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Try using a USB boot stick to boot into Linux and just save whatever you need from the machine and then reformat it. Since this way the machine won't automatically connect to Wi-Fi and potentially cause more issues.
That's the quickest, simplest way without needing to try to diagnose and dig into the system to see what is affected and trying to fix it.
Also what is the computer doing when it boots up? There's not really enough information being given to be able to provide any other advice.
Thanks, we might give that a go. I don’t really know what else is happening, TBH. I only heard about this briefly last night. Apparently my FIL is now being “stalked” and he’s had to change phone number etc.
Hopping on a live USB to recover files is your safest option.
It will also give you an opportunity to scan files (with something like clam av) while running from a system other than Windows, so you're less likely to encounter any further infections. Not that Linux can't be infected, it's just much less likely and you'd be running from a flash drive and off network anyway so it's about as safe as you can get.
You would need to connect the live USB to the Internet to install clam av on the USB stick or something similar, but that can be done while using a separate machine before actually plugging into the affected machine.
I can't really offer any advice on using any software for scanning as I keep personal things on separate drives segregated from the network so if something ever did happen I'd just wipe and start over.
May be a good idea to take though. Get him a USB drive that he can store files on and disconnect when he doesn't need it.
Just some thoughts from someone that works in desktop support and has been tinkering for a little over 20 years.
Good luck!
Yeah, even if you're extremely knowledgeable with computers I do not recommend trusting the OS (or sometimes the whole device) after it's been compromised. Back stuff up, wipe, reinstall.
That or have a fresh drive installed and then a clean OS, then pop the old one on a USB enclosure and grab just what you need from it. Beware that a really nasty hacker could have invented remaining files with Trojans/malware so definitely re-download any installers rather than using the stuff from the old drive.
Turn the wifi off, or take it somewhere where there's no wifi, and start it up.
This works, even if you disconnect your home router temporarily.
I'd strongly recommend using an external boot disk to save your important documents. Beware of any zips or executables within those directories you're backing up, they also may have been modified. You can also just pull the hard drive out and stick it into a USB hdd adapter and plug it in like it's a regular flash drive. Again, be careful or you may infect your personal system as well.
Cool thanks.
Sure, good luck and keep us posted.
This occurred to me as I typed the original query. I wonder how much control the guy has and whether we can even get into the files.
Thanks!