My mom's Hotmail account got hacked and we received one of those typical scam emails from it. Even though we've changed the passwords, I'm really anxious that something might be wrong with our computer—like malware or spyware that could steal our info. I've turned on Windows Defender, got Kaspersky installed, and done scans, but I still see some processes in Task Manager that I don't recognize. I'm really scared and just want to know if there's anything suspicious going on. Can someone please help me figure this out or suggest what I should do to ensure our computer is safe?
2 Answers
It’s smart that you have Windows Defender and Kaspersky running, but note that having both can sometimes cause issues. Only one should be active for real-time protection to avoid performance lags. Make sure to continually update the antivirus software as well. If you're not seeing any evidence of actual malware after scanning, it’s mainly just the anxiety that's taking over. Try to stay grounded!
First off, try not to panic too much! Just because your email was hacked doesn't necessarily mean your PC is infected. Here’s what you should do: 1. Make sure you’re using screenshots to document any suspicious activity before diving into fixes. 2. Don’t overload on antivirus programs; having more than one can actually slow things down. 3. Create a bootable USB drive to run a thorough scan. It might take a while, but it's worth it. 4. Consider practicing some relaxation techniques to help with the stress. And most importantly, enable 2FA (two-factor authentication) for your email to add an extra layer of security!
Thanks for the tips! I really appreciate the calm advice; it helps to know I’m not the only one feeling this way.
That's solid advice, thanks! I’m worried I missed something, though. Should I really trust a single antivirus?