Malware and Reinstall With An Image

Thorsen said:

If it was a full image of all of your files, then it would be clean. the full disk image would replace the current disk image. If it is a partial backup, then it is possible that the image replaced the files that were infected with the previous version of the files, but could have not replaced all instances of the virus.

Sorry to hear about the issue. Hope it is all sorted ok.

I tend to agree with Thorsen. If you're really worried though maybe a clean install is in order if for no other reason than your peace of mind.

This can happen to anyone though, so don't beat yourself down over it. I've gotten a couple of e-mails this past week "from" an old girlfriend of mine who's pretty computer savvy that I KNOW aren't from her. Assuming she's infected too, but ...... ...... am not going to let her know from me as I'm sure her other friends will inform her soon enough.

Hi Rich,

Assuming you were clean at the point when the image was made, which is sounds like you were, then it's safe to say that you will be clean now as the image restores all data on a disk. Just keep an eye on external storage media! :)

Tom

TY very much for your reply, Tom. Rep for your time and effort.

indianacarnie said:

Thorsen said:

If it was a full image of all of your files, then it would be clean. the full disk image would replace the current disk image. If it is a partial backup, then it is possible that the image replaced the files that were infected with the previous version of the files, but could have not replaced all instances of the virus.

Sorry to hear about the issue. Hope it is all sorted ok.

I tend to agree with Thorsen. If you're really worried though maybe a clean install is in order if for no other reason than your peace of mind.

This can happen to anyone though, so don't beat yourself down over it. I've gotten a couple of e-mails this past week "from" an old girlfriend of mine who's pretty computer savvy that I KNOW aren't from her. Assuming she's infected too, but ...... ...... am not going to let her know from me as I'm sure her other friends will inform her soon enough.

TY for your help. I cannot give you rep as I am slow in passing it around.

richc46 said:

TY very much for your reply, Tom. Rep for your time and effort.

My pleasure Rich. Thanks for the rep!

When my hompage froze due to the virus. I immediately restored with an image. I was enjoying my computer when the thought came to mind that the virus might still be present. I Googled, and came up with the possiblility that a format was needed to erdicate the virus. I ran several anti virus and Malwarebytes, and they were all negative. In addition, prior to the image, the computer did not work, after the image everything is running just as it should. I think that I just have to assume that everything is good.

TY for your comments. I have found through research that a virus can infect the boot sector (there is a test for that, which I passed) or the BIOS. There is no way to remove the BIOS infection, without an update or a flash. I don't think that I have that problem, however, as it is rare.