Windows 10: How to prevent, detect and respond to being Hacked 2023

1 You can determine for sure if you're being hacked and prevent it by reading and following these best articles: https://preyproject.com/blog/en/have-i-been-hacked/ https://www.windowscentral.com/signs-pc-hacked https://www.csoonline.com/article/2457873/signs-youve-been-hacked-and-how-to-fight-back.html The most important steps to take first are to change all of your passwords to much tougher passwords, enable two factor authentication to sign into Windows or your MS Account: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-set-two-step-verification-microsoft-accounts. Next I'll show you how to furth

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Hacked! How to prevent or respond (2023)

1) You can determine for sure if you're being hacked or prevent it by reading and following these best articles:

Have I Been Hacked? How to Find Out and Protect Yourself | Prey Blog

How to tell if your PC has been hacked

15 signs you've been hacked—and how to fight back

The most important steps to take first are to change all of your passwords to much tougher passwords, enable two factor authentication to sign into Windows or your MS Account and your financial accounts: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-set-two-step-verification-microsoft-accounts.

Next I'll show you how to further cut off their access, clean up anything they planted, and secure your network.

2) Go into Settings > Apps, if you suspect a date then choose Sort by: Date and uninstall anything you didn't install yourself on that date. If no date is known go through the list and google or report back any apps you're not sure about. I would not allow anything in the list you're not sure about.

3) Secure your router by resetting it and then setting a strong password to sign into the router, and a strong wireless key to sign into your network. You can find your router manual by googling the exact model (on bottom) to follow the reset instructions, set the password and wireless key, optimize Security and Performance per these articles:

https://www.lifewire.com/resetting-a-home-network-router-818061

https://www.techradar.com/broadband/how-to-change-your-router-password

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/ultimate_router_guide_optimizing_security_and_performance

If you use a school or work wifi connection talk with their IT desk for what you can do to protect yourself further there.

To make sure nothing has already infected Windows:

4) Download, install and run a full scan with the most powerful on-demand free scanner Malwarebytes: https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/ Make sure to only choose the Free version. In the Malwarebytes Settings (gear icon) > Security tab set it to include scanning for Rootkits.

If necessary run it in Safe Mode with Networking, or Safe Mode accessed by one of these methods:

https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-safe-mode-windows-10

https://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-11/how-to-start-windows-11-in-safe-mode/

Clean up anything found, restart PC and then run again until it comes up clean. 5) Then download, install and run a full scan with AdwCleaner: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/ Remove whatever it finds.

6) Check for anything these find but are still left over in Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, and C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files(86) to uninstall or delete them. I can guide you how to do this if there are problems.

7) Also in each of your browser's Extensions, Home Page settings, Search service or Add-On's as shown here: https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001411.htm to disable anything you didn't add yourself and are sure you need. Ask back or google if in doubt.

8) Then check for damaged System files by running System File Checker for Windows 10 here: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-sfc-command-utility-fix-system-files-windows-10

and Windows 11 here: https://www.elevenforum.com/t/use-system-file-checker-sfc-to-repair-system-files-in-windows-11.720/

9) If completing all of Step 10 in above Checklist doesn't fix it then run a Repair Install which reinstalls WIndows while keeping your files, programs and most settings in place:

Windows 10: https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/fix-windows-10-repair-install

Windows 11: https://www.elevenforum.com/t/repair-install-windows-11-with-an-in-place-upgrade.418/

10) If you want to start fresh back up your files to a quarantine USB to be scanned twice with Malwarebytes before reimporting, wipe your hard drive of all partitions during a Windows 10/11 Clean Install following this gold standard install: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...tory-oem/1c426bdf-79b1-4d42-be93-17378d93e587

If you want to keep Malwarebytes as an on-demand scanner then you can turn off its Real Time trial version using the slider buttons on it's front panel.

If you were referred here from another thread, please post back results in that thread. Otherwise you can ask questions and share information in the Comments section below, including any broken links.

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Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

 

Windows Updated(16299.309).KB4088776 Restart is required to complete.

Hi dalchina. Good news, I followed your suggestion and reinstalled the update and now it appears as "installed correctly" *Biggrin Maybe it was not necessary to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter or maybe if necessary. But using it I do not think it could have worsened something. The installation was very fast, unlike the first time it showed step 1 and step 2 completed.

Thanks for the suggestions and for the time to respond Best regards.


And thanks for the tip of that program, I'll have it on my list.

 

Windows phone is not detecting

Hi Vijay,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

I suggest you to connect the phone to another computer and check if it gets detected. Also, check if the phone gets detected by connecting with a different USB cable.

I suggest you to run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter by following the steps below:

• Click on the Start button, and type “Troubleshooting” on the search bar.
  
• Click on “hardware and devices”.
• A pop-up will appear, click on the “Next” button and follow the on-screen prompts for troubleshooting.
  

Hope the information is helpful. Keep us posted on the status for further assistance.