I recently discovered that I downloaded a Hijack Loader on my PC when I ran a scan with Malwarebytes. While I quarantined and deleted the file, I can't shake the feeling that I might not be totally safe. A subsequent scan detected some Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs), which added to my concerns. My PC has also been acting a bit buggier and slower lately. I mostly use it for gaming and don't keep anything too important on it, but redownloading all my games would be a hassle. Given this situation, should I consider resetting my PC to ensure everything's cleaned up?
5 Answers
I get your concerns about that Hijack Loader—definitely a red flag. In my opinion, resetting the PC is an excellent move to scrub everything, especially since you've already found something suspicious. Malwarebytes can sometimes flag false positives, so it might be a good idea to double-check the findings with another tool or by uploading the files to VirusTotal.
Honestly, if you suspect malware is still lingering on your system, a full reset is a good approach. It’s easier than trying to remove each piece of malware individually and ensures you start fresh. Just remember to use legitimate installation media and check its integrity before reinstalling everything. Also, reset your passwords and think about using two-factor authentication for your accounts just to stay safe.
You might want to think twice about using the reset feature. It doesn't always wipe everything effectively. From my experience, the safest bet is to do a clean installation of your operating system. This way, you can ensure that any hidden malware is completely removed. And for PUPs, most are just bloatware, but given you have a history with malware, it’s better to play it safe.
Don't stress too much about PUPs. They can be annoying, but they usually aren't as dangerous. That said, if you've downloaded stuff from dubious sources before, a clean slate sounds wise. Besides, a reset will help keep your gaming experience smooth!
If you decide to reset, just make sure to back up any data you want to keep first! And don’t forget to update your passwords for any accounts you've accessed on that PC afterwards. Better safe than sorry!

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