What actions should I follow after clicking a suspicious Discord link claiming to test a game?

Dealing with a Discord Virus: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

It’s a common scenario—someone you know reaches out with an enticing offer to test a new game, but little do you know, this could lead to a cyber nightmare. Recently, I fell victim to a malicious link sent via Discord, prompting me to write this post to share my experience and seek guidance on recovery steps.

What Happened?

Yesterday, I received a message from a trusted contact on Discord, inquiring if I would like to help test a new game. Without a second thought, I clicked on the link provided, which led me to a dubious game website. I downloaded the executable file, ignoring Windows Defender’s warnings about its potential risks.

Shortly after running the installer, I noticed bizarre behavior from my Discord account and my computer fans were suddenly blasting with noise. Alarmingly, the hacker sent me a direct message, clearly intending to extort me. Sensing trouble, I refrained from engaging with them.

In addition to the strange activities on Discord, I found my Firefox browser bombarded with pop-ups that ominously indicated I was being hacked. While I couldn’t capture screenshots of these alarming messages, I vividly remember their unsettling content.

Taking Immediate Action

I knew I had to act swiftly. My first step was to utilize Malwarebytes to eliminate as much of the malicious software as possible. I also changed passwords and enabled two-factor authentication (2FA) on my critical accounts using my mobile device.

Despite my proactive measures, I still sensed remnants of the virus lurking within my system. There was an unidentified program titled “startup” and another suspicious Javascript file named “stealit_” located in my appdata folder, both created upon executing the malicious file.

Current Strategy and Precautions

Understanding the gravity of my situation, my immediate plan is to back up important files to a cloud service and perform a complete system wipe to restore my computer to a clean state. As for my banking and payment details, I have never entered them in any browser and manage everything on my phone. However, I have sensitive images and codes stored on my PC that I need to address.

Now, I have several pressing questions:

1. What Information is at Risk?
   How much data have the hackers potentially compromised? Is it limited to my browser passwords and Discord, or could they access more sensitive information?

2. **Ensuring a Virus-Free Environment After W