I'm having a serious issue with my laptop. It detected a trojan that Windows Defender initially blocked, but the trojan kept multiplying. After trying to remove it and shutting off WiFi, I thought I got rid of it, but it's still lurking around. Now, I can't boot into safe mode at all. I think I also have BitLocker enabled on my hard drive, but I do have the key. What steps can I take to resolve this? I'm completely stuck!
5 Answers
What antivirus scanners have you already tried? If you haven’t yet, check out SuperAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes—they’re pretty reliable. Just a heads up, if you turn your WiFi back on, the trojan might get online again, which could cause more issues. It's a tough spot to be in, but those tools can help if you can find a way to use them safely.
In case of a virus, it’s generally best to reinstall Windows via a USB stick. Be sure to change all your passwords and enable two-factor authentication afterward to keep your accounts safe. Just remember, if you have unbacked data, losing it might be tough, but it’s better than dealing with a trojan.
I know, but I have so much data that’s not backed up. It's really stressing me out.
You should definitely try not to boot into the laptop at all if there’s an active trojan. However, I understand you want to recover your files. Are you trying to get anything specific? Because if it’s crucial, turning it off now might help prevent further damage, but it’s a balancing act.
I need to retrieve some files, like pictures. That’s why I’m leaving it on.
If you can, access another PC. You can create a USB with antivirus software to scan your laptop from there. You could also make a Windows install disk to wipe and reset your system—might be a clean and quick fix. Just remember to check the boot order in the BIOS so that it boots from the USB first. Also, if all your important files are on BitLocker, you might want to get an external hard drive to back everything up before doing anything drastic.
I can get access to another computer tomorrow. Quick question: if I shut down my laptop now, the trojan won’t multiply without power, right? Also, I’ve recently found out I have the BitLocker key.
What’s stopping you from booting into safe mode? Are you able to access the normal desktop at all? If you can manage to boot up, you could try getting the free version of Bitdefender and load it onto a USB stick. It might help you scan for and remove the trojan thoroughly. That being said, it sounds frustrating trying to manage such an issue!
Unfortunately, I can’t boot into either mode; it just crashes every time.
Don’t worry, I get what you mean by ‘it’s somewhere inside.’ It’s tough when the PC just won’t cooperate!
I don’t have those installed. I’m worried that if I turn the WiFi on now, the trojan could wreak even more havoc.