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SpeedItUp is a potentially unwanted application made by MicroSmarts LLC. The program claims to optimize RAM, clean the registry, and boost internet connection speed. It is designed to speed up your computer by removing some background processes. While not malicious itself, SpeedItUp Free and its variations are often installed via third-party installer bundles, causing many users to unwittingly install the program. Aliases of the program include CheckMeUp, SpeedCheck, SpeedChecker, SpeedItUp Free, Speeditup-Checkup, and Speeditup-Nova. While intended to speed up the performance, its background processes and startup tasks may actually slow PCs down in some cases. Some versions of SpeedItUp also include a browser extension.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a type of unwanted software program, usually a web browser add-on or extension, which causes modifications in the browser’s settings. Browser hijacker malware is designed for a number of reasons. Typically, browser hijacking is used for earning advertising revenue that comes from forced advert mouse clicks and website visits. Though it might seem naive, these tools are designed by vicious individuals who always attempt to take full advantage of you, so that hackers can make money from your naive and distraction. On top of that, hijackers can make the whole infected system vulnerable – other destructive malware and viruses would grab these opportunities to get into your computer effortlessly.

Symptoms of browser hijack

There are many symptoms that could indicate a browser hijacking: your web browser’s homepage is suddenly different; your web browser is constantly being redirected to adult sites; the default online search engine has been changed and your browser security settings have been brought down without your knowledge; discover new toolbars which you did not add; your internet browser displays endless pop-up windows; your internet browser has become unstable or starts running slowly; Inability to navigate to certain websites, particularly anti-malware as well as other security software sites.

How they infect computer systems

A browser hijacker can be installed on your computer or laptop if you check out an infected site, click an email attachment, or download something from a file-sharing site. They may also originate from any BHO, browser extension, add-on, toolbar, or plug-in with the malicious objective. A browser hijacker can also come bundled up with some freeware that you inadvertently download to your PC, compromising your internet security. An example of some notorious browser hijacker includes Babylon, Anyprotect, Conduit, DefaultTab, SweetPage, Delta Search, and RocketTab, but the names are regularly changing.

The best ways to remove a browser hijacker

Certain kinds of browser hijackers can be removed from the computer by deleting malicious applications or any other recently added shareware. Often, it can be a challenging task to discover and get rid of the malicious piece because the associated file could be running as part of the operating system process. Moreover, manual removals demand deep system knowledge and thus can be quite a difficult job for novice computer users. Experts always recommend users remove any malware including browser hijackers by using an automatic malware removal tool, which is better, safer, and quicker than the manual removal method. One of the greatest tools for repairing browser hijacker malware is Safebytes Anti-Malware. It will help you remove any pre-existing malicious software in your system and provides you real-time monitoring and protection from the latest threats. Together with the anti-virus tool, a PC optimizer will help you in deleting all associated files and modifications in the computer registry automatically.

Virus Blocking Internet And All Antivirus Software? Do This!

Every malware is detrimental and the effects of the damage will vary based on the specific type of malicious software. Some malware goes to great lengths to stop you from installing anything on your computer, particularly anti-virus software programs. If you are reading this article, you probably have got affected by a virus that prevents you from installing a computer security program such as Safebytes Anti-Malware. Refer to the instructions below to remove malware through alternative ways.

Install antivirus in Safe Mode with Networking

If the virus is set to load immediately when Microsoft Windows starts, getting into safe mode could block this attempt. Since only the minimum applications and services launch in Safe Mode, there are seldom any reasons for conflicts to occur. Listed here are the steps you have to follow to start into the Safe Mode of your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computers (go to Microsoft site for instructions on Windows 8 and 10 computers). 1) At power on/start-up, tap the F8 key in 1-second intervals. This would conjure up the “Advanced Boot Options” menu. 2) Use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode with Networking and hit ENTER. 3) As soon as this mode loads, you should have an internet connection. Now, make use of your internet browser normally and navigate to https://safebytes.com/products/anti-malware/ to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 4) After the software is installed, allow the diagnostic scan run to remove trojans and other malware automatically.

Obtain the anti-malware software in a different internet browser

Some malware mainly targets particular web browsers. If this is your situation, utilize another internet browser as it could circumvent the virus. When you suspect that your Internet Explorer happens to be hijacked by a trojan or otherwise compromised by cybercriminals, the most effective plan of action would be to switch to a different web browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari to download your favorite computer security program – Safebytes Anti-Malware.

Run antivirus from a pen drive

To successfully eliminate the malware, you might want to approach the issue of running an antivirus software program on the affected computer from a different angle. Adopt these measures to employ a flash drive to clean your corrupted computer. 1) Download Safebytes Anti-Malware or MS Windows Defender Offline onto a clean PC. 2) Insert the USB drive onto the same system. 3) Double click on the exe file to open the installation wizard. 4) Select the USB stick as the destination for saving the software file. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process. 5) Unplug the pen drive. You may now use this portable antivirus on the infected computer system. 6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the USB drive by double-clicking the icon. 7) Press the “Scan” button to run a full computer scan and remove viruses automatically.

Protect Your PC & Privacy With SafeBytes Anti-Malware

Do you want to install the very best anti-malware application for your computer system? There are several applications available that come in paid and free versions for Microsoft Windows computers. Some of them do a good job in eliminating malware threats while many will damage your computer themselves. You must opt for a company that builds industry-best anti-malware and has gained a reputation as reliable. When considering the reliable software programs, Safebytes Anti-Malware is certainly the highly recommended one. SafeBytes can be described as a powerful, real-time antivirus application that is designed to assist everyday computer users in protecting their computer from malicious threats. With its outstanding protection system, this tool will automatically detect and get rid of most of the security threats, which include viruses, adware, browser hijackers, ransomware, PUPs, and trojans. SafeBytes anti-malware takes PC protection to a whole new level with its advanced features. Let’s have a look at some of them below: Active Protection: SafeBytes provides 100 % hands-free real-time protection which is set to monitor, prevent and get rid of all computer threats at its very first encounter. They are very effective in screening and getting rid of numerous threats because they are continuously revised with the latest updates and alerts. Antimalware Protection: This deep-cleaning anti-malware software goes much deeper than most anti-virus tools to clean out your PC. Its critically acclaimed virus engine locates and disables hard to remove malware that hides deep inside your PC. SuperSpeed Scanning: SafeBytes’s very fast malware scanning engine lessens scanning times and extends battery life. At the same time, it will effectively identify and eliminate infected files or any online threat. Web Security: SafeBytes provides an instant safety rating about the web pages you are about to visit, automatically blocking dangerous sites and make sure that you’re certain of your online safety while browsing the net. Lightweight Utility: This program is not “heavy” on the computer’s resources, so you’ll not notice any performance difficulties when SafeBytes is operating in the background. Premium Support: Support service is readily available for 24 x 7 x 365 days through chat and email to answer your questions.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove SpeedItUp without the use of an automated tool, it may be possible to do so by removing the program from the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser extensions, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You will likely also want to reset your browser. To ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard drive and registry for all of the following and remove or reset the values accordingly. Please note that this is for advanced users only and may be difficult, with incorrect file removal causing additional PC errors. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. Doing this in Safe Mode is advised.

The following files, folders, and registry entries are created or modified by SpeedItUp

When experiencing internet connection problems, most users run the built-in troubleshooter to fix the problem. However, you might come across another problem when instead of fixing the problem, the troubleshooter throws up an error message saying, “The Windows Wireless Service is not running on this computer”. After displaying this error message, the troubleshooter would exit. Usually, this kind of error indicates that Windows has failed to initialize the wireless service so it can start searching for broadcast signals and try to connect to them. So in this post, we have prepared some workarounds that might help you resolve the issue.

Option 1 – Try to check the WLAN Status

You have to make sure that the wireless service is enabled in your computer before you proceed to the other troubleshooting options below as this error could occur for a simple reason as the wireless capability is turned off from your PC either on some built-in settings or physically. This is why you need to make sure that Wireless is enabled. And if it turns out that it is disabled, you need to turn it back on and then reconnect to the wireless network again. You should now be able to connect to the internet without any issue.

Option 2 – Try to check the WLAN AutoConfig Service

The WLAN AutoConfig service is the one that provides the logic and functionality required to discover, connect and configure wireless networks with your PC. Aside from that, it also contains the module that allows your PC to be discoverable to other systems on a network. Thus, you need to verify if the WLAN AutoConfig service is on or not.

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• And in the field, type in “services.msc” and hit Enter to open Services.
• After opening the Services window, look for the entry named “WLAN AutoConfig” and then right-click on it and select Properties from the context menu.
• Next, click on the Start button to turn on the service and then set the startup type as “Automatic”.
• Then try to connect to your Wireless network again and check if the issue has been resolved.

Option 3 – Try to reset the Network Configurations

Resetting the Network Configurations can also help you in fixing the Windows Wireless service as the network settings often get disrupted or corrupted in a variety of different cases every now and then. Note that this module will reset all the network settings stored on your computer.

• Tap the Win + S keys to open Search and then type in “command prompt” in the field.
• From the search results that appear, right-click on Command Prompt and select the “Run as administrator” option.
• After opening Command Prompt, copy and paste the following command and hit Enter to execute it:

netsh winsock reset

• The command given will reset the Winsock data. Once it is executed, restart your PC for the changes to take effect and then check if the internet connection is now fine.

Note: Do make sure that the WiFi drivers are up to date. To do that, follow these steps:

• Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
• Type in devmgmt.msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
• After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. If you see a red or yellow sign that shows up against the driver, right-click on the driver’s name and select “Update Driver Software” or “Uninstall”. And if you find any “Unknown device”, you need to update it as well.
• Select the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option and then follow the instructions to complete the process.
• Restart your PC.

Note: You also have the option to go directly to the website of your graphics card manufacturer and check if there’s a new update – if there is, download it.

Option 4 – Perform System Restore

Recently, a lot of issues have resurfaced after users installed the latest Windows update. So the wireless service issue might also be related to it. To fix the problem, you can perform System Restore to roll back your Windows to the last time when it was working just fine. It automatically creates backups in time whenever you install a new update or periodically. Follow the steps below to perform System Restore.

• Tap the Win + S keys to open Search and then type in “restore” in the field and select the topmost result.
• Once you’ve opened the restore settings, click on System Restore located at the beginning of the window under the System Protection tab.
• After that, a wizard will appear that will guide you through all the steps needed to restore the system. You can choose either the recommended restore point or a different one.
• After you select the restore point, click Next to proceed to the next on-screen instructions.
• Then select the restore point where the Windows Update was installed on your computer. If you have more than one restore point, you can just select the latest restore point and check the functionality from there. If it doesn’t work, you can just try another restore point.
• Another prompt will appear and will ask you to confirm your actions. Click OK and wait for the system to be restored. Once it’s done, check if the problem’s now fixed.

If you encounter an error message saying, “The ordinal xxx could not be located in the dynamic link library C:/Program Files (x86)/Microsoft VS Code Insiderscode – insiders.exe“ and you see a reference of a missing DLL file, then this indicates that the software is trying to locate the related DLL file, however, it is missing, hence the error. The error mentioned “Ordinal” which refers to the order of a number mathematically, e.g. 1st, 2nd, etc. And in this error message, the ordinal is referring to an Xth file of an XX.DLL file which is missing which is why you’re getting this kind of error. When you get this particular error, it means that your computer is missing the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable program. As per the error message, XXX is a number that in turn is the Ordinal. There is also another common error related to Ordinal which says, “The ordinal 12404 could not be located in the dynamic link library mfc90u.dl”. The error message could be referring to any DLL in the message. And since all these DLL files are part of the package, the error changes quite a bit as the Visual Studio looks for that DLL file. To fix this error, here are some suggestions that might be of help.

Option 1 – Try installing Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable

As pointed out earlier, the error pops up when the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable program is missing on your computer. Thus, you need to download it from the official website of Microsoft. Once you’ve downloaded the Microsoft Visual C++ Feature Pack Redistributable Package, install it and then check if the error is now fixed.

Option 2 – Try to install OpenSSL

If you encounter the same error message but it points out that the LIBEAY32.DLL file is missing, then you have to install OpenSSL. In such a case, you will see the following error message:

“Ordinal not found. The Ordinal [Xxxx] could not be located in the Dynamic Link Library Libeay32.dll.”

 Make sure that when you install OpenSSL, you do it into the Windows system directory since the Libeay32.dll file is related to security.

Option 3 – Try to check Windows Updates

There are instances when Microsoft rolls out the framework and related updates via Windows Updates. It could be that an update related to DLL is still pending which is why you need to check Windows Updates. To do so, go to Settings > Update and Security and from there check if there is any pending update. If there is, you need to install that update and then restart your computer if needed.

Error 2738 - What is it?

The error code 2738 typically occurs either when you attempt to install a program or uninstall it on Windows Vista and 7. The error message is displayed in the following format:

“Error 2738. Could not access VBScript run time for custom action.”

It is a type of runtime error associated with VB (Visual Basic) Script. It indicates that the VB script engine is not correctly registered on your computer.

Solution

Error Causes

The error 2738 may occur due to multiple reasons. These include:

• Windows VB Script engine is not properly installed or is disabled on your PC
• Registry keys are incorrect
• Corrupt registry entries
• Poor PC maintenance

As this error code may be generated due to registry issues, it is advisable to fix it immediately as it may pose serious threats to your system like system failure, crash and valuable data loss. And complete data retrieval is often the hardest task.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To avoid such threats and to resolve the error 2738 on your PC immediately, here are some solutions that you can try:

Register the VB Script Engine Correctly on Your PC

This can be done by running the command prompt as administrator:-

• Simply go to the start menu, click all programs, and select accessories.
• Right-click on Command Prompt and select ‘run as Administrator’.
• Navigate to the folder that contains the DLL. If you are using Windows 32 bit version, then type cd %windir%system32 into the Command Prompt and then press enter.

Nonetheless, if you are using 64-bit version Windows then type the following command: regsvr32 vbscript.dll and then press enter. This will help you register the VB script engine correctly and resolve the issue.

Download and Run Restoro

If the error still persists, then this means the underlying cause of the error 2738 could be invalid and corrupt registry keys. To resolve either of the causes in seconds, it is advisable to install and run Restoro. Restoro is an advanced, innovative, and multi-functional PC Fixer. This tool is embedded with multiple utilities including a powerful registry cleaner, an antivirus and a system optimizer.  The registry cleaner is a powerful utility that instantly detects all registry issues and resolves them right away. The registry saves all activities performed on the PC. It stores all types of files including invalid registry keys, cookies, internet history, junk files and temporary files. If these unnecessary files are not removed and cleared from the PC, it not only takes a lot of disk space but also damages the registry and dll files. The registry cleaning utility detects all such files and removes them. It wipes out all invalid registry entries and bad keys clean the registry and restores it. In addition to this, this tool can also be used to remove viruses and optimize the system speed. It is a user-friendly and highly functional PC repair tool. It is compatible with all Windows versions Click here to download Restoro on your PC and resolve error 2738 right away!

As of the time of writing this article you no longer need or are required to have a password if you plan to log in to your Microsoft account. Microsoft explored various options for account security and came to the conclusion that passwords are obsolete. Microsoft is letting you access your account through the Microsoft Authenticator app, Windows Hello, a security key, SMS verification, or email verification code. All of these methods are way better in terms of security than passwords.

How to turn these features on?

To get rid of your Microsoft password, the process is simple. You simply need to go to your Microsoft account, click “advanced security options,” then “enable passwordless accounts” under the Additional security section.

The Intel Driver and Support Assistant automatically identifies, finds, and installs drivers in a computer and is pre-installed in newer Intel-supported systems. If you are using one of those newer Intel supported systems but encountered an error that says, “Communication with service process failed, Tray cannot start” when you launch a program, read on as this post will guide you in fixing this problem. This kind of issue in Intel supported system could be due to some third party application that’s meant to update drivers could be interfering. It is also possible that the Intel Driver and Support Assistant application is corrupted. Whatever the cause may be, here are some suggestions you have to check out to resolve the problem.

Option 1 – Try to uninstall all the third party driver update applications

One of the reasons why some users install third-party driver update software is that it is kind of tiresome to update each one of the drivers manually. However, as tiresome as it might be, it is still better than using a third-party driver update application as these kinds of applications could mess up the drivers, and the Intel Driver and Support Assistant is still much better. To fix the error, you have to uninstall the previously installed third-party driver update application on your computer.

• 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 third-party driver update application 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.

Option 2 – Try to disable the DSATray in Startup

Another thing about the “Communication with service process failed, Tray cannot start” error is that it keeps on popping up each time you boot your computer. And so to resolve this bug, you can just disable the DSATray from Startup. How? Refer to these steps:

• Tap the Ctrl + Alt + Del to pull up the Security options window.
• From there, select the option to open the Task Manager.
• Once you’re in the Task Manager, go to the Startup tab and look for “DSATray” and right-click on it and then select the Disable option.
• Now restart your computer and you should be good to go.

Option 3 – Try to reinstall the Intel Driver and Support Assistant

If the Intel Driver and Support Assistant is corrupted, you need to uninstall it from your computer. All you have to do is go to Programs and Features like what you did in the first option to uninstall the program. Once you’ve uninstalled it, download the newer or latest version of the Intel Driver and Support Assistant from the official site of Intel and then install it.

Error Code 0x803f7001 – What is it?

Error code 0x803f7001 occurs when there is a failure to update your Windows operating system to Windows 10. Usually, a message box pops up with the following statement, “Windows is not activated as your previous version of Windows on this device was not activated prior to upgrade to Windows 10.” When this occurs, common symptoms of the error code will manifest themselves:

• Inability to upgrade your Windows operating system to Windows 10
• Message box with error code 0x803f7001

Solution

Error Causes

The cause for error code 0x803f7001 varies. Usually, it occurs for two reasons: 1) when during the process of upgrading to Windows 10, no valid Windows license or product key is found for your device or 2) when a user performs a clean installation of Windows 10. During a clean installation, a new license is usually required to allow you to activate your copy of Windows.

Further Information and Manual Repair

There are two main options available to fix error code 0x803f7001. Usually, the use of a valid product key can help users rectify error code 0x803f7001. You may also try an automated tool to access the best solutions.

Method One: Use a Valid Product Key

A product key is a code containing 25 characters that enable users to activate Windows. You will need to enter the product key in the exact order it appears in order to install your Windows operating system. All users will be able to access this code in an email or on a card within the Windows DVD package they receive upon purchasing a version of the Windows operating system.

To solve error code 0x803f7001, complete the following steps.

• Step one: Click the Start button then select Settings
• Step two: Select Update and Security then Activation
• Step three: Click the Change product key
• Step four: Type in your valid product key. (To do this ensure the 25 characters are accounted for and in the correct order.)

If the issue causing error code 0x803f7001 relates to your product key, then the instructions within method one will rectify the issue. You will be able to install and activate Windows 10. However, if while attempting to update your Windows operating system, the error occurs once more, you will need to follow the instructions in the manual repair below.

You may also consider contacting a Windows repair technician if you are uncertain of your ability to perform the tasks required to fix error code 0x803f7001. This IT professional will be able to use his or her technical knowledge to perform complex manual repair tasks if the need arises.

Method Two: Install an Automated Tool

Automated tools help PC users eliminate common issues such as Windows error codes. To address or rectify error codes like error code 0x8007007b download a powerful automated tool on your machine. This tool enables users to access quick solutions. It also scans for and corrects issues that may result in error codes or poor PC performance.

There are many times when you have to change the ownership of a folder or a file so that other users can use them as well or if you want to transfer files to them, or an old account has been removed and all the files need to be assigned to a new user. Windows 10 keeps all these files locked under the account by default which created a folder or file. So unless a user is an admin or if the file belongs to that particular user, other users won’t be able to access or edit the file. So if you want to change the ownership of a folder or a file, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you on how exactly you can do that.

To get started, make sure to follow the instructions provided below carefully.

Step 1: First, you need to open File Explorer by tapping the Win + E keys. Once you’ve opened it, navigate to the folder or file that you want to change the ownership. Step 2: Right-click on the folder or file and click on Properties and then go to the Security tab. Step 3: From there, click on the Advanced button located at the bottom right part of the window to open the Advanced Security Settings of the folder or file. Step 4: As you can see, the current owner will be listed with the Change link available next to the “Owner” label. Now click on this link to open the Select User or Group window. Step 5: After that, click on the Advanced button once again and click on the “Find Now” button to see the list of all the users as well as groups that are available in the computer. Step 6: Then select the user you want to give ownership to and click on the OK button and then click the OK button once more to save the changes made. Step 7: This will take you back to the Advanced Security Settings window but this time, the owner will be changed to whoever user you’ve selected. But you’re not done yet as you still have to check two additional options to help you completely transfer the ownership of the sub-folders as well as the files. You have to check the checkbox of the following options:

• Replace owner on sub-containers and objects
• Replace all child permission entries with inheritable permission entries from the object.

Step 8: After that, you need to click the Apply and OK buttons to confirm and save the changes made. This will completely transfer the ownership of the file. However, there is still one last thing you have to do – you have to go back to the Advanced Security Settings window to remove the access of any other user on the folder or file. Once you’re there, remove the existing user to make sure that the only assigned user has the access to the folder or file.

Faraday bag is a new take on security and privacy for people using a lot of electronic devices and credit cards. So what is exactly a Faraday bag?

Faraday bag explained

Faraday bag is designed in the same manner as the Faraday cage which was invented by Michael Faraday, who was an English scientist who contributed to the study of electromagnetism and electrochemistry. His main discoveries include the principles underlying electromagnetic induction, diamagnetism, and electrolysis.

The idea of the Faraday cage is that anything inside a cage that is made of specific grid size is completely isolated from outside current and magnetic fields since the cage itself will pick up everything upon itself. This means that for example, a human could be inside a cage that is struck by lightning and be perfectly safe and fine.

This idea led to the Faraday bag design, which takes this concept and places a wiring pattern inside clothing in order to isolate all magnetic fields from the outside so your devices and cards are completely cut off from any kind of influence and electromagnetic waves. If the pattern and quality of material for the bag are good, you have a fully safe placeholder for your stuff.

Advantages of Faraday bag

The main advantages, of course, are the privacy and safety of mobile phones and credit cards from outside influences and this is why this bag has been designed in the first place. If the bag is designed properly your phone would not be able to be hacked nor accessed from any outside source, GPS tracking will also be disabled and your phone location will not be visible. Credit cards will also be completely safe from any malicious attack via wi-fi signals.

Disadvantages of bag

Well, the disadvantage of using this bag is a very simple one, since your phone is isolated from outside influence that will also mean that you will not be able to take messages or calls on it while it is in the bag. Notifications from the internet would also be disabled so it is security vs usability deal.

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