Viruses and recovery

[Computerlover23]

Hey, so I recently clicked on a website and my entire laptop crashed. I quickly ran antivirus software on it(Webroot, McAfee) and prevented what I suspect was the virus from opening/downloading. I've run all of the scans Microsoft Defender has available(aside from running an offline scan while in safe mode, I did still run an offline scan though) and have not experienced any signs of the virus since, but I still want insurance that it's gone. Should I run a factory reset on it just to be sure? Also, my flash drive was plugged into it at the time, but it shows no sign of infection. I was planning to turn it into a factory reset bootable USB (not to use, but simply to reformat it and erase all the data), but should I do more just in case?

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Computerlover23,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're stoked to have you on board! 

To help us get started on resolving your issue, could you please share the model name of your device?

We're looking forward to helping you get back up and running! 

Best regards,

[Computerlover23]

My model is HP laptop 15

[Kuroi_Kenshi · Accepted solution]

Hi @Computerlover23,

Thank you for the response.

Try these steps:

Complete a Full Offline Scan:

• Although you've already run an offline scan, running it again in Safe Mode can help detect any lingering threats. Safe Mode loads only essential drivers and can sometimes uncover threats that are hidden when the system is fully booted.

Keep Your Antivirus Software Up to Date:

• Ensure both Webroot and McAfee have the latest virus definitions. They frequently update to include new threats.

Utilize Windows Defender Offline Scan:

• As a robust tool, the Windows Defender Offline scan can detect deeply embedded malware that other scans might miss.
• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
• Select Scan options, then choose Windows Defender Offline scan.

Install Recent Security Updates:

• Make sure Windows Update is on and that your system has installed all the latest patches. These updates often include fixes for vulnerabilities that viruses exploit.

Reinstall Windows:

• If you're still unsure, you can perform a system reset or reinstall Windows. This will completely wipe any residual files the virus might have left behind:
• Reset This PC: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC. Choose to either keep your files or remove everything.

Check System Restore Points:

• If a virus was active, it's a good idea to delete restore points that might reintroduce the malware if used. You can do this within System Restore settings.

Backup Important Files:

• Always have important files backed up, using either external drives or cloud solutions like OneDrive.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,