[SOLVED] Hacking and Windows 10

[CrankedDT]

After being recently hacked by a scammer claiming to be from OFCOM, I was recommended to factory reset my PC. I tried this via the windows 10 "reset this PC" setting, but it got hung up at 22% before stopping and notifying me that it couldnt delete all my personal information. After this, I have reinstalled Avast Free Antivirus and Malwarebytes, and both run clean stating they dont detect anymore issues. Should I still be worried after the hang up during the reset process? aka try again, or perhaps clean install via a USB ISO?

 

[Gam3r01]

You should absolutely wipe that drive to clean from the USB install media using the format function during windows install.

 

[CrankedDT]

Incase I cannot find my USB containing my Windows 10 ISO, would it be safe to redownload the ISO via my system in its current state, and put it on another USB, or would that be dangerous too?

 

[Gam3r01]

I dont think it would be too risky, but if you are concerned Im sure you could find an uncompromised system to use.

 

[CrankedDT]

Thank you for the speedy response. Im assuming theres no way for the hack to persist through the reinstallation?

 

[DSzymborski]

Thank you for the speedy response. Im assuming theres no way for the hack to persist through the reinstallation?

If the hard drive is completely wiped, there shouldn't be.

 

[CrankedDT]

If the hard drive is completely wiped, there shouldn't be.

Sorry to slightly necro the thread, but would deleting all the partitions when I reinstall be enough to wipe the drive, or would I need to do something else aswell?

 

[CountMike]

Sorry to slightly necro the thread, but would deleting all the partitions when I reinstall be enough to wipe the drive, or would I need to do something else aswell?

Yes, that's close enough.