How to prevent my Windows PC from hacking and ransomware ?

Hi,

I found a text file on my desktop was duplicated and has long random strings like this

fdgjfj
ryjkgkh
fjgkhjhjlk
vbnvbmn

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The original text file has some notes nothing more. I use Malwarebytes + Malwarebytes firewall control but I wonder if this is enough ? Is there a tool I can use to check my system ?

Thanks

Most of the big anti virus providers have tools designed for deep scanning in offline mode, usually from a boot disk so avoiding any interference from Windows. Whether such tools are free or paid depends on the provider.

Regardless of solutions used to scan your devices the best protection from malware, ransomware and viruses of all types is to maintain a disconnected backup of your system and files, updated on a regular schedule, use caution when doing anything on the internet & educate yourself about the current threats and attack vectors.

Sites like bleepingcomputer are a great source of information and you can contact them for help and advice if you do suffer an attack, remember the people offering help are doing so as volunteers.

Also try to keep as much personal & critical data off your devices, so don't have a folder with lists of passwords and login details in your Documents folder, for example.

And one small additional note:-
You have not been attacked by ransomware. If you had, you would not be able to open any files in order to read them.

Personally, I think there is another explanation for the file you illustrated.

• Hackers do not play games putting random text in text files.
• Hackers are after money.

Denis

DigitalGoat said:

don't have a folder with lists of passwords and login details in your Documents folder, for example.

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What is a good place to put my passowrds ?

I keep my passwords in a password-to-open-protected Excel file that lives in a USB stick that lives on my main keyring.
Its backup is another USB stick that's fixed to the wall behind the boiler.
I disconnect from the internet before plugging either of them into my computer.

The password to open my Excel file is written down on a strip of paper inside one of those dog collar tally things that also lives on my main keyring.


Some people prefer utilities called Password managers. Search the forum for that term and you'll find recommendations.


All the best,
Denis

Try3 said:

I keep my passwords in a password-to-open-protected Excel file that lives in a USB stick that lives on my main keyring.
Its backup is another USB stick that's fixed to the wall behind the boiler.
I disconnect from the internet before plugging either of them into my computer.

The password to open my Excel file is written down on a strip of paper inside one of those dog collar tally things that also lives on my main keyring.

Some people prefer utilities called Password managers. Search the forum for that term and you'll find recommendations.


All the best,
Denis

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Really? Reminds me of some breaking bad level shiz haha.

All mine are stored on my own personal hard drive, The brain.
Password managers can be helpful though, i understand some people have loads of passwords so i only jest!
Try Password Safe Good enough for the bank i work for so good enough for us!

ShamrockRig said:

Really? Reminds me of some breaking bad level shiz haha.

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I have no idea what you mean.

Denis

A 3x5 card file has worked fine for me, for over 40+ years. It had no connection to the internet and can't be hacked.
Any kind of written record, not on any computer, is completely SAFE from hackers, etc.

And the best hedge against being infected by ransomware is a good backup of your C: drive. Or a clone of your entire HD/SSD. I have both and update them at least weekly.
(ransomware has very seldom infected a personal computer. They usually go after corporations or institutions, where the money is.)

Things can get dicey, if your Data Files are dispersed among your OS files on C: and there is any kind of problem with your OS. It's better/safer to keep all your data files off of C:, and backed up on a regular basis.
Then if Windows gets really messed up, it can quickly be restored, or even re-installed, without affecting the data files at all.
Just a little planning now, can prevent a lot of grief later.
TM

Try3 said:

I have no idea what you mean.

Denis

Click to expand...

If you didn't watch the tv series breaking bad then it will have went over you're head