Do I need a new SSD after getting hacked? STOP/DJVU

hamza8978 said:

Yes, it is the same 970EVO Plus.
To summarise, can I have the steps in order to do this?
(formatting and reinstalling windows)

If you have used Samsung Magician to secure erase the SSD then it will be unformatted, the same as it was when purchased. Boot from the Windows install usb and it will be able to format it for you as part of the install. This will be the same process as when you first installed Windows.

Clean Install Windows 10

Also, do I need a new windows key or can I use the same one I used last time?

No, you won't need to buy a new key. In fact, you don't need a key at all. When you first installed Windows 10 the PC got a digital licence for the edition of Windows that you installed. This digital licence is stored on the Microsoft activation servers and linked to the unique hardware ID of the PC. You can skip entering a key when asked. Install the same edition as you had before (Home or Pro) and as soon as Windows can contact the activation servers it will activate from your existing digital licence.

@hamza8978, before you wipe it clean or install a new Windows system you must have it cleaned, some viruses/trojans can hang on even after wiping a hard drive ! If you would like i can help you with the cleaning ??

flashh4 said:

@hamza8978, before you wipe it clean or install a new Windows system you must have it cleaned, some viruses/trojans can hang on even after wiping a hard drive ! If you would like i can help you with the cleaning ??

hamza8978 has a Samsung 970 Evo Plus. Nothing can survive the suggested Secure Erase using Samsung Magician.

@Bree, we can agree to disagree on this one because i have cleaned a Trojan after the operator who wiped the hard drive before the cleaning ! Even some Viruses can survive by hiding in the boot sector ! Yes, resetting your PC and reinstalling Windows can remove a Trojan virus, but it is not always a guaranteed solution.

flashh4 said:

@Bree, we can agree to disagree on this one because i have cleaned a Trojan after the operator who wiped the hard drive before the cleaning ! Even some Viruses can survive by hiding in the boot sector ! Yes, resetting your PC and reinstalling Windows can remove a Trojan virus, but it is not always a guaranteed solution.

if you do:
select disk
clean

doesn't that remove MBR?

@hamza8978, please run these 2 programs for me & post the logs ! Pay close attention to the instructions !

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RougeKiller >>> Download RogueKiller
Can't boot up the machine because of a nasty malware ? Run RogueKiller command line from the "safe mode console", or from a live CD and get your access restored.
RogueKiller is a security tool that can be used to terminate and remove malicious processes and programs from your computer.
RogueKiller has the ability to remove infections such as ZeroAccess, TDSS, rogue anti-spyware programs, and Ransomwares.
When you run RogueKiller, you can perform a scan of your computer for malicious programs and entries. Once the scan is complete it will display a list of found issues and allow you to fix them. RogueKiller also contains individual fixes that include repairing missing shortcuts due to the FakeHDD program, fixing your HOSTS file, and fixing Proxy server hijackers.

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Download Farbar Recover Scan Tool for 64 bit systems <<<< Downloading Farbar Recovery Scan Tool >>> and save it to your Desktop. <<< Important
If your computer language is other than English right click on the FRST64 icon and rename it to FRST64english
* Right click on the icon and select Run as administrator
* Note: If you receive any warning about the download it is a false positive and you can ignore it. Click on More info to get the Run anyway option
* Click Yes to the disclaimer
* Click Scan and allow the program to run
* Click OK on the Scan complete screen, then OK on the Addition.txt pop up screen

2 Notepad documents should now be open on your desktop.
Please copy and paste the contents of each report in separate reply windows

Thanks !

Hello @hamza8978,

flashh4 said:

Run RogueKiller command line from the "safe mode console" . . .

hamza8978 said:

What does this mean? sorry I've never really done any of this before.

This is what he means > Boot into Safe Mode on Windows 10

Command Line is in Advanced Options.

I hope this helps.