Next, I’d like to discuss malware and virus removal through a factory reset separately. It only makes sense that there will be situations when the factory reset is the only option and instances when, unfortunately, the reset is not a practical option. Difficult not only to find but also to remove. The fact is that malware is getting more and more sophisticated. This makes it look as if it hadn’t left your computer in the first place, which is not true. But as soon as you access that backup or connect your computer to the infected network, it can get back on your PC. If the virus is in a backup or on another device from the network, the factory reset will remove it from your PC.
That’s right some viruses can damage the hardware. If the virus is somewhere where the factory reset has no access, its removal may require specialized equipment or even hardware replacement.
#RESET MAC TO FACTORY SETTINGS TO ELIMINATE MALWARE PC#
Some viruses end up in a place where the factory reset has no power:Ģ.Some viruses just sit in a nearby environment and get back to your PC on the first occasion:.So, what’s this? Why doesn’t a return to the factory state guarantee you a virus-free device?Īs mind-boggling as it looks, there’s a simple – technical, but simple – explanation for it: You didn’t get your computer infected with malware or viruses when you took it out of the box. This type of reset implies that you remove all stored data and bring your device to the same state it was in, back when it was released from the factory. Places where malware and viruses can hide from factory reset But because a factory reset is p retty much like the nuclear option, b uckle up and let me show you what you need to know before pressing the red button. And then, there’s also the issue of distinguishing between malware and viruses. The answer to whether a factory reset will remove malware and viruses depends on various factors, from infection vectors to infection targets. And sometimes, malware can resurface from an infected backup, recovery partition, or another device in the network. Nasty rootkits, for instance, don’t go away with a reset. The factory reset removes malware and viruses, though not in 100% of cases. So believe me, you need to be aware of the following information! If you’re going to do it, better know your success odds because, as I’m about to show you, not all viruses and malware go away during such a reset. Erasing all your data to get rid of some malware is never an easy choice.