How Can You Recover the Data from A Virus-Infected Computer

Can viruses completely destroy all the data on your computer?

Yes, viruses can potentially destroy all the data on your computer, although the likelihood depends on the type of virus and its intended purpose. Here's a breakdown of how this can happen:

1. Data-wiping viruses

Some viruses, like wipers, are specifically designed to delete or overwrite data. These malicious programs can erase files, corrupt system data, and even render your hard drive unusable. For example, viruses such as Shamoon or NotPetya have been known to destroy data on a massive scale.

2. Ransomware attacks

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts your files and demands payment for their release. If the attacker chooses, they might delete your data if the ransom isn’t paid, leaving no way to recover your files.

3. Boot-sector viruses

These viruses target the boot sector of your hard drive, which is critical for starting your operating system. If the boot sector is corrupted or overwritten, the entire system can become inaccessible, and data recovery may be extremely challenging.

4. Overwriting or corrupting files

Some viruses overwrite files with garbage data or corrupt them beyond repair. This makes the files unusable, and unless you have backups, recovering such data is nearly impossible.

How can you recover the data from a virus-infected computer?

When a virus infects your computer, it can lead to corrupted files, inaccessible data, or even complete loss of information. However, there are effective methods to recover your valuable files without further damage. Below are three practical approaches:

Way 1. Boot in Safe Mode

Safe Mode allows your computer to start with only the essential files and drivers, minimizing the risk of the virus spreading further. Here's how you can recover data in Safe Mode:

Step 1. Press the power button and restart your PC.

Step 2. During boot-up, press the F8 or Shift + F8 key (depending on your system) to access the Advanced Boot Options.

Step 3. In the Advanced Startup Options menu, click on Troubleshoot, and select Advanced options.

Step 4. Click on Startup Settings, and click on Restart. Upon restart, you will see a list of startup settings. Press the F4 key to select Enable Safe Mode.

Step 3. Navigate to your folders to check if your data is accessible. Copy all critical files to an external storage device for safekeeping.

Way 2. Recover from Command Prompt

Recovering files from a virus-infected Windows PC through the Command Prompt (CMD) is a simple and efficient method that eliminates the need for additional recovery tools. Follow these steps to restore your files:

Step 1.Launch CMD by typing "cmd" into the search bar or using the Run dialog.

Step 2. Enter the following command in the CMD window:

attrib -h -r -s /s /d drive letter:\*.*

Replace "drive letter" with the letter corresponding to the infected drive. For instance, to recover files from the E drive, the command would be:

attrib -h -r -s /s /d E:\*.*

Step 3. Windows will begin repairing the selected drive, and restoring files affected by the virus.

Way 3. Use data recovery software

AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery is a powerful and user-friendly Windows data recovery software designed to help users recover lost or damaged data from a wide range of storage devices, including hard drives, SSDs, and external storage. Whether your data has been corrupted due to a virus attack, accidental deletion, or system crash, AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery can scan and restore your files with minimal effort.

Key features of AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery for virus-infected data recovery:

¤ User-friendly interface: The intuitive interface of AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery makes it easy to navigate, even for users with minimal technical experience. The recovery process is straightforward, guiding you step-by-step from the initial scan to the final recovery.
¤ Quick and deep scan options: The software offers both quick and deep scanning options. If you’re looking for fast recovery, the quick scan can help recover recently deleted or lost files. For more severe cases, a deep scan delves deeper into the storage device to locate files that might be hidden or damaged by the virus.
¤ Recovery from corrupted or formatted drives: Even if your drive has been corrupted or formatted by the virus, AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery can help retrieve data. It ensures that even if the virus has altered the drive’s structure, you still have a chance to recover lost files.
¤ Recover data from infected partitions: Viruses can sometimes infect and damage partitions on your computer, making it difficult to access your data. AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery allows you to recover files from infected partitions, even if the partition is unreadable or has been marked as "raw" by the system.
¤ File preview before recovery: AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery provides an option to preview files before recovery. This ensures you can selectively recover files, saving time and space by restoring only the necessary ones.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery. Choose the exact partition or disk where your data lost and click Scan.

Step 2. Then, the recovery tool start to scan and search. lt will execute the “Quickly Scan" first for finding your deleted data fast, and then execute the “Deep Scan" for searching other lost data.

Step 3. Once the scan is completed, all deleted files, Recycle Bin and other missing files will be displayed. Please select the file you would like to recover and then click "Recover".

Step 4. Then, select a folder path to save your recovered files.

Step 5. Wait patiently for this process of recovering to end.

How to fix the files that are infected with viruses?

If your files are infected with viruses, it's crucial to address the issue immediately to avoid further damage to your system and data. The most reliable method for fixing virus-infected files is to use reputable antivirus software. Antivirus tools are specifically designed to detect and remove malicious files from your computer.

Step 1. If you don't already have one, download and install trusted antivirus software (e.g., Bitdefender, Norton, or Windows Defender).

Step 2. Open the antivirus software and run a full system scan to detect and identify infected files.

Step 3. Once the scan is complete, the software will display a list of infected files. You can either:

• Remove the infected files (if they're not crucial to your system's operation).

• Quarantine the files (if you want to isolate them for further examination).

Step 4. After removing the viruses, restart your computer to complete the cleanup process.

Conclusion

In conclusion, viruses can cause significant damage to your computer, including complete data destruction. From data-wiping viruses and ransomware attacks to firmware-based malware, the risk of data loss is real. However, there are ways to recover lost files, such as booting in Safe Mode, using Command Prompt commands, or employing specialized data recovery tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery. AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery, in particular, offers a reliable solution for recovering files from corrupted or infected drives, with features like deep scanning and file preview.