Dealing with a Computer Virus: Concerns About Saving Your Photos

In today’s digital world, a computer virus can wreak havoc, especially if you’re not prepared. Recently, my husband accidentally introduced a serious virus to our system after clicking on a dubious link while browsing a blog. The aftermath was frustrating, as it significantly impacted our computer’s functionality. The situation escalated when we received a suspicious call from someone claiming to represent Microsoft, who requested sensitive information—thankfully, my husband recognized the scam and ended the conversation promptly.

As I face this challenge, my primary concern is safeguarding the numerous photographs I’ve been meaning to transfer to a USB drive. Unfortunately, procrastination has prevented me from backing up these precious memories earlier. After some effort, I managed to restore the system to a point from about a week ago in hopes of creating a clean backup of my photos onto a USB. Although Windows Defender has scanned the system without detecting any threats, I remain cautious since it did not alert us when the virus first infected the computer.

We’re planning on performing a factory reset soon, but I need clarity on the risk of transferring my photos. Specifically, how likely is it that these photos could harbor the virus? Additionally, are there other concerns or precautions I should be aware of in this situation? Given that this is our first encounter with such a troubling incident, I’m determined to ensure that we handle it properly to prevent any potential risks from lingering on our device.

If you’ve faced a similar situation or have expertise in this area, your insights would be invaluable. Let’s ensure our digital memories are safe and sound!