Checking for malware.

[OMGVape]

I’ve just bought a 2nd hand laptop via Facebook marketplace. Seemed like a decent guy but I was just thinking, how can I be sure there are no sneaky bits of software on it, like a keylogger?

It’s got windows 10 installed. Would free AVG or windows defender be good enough to make sure it’s clean?

Thx

 

[tertius]

I guess there's always a small risk with this type of purchase but I'd certainly do a full reset of Windows (or fresh install) on a second hand device, thus wiping everything off the system (theoretically). If this sounds too complex, a laptop repair shop would probably do it fairly cheaply. There windows license should stay with the device so the only cost would be their time

 

[Nico Albrecht]

Here is how to proceed in order and importance

1. make a W10 installer via a 2nd device, W10 Media Creation Tool ( Very importation )
2. Wipe disk via Hiren tools ( nice to do )
3. Boot from W10 installer on your purchased device ( important )
3. Delete all partition even the smaller ones if you didn't nuke the old drive ( Very important )
4. Reinstall Windows 10
5. Re flash Bios ( nice to do, you can even flash with the same version )

Enjoy.

 

[Nico Albrecht]

Would free AVG or windows defender

No!

 

[HostXNow]

Doing a fresh reset of the OS may help, but how far do you go, what if BIOS or hardware has been tampered with too?

Maybe just run https://www.sophos.com/en-us/free-tools and if ok it should be fine.

 

[PashatGavim]

you can check with CleanMyMac X for Mac and
Winlogon.exe - an important component of the Windows operating system. This is the process that handles loading the user profile when logging in. It also handles a safe attention sequence. This is the CTRL+ALT+DELETE key combination that had to be pressed in older versions of Windows before logging in. This ensures that you log in to a secure desktop and no other program impersonates the login dialog or tracks the password. you're typing. In Windows Vista and newer versions, the roles of this process have changed significantly (CTRL+ SHIFT + ESC).

 

[fisicx]

you can check with CleanMyMac X for Mac and
Winlogon.exe - an important component of the Windows operating system. This is the process that handles loading the user profile when logging in. It also handles a safe attention sequence. This is the CTRL+ALT+DELETE key combination that had to be pressed in older versions of Windows before logging in. This ensures that you log in to a secure desktop and no other program impersonates the login dialog or tracks the password. you're typing. In Windows Vista and newer versions, the roles of this process have changed significantly (CTRL+ SHIFT + ESC).

Did you even read the opening post?

 

[Vinnyirl]

Personally. I would format the hard drive. A few times and if u wanted to go the extra mile get the bios to reset to manufacture spec