. Maybe keep a notepad of every step you took when things seemed off. If you’ve been careful about downloads and browsing, it might be that you stumbled onto a glitch with AVG or Bitdefender. Stay cautious, but don’t let stress get the best of you!
It does sound like you're caught in a cycle of worry. Instead of diving deep into BIOS changes, start with making sure all your security settings are as tight as they can be. Setting up physical security keys is a great step. Just remember, sometimes over-analyzing can lead to unnecessary stress, so take a breath and give it a minute before making any drastic changes!
Sounds like you're dealing with something really frustrating. Given how many scanning tools you've used without finding anything, a fresh Windows install seems like a solid next step. It ensures you're starting clean, but just make sure to back up your data first. As for AbtPaaS, it’s likely a benign process linked to the OS or software you recently installed. If you want peace of mind after that, it might be worth changing your Microsoft and Google accounts, just to be safe.
Exactly! A clean install can be a big relief. And remember to keep your software updated when you set things back up.
Thanks for the suggestion! I'll definitely look into a rescue tool. Just want to be sure.