A virus attack on your computer can be extremely disruptive, especially if important files become corrupted or deleted. However, there are steps you can take to try to recover lost files after a virus infection. Here is a comprehensive guide on how I attempt to restore lost data after a malware attack on my PC.
Back Up Your Files Regularly
The best way to prevent permanent data loss from a virus is to regularly back up your important files. I make it a habit to back up my documents, photos, videos and other irreplaceable files to an external hard drive or cloud storage on a weekly basis. That way, if a virus damages files on my main hard drive, I can restore them from a recent backup.
I use both a physical external hard drive as well as a cloud backup service for redundancy. Backing up data regularly is critical to avoid catastrophe in the event of a malware intrusion.
Disconnect Your PC from the Internet Immediately
As soon as I realize my computer has been infected by a virus, the first thing I do is disconnect it from the internet. This prevents the malware from spreading or communicating with its command server, which could result in additional data loss or corruption.
I unplug the ethernet cable or disable the WiFi to isolate the infected device. Shutting down internet access can also stop ransomware from encrypting more files on your PC or network. Taking your computer offline limits the virus’s capability to inflict further damage.
Scan Your System With Antivirus Software
My next step is to perform a full system scan using reliable antivirus software like Malwarebytes or Bitdefender to identify and remove the virus. I update the antivirus first to ensure I have the latest virus definitions before running a deep scan on all drives and folders.
The antivirus scan may take a while, but it’s important to let it complete. This process helps detect and quarantine infected files so I can start the file recovery process with clean system resources.
Use File Recovery Software
Once I’ve eliminated the virus from my PC, I use data recovery software like Recuva or TestDisk to restore deleted files. File recovery utilities scour your drives andAttempt to recover data that may have been erased by the malware attack.
I scan all partitions, including my Windows system drive, to maximize the likelihood of retrieving lost files. Some recovery tools even allow you to restore previous versions of corrupted documents like pictures, videos and office files.
Restore Files from Your Backup
If critical personal or work files remain lost even after using file recovery software, I restore those files from my most recent backup. As long as I’ve faithfully kept my backups current, I can retrieve missing documents, media, projects or other data.
Restoring from backup after a virus attack essentially rewinds my system to a time just before the infection occurred when my files were still intact and accessible. For this reason, maintaining a backup is the most reliable method of recovering lost files.
Reconnect Your PC and Scan for Residual Threats
Once I’ve restored my files to their pre-virus state, I reconnect my newly cleaned PC back online. However, I remain vigilant and rescan my system occasionally with an updated antivirus program to check for any residual threats or malware reactivation.
I also change all account passwords that may have been compromised by keylogging viruses or other info-stealing malware. Taking these precautions after file recovery helps prevent a repeat virus disaster.
Losing access to important data from a malicious software attack can be stressful. But regularly backing up critical files combined with antivirus scanning, file recovery software and restoring from backup provides the best chance of recovering lost files after a virus infection. Following these tips has saved me from catastrophe many times over. With the proper preparedness and response, you can also effectively restore your files and get back to business quickly after a malware disruption.
