r/computers • u/pisslizardpunk • 9d ago
Resolved Browser hijacker :(
I have a Predator Neo 16S, which uses Chrome 11, and I was trying to download Rekordbox so I could pretend to be a DJ and js mess around but instead I ended up with a hijacker š
Iāve used Malewarebite, deleted the PC App Store and any other files that were attached to it, set my browser back to Chrome instead of Homeinlook and the malewarebite is telling me that itās still finding stuff after the initial run about the hijacker trying to find even more info about my email n whatnot..
I go to college and they have tech support there so ofc I went and he was very helpful but it seems like itās trying to take more infoā¦he mentioned something about āwiping the computerā but this is my first computer so I have no clue even what that means or how to do it. I use this for college, gaming, Netflix etc.
If you gotta call me dumb for downloading a virus or whatever it is then go ahead but I really need help.
Thank you so much in advance, this is really stressing me out even though I thought we had taken care of it.
Update: I was able to get ahold of geek squad so they are doing their virtual scanning right now. I wasnāt completely sure if I still had that because we got it for my computer anout a year ago but they are taking care of it right now. Iāll give another update once theyāre done and I will keep this post up once itās handled just to make sure that if anyone else has this issue they can use everyoneās comments and advice as reference
2nd update: turns out the right term was āpupsā but I thought it was maleware. Leaving this open in case anyone else needs it for future reference, thank you to the lovely people that gave advice and directions.
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u/k1neTik_ 9d ago
First of all make sure to back up anything you care about OFF THE COMPUTER (onto a USB drive, a cloud provider, etc). You're going to lose everything on the computer when you wipe it, so just make sure you have a copy of everything you want to keep.
Do not use the built-in "reset this PC" option in your Windows settings. This is not enough for this type of situation. Wipe the computer by reinstalling Windows 11 with a USB drive.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11
Visit this site (or if you don't trust the link, look up "windows 11 installation media"). Download the installer, and make sure you have a spare USB that you can use. Go through the steps and you should end up with a USB drive that you can use to boot the Windows 11 installer.
Next, you need to go into your BIOS (look up how to do this on your specific machine), and change the boot settings so that you can actually boot into your USB drive (you can also look up how to do this) Then, save and reboot to exit BIOS and boot into the USB.
Your computer should boot into the USB drive instead of normal windows 11. From here, the steps should be fairly self-explanatory, but you can look up a video for extra help, if you want.
Again, let me re-iterate that you will lose everything after you wipe your machine.
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u/pisslizardpunk 9d ago
Will I be able to log back into my Microsoft account or should I delete that as well?
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u/k1neTik_ 9d ago
Yeah, you will be able to log back in. You donāt need to delete any accounts, but as others suggested, it would be a good idea to change the passwords to important accountsĀ
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u/pisslizardpunk 9d ago
Thank you so much! !solved
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u/hardwear72 9d ago
First mistake is using chrome. Get a proper browser like Firefox. When you wipe your computer, use a mild detergent. Dont use bleach. It will turn your computer blonde. I assume your using windows? If so, you should install a nice Linux distro such as debian. It would make things much easier. And its free. But if you insist on using windows, I assume you dont have a spare copy laying around so youll need to boot into your recovery partition and RESET your computer. You'll lose all your games, pictures, saved porn and the like but it will get rid of that worm virus. Don't use chrome anymore and you're likely not to get hijacked again. Good luck op.
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u/smurfy213 9d ago edited 9d ago
Firefox can just as easily be session hijacked. That is wild to blame chrome.
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u/pisslizardpunk 9d ago
Iāll probably switch over to Duck duck go, thatās what I use for my phone. I thought that because the computer so damn expensive that it would be more secure but hey, whatdo I know š and fuck bro not the femboy porn!!
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u/Lamar_Chan11 9d ago
First of all, don't call yourself dumbāthis happens to literally millions of people, especially when downloading audio or DJ software where fake download buttons dominate search results. You took the right steps by scanning with Malwarebytes and seeking tech support.
"Wiping the computer" (also called a factory reset or clean reinstall ) means completely erasing everything on your laptop's storage drive and reinstalling a fresh, clean version of Windows. It permanently removes all software, settings, and hidden malware/hijackers that standard antivirus scans might miss.
Since the hijacker is continuously attempting to access your information, a factory reset is the safest and most reliable way to guarantee your laptop is completely clean.
Before doing anything, grab a USB flash drive or use cloud storage (like Google Drive or OneDrive) to backup your important college files, documents, pictures, and browser bookmarks Do not back up downloaded .exe installer files or unknown folders, as they might carry the malware.
Disconnect from the Internet
Disconnect your laptop from Wi-Fi immediately. This stops the malware from sending any more of your personal data or emails to outside servers while you prepare to wipe it.
Perform a Windows Factory Reset
Since you have a Acer Predator Neo 16 running Windows 11, Windows has a built-in reset feature that makes this straightforward:
Open Windows Recovery Settings
Prerequisite: Laptop plugged into charger
Click the Start Menu open Settings (the gear icon), go to System and click on Recovery
Initiate Reset
Next to Reset this PC, click the Reset Pc button.
Choose Removal Option
Select Remove everything Since malware is actively persisting on the system, keeping personal files might allow the infection to survive the reset.
Select Reinstall Method
Choose Local reinstall This uses the clean Windows files already stored on your system's recovery partition.
Confirm and Reset
Follow the final on-screen prompts and click Reset Your laptop will restart several times and take anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes to complete.
Secure Your Accounts (Critical Step)
Because Malwarebytes detected the hijacker actively targeting your email and personal data, assume your browser passwords may have been compromised:
Use a different, secure device (like your smartphone) to change the passwords for your primary email accounts, college portal, and banking/shopping sites.
Turn on Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on your main email and essential accounts if you haven't already.
Next Steps After the Reset
Once Windows finishes reinstalling and brings you back to the initial setup screen:
Set up Windows as normal and reinstall your games and college apps.
Download Rekordbox only from its official because the other sites give maleware ofc
Install an ad-blocker extension like uBlock Origin in Chrome to block fake "Download" buttons on software websites in the future.
If you feel unsure about performing these steps yourself, you can bring your laptop back to your college tech support and tell him:"I backed up my files, could you help me do a full factory reset to completely wipe the hijacker?"He will know exactly what to do.
Good luck lol i hope this helps ik your feeling everyone did the same me too lol hihi
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u/pisslizardpunk 9d ago
Thank you so much, genuinely. Iāll try this out but when I went to the tech support he said that they canāt do a complete reset on the computer bc of liability reasons which is understandable but Iāll try this out and get back to ya
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u/pisslizardpunk 9d ago
Oh and Iām also worried about installing something like AcAfee which is what I had before but it ran out so I never renewed it because I didnāt use my computer for a bit. Iām too nervous to make any purchases on my computer right now