The new thing from Mozilla is not a browser, it is a VPN!
Besides Firefox, Mozilla offers now Firefox Relay, an app helping you to mask your email and phone number, and a new Mozilla VPN.
Mozilla has recently announced a new subscription model that will let you use all products together for $6.99 per month. Although this is a little more expensive than the competition that goes around for $5 per month note that with this subscription you are having access to all services, not just VPN.
VPN will not only hide your IP address but will also make sure websites cannot access your real location and it encrypts all of your network activity. Relay will give you protection against spam, serving as a shield for your email and limiting spammers from access to your real email address and phone number. With Mozilla subscription will let you use both services.
The dialog boxes that you see on your Windows computer exist to send you a message or to notify you. However, you can also encounter issues with them. Recently, some users reported that they’re getting empty or blank dialog boxes. It’s definitely hard to choose between Yes or No or to click OK when you don’t know the context of the dialog box. If the same thing happened to you, worry not for there are some possible solutions that can help you fix the problem.
This kind of problem usually happens when there are some issues with the graphics driver or when there is some corrupted software. Whichever the case is, here are some fixes you can check out to fix the empty or blank dialog boxes on your Windows 10 computer.
Option 1 – Run the System File Checker
System File Checker or SFC is a built-in command utility that helps in restoring corrupted files as well as missing files. It replaces bad and corrupted system files with good system files that might be the cause why you’re getting the errors 0x8024a11a and 0x8024a112. To run the SFC command, follow the steps given below.
Type “cmd” in the Start search and then right-click on the appropriate search result.
Next, select “Run as administrator” to open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
After opening Command Prompt, type in sfc /scannow
The command will start a system scan which will take a few whiles before it finishes. Once it’s done, you could get the following results:
Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.
Now restart your computer and see if the problem is fixed or not.
Option 2 – Try to update or rollback the Graphics driver
You can try to update your Graphics card driver using the Device Manager in your computer to resolve the blank dialog boxes problem or you can also go directly to the website of your graphics card manufacturers like NVIDIA, Intel, or AMD and go to the section called Drivers then check if there’s a new available update – if there is, download and install it.
To update your Graphics driver via Device Manager, refer to these steps:
First, boot your computer into Safe Mode.
After that, 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. From there, look for the Display Adapters and click on them.
After that, right-click on each entry under the Display Adapters and select the “Uninstall Device” option from the menu.
Now restart your computer.
After restarting your computer, go to the Settings app and Check for Updates in the Windows Update section.
Note: If updating the Graphics driver didn’t fix the problem, you can also try to roll back to its previous version and see if that helps.
Option 3 – Run the DISM tool
The next thing you can do is run the DISM tool. This tool is known to repair potentially corrupted files in your system as having them could also system issues like the blank dialog boxes. To repair these corrupted system files, you can run the DISM commands:
Tap the Win + X keys and click on the “Command Prompt (Admin)” option.
After that, input each one of the commands listed below sequentially to execute them:
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Once you’ve executed the commands given above, restart your computer and check if the problem is now fixed.
Option 4 – Try to repair or reinstall the software
If the issue with the empty dialog boxes only occurs in a specific program, you can either try to repair the program or reinstall it. You can find the Repair option in the Add/Remove program section when you select the concerned program. If repairing the program didn’t work, you might have to uninstall it and then reinstall it.
Option 5 – Try troubleshooting the problem in a Clean Boot State
You might also want to troubleshoot the problem in a Clean Boot State. Doing so will help you isolate the problem. Refer to the steps below to do so:
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.)
A lot of Windows 10 users have reported recently that their computers are frequently crashing with a Blue Screen error with an error code “VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR”. This kind of Stop error appears not so often and its bug check value of 0x00000113 is an indication that there is some violation in the Microsoft DirectX graphics kernel subsystem. This error also occurs when there is a corrupted driver that interferes with the GPU’s normal functionality.
According to some security experts, this kind of error is reported to only occur in Windows 10 PCs. Users started getting this error right after a large Windows Update. The cause of this error might have something to do with a violation in the DirectX graphics kernel subsystem where there could be a bad DirectX install or some corrupted Dynamic Link Library or DLL. Aside from that, the error might also be caused by the Nvidia driver which might have crashed or it could also be that there is an intermittent power supply. Moreover, an outdated BIOS as well as a third-party security program might be the ones behind this Blue Screen error. Whichever the case may be, you need to fix the VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR BSOD error by following the instructions given below carefully.
Option 1 – Try checking if the NVIDIA graphics card is enabled and update it as well
Although the problem is quite massive, the fix could be as simple as enabling the NVIDIA graphics card if it turns out to be disabled. There might be some strange reason why your graphics card disables itself. Thus, the best and first option you can try is to check if the NVIDIA graphics card is enabled or not. To do so, follow these steps:
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “devmgmt.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Device Manager.
After opening the Device Manager, look for the Nvidia graphics card option among the list of device drivers. Once you found it, check if it is enabled or not. If it’s not enabled, you should see a gray arrow pointing downwards. Right-click on the card and select Enabled.
Next, right-click on the graphics card once more and click on the Update Driver Software option and then click on the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option.
Option 2 – Update or uninstall third-party security program
As mentioned, the VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR Blue Screen error might be caused by a third-party security program that’s installed on your computer. So you have to either update it or uninstall it to resolve the issue.
Option 3 – Check the power supply for any inconsistency
The Blue Screen error might also be caused by an intermittent power supply. If there is any intermittent changes between the main supply and the battery power, it might lead to bad contact on your supply to the charger and thus, causes the VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR Stop error to appear. So to check if this scenario is applicable to you, you have to monitor your computer for any frequent changes between the power supply and the battery power. If you see that the supply is displaying power On and Off, see if the same goes when the power supply is disconnected. However, if it does not occur, you might have to purchase a new power adapter cable and replace the one that you have right now.
Option 4 – Reinstall the Graphics card drivers
Tap Win + R to open Run then type “devmgmt.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Device Manager.
From there, look for the Display adapters and uninstall each one of the graphics card drivers by right-clicking on them and selecting the Uninstall device option.
After uninstalling the graphics card drivers, close the Device Manager and tap Win + R to open Run once again.
After that, type “appwiz.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to open Programs & Features in the Control Panel.
Next, look for any program that’s related to your GPU manufacturers like Nvidia, AMD, or Intel. Right-click on any GPU-related entry and click on Uninstall to uninstall them and then follow the next on-screen instructions that appear afterward.
Now restart your computer.
Once your computer has restarted, go to the GPU manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver version for your graphics card model and then install it.
Restart your computer once again. That should fix the problem.
Option 5 – Try checking if there are any BIOS updates available for your PC
Updating the BIOS may help you resolve the BSOD error. You can just go to the OEM’s website as they offer utility software that can download BIOS firmware and update it without any problem. BIOS updates usually offer enhancements and fixes to some issues like this one.
Option 6 – Perform a System Restore
Performing a System Restore on your computer can also help you fix the VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR Blue Screen of Death error. You can do this option either by booting into Safe Mode or in System Restore. If you are already in the Advanced Startup Options, just directly select System Restore and proceed with the next steps. And if you have just booted your PC into Safe Mode, refer to the steps below.
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.
The World of Superhero movies has gone through some interesting variations, from good ones to bad ones, from big-budget ones to small ventures, even from large well-known characters to niche ones.
No matter what you think of some of them no one would disagree that since the release of Iron Man and starting Marvel cinematic universe superheroes movies exploded in popularity.
Following the Superhero craze, let’s see what is coming up in comic books transferred to big screens with their release dates.
List of upcoming movies
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Sept. 3, 2021Trailer
Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Oct. 15, 2021Trailer
Eternals, Nov. 5, 2021Trailer
Spider-Man: No Way Home, Dec. 17, 2021Trailer
Morbius, Jan. 28, 2022Trailer
The Batman, March 4, 2022Trailer
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, March 25, 2022
Thor: Love and Thunder, May 6, 2022
DC League of Super-Pets, May 22, 2022
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, July 8, 2022
Black Adam, July 29, 2022Trailer
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 2, Oct. 7, 2022
The Flash, Nov. 4, 2022
The Marvels, Nov. 11, 2022
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Dec. 16, 2022
The recently released Windows 10 captivated the mass but its rollout, polished as it might have been, proved everything but seamless. Surf the Internet and you’ll get the gist. People are complaining and they need assistance. Assistance with what you might ask? Many have attempted to make an upgrade but failed after encountering various strange combinations of letters and numbers. These are none other than error codes. If you’ve tried and failed, feast your visuals below as you might encounter one of these 5 Windows 10 Upgrade errors.
Error Code 0x80073712
Encountering error code 0x80073712 in no way implies that you need to throw out your computer system and acquire a new one. Not at all! This error code simply means that a very important file to Windows might have gone missing or corrupted. This file is crucial to Windows update so without obtaining this file, you won’t be able to proceed with the update.
Error Code 0x800F0923
Likely, there are many programs and drivers installed on your computer. They all play a vital role. However, if you’ve received error code 0x800F0923, it might be time to consider or turn your eyes to installed drivers on your system. Why? Error code 0x800F0923 means that there’s a driver or driver on your current Operating System that’s not compatible with Windows 10. There’s clearly a dilemma here.
“We couldn't complete the updates. Undoing changes. Don't turn off your computer.” Or “Failure configuring Windows Updates. Reverting changes”
That’s a pretty odd error but I will say it's slick… That Windows 10 upgrade error is straightforward. Microsoft is just letting you know that they won’t be able to complete the update to Windows 10 and so they are putting your computer back to where it was. How nice of them.
The error messages above are pretty generic and will manifest when the upgrade fails for one reason or the other. To resolve this issue, you’ll most definitely have to decipher what error code was presented. Identifying that will provide a glimpse into exactly what steps you need to take.
The Update Isn't Applicable to Your Computer
I don’t know about you but I strongly believe Microsoft is subtly letting you know that your computer system is old and needs to be thrown out. Also, this update could imply that your PC needs to install important updates to rev you up to the requirements. All relevant updates to your computer must be installed before you can get past this stage.
Error… “Something Happened”
This Windows 10 upgrade error has been the talk of the Internet. In fact, users of Windows OS have been making it a mockery. Clearly, not many have had success after encountering this error. Obviously, “something happened” but it’s just not easy to decipher what went wrong. Microsoft is still trying to figure it out.
Portable small Bluetooth speakers are nothing new on the market, most of the time they have given the opportunity for music listening during picnics and walks in nature and also replaced some car speaker systems. The latest star in small portable speakers in JBL Clip 4, small in size, waterproof, and with an incredible high-quality sound.
Performance and quality
Out of the box and after first look speaker looks great, it has excellent design and is very intuitive to work with. Everything is laid out logically and you can start using it right away without reading instructions.
The sound quality is surprisingly very good and clear. I must say I have not expected this clarity and power from a speaker of this size. The volume range is also incredibly good and will fill most needs even on small picnics outdoors where you can hear it loud enough. One thing to mention is that even on their loudness levels sound is still clear without distortion which, to be honest, is to be expected from someone like JBL.
Where you can take JBL Clip 4
You can take it where ever you want, Its size and clip make it perfect for beach and pool trips. Speaker is waterproof and gas IP67 rating, meaning that sand and dirt will not affect it either. Do not take this speaker to your diving adventures since that will break it but a depth around 1 meter underwater should be safe. After your trip do not forget to wash Clip 4 with clean water so all dirt, salt, and other stuff are properly cleaned for longer life of the device.
How long it will play?
JBL claims that the battery will last 10 hours of continuous play. Note that this is meant probably on the largest volume setting so when you use it on lower settings battery is lasting longer. Playing of course on low volumes will extend playback time even longer but here we come at one feature that I do not like, there is no indication of any kind how much battery is left in the speaker, the only indication is a red light when the battery is almost empty which means you could be outside at that point and did not know that low battery was there in the first place when you were packing. Some battery indication would be a great addon.
More stability for JBL Clip 4
The clip itself has been improved from the previous Clip 3 model, it is wider, it goes all the way around the casing, and feels overall better and more stable. Since the clip is now all around casing this means a wider opening can be made making it fit around stuff Clip 3 was not able to.
Conclusion
All in all, Clip 4 is an incredible speaker and one that would highly recommend, the price goes around 79 USD but it can be found even as low as 50 USD on discounts and promotions and if you manage to get one at that price it is a great buy. Sound is good, portability is great, dirt and waterproof are excellent and battery life is really good.
If you are using a multi-monitor, then you might find it quite useful. It helps many users with their work and brings more productivity. And over the past few years, Windows has managed to offer one of the excellent multi-monitor features where users can plug in an additional monitor and access their work or use their computer seamlessly on both displays. This is really handy, especially for users who are graphic designers, gamers, and other professionals who have to use a larger screen for their work.
One of the biggest inconveniences for users who use multi-monitor is that the Taskbar is switched on, on both displays, by default. This default arrangement is most likely to cause clutter on the second display. So if you are one of these users who find such a thing annoying, then you will find this post useful for you as we will walk you through how you can move the Taskbar to a second monitor. To get started, follow the instructions laid out below.
Step 1: The first thing you have to do is right-click on the Taskbar.
Step 2: Next, uncheck the “Lock the taskbar” option.
Step 3: After that, click and hold the taskbar and drag it to the second monitor.
Step 4: Once done, click the mouse button on the place where you want to place the taskbar.
Step 5: Now right-click on the “Lock the taskbar” option to lock the taskbar.
Once you’re done carrying out the steps given above, there are Advanced Options you can explore. This array of advanced options are offered by Windows 10 to fine-tune the multi-monitor experience of users. For instance, you have the option to choose to show the taskbar on an active screen only or combine the buttons on other taskbars. It would be better if you try out different variations and stick with the best one. In addition, you could also move the taskbar from one display to another.
One of the problems encountered by Windows users when upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 is the Error Code 0x80070020. This error code normally occurs when users try to download updates from the Windows Update Website or simply by upgrading to Windows 10. Error Code 0x80070020 also occurs when the device already has a Windows 10 installed.
Once this error is encountered, it will cause malfunction of update installs and display the following message:
An error (-5006 : 0x80070020) has occurred while running the setup. Or The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process”
Solution
Error Causes
In an attempt to fix Error Code 0x80070020, it is important to pinpoint what the cause is. The most probable cause of this error is due to interference. This error code most likely occurs when there is another automatic update running, for instance, an Antivirus scanning in real-time. If you’re scheduled to have an automatic update during real-time scanning, the Windows 10 update might malfunction.
Further Information and Manual Repair
In trying to fix Error Code 0x80070020, you can perform manual repair methods to resolve the issue effectively and efficiently. Most Windows users can easily employ these manual repair methods, even those who do not have technical abilities. However, there are certain instances where a Windows professional’s help is needed. If you don’t want to face any risk in resolving the issue, it would be best to consult a professional Windows technician or you can also make use of a powerful automated tool.
Since Error Code 0x80070020 is most likely encountered due to interference during your update, the easiest method you can do is to close all opened programs and restart your device. After restarting, try to start the update process again.
Method Two: Disable Antivirus Temporarily
Another quick and safe way to fix Error Code 0x80070020 is to disable your antivirus. You must take note though that in doing so, your computer will be susceptible to virus attacks. If you want to proceed with this method, follow these steps:
Locate all programs in process in the notifications area, found in the lower right-hand section of your screen. If in case the antivirus icon is not visible on the taskbar, you may have to click an arrow pointing up to show what programs are currently running.
Right-click on the antivirus icon then select the disable option.
Method Three: Run the Update Troubleshooter for Windows
The Windows Update Troubleshooter may resolve many of the errors encountered by Windows users when installing updates from Windows Update. To execute the troubleshooter, follow the steps below:
Access a menu by holding the Windows key and X. Wait for the menu to appear on the bottom left corner of the screen.
Open the Control Panel.
Change the appearance of files by selecting large or small icons in the View by option located on the upper right section of your screen.
Once you change the appearance of the files, choose the troubleshooting
Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter.
Restart your device then check if this resolves the problem.
Method Four: Execute A Clean Boot
Executing a clean boot means starting Windows using only a few resources, including startup programs and drivers. This safeguards minimizing conflicts and prevent software clash when an update is received. In performing a clean boot, you will be able to pinpoint what caused the manifestation of error code 0x80070020. Check Microsoft’s Support website to know how to execute a clean boot.
Method Five: Reset Windows Update Components
Performing this method is a bit risky and should be your last option if all methods were unsuccessful. This process will alter your device’s registry so you must ensure to perform accurately the steps. A single mistake can lead to modifying your registry erroneously, which might result in the occurrence of other error messages. Carefully follow the steps found on Microsoft’s Support website to successfully reset Windows Update components.
Resetting Windows Update components can also be done by implementing the following steps:
Open the Command Prompt by pressing Windows Key + X. Select Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu.
Stop the BITS, MSI Installer, Cryptographic, and the Windows Update Services.
Rename both the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders to <name of folder> old.
Start now the BITS, MSI Installer, Cryptographic, and the Windows Update Services.
Exit the Command Prompt then restart your device. After restarting, try installing the updates again.
Method Six: Disable Third-Party Antivirus
A third-party antivirus such as BitDefender may recognize the Windows Update as a threat since the new update of Windows 10 is probably not yet registered with this third-party antivirus vendor. To solve this, you must disable temporarily the antivirus before performing the update. Once the third-party antivirus is disabled, you can now proceed with the updating process. Update as well your third-party antivirus.
Method Seven: Use the DISM Tool for Windows 10
The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) is a command-line utility that is installed by default in Windows 10 system. This program is used to fix images in Windows. In the case of Error Code 0x80070020, the DISM can repair the recovery image in Windows 10 and can perform as a virtual hard disk as well.
Scan and check files for errors.
Open the Command Prompt by pressing Windows Key + X. Select Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu.
Type sfc /scannow
You can also use the following commands to check for corrupted files:
/CheckHealth – to check for corrupted files or components
/ScanHealth – to check for corrupted Windows image. This may take up to 10 minutes to finish
/RestoreHealth – to check for corrupted Windows image and do an automatic repair. This may take up to 20 to 30 minutes to finish
NOTE: In an instance where you cannot locate the good files in your computer, the system image files may be corrupted. If this happens, you need to have a copy of install.wim from a computer with good Windows 10 OS or the Windows 10 ISO file. Make sure that the source of the good files has the same language, version, and edition of your OS.
Cleaning corrupted files using DISM utility:
Enter the following commands one by one to perform the /RestoreHealth switch using the source path location of good files you copied:
A number of users reported lately that their Windows 10 PCs automatically boots into the BIOS whenever they start their computers. And when they tried to exit the BIOS and restart their computers, it still boots into the BIOS. If you are one of the users who experience the same problem, worry not for this post will walk you through what you can do to resolve the problem.
Each time a Windows 10 computer boots, it goes through a lot of processes and one of them is where it checks the computer for any hardware issue such as hard drives, peripherals, as well as external devices. So if it finds some issue, the computer will halt the boot process and will boot into the BIOS. To fix this, there are several suggestions you can try. You have to check if you’ve pressed any key, especially the F2 or F12, or Del keys. You also have to check the peripherals and external devices in your computer or update the BIOS or reset it. For more information, make sure to follow each one of the options laid out below.
Option 1 – Try to check for any pressed key
The first thing you can do is to check for any pressed key. This might not make any sense but a pressed key can actually cause this problem. So you have to check if you have the F2 or F12 or Del buttons pressed since these are hardware keys that are usually set by the OEM to boot into the BIOS.
Option 2 – Try checking the physical device connections
You might also want to try checking if there are other devices that are connected to your PC. This is because the configuration of the BIOS or UEFI might be configured in a way that any external device connected to the computer has a higher boot priority compared to the hard disk. And if it’s really the case, the externally attached disk might be the drive your computer is trying to boot into and not the hard disk. In such cases, Pen Drives, USB storage devices, CDs, DVDs, and so on, are included in this category of physical device connections.
Option 3 – Try to set a proper boot device
If the Boot Manager wasn’t able to locate a proper boot device, then it could be the reason why your computer boots into the BIOS when you turn it on. Thus, you have to check if there is an available proper boot device. You can usually find it under the Boot priority section. However, if you’re unable to locate your hard drive or SSD under the Boot device, then you have to change the hard drive but you have to check first if it is properly plugged in and that it works on other computers. If it works on other PCs, then the problem lies in the motherboard of your computer, and in that case, you have to consult its manufacturer.
Option 4 – Try to update the BIOS
Updating the BIOS can help you fix the issue but as you know, BIOS is a sensitive part of a computer. Even though it is a software component, the functioning of the hardware depends on it largely. Thus, you must be careful when modifying something in the BIOS. So if you don’t know much about it, it’s best if you skip on this option and try the other ones instead. However, if you are well-versed in navigating the BIOS, then follow the steps below.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Next, type “msinfo32” in the field and press Enter to open System Information.
From there, you should find a search field on the bottom where you have to search for the BIOS version and then press Enter.
After that, you should see the developer and version of the BIOS installed on your PC.
Go to your manufacturer’s website and then download the latest version of BIOS on your computer.
If you are using a laptop, make sure that you keep it plugged in until you have updated the BIOS.
Now double click on the downloaded file and install the new BIOS version on your computer.
Now restart your computer to apply the changes made.
Note: If updating the BIOS didn’t help, you might want to consider resetting it instead.
Option 5 – Try resetting the BIOS/UEFI configuration
You might also want to reset the BIOS configuration which will lead to arranging the boot configuration since it is intended by the manufacturer. Note that this will get rid of any blockage in the boot process. All you have to do is take out the CMOS battery for a couple of seconds and then put it back again. After that restart, your computer and will be booted directly into Windows. Resetting the BIOS would also get rid of any password set for BIOS and you need to change your CMOS battery in case it didn’t work.
Device drivers are needed in order for the hardware and software to communicate in an operating system. Some of these drivers are digitally signed. These kinds of drivers are drivers that are signed by their issuing authority in a way that the end-user or any third party won’t be able to modify them. And there are times when you encounter an error that says, “Windows requires a digitally signed driver” when you try to install or update device drivers.
Driver Signing is the process of associating a digital signature with a driver package. Digital signatures are used in Windows device installations to verify the identity of the vendor providing the driver packages as well as to verify the integrity of the driver packages.
All the drivers you usually install on your PC from Windows Update, Original Equipment Manufacturers, or some other third-party driver download software and so on must be verified digitally by Microsoft through the digital signature. A digital signature is an electronic security mark that verifies the publisher for the driver and all the relevant information related to it. That’s why Windows won’t run a driver if it isn’t certified by Microsoft, be it a 32-bit or 64-bit system – this is called the Driver Signature Enforcement.
The only Kernel-mode drivers that Windows 10 will load are the ones that are digitally signed by the Dev Portal. However, the changes only affect the new installations of the operating system with Secure Boot on while the non-upgraded fresh installations would require drivers that are signed by Microsoft.
The “Windows requires a digitally signed driver” error indicates that the driver you are trying to update or install hasn’t been signed digitally by the issuing authority, preventing you from installing or updating it. To resolve this issue, you can try to update the drivers directly from the manufacturer’s site. You could also disable driver signing via Group Policy Editor.
Option 1 – Update the device drivers directly from the manufacturer’s site
The reason why you’re getting the “Windows requires a digitally signed driver” error in the first place is that you might have downloaded the drivers from external media. It could also be that the drivers didn’t update for some time now and the issuing authority changed its policies. Thus, you can try to update the drivers straight from the manufacturer’s website and install them. If this option didn’t work, then you’ll have to disable the driver signing or its recognition in Windows 10. Keep in mind that doing so is not advisable if you have to use the concerned driver.
Option 2 – Disable driver signing via Group Policy Editor
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility and type “gpedit.msc” in the field and tap Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
After that, navigate to this policy setting: User configuration > Administrative templates > System > Driver installation
Next, double click on the “Code signing for device drivers” entry located on the right pane to open its properties where you’ll see the following description:
“This setting determines how the system responds when a user tries to install device driver files that are not digitally signed. It establishes the least secure response permitted on the systems of users in the group. Users can use the System in Control Panel to select a more secure setting, but when this setting is enabled, the system does not implement any setting less secure than the one the setting established.When you enable this setting, use the drop-down box to specify the desired response.“Ignore” directs the system to proceed with the installation even if it includes unsigned files.“Warn” notifies the user that files are not digitally signed and lets the user decide whether to stop or to proceed with the installation and whether to permit unsigned files to be installed. “Warn” is the default.“Block” directs the system to refuse to install unsigned files. As a result, the installation stops, and none of the files in the driver package are installed.To change driver file security without specifying a setting, use System in Control Panel. Right-click My Computer, click Properties, click the Hardware tab, and then click the Driver Signing button.”
Now select the radio button for “Enabled” and select Ignore from the drop-down menu under “When Windows detects a driver file without a digital signature”.
Then click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made. This will get rid of the “Windows requires a digitally signed driver” error but take note that this will also make your system less secure.
Afraid of the growing threats online? As you should be. But we’re here to show you what kinds of malware are out there and what you can do to keep them at bay.
Malware definition
Malware comes from the term malicious software. It’s software designed to attack and exploit devices and networks to the advantage of the hacker who made it.
Malware can be transmitted in different ways. Most commonly this happens via infected USB drives, downloadable files or malicious websites. Depending on the type and ultimate goal, the consequences of a malware attack can range from negligible to catastrophic.
Credit: Ed Hardie on Unsplash
What kinds of malware are there?
1. Virus
A virus is typically spread via infected files, websites or links. It’s one of the oldest malware types and one of the most difficult to get rid of. That’s because, once activated, it replicates itself - hence the name.
It can perform different kinds of attacks, depending on what the creator wants to achieve. The main characteristic of a virus is that it really doesn’t show itself until you activate the host. So that’s a scary thought for sure.
2. Adware
Sometimes an ad blocker isn’t enough to fight off unwanted ads. And some of them can, unfortunately, be malicious. They may redirect you to infected sites or prompt downloads of risky files. Even just opening a malicious site can lead to data theft.
So, definitely be careful when clicking around. Even if an ad seems completely legitimate, you can never be too sure.
3. Ransomware
Through ransomware, cybercriminals gain access to a user’s data and use it to extort them for money. Basically, the user is threatened with data deletion or even exposure if a ransom isn’t paid by a specific deadline.
This is a particularly nerve-wracking type of malware. If it targets an individual, it preys upon their sense of anxiety, fear, guilt and even shame. If it targets a business (which is a lot more common), it preys upon not only that business’s profit but also every single one of their customers and their data.
4. Trojans
This type of malware disguises itself very well as a legitimate-looking program. Once you download it, hackers can get full access and control of your device, data and network. They can even be hidden in games, apps and attachments. They cannot self-replicate, though, so we guess that’s… good news?
5. Worms
Worms can replicate, just like viruses, but you don’t need to actually activate the infected program for them to get going. They can be used for various purposes, ranging from data deletion to file encryption to support a ransomware attack.
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6. Spyware
Spyware refers to malicious software that stays hidden on your computer and monitors your activity. The best-known type is keyloggers. This can be used to steal sensitive data like passwords and banking information.
7. Rootkits
Rootkits are among the most dangerous types of malware. They allow administrative access and full control of a device, which lets hackers continue hijacking all your data and monitoring your activity without your knowledge.
8. Botnets
Botnets are networks made up of bots - computers that cybercriminals have infected with malicious software. Bots and botnets give hackers remote access to users’ devices and allow them to spy on your camera, take screenshots, memorize passwords and launch Distributed Denial of Service attacks. This one truly makes your hair stand on end.
What can you do about it?
You know the old adage - better safe than sorry. And trust us, malware attacks are such a pain in the you-know-what that you really don’t want to be sorry.
Luckily, there are simple solutions that can shield you from most digital threats these days. What you want to be looking at is a solid antivirus program. Well, technically, you need an antimalware program, but since the latter evolved from the former, we still mostly refer to them as antivirus software. The majority of antimalware programs these days don’t just shield you from potential risks online, but include additional features as well. For example, some Bitdefender antivirus packages also include parental control and a VPN. And Bitdefender is not just for PCs either - it offers protection for your beloved iPhone or Android as well. You can throw in a password manager in there too, for an additional layer of security.
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If you aren’t too concerned about all these various threats or feel like you don’t need extra security, you can at least take a step to protect your information from being exposed to lurking cybercriminals as you’re browsing. This can be done through a good VPN like Surfshark, which hides your identity in the digital space and prevents your data from being tracked.
Choosing the right protective software is especially important if you have children with access to the Internet, since they’re unfortunately even more vulnerable to malicious attacks. If you aren’t sure what the right kind of antimalware program is right for you, you can reach out to us and we’ll be happy to help keep your entire household or office digitally secure.
The bottom line
The truth is that there’s no way to be 100% protected in the online world. Hackers are constantly coming up with new ways to infiltrate our devices. But malware-battling software evolves along with them and there’s still plenty you can do to keep risks away. Stay safe!
The World of Superhero movies has gone through some interesting variations, from good ones to bad ones, from big-budget ones to small ventures, even from large well-known characters to niche ones.
No matter what you think of some of them no one would disagree that since the release of Iron Man and starting Marvel cinematic universe superheroes movies exploded in popularity.
Following the Superhero craze, let’s see what is coming up in comic books transferred to big screens with their release dates.
