Files disappearing from my computer

[NJ105]

Hi
I am encountering a problem with my computer in my workplace. My files has disappeared from my drive. As these were just few small word files, I just typed them again and installed avast antivirus. Avast found about a hundred viruses and malware which I cleaned and thought my problem solved. but after a few days I noticed that I am missing a few files again which I did not use in these days. So I made backup of all the remaining files immediately, also saved them on google drive. But that doesn't solve my problem because it's not possible to keep uploading files evry few minutes. So, what can I do now to solve this problem? I have already checked whether it is an issue of hidden files but after changing the folder option to show hidden files I didn't get back my files

 

[mbarnes86]

Hi

first you have to defeat the malware then recover any deleted files

Using one of the free anti virus products is not enough.

There are on line scanners from most of the major AV companies websites (Mc Afee, Trend ....)

Kaspersky and some others also produce a free linux based AV boot disk (CD or USB)

Most of the free AV products are not enough by themselves. as they do not deal with all classes of malware

You need a internet security suit or a collection of Anti Virus and anti malware products
(which may interfere with each other!)

do not install more than one Anti Virus program at a time unless you want to have your PC crippled and un bootable

If you are working for a large company or organisation there should be a IT department to help you

Idealy you need a Windows PE or linux boot disk which has appropriate un delete/ file recovery software

Parted Magic has Testdisk / Photo Rec recovery software (Linux distribution costing US $ 9.99 )
http://partedmagic.com/

Hirens Rescue disk (free) includes Recuva (Windows based), TestDisk PhotRec etc undelete & recovery software
http://www.hiren.info/pages/bootcd

If you had a PC on the internet without any AV security Suit it may be almost impossible to clean it up.


So first recovering any deleted files you can then
then backing up all important data
then a full Windows re install including re formatting the hard disk(s)
may be quicker & cheaper in the long run .

(assuming you have your Windows DVD or recovery disks + MS Office disks available)

regards

Mike Barnes

 

[NJ105]

Hi

first you have to defeat the malware then recover any deleted files

Using one of the free anti virus products is not enough.

There are on line scanners from most of the major AV companies websites (Mc Afee, Trend ....)

Kaspersky and some others also produce a free linux based AV boot disk (CD or USB)

Most of the free AV products are not enough by themselves. as they do not deal with all classes of malware

You need a internet security suit or a collection of Anti Virus and anti malware products
(which may interfere with each other!)

do not install more than one Anti Virus program at a time unless you want to have your PC crippled and un bootable

If you are working for a large company or organisation there should be a IT department to help you

Idealy you need a Windows PE or linux boot disk which has appropriate un delete/ file recovery software

Parted Magic has Testdisk / Photo Rec recovery software (Linux distribution costing US $ 9.99 )
http://partedmagic.com/

Hirens Rescue disk (free) includes Recuva (Windows based), TestDisk PhotRec etc undelete & recovery software
http://www.hiren.info/pages/bootcd

If you had a PC on the internet without any AV security Suit it may be almost impossible to clean it up.


So first recovering any deleted files you can then
then backing up all important data
then a full Windows re install including re formatting the hard disk(s)
may be quicker & cheaper in the long run .

(assuming you have your Windows DVD or recovery disks + MS Office disks available)

regards

Mike Barnes

Thank you very much for your reply. As my office is a very small one with no IT department or any kind of computer expert, I don't have any help from that side. Actually when the problem started, the computer was quite new and there was no internet connection. I installed AV as soon as I got internet. I forgot to mention, I had used several other free AV (one by one of course), but none of it were very helpful. Purchasing software online is not a easy option as I live in Bangladesh. So, I think re installation of windows is my only option now and hope this problem will stop after doing that. I don't need to recover the previous files as I have backup of important ones, I just need the problem to stop.