The year is 2024 and a virus has attacked your computer, encrypting or deleting important files. As devastating as this can be, there are steps you can take to recover lost files and get your system back up and running. Here is a comprehensive guide on recovering lost files after a virus attack in 2024:
Assessing the Damage
The first step is to fully assess the damage the virus has caused.
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Shut down the computer if it is still on and disconnect any external drives, networks, or internet connections to prevent further spread of infection.
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Boot into safe mode – Restart the computer and press F8 before Windows loads to access the Advanced Boot Options menu. Select “Safe Mode with Networking” to load Windows with just the essential drivers and services. This prevents any malicious processes from running automatically.
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Run a full system antivirus scan to identify all infected files. Make note of any detections. Popular antivirus tools in 2024 include Bitdefender Total Security and Kaspersky Internet Security.
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Check for signs of encryption – See if your personal files have been encrypted and renamed with strange extensions like “.encrypted”. The virus may have left a ransom note demanding payment to decrypt the files.
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Open functionality checks – Try opening different types of files like documents, photos, videos, and music. See if files open properly or return errors.
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Check the recycle bin – Viruses may have deleted files by sending them to the recycle bin.
Isolating Infected Files
Once you have assessed the damage, take steps to isolate infected files and stop the virus from spreading further:
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Quarantine or delete detected malware using the antivirus software. This removes malicious executable files.
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Disconnect infected external drives to prevent connected systems from getting infected via autorun.
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Upload important files from the computer to isolated cloud storage to prevent reinfection.
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Block suspicious processes and services using the Task Manager if antivirus cannot fully clean a detected infection.
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Boot into Windows Safe Mode with Networking when accessing files to prevent malicious processes from running.
File Recovery Methods
With the virus isolated, you can now attempt to recover lost files using the following methods:
Scan With Data Recovery Software
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Use advanced data recovery software like Disk Drill, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, or Stellar Data Recovery in 2024 to scan the drives and recover deleted files.
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Filter scan results to show common document and media file types that may have been lost during the infection.
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Avoid overwriting the drive during scans as this makes file recovery difficult. Scan read-only or create a disk image to scan instead.
Retrieve Files From The Recycle Bin
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Files deleted by the virus may still be in the Windows recycle bin.
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Open the recycle bin and restore important files back to their original locations.
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Clear the recycle bin afterwards to remove any potentially malicious files.
Use Previous File Versions And Shadow Copies
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If System Restore was enabled, you can retrieve from previous versions of files that exist as shadow copies on the disk.
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Right-click file properties and look at the “Previous Versions” tab to restore earlier uninfected copies of files.
Recover From Backups
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A clean full backup from before the infection provides the best way to restore all your personal files safely.
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Connect the backup drive and use backup software to fully restore your files and settings onto the computer.
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Offline backups not continuously connected to the computer have the best chance of avoiding infection.
Preventing Future Infections
To avoid going through this ordeal again, be sure to take measures to prevent viruses from infecting your system:
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Always use updated antivirus software and scan regularly for malware.
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** Avoid suspicious links and attachments** that may install malware. Stick to trusted sites and senders.
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Keep your operating system and software updated with the latest patches which fix security issues.
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Backup your important files regularly – both local and offline cloud backups provide redundancy.
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Use caution with external drives from untrusted sources which may autorun viruses.
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Only download software from official trusted sources like developer websites instead of random free download sites.
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Avoid pirated software which often comes bundled with malware.
Staying vigilant is key. Following these best practices will help you avoid and recover from virus attacks even in 2024 and beyond. Implementing appropriate precautions, backups, and recovery methods will allow you to use your computer with greater peace of mind.
