Hacker

[KimberlyJ1]

How can I remove a hacker who was suppose to install an anti virus software but actually hacked my laptop. Now it keeps shutting down.

[WAWood]

The problem is no so much removing their account, as that is simple; the problem is that with access to your PC, they could have hidden stuff all over the filesystem and you would be unable to find it all to remove it.

What needs to be done at this point is the following:

1) Remove the internal drive from the PC and connect it to a working PC.

2) Use a utility to Secure Erase the drive -- will need to check with the drive manufacturer to download the proper utility from them.

3) Replace the drive back into your PC.

4) Reinstall Windows on your PC. Since it came preloaded with an HP OEM Version of Windows, you have to use HP's tools to create install media to do this.

f your PC is a 2016 model or newer, you should see if you can make a bootable USB recovery drive using the HP cloud recovery tool on a working PC.

The recovery drive can then be used to install Windows and the HP drivers and utilities that originally came with your PC.

You will need a working PC and a 32GB USB stick to hold the recovery files. Here is the link:

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_4511095-4511141-16

If you use a different PC to run the tool, you will have to provide your PC's product number. Here is an HP link for finding that information:

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_2039298-1862169-16