I've got a serious issue with my Windows 10 desktop. While checking the task manager, I noticed an 'On Screen Keyboard' and some suspicious remote access activity. Shortly after, a bunch of apps started opening up rapidly. I haven't downloaded anything weird or visited any sketchy sites recently. I quickly shut down and unplugged my computer as soon as I saw the strange behavior. I'm planning to take it to a repair shop to either remove any viruses or do a factory reset, depending on the severity. Is this the right move, or should I consider other options?
5 Answers
I really wouldn’t trust a repair shop to handle this effectively, and just doing a factory reset might not be enough. Keep your computer off the internet until you can reinstall everything. Use a different, secure device to change all the passwords for any accounts you accessed on the infected PC. Then, create a bootable USB, wipe all the partitions on your computer, and reinstall Windows.
It really depends on how severe the issue is. If the infection is bad enough, a fresh install of Windows is a good call. After that, run a full scan with Malwarebytes and backup your data. Make sure to follow any useful advice from the other commenters here too.
This is a major issue. Hacking usually means private data is at risk. Start by freezing your credit with all major agencies and enable 2FA on your financial accounts. Check for any unauthorized charges on your credit cards and online accounts. After securing your online presence, focus on wiping and reinstalling your system.
First, you want to back up any important data on an empty hard drive. Then, use another PC to download the Windows 10 installation media, wipe your current SSD or HDD, and perform a clean installation. After reinstalling, you can bring back your data (just ensure autorun is turned off to avoid any re-infection).
The best way to handle this is to reinstall Windows using a USB drive. Afterward, make sure to change all your passwords and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. It's crucial to secure your accounts after such an incident.
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