Windows 7: Conficker virus already, removed but what would you do next?

Currently a bit gutted, bought a new machine (first time I've ever bought a custom build prebuilt with Win 7 pro preinstalled), added another drive myself, installed Win XP SP3, to run my old software and have the dual boot option. Connected my old harddisk (big mistake I think) to copy important files from, got everything set exactly how I wanted on both OS's. Plugged in brand new harddrive, saved the Win 7 image to it and copied/backed up all essentials. Then done, and happy...

I then ran malware bytes and discoved conficker on XP AND Win 7. Really annoyed as it definately wasn't there the other day. Anyway, I removed it with malware bytes and everything scanning clear. However I'm gonna redo the backup image as the image will contain conficker (I presume). My question (finally) is what would you guys do now? Would you carry on and ignore what happened, or would you start again from fresh?

I'm pretty certain conficker must have come from connecting my old harddisk to remove some stuff I needed, but even though all is scanning clear, I'm tempted to wipe everything and start from scratch. Is this worth it or necessary? I can't get it out of my head and it's really bugging me, but I paid for the install of Win 7 so would be really annoyed about having to reinstall my self, but If you guys would do the same... I probably will. I've only had it a week, and barely used the Win 7 OS yet.



I don't know why it didn't get picked up by Windows Firewall, as I seem to get notified about EVERY other thing, lol. Sorry for blabbing on, I don't expect anyone to solve my problem, but advice on what you'd do now would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hello andyjee86 and welcome to Seven Forums.

This is just my personal opinion FWIW. Others may have different opinions. First, no antimalware product, even Malwarebytes which is excellent, is 100% effective 100% of the time. If there was such a product we'd all be using it and everybody else would go out of business. Second, once a computer gets infected, you cannot be 100% certain that all traces of the infection have been found and removed.

What I'd do is run a few more free on-demand scanners like Malwarebytes, HitmanPro, Superantispyware, Comodo Cleaning Essentials, etc. Update the data base and run the full scan, not the quick scan. If any other malware is discovered, I'd definitely reformat and reinstall everything. (And you're right ... if you created a system image while there was malware on your machine, the image will contain the malware. So don't use it.)

If the additional on-demand scans come back clean - well, it's up to you if you want to take that as a guranteed, 100% sure sign that the computer is malware free. It would really make me angry to find out a few days or weeks later than something escaped detection by all those scans and is now remotely controlling my machine or compromising my financial information.

Cheers Marsmimar, I'll probably do those scans, and full scans too, then make a decision. I think I'll end up starting again anyway but we'll see. I don't mind reinstalling XP so much, but I've never installed 7. I know it'll be easy but I'm a bit nervous about the activation as it's OEM, I think I'm just really annoyed with my self for letting it happen. I think it could've been due to an external drive I used briefly actually. That thing obviously needs nuking. Thank you for the response, it's what I needed to make sure I wasn't thinking about doing something OTT.

Hi Andy,

Youv'e recived excellent advice from Mars.......another one to throw in the hat is an online scan using ESET:

ESET Online Scanner

Its extermely well-regarded.

Installing from scratch (with a disk format) is obviously the best way to go as you have already realised. Installing 7 is a doddle, and activation of OEM is easy via the telephone option. There are plenty of experts here that can help you through that.

As a last resort, before consider the clean installation route, you might consider messaging Corinne and/or Jacee who are both trained and certified malware removal specialists, and have MVP awards specifically for that, with access to hard-core scanning and cleaning tools. I'm sure they would be more than happy to have a look for you.

Regards,
Golden

Cheers Golden, great advice. Thanks all.