How I Fell Victim to a Discord Scam and What Steps I Took to Recover

In a disheartening turn of events, I recently found myself ensnared in a classic scam that many gamers have encountered—a “Test my game” scheme. My experience serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance online.

The Incident

It all began when I received messages from two old Discord accounts I recognized from years past. These familiar contacts sent me a link, inviting me to download a “game” for testing. Despite my gut feeling telling me to exercise caution, I let my guard down and proceeded to execute the file. This led to an unsettling moment when a third Discord account contacted me, showing an alarming screenshot of their login using my Google account.

Immediate Response

Fortunately, I had a spare notebook, which allowed me to disconnect my primary PC from the internet immediately. I promptly logged out of all active sessions on Google and Discord. Following that, I set about the essential task of resetting my passwords across all of my accounts—an unsettling process, given that my passwords were previously stored in Google.

To enhance my security, I enabled two-factor authentication (2FA) everywhere it was an option.

Steps Taken to Secure My PC

I decided to start fresh with a clean install of Windows 11 on my PC. This initial wipe effectively cleared the drive containing the operating system, but I was still concerned about any leftover malware. I ran a complete scan using Windows Defender, and I’m currently conducting another round of scans. To further bolster my defenses, I plan to install additional antivirus programs like Avast and Malwarebytes to conduct comprehensive checks. As a precaution, my PC remains disconnected from the internet during this process.

Seeking Solutions

If you suspect that you’ve encountered similar malware, the file is hosted on oblivora.com, where you can safely analyze it. However, it’s crucial to be cautious before visiting any suspicious sites.

As I continue to bolster my digital security, I’m grappling with whether I need to wipe my additional drives. Ideally, I would like to avoid this, but if it becomes necessary, I am curious about the best tools for a thorough wipe of all drives.

Final Thoughts

Reflecting on my ordeal, I am now keenly aware of the need for greater awareness online. While I took many of the right steps to secure my accounts and devices, I must consider if there’s more I could have done. Did I take