can i make sure my windows is safe and free of malware without Re-Install it?

[seawithfire]

hi. i have win11 and updated nod32 with whitelist firewall (everything that want internet connection need to ask me)

all of my software ask for "outbound" until now and all was fine. but recently i install an vpn app (two month now) and some days ago my vpn ask for "inbound" and i let it. and today was firewall was off for 1 hour by mistake and every software had access to net.

im worry now that if this inbound was dangerous and maybe it does something to my pc. so :

1.shoud i be worry or the inbound request is normal for vpn? (if yes why the last two month that i had this app didnt ask for it?)

2. is there anyway to make sure everything are safe now on my pc (like virus, keylogger, screenspy and anything) without erasing entire drive c and re install windows? (my nod32 did a full scan and found nothing and my firewall is safe now again i delete the inbound access)

[missionfloyd]

Your router has a firewall, too.

[w-e-w]

adding to missionfloyd comment

inbound communication means nothing unless there is some sort of service waiting to receive and perform action according to the communication
so inbound communication alone doesn't pose a threat unless there is a program or service on your system that could be exploited or affected by these incoming messages