What should I do if my PC got hacked after downloading a printer driver?
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TechGuru687
I recently downloaded a printer driver for my HP model, but it turned out to be malware. Now I've had everything hacked. Thankfully, all my accounts are still safe, but I can't log into anything without risking my passwords being stolen. My WiFi is very slow, so redownloading everything would take months. An Avast scan confirmed my worst fears, so I'm stuck. What can I do to fix this?
Answers
First off, you should back up any important files to an external drive. Just remember that those files could be infected as well. After that, get a flash drive and use a clean PC to download the Windows 11 media creation tool. Make that drive bootable, then use it to reinstall Windows on your infected PC. Just make sure to check your external drive for malware after reinstalling. And for future downloads, always stick to reputable sites like the official HP site. You can even run downloaded files through VirusTotal to check for malware.
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Honestly, the best solution is to do a secure wipe and reinstall the OS. Make sure to get the installers from a clean machine! Also, consider updating or overwriting your BIOS to be extra safe.
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CuriousCat99: Quick question: I've heard Avast and Surf Shark can fix this issue. Is that true? I'm considering buying Avast Pro.