If you get an Error Code 15 or Error Code 16 while you are browsing the web and you notice that your access is blocked to a particular website, then read on as this post will guide you in resolving this problem. Both Error Code 15 and Error Code 16 have the same message that states, “Access Denied: This request was blocked by the security rules”.
Note that the error depends on what kind of browser you are using, as well as the operating system and network that you are using. On the other hand, the fixes for this error are the same and there is a handful of them that you can check out just make sure to follow each one of them carefully.
Option 1 – Sync Date and Time
The first thing you can try is to sync the Date and Time of your computer as the wrong Date and Time settings are one of the most common causes of connection problems like Error code 15 or Error code 16. This is because of the incompatibility between the SSL Certificate validation date and the System Clock. Thus, you have to sync your System Clock. Refer to the steps below to do so.
Right-click on the Taskbar and click on the Adjust Date and Time option.
Next, click on the Sync Now button to synchronize the Date and Time with the Microsoft Servers.
Now make sure that the Time Zone that’s set on the same page is correct.
Option 2 – Try to reset the affected browser
Resetting the affected browser might help in fixing Error Code 15 or Error Code 16.
Mozilla Firefox
Open Firefox and click the icon that looks like three stacked lines located at the top-right section of the browser.
Next, select the question mark icon from the drop-down menu.
Then select “Troubleshooting information” from the slide-out menu.
After that, click on the “Reset Firefox” button located at the top-right section of the newly opened web page.
Now select “Reset Firefox” in the confirmation pop-up window that appears.
Google Chrome
Open Google Chrome, then tap the Alt + F keys.
After that, click on Settings.
Next, scroll down until you see the Advanced option, once you see it, click on it.
After clicking the Advanced option, go to the “Restore and clean up option and click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” option to reset Google Chrome.
Now restart Google Chrome.
Internet Explorer
Launch Internet Explorer.
Next, click the wrench icon for Settings.
Then click Internet Options.
After that, go to the Advanced tab.
From there, click the Reset button. This will reset Internet Explorer’s settings to their default condition.
Now click OK to save the changes made.
Option 3 – Temporarily disable Firewall and third-party antivirus
Firewall and antivirus programs are known to block files the instant it detects a threat to the system. However, there are some cases when it can also block a file even when it’s a safe one. Thus, your antivirus or firewall programs might be the reason why you can’t download anything on your Windows 10 computer. To isolate the issue, you need to temporarily disable both the Firewall and antivirus programs and then check if you can now download anything from the internet. Do not forget to enable them again as disabling them can leave your computer vulnerable to cyber threats.
Option 4 – Disable the Proxy server
You can also try to disable the Proxy server for your LAN to fix Error code 15 or Error code 16 especially if your computer was attacked by some malware or adware recently. In such cases, there is a chance that the malware or adware has changed your network settings in order to generate intrusive advertisements. Thus, you have to disable the proxy server and you can do that by following these steps:
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “inetcpl.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to pull up the Internet Properties.
After that, go to the Connections tab and select the LAN settings.
From there. Uncheck the “Use a Proxy Server” option for your LAN and then make sure that the “Automatically detect settings” option is checked.
Now click the OK and the Apply buttons.
Restart your PC.
Note: If you are using a third-party proxy service, you have to disable it.
Option 5 – Check your VPN
If you are using a VPN application, there are times when it causes some issues like this error. If that’s the case, you can try to disable your VPN temporarily and see if the error is resolved or not and if turns out that your VPN is the culprit, you have to uninstall it and install a new one or its latest version. To uninstall it, follow the steps below.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box
Then type “appwiz.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to open the Programs and Features in Control Panel.
From there, look for the VPN service you are using, select it and then click on Uninstall to remove it.
After that, restart your computer and try to install the latest version of the program again. It should work now. If not, proceed to the next available option below.
As you know, Airplane mode is the one that gets devices in such a state where all the wireless connections are turned off. However, recently, there are some reports from users claiming that the Airplane Mode turns on by itself in their Windows 10 computers. This kind of problem could be due to an error with the Network driver, third-party applications, and many other factors. Other users also reported that the Airplane Mode automatically flickers, while some stated that they aren’t able to toggle the option for Airplane mode.
There are several options you can try to resolve this problem. You can try to configure the Power Management settings for the driver or run the Network troubleshooter. You could also roll back, reinstall or update the Network driver, as well as troubleshoot the problem in a Clean Boot State. For more details, follow each one of the given options below.
Option 1 – Try configuring the Power Management settings for the driver
The first thing you can do to fix the problem is to try configuring the Power Management settings for the driver. How? Refer to these steps:
Tap the Win + X keys to open the WinX menu and from there, select the Device Manager to open it.
Next, expand the Network adapters and select the entry for your Wi-Fi hardware.
After that, right-click on it and select Properties.
From there, go to the Power Management tab and uncheck the “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” option.
Once done, restart your computer and see if it has fixed the problem.
Option 2 – Try to run the Network troubleshooter
To run the Network Troubleshooter, refer to these steps:
Open the Search bar on your computer and type in “troubleshoot” to open the Troubleshoot settings.
Next, scroll down and select the “Network Adapter” option from the right pane.
Then click on the Run Troubleshooter” button.
After that, your computer will check for any possible errors and will pinpoint the root cause of the problem if possible.
Restart your computer.
Option 3 – Try to update, rollback or reinstall the Network adapter drivers
The next thing you can do to resolve the problem is to update the Network Adapter drivers by following these steps:
Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run window and then type in the “devmgmt.msc” command and hit Enter to open the Device Manager window.
Under the Device Manager, you will see a list of drivers. From there, look for the Network Adapters and expand them.
Look for the Broadcom Network Adapter and right-click on it, as well as other network adapters that have an exclamation icon, and update them all.
Restart your PC and see if it helped in fixing the problem.
Note: If updating the network drivers didn’t help in fixing the problem, you can also try to roll back the very same drivers from their previous versions and restart your Windows 10 PC. After that, the system itself will reinstall the drivers you just uninstalled. Alternatively, you can also download and install the drivers from the manufacturer’s website directly.
To reinstall the network adapter drivers, refer to these steps:
Open the Devices Manager from the Win X Menu.
Then locate the device drivers and right-click on them to open the Properties.
After that, switch to the Driver tab and click on the Uninstall Device button.
Follow the screen option to completely uninstall it.
Finally, restart your computer. It will just reinstall the device drivers automatically.
Option 4 – Try to reset the Network Adapter
You can also try to perform a Network Reset to resolve the problem. This will reset the entire network configuration including your IP address. To perform Network Reset, follow these steps:
Tap the Win + I keys to open Settings.
From there, go to the Network and Internet section.
Next, scroll down and look for “Network Reset” under the status pane.
After that, click on Network Reset and then on Reset now to start resetting the network configuration. Once done, check if it is able to fix the error or not.
Option 5 – Try putting your computer in a Clean Boot State
You can also troubleshoot the problem in a Clean Boot state. It could be that there are some third-party applications in your computer that are causing the Airplane Mode to behave in a strange way. So, to isolate this possibility, you need to boot your computer in a Clean Boot State be using these steps:
Log onto your PC as an administrator.
Type in MSConfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
Clear the “Load Startup items” check box and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” check box.
Click Disable all.
Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)
After you’ve set your computer into a Clean Boot State, try to observe if the Airplane mode is now back to normal or not.
A slow PC startup can be pretty annoying. This usually results from various computer issues. If your computer is acting sluggishly, here are four ways to speed up your PC startup.
The Windows update error 0x8024ce0e can happen as a result of improper installation, a virus, or due to file corruption. Follow this guide to easily fix errors and continue with your work.
Restart Windows
As awkward as it seems this method actually works most of the time. Click on the start button and restart your system.
Check hard disk space
Of course, when installing updates there should be enough disk space for updates to be downloaded and installed. Check your disk space to see if there is sufficient available space.
Disconnect external components
External components can interfere sometimes with the update process, disconnect external hard drives, USB, and other devices, leaving only the keyboard, mouse, and core ones.
Check devices in the device manager
Open device manager and visually check to see if there is a device with a yellow exclamation sign next to it. If there is such a device, right-click on it and choose update driver.
KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED seems to be connected primarily to a third-party driver, e1d65x64.sys associated with the Intel(R) Gigabit adapter, NIC/Wired network NDIS (Network Driver Interface Specification) 6.x driver. Error is known to produce the dreaded blue screen of death or BSOD.
Most usually error is connected with gaming on Windows 10 computer and it manifests itself during gaming sessions.
If you are unlucky and you are faced with this unfortunate error we will be happy to try to help you and present with tips and tricks in order for you to find a solution for it.
Before you proceed with the provided solutions, be sure you have sufficient disk space on the Windows drive, run Disk Cleanup and then run CHKDSK.
1) Run the Blue Screen Online Troubleshooter
Open Control Panel, change the view setting to icons. Click Troubleshooting, and click “View all” in the tasks pane. Click “Blue Screen”. This opens the Blue Screen Troubleshooter.
2) Run Driver Verifier
Start a Command Prompt window by selecting Run as an administrator, and type verifier to open Driver Verifier Manager.
Select Create standard settings (the default task), and select Next. You can also choose to Create custom settings to select from predefined settings, or to select individual options. For more information, see Driver Verifier options and rule classes and Selecting Driver Verifier Options.
Under Select what drivers to verify, choose one of the selection schemes described in the following table.
Driver verifier table:
Option
Recommended use
Automatically select unsigned drivers
Useful for testing on computers that are running versions of Windows that do not require signed drivers.
Automatically select drivers built for older versions of Windows
Useful for testing driver compatibility with newer versions of Windows.
Automatically select all drivers installed on this computer
Provides maximum coverage in terms of the number of drivers that are tested on a system. This option is useful for test scenarios where a driver can interact with other devices or drivers on a system.
This option can also exhaust the resources available for Special Pool and some resource tracking. Testing all drivers can also adversely affect system performance.
Select driver names from a list
In most cases, you will want to specify which drivers to test.
Selecting all drivers in a device stack allows the Enhanced I/O Verification option to track objects and check compliance because an I/O request packet (IRP) is passed between each of the drivers in the stack, which allows for a greater level of detail to be provided when an error is detected.
Select a single driver if you are running a test scenario that measures system or driver performance metrics, or if you want to allocate the greatest number of resources available for detecting memory corruption or resource tracking issues (such as deadlocks or mutexes). The Special Pool and I/O Verification options are more effective when used on one driver at a time.
If you chose Select driver names from a list, select Next, and then select one or more specific drivers.
Select Finish, and then restart the computer.
3) Update network device drivers
Go to the official Intel website and try to find newer versions of drivers, if there are none perhaps you will need to revert back to the previous version.
4) Scan memory for issues
Run a memory test on your system, sometimes these errors can be traced back to a faulty RAM bank.
5) Stop over-clocking your PC
If you have overclocked your PC please reverse it back to its original state and see if that would solve the issue
6) Perform System Restore to the previous restore point
If none of the previous solutions have bared fruit, roll back to a previous restore point and that should solve the issue.
As you know, the Microsoft store is a built-in tool in Windows 10 where you can find a variety of applications. It helps users in downloading or updating apps in the system. However, there are instances when you could encounter issues while using it. One of the issues that you could face when using the Microsoft Store app is when it keeps on offering apps you have just updated or when you are not able to update any apps at all.
This kind of issue in the Microsoft Store app might be caused by other issues like a damaged Windows Store cache. There are several options you can check out to resolve the problem. You can try to check the registry setting or run the Windows Store apps troubleshooter or clear the Windows Store cache manually or reset its settings. You could also try to re-register the Microsoft Store app. For more details, refer to each one of the options provided below but before you troubleshoot the problem, make sure that you create a System Restore point.
Option 1 – Run the Windows Store App troubleshooter
The Windows 10 Store Apps Troubleshooter will help you in fixing the problem in Microsoft Store. This is a great built-in tool from Microsoft that helps users fix any app issues. To use the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter, follow the steps below.
Tap Win + I keys again to open the Windows Settings panel.
Go to Update & Security and then go to Troubleshoot.
Under the Troubleshoot section, on your left-hand side, scroll down to find Window Store Apps.
Then click on the Run the troubleshooter option and follow the on-screen instructions and then see if it fixes the problem.
Option 2 – Try checking the settings in the Windows Registry
The next thing you can do to fix the problem is to check the Registry settings for the Windows Store.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility and type “Regedit” in the field and then hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Next, navigate to this registry path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionCurrentVersion
From there, look for the DWORD named “CurrentVersion” and make sure that its value data is set to 6.3, but if it’s not then change its value data to 6.3
Exit the Registry Editor and restart your computer and then see if it fixed the problem with the Microsoft Store app.
Option 3 – Try to reset the Microsoft Store cache
Just like browsers, Microsoft Store also caches as you view apps and games so it is most likely that the cache is no longer valid and must be removed. To do so, follow the steps below.
Right-click on the start button and click on Command Prompt (administrator).
Next, type in the command, “exe” and tap Enter. Once you do, the command will clear the cache for the Windows Store app.
Now restart your PC and afterward, try opening Microsoft Store again and then try to install your app or update your computer again.
Option 4 – Try to re-register the Microsoft Store app via Windows PowerShell
Tap the Win + X key combination or right-click on the Start button and click on the Windows PowerShell (Admin) option.
If a User Account Control or UAC prompt appears, just click on Yes to proceed and open the Windows PowerShell window.
Next, type in or copy-paste the following command to re-register the Microsoft Store app and tap Enter:
HPQTRA08.exe (Hewlett Packard Tray 08) is the Hewlett Packard Digital Imaging Monitor task. It is installed with the drivers of HP imaging products like PhotoSmart Printers.
It incessantly monitors and indicates the connectivity status with any recognizable HP product.
Simply put, HPQTRA08.exe is an exe (executable) file that contains step-by-step instructions that a computer follows to carry out a function.
HPQTRA08.exe error code is displayed in any of the following formats:
"Hpqtra08.exe Application Error."
"Cannot find hpqtra08.exe."
"Hpqtra08.exe not found."
"Error starting program: hpqtra08.exe."
"Hpqtra08.exe is not a valid Win32 application."
"Hpqtra08.exe failed."
"Faulting Application Path: hpqtra08.exe."
"Hpqtra08.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience."
"Hpqtra08.exe is not running."
Solution
Error Causes
Error code HPQTRA08.exe can be triggered for several reasons. However, some of the most common causes include:
Corrupt Windows registry keys
Virus infection
Deleted, damaged, or corrupted HPQTRA08.exe file
HPQTRA08.exe file conflict
Corrupt or incomplete installation of Hp Digital Imaging
It is advisable to repair the error code HPQTRA08.exe on your PC immediately. Delays can lead to serious problems especially if the underlying cause of the error is related to registry corruption.
Further Information and Manual Repair
To resolve this error on your PC, you don’t need to hire a professional and pay hundreds of dollars for the repair. Simply try the DIY methods listed below to fix the problem right away.
Method 1 - Download and Install HPQTRA08.exe File
If the error cause is related to deleted, corrupted, or damaged HPQTRA08.exe file, then the best way to fix the problem is to install the HPQTRA08.exe file on your PC.
However, first, make sure the site you select to download the file from is reliable and trusted.
By downloading from an unreliable website you can expose your PC to potential malicious programs and risk your data security.
Method 2 - Remove all Viruses
Sometimes viruses and malware tend to disguise in the form of exe files such as the HPQTRA08.exe file.
In such a situation scan your entire PC for viruses and malware using a powerful antivirus. Remove all the malicious programs found to fix the issue.
Method 3 - Clean and Repair the Registry
The registry saves all PC-related activities and information including both important and obsolete files such as cookies, bad registry entries, invalid keys, internet history, and junk files.
If these files are not removed from the registry frequently, these accumulate in the registry and corrupt thereby triggering error codes. Error code HPQTRA08.exe is generated when the corrupt Windows registry keys are associated with the HPQTRA08.exe file.
To resolve, clean the registry and repair it. Although this can be done manually it can be time-consuming and tricky especially if you are not technically sound, therefore it is advisable to download Restoro.
Click here to download Restoro and resolve error HPQTRA08.exe.
Method 4 - Locate and Install the Driver
As was pointed out, you might need to reinstall the printer driver again. Using DriverFIX, you’ll be able to automatically update your computer system and install the drivers your computer needs to operate smoothly.
To make the Windows 10 operating system a lot more user-friendly, Microsoft introduced the Tablet Mode for Windows 10 devices, especially the 2-in-1 devices like Surface Pro and Surface Book. Despite the Tablet Mode’s efficiency, it also encounters some errors from time to time. One of the issues users reported about tablet mode is that they can’t turn off or exit tablet mode. If you are one of these users, read on as this post will guide you in what you can do to fix the issue.
To fix the problem with Tablet Mode, there are several suggestions you can check out. You can try to check the full-screen setting, or perform a full shutdown or perform two buttons to restart the Surface devices. You could also disable Tablet Mode via Registry Editor or perform System Restore or change the settings in the System tab or the Action Center.
Option 1 – Try to check the full-screen setting
Tap the Win + I keys to open the Windows Settings app.
Then navigate to this path, Personalization > Start.
Next, scroll down to toggle off the “Use Start Full Screen” option.
After that, restart your computer and see if the problem is fixed.
Option 2 – Perform a full shutdown
Open Command Prompt with admin privileges first.
Next, execute this command to perform a full shutdown: shutdown /s /f /t 0
The command you entered will shut down your computer and once it’s turned off, wait for a couple of minutes and then turn it back on.
Option 3 – Try to perform a two-button restart on your Surface device
Tap and hold the power button for about 30 seconds.
Then release them after 30 seconds.
After that, tap and hold the volume up + the power button for 20 seconds. This will cause the display to flash a few times but you have to keep those buttons pressed until your Surface device is turned off.
Wait for a couple of minutes and your Surface will turn back on. This should resolve the problem.
Option 4 – Try to disable the Tablet Mode via Registry Editor
In the Start Search, type “registry editor” and right-click on the Registry Editor from the results, and then select the Run as administrator option. This will open the Registry Editor with admin privileges.
Next, navigate to this registry key: ComputerHKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionImmersiveShell
From there, look for the DWORD named “SignInMode” and double click on it.
Set its value to “1” and its base as hexadecimal.
After that, click on OK to save the changes made. This will make sure that you are signed in to the desktop mode when you log into your account.
Now look for the DWORD named “TabletMode” and double click on it and set its value data to “0” and it's base as hexadecimal.
Click on OK to save the changes made and then restart your computer.
Option 5 – Run System Restore
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
After that, type in “sysdm.cpl” in the field and tap Enter.
Next, go to the System Protection tab then click the System Restore button. This will open a new window where you have to select your preferred System Restore point.
After that, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process and then restart your computer and check if the problem is fixed or not.
Option 6 – Try changing the settings in the System tab or the Action Center
Go to Settings and navigate to System > Tablet Mode.
After that, scroll down to set the “Use desktop mode” from the drop-down menu under the “When I sign in” section.
Now restart your computer and see if the issue is fixed.
What software are you using to keep your information and all your files and memories safe?
None? Yikes. Let’s hope no damage has been done to your data yet then. Because with how the digital world has evolved, your data might be getting leaked and you have no idea.
Why do you need to invest in security software?
There’s really no good excuse not to purchase a quality platform for PC protection. Especially since top security solutions are available at such affordable prices nowadays, your wallet would barely even notice it.
At this point, only people who barely use their PCs and have zero sensitive information on them can get away with simply using the built-in Windows 10/11 security software. But we guarantee that those people are extremely hard to find and that you’re not one of them, and here’s why.
Even if you don’t use your computer for things that are very obviously sensitive, such as internet banking, you still have some personal data at risk of being stolen. How so? Well, think about the data you enter into your social media profiles, for example. How devastating would it be if somebody got a hold of any of it? Yep, that’s what we thought.
Credit: FLY:D on Unsplash
In the hands of a skilled cybercriminal, your phone number alone could put you at risk of scams, ransomware, identity theft and more. Also think about the stuff you share in texts and social media chats. Think about the websites you visit and how many times you may have accidentally clicked on an ad, which could very well contain malicious software. Those all seem harmless until someone’s actually used them against you.
Now imagine the dangers involved when you actually store truly confidential data on your PC and browsers. Sends shivers down your spine, doesn’t it?
In the case of a successful cyberattack of whatever type (virus, phishing, worms, etc.), there’s so much that is at stake. Businesses/legal persons will suffer from financial loss and damaged reputation, at the very least. Natural persons may be threatened or exploited, get their banking or medical information and even their identity stolen, etc. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
These are our biggest reasons for investing in Windows PC protection software:
Cyberthreats are constantly evolving to the point where built-in or free software won’t cut it anymore.
Those working remotely can have peace of mind knowing both personal and business data is completely secure.
Businesses using top security solutions ensure their customers trust them.
Data breaches are a pain in the you-know-what to handle. Fighting a cyberattack and going back to normal is a demanding process, and not to mention the stress it’ll cause. We’d rather prevent all that by using trustworthy security products!
It helps parents worry a little less about their children’s safety in the online world.
Added bonus: with most products, you get an ad-free browsing experience!
Obviously, there are a lot more reasons to get your PC secured. But we think you get it. So let’s cut to the chase and take a look at our 6 favorite protection solutions and the wonders they can do for you.
*Note that in this article we’re looking at products primarily suited for households and home offices, some for small businesses. No enterprise solutions will make the list today, but stay tuned for a future article on those.
Top 6 best PC protection solutions
1. Bitdefender Total & Internet Security\
One of the biggest security product vendors out there, Bitdefender offers several awesome solutions. We want to introduce two of our favorites, Bitdefender Total Security and Bitdefender Internet Security.
Bitdefender Total Security is great for both households and smaller offices. You can choose to protect 5 or 10 devices, and not necessarily just Windows devices. It also works for macOS, Android and iOS. It offers a range of powerful features, such as:
Real-time data protection
Webcam and microphone protection
Device optimization options
Anti-phishing/-fraud/-spam technology
Ransomware protection
Anti-loss and anti-theft tools
VPN and privacy firewall
Anti-tracking technology
Parental controls
24/7 support
Bitdefender Internet Security shares almost all of these features, but there are a few important differences to note. Unlike Total Security, Internet Security has more options in terms of the number of protected devices: 1, 3, 5 or 10. However it’s only compatible with the Windows platform and it doesn’t offer device optimization tools or anti-theft options. Whether or not this is a deal-breaker depends on your needs alone - we still find it a great security tool.
Credit: Firmbee.com on Unsplash
2. ESET Internet Security
An award-winning Windows security product, ESET Internet Security is essential on this list. It has an outstanding protection rate of 99.9% and a range of amazing options you’ll definitely want to make use of. It can be installed on up to 10 devices, making it an awesome tool for your household, home office or a small business. It’s also compatible with macOS and Android.
These are ESET Internet Security’s best features:
Protection against ransomware and spyware
Protection against malware specifically designed to avoid detection
In-depth scans when the computer is not in use
Firewall to prevent unauthorized access to your PC
Anti-spam tool
Anti-phishing and botnet protection technologies
Tool to scan your router and smart devices for vulnerabilities
Special browser for secure internet banking
Parental controls
Prevention of unauthorized webcam access
If you ask us, ESET has it all!
Credit: rupixen.com on Unsplash
3. Kaspersky Total & Internet Security
Having a deja vu? Didn’t you just read Total Security and Internet Security somewhere? Oh, that’s right - the first entry on our list! But here we’re talking about Kaspersky, a vendor you’ve also definitely heard about before.
Just like Bitdefender, Kaspersky is another one of those renowned names in the cybersecurity world that always make it to every ‘best of’ list. And for good reason - its products really fulfill their purpose. So let’s take a closer look at the two we chose.
These are the features both Kaspersky Total Security and Kaspersky Internet Security have in common:
Real-time virus and spyware blocking
Webcam protection
Wi-Fi security notifications
Advanced identity theft protection
Free technical support on several channels
Remote security management
Multiple devices (up to 10)
The main difference between Kaspersky Total Security and Internet Security is that the former offers more capabilities. These are the features KTS offers that KIS does not:
System cleanup
File shredding
Password management
Data backup and encryption
Both are excellent security tools, though we do prefer KTS a little more because of these additional options.
4. Norton 360 Deluxe
Of course one of the industry-leading solutions makes the list. Norton 360 Deluxe can protect up to 5 devices, be it Windows, iOS, macOS or Android. It’s worth noting that its features are best developed for Windows. Here’s what you get with Norton 360 Deluxe:
Protection against viruses, hackers, malware
100% virus protection promise
VPN included for all devices
Unlimited VPN on Windows
Password manager
Parental controls
So is there anything aside from these standard protection features that makes it such a favorite among us techies? Let us tell you! Norton added a little bit of spice here with two really powerful capabilities. The Deluxe product offers 50GB of cloud backup and dark web monitoring. The latter means the software notifies you if any of your personal information is found on the dark web, which helps protect you against identity theft.
Credit: Luke Peters on Unsplash
5. McAfee Antivirus
Don’t be misled by the name of this product. Antivirus software may have started as protection against viruses only, but it’s developed quite a lot. The name simply stuck. All that to say that McAfee Antivirus - another award-winning security solution - protects you against several different threats.
The basic and essential plan allow 1 and 5 devices respectively, while McAfee+ Premium and Advanced work on an unlimited number of devices. The latter two also offer more capabilities, as you can imagine. Here’s what you can expect from all of them:
Secure unlimited VPN
File shredder to delete sensitive files completely
Ultimate safety while browsing
Protection against hackers
100% virus protection promise
Advanced firewall to block dangerous traffic
Online support from specialists
Protection score (shows how safe you are and detects vulnerabilities)
Identity monitoring (notifies you if any of your information is on the dark web)
Password management
Unlike the previous products, McAfee Antivirus does not offer parental controls. Otherwise it’s a pretty strong and comprehensive protection tool and might just be the right choice for you!
6. Trend Micro Maximum Security
Last but definitely not least, we’ve got Maximum Security by Trend Micro. And yes, you guessed it, Trend Micro is also an award winner in terms of cybersecurity. Its products have been recognized as industry-leading security solutions by AV-Test since 2003. Among all its fantastic solutions, our favorite for households or small offices is Maximum Security.
You can use Trend Micro Maximum Security to protect 3-5 devices for a year or two years before needing to renew your license. Aside from Windows, it’s compatible with iOS, Android, Mac and Chromebook devices. Here’s what you can expect from this protection software:
Powerful malware protection
Phishing detection and prevention (email)
Password management and protection
Maximum security for online banking and shopping
System optimization
Social media privacy protection
Parental controls
24/7 technical support
No notifications during gaming
It’s truly one of the most effective platforms out there dedicated to protecting your digital life. Using this product, ransomware, identity thieves and malicious websites don’t stand a chance.
The bottom line
If you’ve made it all the way here, congratulations, you’ve made the right choice: to invest in securing your valuable data! Now the question is: which one of these 6 awesome antivirus/antimalware products to select?
The paradox of choice is a very real thing - we feel you. As mentioned, it comes down to what your specific needs are. So before you go ahead and purchase your security software, make sure to explore all options.
And if you really can’t handle the decision-making anxiety, feel free to reach out. We’ll happily assist you in finding the right product to keep your digital life secure!
In case you don’t know, Microsoft hooks up every machine that is running Windows 10 with an Advertising ID which helps them in providing Windows 10 users with relevant ads. These ads are delivered to users in the Action Center, Start Menu as well as the ads inside the UWP Applications.
What makes these advertisements relevant is that they keep track of your browsing trends, likes and dislikes, with the help of the Advertising ID. However, if you are not fond of advertisements and you do not want this feature of Microsoft to track your usage, worry not for you actually have the option to disable targeted ads on your Windows 10 computer by turning off the Advertising ID. And you can do that during Windows 10 Setup or using the Group Policy Editor. For more details, refer to the instructions provided below for each one of the methods.
Option 1 – Turn off Advertising ID during Windows 10 setup
If you are about to install Windows 10, then during the installation process, your computer boots into the Install and Configure Windows 10 screen with Cortana that assist you during the setup. Once you reach the last page which is “Choose privacy settings for your device”, you will see the Advertising ID of your computer. Under the Advertising ID, you have to disable or toggle off the “Apps can use advertising ID to provide more personalized advertising in accordance with the privacy policy of the app provider” option. After you disable it, click on the Accept button to proceed with the installation. After that, the copy of your Windows 10 you are using will have the Advertising ID disabled by default.
Option 2 – Turn off Advertising ID via Group Policy Editor
First, tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run utility.
Then, type “gpedit.msc” in the field and click OK or tap Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
Next, navigate to this group policy setting: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > User Profiles
Now double click on the “Turn off the advertising ID” option and set the radio button to Enabled. Once you do, you will see the following description on your screen:
“This policy setting turns off the advertising ID, preventing apps from using the ID for experiences across apps. If you enable this policy setting, the advertising ID is turned off. Apps can’t use the ID for experiences across apps. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, users can control whether apps can use the advertising ID for experiences across apps.”
Note that setting the radio button to Enabled or Not Configured will turn off the data collection of the Advertising ID.
Finally, exit the Group Policy Editor and then restart your computer to apply the changes made successfully.
Copy & Paste function is an essential option in properly working Windows, from copying text to weblinks and many other sources like pictures and files it is one of the crucial features in Windows.
When the copy and paste feature is not working we are somewhat left in Windows limbo, essentially Windows itself is working but without this specific feature it is very hard, almost impossible to get any work done, if you are an unfortunate user who has faced this particular issue do not worry, we have solutions for you.
Update Windows
Glitches come in various forms and sometimes they are introduced in updates, check to see if it is available Windows update and if it, download and install it, there is a very high chance that the next update will bring fixes for known glitches.
Disable antivirus
A good antivirus is an essential piece of software for any PC, however, sometimes it can interfere with the basic operations of windows itself. Disable it completely to see if copying and pasting will start to work, if this is a case, see can you somehow turn options off in antivirus or switch to another one.
Run Check disc
Corrupted applications and system files can cause issues with Windows functioning, the easiest way to solve this issue is to run build-in Windows Check disk utility and let it scan and fix potential issues.
Run SFC
If the check disk failed to fix the issue, run command prompt as administrator and type in sfc /scannow, file checker will go through all files and fix if it finds anything including corrupted system files. Reboot your system after the operation completes. Please note that an SFC scan can take a long time sometimes, do not interrupt the scanning process and leave it to finish.
Restart rdpclip process
Restarting rdpclip.exe can solve the issue. Open task manager and under process find rdpclip.exe, right-click on it and end it, then go to windows/system32 and search for rdpclip.exe and double click it. Please note that you will be able to find this process only if you are on a remote PC machine, on a local user machine rdpclip is not running.
Rollback to the previous system restore point
If this particular issue was introduced in the latest update and previous solutions have not worked, roll back to the restore point where everything was working as it should.
Stop virtualization
if you are using virtual software there is a chance that the shared clipboard feature is interfering with Windows, turn the Virtual machine off and try copy & paste again.