Responding to a Discord Virus: Essential Steps to Take After a Hack

In the ever-evolving realm of online gaming and communication, it’s crucial to stay alert against the potential dangers lurking in seemingly harmless links. Recently, a friend fell prey to a deceptive “help me test this game” link on Discord, leading to a concerning situation that highlights the importance of immediate action in the face of cyber threats.

The Incident

Yesterday, a message arrived on my Discord from someone I thought I could trust — a request to help test a new game. Regrettably, I clicked the provided link without hesitation, downloading it from a suspicious website. I even ignored the warning from Windows Defender about the file’s safety and proceeded to run the executable.

Shortly after, my Discord began to behave oddly, with my computer’s cooling fans ramping up, indicating something was amiss. I quickly received a direct message from the hacker, which made it clear they aimed to extort me. I opted not to engage, suspecting their intentions were malicious.

The situation escalated as Firefox began generating strange pop-up pages depicting what appeared to be a hacking attempt on my system. While I didn’t capture images of these pages, they were unsettling and added to my urgency to respond.

Quick Actions Taken

In an effort to regain control, I swiftly used Malwarebytes to eliminate as much of the threat as possible. I also updated my passwords and activated two-factor authentication (2FA) on my most critical accounts via my mobile device.

Despite my prompt actions, I fear remnants of the virus remain on my system. I discovered two questionable programs: one named “startup” and another in my AppData folder, marked by the prefix “stealit_,” both created during the execution of the malicious file.

Given this situation, my current strategy involves backing up essential files to the cloud and preparing to wipe my PC completely. I have concerns regarding my bank and payment methods since I had not stored them in any browser, and I managed my accounts through my phone. However, I do have sensitive documents containing codes and images on my PC.

Questions to Consider

As I navigate this ordeal, I find myself seeking answers to critical questions that may help alleviate my anxiety:

1. What information could the hackers potentially access? Are they limited to browser passwords and Discord, or is the risk broader?

2. **How can I guarantee that my PC will be free of any residual viruses after wiping