New
#21
A good practice that everyone should follow.
Before deciding to clean install or to use an AV to clean one’s system, it must first be ascertained what each procedure entails. In this case, Young Tomlin has said, “The reason I don't reset is because of the applications I have on this pc and I don't have time to reinstall them as I use them for work.”
We must understand and consider the individual user’s wants and needs before deciding for him/her that a clean install is more valuable than cleaning the computer. How many apps and programs are on the computer. How long will it take to reinstall them? Once they’re reinstalled, how long will it take to set them up the way we want them? An individual’s files are a major consideration here. Even if we can recover the files from a corrupted system, will they need to be scanned before we can use them? Would it have been easier to clean the computer; thus, saving all our files?
Not every malware/virus is cleanable, but the majority of them are. If they weren't, AV companies would not exist, nor would they be releasing tools to clean specific infections.
I’d hate to be required to clean install the Fall Creators Update on my teaching Lappy. I have a lot of things on there that won’t be easily replaced; not the least of which are deeply discounted (free) apps that cannot be reinstalled.
In my considered opinion, it would be a huge disservice to tell Young Tomlin to do a clean installation at this point. With Simrick’s guidance, it wasn’t necessary; he’s back up and running.
Most AV programs come with an “individual file scanner” and/or a “multiple file scanner”.
If Young Tomlin’s files reside on his internal drive(s), they will have been successfully scanned due to his prior work to clean his computer. If files were on externals (including flash drives) …
The question must be asked, (1) “Was it attached to the computer at the time of the attack? (2) And if so, was the external still attached during Young Tomlin’s prior cleanup efforts?” These two questions and their answers will serve to guide Young Tomlin in how to proceed.
Any AV worth its salt will certainly yell bloody murder if it perceives an attack, whether it be on the OS or on Data! I believe a combination of all the above will help anyone to decide how to proceed.
Why not just individually scan the finished file with your AV? If it won’t scan individual files, get one that will.
Young Tomlin has successfully cleaned his computer, run a final check with Eset and has downloaded Macrium Reflect, installed it and backed up his computer. By following Simrick’s advice, he is a little more knowledgeable today than he was yesterday or the day before.
All’s well that ends well …