I have always envisaged to myself- what happens when my device gets hacked when I’m working on Windows OS.
Or should I give it a thought that it’s already hacked and the attacker is just sittin’ on a cozy couch and sippin’ his/her coffee ☕ looking at me and my screen?
Hackers, huh?
Bonjour Peers!
Today, we are going to take a look on the topic that was mentioned in the title that got you into this page. I have myself encountered dubious activities that was happening in my windows environment. Let me spill what I experienced to you.
My Experience: I had my suspicion on my Windows for quite a long time, but I didn’t give it a thought as I was and is using Linux most of the time. I didn’t open windows at all for a while. However, each and every time I open my Windows, there would be some kind of a script that runs for a second within a flash — and this got me swirling my mind like a driller into the thin wall, as this in every perspective is unusual for any system.
Windows OS have a market share of 73% on a global scale- according to the report of 2024. The same report till February 2025, has experienced a down turn, and has a share of 68% of users to it.
Hence, knowing how to act immediately when a hack is carried out is extremely essential for the users of their own devices in use.
Then I did a few methods to clean up.
Let’s now get down to business. 👔💼
Step-by-Step Guide to Contain, Investigate & Isolate the System:
🚨 Immediate Action (Containment):
1) Disconnect System from Internet
Plug out the Ethernet cable or try to disconnect the Wi-Fi on the system. This will be the first thing that you need to do once you are damn suspicious.
2) Quarantine the Affected Machine
If the computer is live on a network, you must disconnect it from that network before the attacker does lateral movement.
3) Change the Passwords on a Different Device
DO NOT change any passwords on the compromised machine. Use another separate machine to change the credentials for:
i) Windows login (applies only if its in an Active Directory) from the domain controller with proper authority access and not from your compromised machine.
ii) Online Accounts like banking, emails, social media, etc.
iii) Administrator accounts
4) Check for Unknown Usernames & Sessions
Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc (or) Right-clicking on the Windows button on your taskbar, and click ‘Task Manager,’ and see if unknown users are logged in (attackers use a different name most of the time).
5) Using Cmd Prompt to see Local Users (Applicable for Active Directory Environment)
Click on search tab from Desktop page and type “cmd”. Right click on the command prompt, then select ‘Run as administrator’ and open it.
Then type:
net user
which will list ALL the local users. If you see an unknown user, then the system is compromised.
- End Malicious Tasks Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Process Tab. (or) Right click on the Windows icon from taskbar and click ‘Task Manager’ which will open it.
Look for suspicious processes (high CPU usage, unfamiliar names).
→ Right-click → End Task (if you suspect it’s malicious).
🔦 Investigation & Evidence
7. Check Recent Logins
Run the below command in Terminal as an Administrator:
net user <USERNAME>
Replace with the actual user account name to check the last login time.
Open Event Viewer:
→ Press Win + R, type eventvwr.msc, and press Enter.
→ Navigate to Windows Logs → Security.
→ Look for Event IDs: 4624 (Successful Login) and 4625 (Failed Login Attempts).
8. Check Network Connections for Backdoors
Open the Command prompt as Administrator and run the below command:
netstat -ano
→ This will show you the active connections.
→ Look for suspicious IP addresses- essentially the foreign ones for unusual process maintaining active connections.
Killing the Process:
If you come to encounter, enter the below command:
taskkill /PID <PID> /F
Replace the ‘’ with the Process ID. For example,
taskkill /PID 1427 /F
Block the Malicious IP in Windows Firewall:
Enter the below command to block the IP in firewall,
netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Block Backdoor IP" dir=out action=block remoteip=<IP>
9. Scan for Malware & Rootkits
Using the In-built Windows Defender:
Open Windows Security → Virus & Threat Protection → Quick Scan.
Using Third Party Anti-Malware Software to use:
Use legit software like:
i) Malwarebytes
ii) ClamWin
iii) Kaspersky
iv) Hitman Pro
10. Look for New Startup Programs & Services
→ Open Task Manager → Startup Tab
Disable unknown or suspicious program
→ Open Run (Win + R) Type ‘services.msc’ .
Look for newly running or newly installed services running in the background.
11. Check for Newly Installed Programs & Drivers
→ Open Control Panel → Programs & Features.
→ Look for recently installed or unknown software.
🛠️ Recovery & Remediation
Remove the Threat
→ Uninstall malicious software from Control Panel.
→ Use Autoruns (Sysinternals) to disable persistent malware.
Restore System to a Safe State
→ If backups exist, restore to a previous state via System Restore.
→ If files are encrypted (ransomware attack), use a clean backup.
Reinstall Windows (If Necessary)
If the infection is deep (rootkit, ransomware), perform a full Windows reset:
→ Settings → Update & Security → Recovery → Reset this PC.
→ Choose “Remove Everything” for a clean installation.
🔒 Strengthening Security
1. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
→ Activate MFA on all important accounts (email, banking, cloud).
2. Update Windows & Software
→ Ensure Windows Updates and antivirus definitions are up to date.
3. Use a Firewall & Secure Network
→ Enable Windows Defender Firewall or use a reputable third-party firewall.
4. Monitor for Further Threats
→ Set up Windows Security Alerts and regularly check logs.
🛑 If You Suspect a Serious Breach:
→ Contact a cybersecurity professional or incident response team.
→ If sensitive data was stolen, notify authorities (if applicable).
🏁 Conclusion: Take Back Control — Secure Your Windows PC Now!
If your Windows PC has been hacked, time is of the essence. Cybercriminals can steal your data, track your activities, or even use your device for malicious purposes. But here’s the good news — you can eliminate threats and secure your system fast with the right approach.
By detecting suspicious activity, removing malware, and closing security gaps, you can restore control and protect your personal information. However, cybersecurity isn’t just about fixing a hack — it’s about preventing one.
To keep your Windows PC safe from hackers, always:
✅ Keep your system and software updated
✅ Use strong, unique passwords with multi-factor authentication
✅ Run regular malware scans and monitor network activity
✅ Enable a firewall and limit unnecessary remote access
By staying proactive, you can turn your Windows PC into a cyber-fortress — one that hackers won’t stand a chance against. Stay safe, stay updated, and stay one step ahead of cyber threats! 🔒💻
🗨️ Comment your thoughts below!
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