Methods to identify harmful programs in a system

F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Methods to identify harmful programs in a system

Fr3akyZero
Member

118

08-20-2023, 12:06 AM

Hello everyone, I’ll soon receive a laptop that was taken from me by family—thanks to a misunderstanding. Before using or selling it, I’d like to scan it for any harmful software. The thief isn’t very tech-savvy, but her boyfriend has some experience. Should there be additional tools beyond a standard virus scanner? Or would a complete reinstall be the safest option? This device is a 2020 15-inch Lenovo Ideapad with a recovery partition (last time I checked).

Fr3akyZero

08-20-2023, 12:06 AM #1

Shad0wHydra13
Senior Member

716

08-20-2023, 06:00 AM

I would simply perform a complete reinstall.

Shad0wHydra13

08-20-2023, 06:00 AM #2

I would simply perform a complete reinstall.

live77
Member

194

08-20-2023, 07:06 AM

Things like Malware Bytes and HitmanPro I guess, but if there is nothing of value on it then I would just nuke it and do a reinstall.

live77

08-20-2023, 07:06 AM #3

Things like Malware Bytes and HitmanPro I guess, but if there is nothing of value on it then I would just nuke it and do a reinstall.

Rlenger
Junior Member

08-20-2023, 07:17 AM

I saved everything on an old hard drive two days prior to the loss, which is helpful. Thanks for the advice. Also, @LloydLynx and @Poinkachu!

Rlenger

08-20-2023, 07:17 AM #4

I saved everything on an old hard drive two days prior to the loss, which is helpful. Thanks for the advice. Also, @LloydLynx and @Poinkachu!