This browser is no longer supported.
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(3.2, 74%, 10%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EVV%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Hello!
I suspect my PC is infected with a RAT (Remote Access Trojan). Could you please clarify if a clean installation of Windows via a bootable USB drive (created on another clean PC), which includes deleting all existing partitions on the drive during setup, guarantees the complete removal of such malware?
Specifically, can an advanced RAT persist in the UEFI/BIOS firmware or on secondary physical drives in a way that a standard format and clean OS reinstall won't fix?
Also, what post-installation precautions should I take (e.g., regarding browser sync or secondary drives) to prevent reinfection?
Thank you in advance!
Yes, that is correct, clean installing Windows using a bootable USB and deleting all partitions on the drive will remove a RAT.
If you have a secondary drive, if that contains executable files like installers for apps or games, you should delete the executable files, then perform a full scan of that drive with Defender or your preferred anti-virus.
Thank you for the answer! But I wanted to ask: I've heard that a RAT could potentially hide somewhere in the processor (CPU) or even inside the graphics card (GPU) firmware. Is that true? Honestly, I'm so paranoid about it right now that I'm even afraid to use the computer. Could you please clarify if something like that is possible?
No, that is not correct, the RAT cannot infect your CPU or GPU, you do not need to worry about that, your system will be clean if you wipe the drive and clean install Windows and also delete any executables like software installers that may be on other drives on your system.
Thank you so much! I can finally calm down after 2 months of constant fear. I thought an acquaintance of mine sent me a virus, and I couldn't live in peace, but I really hope everything is fine now.
