I recently noticed some unusual activity on my Windows 10 desktop, like an "On Screen Keyboard" showing up in the task manager and a strange remote access program. Shortly after, several apps started opening rapidly on their own. I've not downloaded anything or visited any sketchy websites recently. To be safe, I shut down and unplugged my computer, and I'm considering taking it to a repair shop to deal with possible viruses or to do a factory reset, depending on how serious this is. Am I on the right track or should I be doing something different?
5 Answers
The right move really depends on how severe the issue is. A fresh install of Windows should help, and be sure to run a full scan with malware detection software afterward. Also, don’t forget to back up your important data while taking necessary precautions.
To be safe, back up your data on an empty hard drive if possible. Then download the Windows 10 installation media from another PC. Wipe your current hard drive completely and reinstall Windows—just make sure to turn off auto-run when you bring back your files!
You’re right to be cautious! A good approach is to reinstall Windows using a USB drive. After that, change all your passwords and enable two-factor authentication on your accounts. It’s a solid first step to secure your information.
This isn’t just a minor issue. Hackers can steal sensitive data quickly. Freeze your credit with the monitoring agencies and put two-factor authentication on your bank accounts. Check for unauthorized charges and change all your passwords. Once you’ve secured your data, worry about wiping and reinstalling your system later.
I'd be careful about trusting a repair shop or just performing a factory reset. Disconnect your computer from the internet immediately. Use a different device to change all the passwords for any accounts you accessed on the hacked computer. After that, create a bootable USB drive to wipe and reinstall Windows before reconnecting it online. It's the safest way to handle this.
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