How best to backup, clean, restore sys?


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I just got hacked, big time. You may ask how I know this.

1) Well, firstly, I got a call on my cell from the smart aleck creep, asking for someone I don't know.

2) I said he had the wrong number, but he repeated it to me verbatim. Then I realized my cell # was on a job appl. I'd been filling out on one of several pages that were open.

3) Big gap in recorded date sequence of log file, ending on the date he'd called.

I agree with another user: " Just Nuke It!" Would someone please direct me to instructions on how to

A. clean and store any must-have files

B. Reformat (Is "Wipedrive" okay, or even necessary?)

C. Set up system again.

Would System Restore be advisable?

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A backup is just a copy of your files. Copy the ones you want to keep on to a USB key/external HDD and you're done. (note: this does not apply for applications, there are other things to consider for them).

For formatting, you can get away with just using the default formatting tool. If you really want, you could load boot and nuke on to a usb key and format the drive via that, but it's not really necessary.

Setting up the system again...well, take your OS installation CD, insert it and follow the steps. The only way we could be more specific is if you tell us the particulars.

Once that's done, copy the files from your USB key/external HDD on to your computer again.

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What do you mean by "Big gap in recorded date sequence of log file"?

System Restore won't help you.

Copy all the file you need to save (My Documents, stuff on Desktop, etc.) to an external hard drive.

Reformat and reinstall OS.

Copy your files back and re-install your programs.

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"Big gap in date sequence". In the event viewer, under, "system", the log dates stop at, say, 11/14/2012, then picks up again at, 11/30/2012. Even though I was using my PC on those missing days.

And on the last missing day, a cocky stranger calls me, repeating some info I'd just typed on an online application for employment.

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(Windows 7, 64 bit; IE9)

I've tried reformatting before. Got confused over exactly how to partition the HD, and by what criteria specific to my needs.

Oh, just remembered. This is a refurb, so no OS install disk (at least I don't think so).

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^ Look for a reserved partition, that contains the Windows Install 'DVD'.

You do not want to format that part of the hard drive.

I would make a Recovery disc, before doing anything else.

Instructions are in Win 7 Help index files.

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Some tips...

  • For deleted files - run a recovery tool like R-Studio or GetDataBack and recover the files to a partition other than the one you are recovering from. If the files are on the C drive install the software on a different partition/disk(external?) else or you might overwrite the data you want to restore.
  • When you have everything back up and running (post-recover format would be advisable) make an image of your boot partition (c:) using either Ghost or Acronis True Image. Then you just have to restore that image when necessary. Takes around 15 minutes.
  • For periodic backups I highly suggest using robocopy (comes with Windows Vista and XP). It will mirror your source to the destination of your choice. Each time you run the command line it will only change the files that were modified. (off the top of my head... robocopy c:\files d:\files /mir /sec /w:0 /r:0). This will mirror (/mir) and copy the NTFS security (/sec) for all your files. No retries (/r:0) and no wait time between retries (w:0). Get yourself an external disk, plug it in then create a .bat(ch) file with the command line I gave you and modify the path to your liking. Every time you put your disk in just double-click the file to start your backup. You could also schedule it if you're backup drive is always plugged-in or use autoplay to start the batch file when the drive is connected.

Good luck

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how did you get from "I got a random phone call, without any other symptoms" to "omg a l33t h4x0r pwned me halp!!!"??

He said the person calling him quoted verbatim what he'd just entered in application online...

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yea, his cellphone number. that's nothing special.

I think you might need to re-read what I'm trying to point out...

<snip>

And on the last missing day, a cocky stranger calls me, repeating some info I'd just typed on an online application for employment.

As you can see, he doesn't mention a cell phone number - but the person calling him telling him what he'd just typed into an online application for employment...

This would indicate that said person is either:

a) able to see his screen

b) able to MitM his data before it hits the destination server

c) <censored> psychic/lucky guesser

I don't know about you, but if someone called me and repeated back to me what I'd just been typing I'd be thinking "hold on a minute... something ain't right here..."

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I think you might need to re-read what I'm trying to point out...

As you can see, he doesn't mention a cell phone number - but the person calling him telling him what he'd just typed into an online application for employment...

This would indicate that said person is either:

a) able to see his screen

b) able to MitM his data before it hits the destination server

c) <censored> psychic/lucky guesser

I don't know about you, but if someone called me and repeated back to me what I'd just been typing I'd be thinking "hold on a minute... something ain't right here..."

Read his original post, in which he particularizes exactly what information was repeated.

2) I said he had the wrong number, but he repeated it to me verbatim. Then I realized my cell # was on a job appl. I'd been filling out on one of several pages that were open.

The caller repeated his cellphone number... which they just called... which he just happened to have been filling out in a form that obviously would ask for a phone number. That's quiet a jump to "omg hax".

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