What to Do If Your Family Member Clicked an Unsafe Link on Your Computer

Recently, I encountered a concerning situation that might resonate with many readers. My mother allowed my 13-year-old niece to browse her laptop unsupervised—a decision I wouldn’t have recommended. While searching for a particular movie not available on Netflix, my niece stumbled upon one of those dubious free movie streaming sites. This unintentional oversight led to the download of a program called ‘Opera GX’ without anyone being aware of the risks involved.

Upon discovering the download, my niece promptly informed my mom, and they wisely decided to refrain from using the computer until I arrived about 20 minutes later. Once I got to the scene, I took immediate action. I started by deleting the ‘Opera GX’ file from the Downloads folder and proceeded to run a comprehensive scan using Windows Security. As an extra precaution, I also installed Malwarebytes, which I currently use on my own device, to conduct a secondary scan.

The results from both scans were reassuring—no threats were detected. However, this experience raises an important question for all computer users: is further action necessary to ensure the safety of the device?

Steps to Take After a Potential Security Breach

Review Recent Downloads: Always check the Downloads folder and delete any suspicious files. It’s essential to stay vigilant about what gets downloaded onto the system.
Run Antivirus Scans: As I did, utilizing reputable antivirus software to scan the entire system is crucial. Running multiple scans with different software (such as Malwarebytes) can help identify any lurking threats.
Monitor for Unusual Behavior: Pay attention to any strange behavior from the laptop, such as unexpected pop-ups, slow performance, or unfamiliar programs. These could indicate that something harmful remains.
Update Software Regularly: Ensure the operating system and all security software are updated. Updates often include vital security patches that protect against the latest threats.
Educate Family Members: This incident serves as a valuable lesson on safe browsing practices. Discussing the importance of avoiding dubious websites can prevent similar situations from arising in the future.
Consider a System Restore: If you’re still concerned, consider performing a system restore to revert the laptop to a previous state before the incident occurred.