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Joined 1 year ago
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Cake day: October 30th, 2023

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  • So there’s two different attacks to worry about with wifi:

    1. data “snooping” - in theory, anyone on the same network could pick up the data you’re sending to someone else. This is what VPN services like to scare people with in their misleading ads. But everything we do on the internet nowadays is encrypted, scrambled so that only you and the intended recipient can read it. To anyone else it’s just jumbled-up garbage.

    2. hacking or infecting your device - this would need a serious security flaw with your device, and the attacker taking advantage of it. In 2023, this is very rare, especially on iPhones which have good security. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but it’s very rare and hard to do. I’m not aware of any current attacks like this.



  • The ransomware guide linked by AutoMod is the best advice we have.

    If this random repair shop actually does have a solution for the particular encryption (which usually involves police kicking down a door a seizing the scumbag’s computers to find the key), they have an ethical responsibility to release it publicly for the benefit of all victims and to cripple this attacker’s scheme. More likely: they’re full of it.

    I’m afraid all you can do is wait to see if a decryptor is published. Otherwise, it’s time to use your backups. No backups? I’m afraid you’ve just learned the lesson.


  • The Factory Reset feature in Windows 10 and 11 is very very flawed and is not recommended by /r/techsupport. Do not use this feature.

    It often breaks with “user profile” errors or being stuck on a blue loading screen. This is because PCs load software differently than phones or tablets. Instead of a reset, Windows on a PC can be reinstalled with a Windows install USB drive. You can make this yourself.

    You will need:

    Use the Media Creation Tool to create a Windows install USB drive. Disconnect all other USB drives from the computer first, and be very careful which drive letter you select (use File Explorer to confirm) then follow the prompts in the app.

    You will need to start or “boot” your computer from the USB drive. The menu may show a message with the button to press, otherwise try the F2, F10, F11, or Del keys. The USB drive should be listed.

    We have a full guide for reinstall Windows on our wiki here.

    This is an automated reply. Some sections may not be relevant to your specific issue.


  • To OP - this question has been asked and answered many many times, including in our wiki posts at the top of the subreddit (the bold highlighted post that says “Recommended wiki articles”) and as a front page post just a few days ago. The search feature and our wiki help you get answers quicker and without needing our volunteers to type the same answer on dozens of posts.

    To those still replying - I swear, some Redditors just like the sound of their own voice (typing?) There are one hundred and fifteen replies to this post. DBAN has been mentioned 16 times. Use your upvotes to highlight posts with good answers instead of dogpiling on OP, filling their inbox, and wasting your time typing the same thing that a hundred people have already said. And then you have more time to help other people on the subreddit with no replies so that your input actually makes a difference.

    Please, go help other posts. This one is answered.



  • Just clicking a suspicious link is almost never enough to compromise a computer or device if it has the latest security updates. Always keep your operating system and applications (especially web browser) updated. Outdated software should not be used on the internet as the risk of vulnerabilities increases.

    Some malicious pages try to download files, open new tabs, show fake error messages, send notifications, or spoof legitimate login screens (“phishing”) - delete any downloaded files immediately and do not open them. Do not allow notifications. Do not enter any information on a login page. Close the web browser and any affected tabs.

    If you entered any information into a phishing page, immediately change your password(s). Use a password manager with unique passwords for each site or service. Enable Multi Factor Authentication (MFA or 2FA) for every service that supports it.

    If you ran a downloaded file, assume that it was malware and follow the steps in our malware guide.

    Ignore claims about “IP grabbing” - IP addresses are public knowledge and cannot be used to directly attack you. They do not show your precise location.

    This is an automated reply. Some sections may not be relevant to your specific issue.


  • The Factory Reset feature in Windows 10 and 11 is very very flawed and is not recommended by /r/techsupport. Do not use this feature.

    It often breaks with “user profile” errors or being stuck on a blue loading screen. This is because PCs load software differently than phones or tablets. Instead of a reset, Windows on a PC can be reinstalled with a Windows install USB drive. You can make this yourself.

    You will need:

    Use the Media Creation Tool to create a Windows install USB drive. Disconnect all other USB drives from the computer first, and be very careful which drive letter you select (use File Explorer to confirm) then follow the prompts in the app.

    You will need to start or “boot” your computer from the USB drive. The menu may show a message with the button to press, otherwise try the F2, F10, F11, or Del keys. The USB drive should be listed.

    We have a full guide for reinstall Windows on our wiki here.

    This is an automated reply. Some sections may not be relevant to your specific issue.




  • The Factory Reset feature in Windows 10 and 11 is very very flawed and is not recommended by /r/techsupport. Do not use this feature.

    It often breaks with “user profile” errors or being stuck on a blue loading screen. This is because PCs load software differently than phones or tablets. Instead of a reset, Windows on a PC can be reinstalled with a Windows install USB drive. You can make this yourself.

    You will need:

    Use the Media Creation Tool to create a Windows install USB drive. Disconnect all other USB drives from the computer first, and be very careful which drive letter you select (use File Explorer to confirm) then follow the prompts in the app.

    You will need to start or “boot” your computer from the USB drive. The menu may show a message with the button to press, otherwise try the F2, F10, F11, or Del keys. The USB drive should be listed.

    We have a full guide for reinstall Windows on our wiki here.

    This is an automated reply. Some sections may not be relevant to your specific issue.



  • The Factory Reset feature in Windows 10 and 11 is very very flawed and is not recommended by /r/techsupport. Do not use this feature.

    It often breaks with “user profile” errors or being stuck on a blue loading screen. This is because PCs load software differently than phones or tablets. Instead of a reset, Windows on a PC can be reinstalled with a Windows install USB drive. You can make this yourself.

    You will need:

    Use the Media Creation Tool to create a Windows install USB drive. Disconnect all other USB drives from the computer first, and be very careful which drive letter you select (use File Explorer to confirm) then follow the prompts in the app.

    You will need to start or “boot” your computer from the USB drive. The menu may show a message with the button to press, otherwise try the F2, F10, F11, or Del keys. The USB drive should be listed.

    We have a full guide for reinstall Windows on our wiki here.

    This is an automated reply. Some sections may not be relevant to your specific issue.