is my computer clean now?

[Sunkist]

Quite a few months ago, PC was hacked.  Had an extra comp, and been using it since.  Last night it quit.  Didn't see any other options but to try to clean the hacked one. I did a factory reset/reinstall, but have seen conflicting info on whether this fixes the problem-  can an expert tell me? 

 

That's the main question, but also:

1.  I read viruses etc. can return to comp. when you return data from backup device-  I don't know what a backup device is.  If it means external hard drive, CD, etc., I don't use any of those things.

2.  I also ran into info awhile back that said some things like 'keylogging' and others cannot be detected and cannot be removed. 

 

So what are the chances that the comp is clean/safe now? 

After the reset/reinstall completed, I needed to reenter product key, set up new account, and it said 'first time use.'  I then ran MalwareBytes and their AdwareCleaner. 

Edited June 24, 2018 by Sunkist
spelling error

[Malwarebytes]

***This is an automated reply***

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Thanks for posting in the Malware Removal for Windows Help forum. Being infected is not fun and can be very frustrating to resolve, but don't worry because we have a team of experts here help you!!

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[Aura]

Hi Sunkist

If you did a format and reinstall of Windows (formatted the whole drive, then reinstalled Windows on it), then chances that the infection survived are pretty null. I, personally, have never seen an infection that survived a full nuke and pave. What logs gave you the entries with the words "keylogging", or the conflicting information?

[Sunkist]

Hi,

 

Thank you for replying!!

I only heard about keylogging and some other system that I can't recall from reading about them on websites. 

 

Re: the conflicting info on reset/reinstall:  people who were responding to someone else's similar questions on the Microsoft support forums.  One person said reset/reinstall cleans everything, but another person said some viruses can sneak through and also be reintroduced 'through your data on backup device.' 

[Aura]

It's possible, but it depends on what kind of malware you were infected with on the first place. Let's say you were infected with a fake installer for a game, and you had it backed up on your back up drive. Of course, if you launch that installer again on the fresh Windows install, you'll get infected again. Of if your back up drive (USB, drive, etc.) was infected with a worm, you could get infected again (assuming you have autorun enabled). But in order to be infected through a back up device, that back up device needs to be infected, or contain an infected installer, dropper, downloader, etc. first.

[Aura]

Hi Sunkist,

Are you still with me?

[Aura]

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Thanks