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What is USB Kill Kit

USB Kill, a USB device is able to fry and damage your computer, mobile phone, router, etc. This device is quite dangerous and can kill electronics the moment it is inserted into an available port. By now people should know that they should not put unknown USB sticks into their devices because of potential virus and malware threats but this raises using unknown sticks to a whole new level.

usb kill kit

Kill kits are not really new to the market, they have existed before but lately, technology really progressed and the latest USB sticks are really good, their success rate is around 95% which is pretty high and should not be taken lightly.

The second thing that you really should not play with strange USB sticks is that they dropped in price really hard, although top Kill kits will still go as high as around 300 USD, there are really cheap ones lurking in Ali Express that are just 6 USD!!! that makes them affordable devices for the mass market.

The device is made to take energy and current from the port it is plugged in, multiply it and release its charge back into the device, successfully frying some components immediately. Some more professional Kill sticks can even fry devices even when the device itself is not powered and can be even started remotely.

The point of this article is to make you aware that you should not in any kind of circumstances use and plug-in USB sticks into your devices that you do not know where they come from, especially from the mail!!

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BringMeSports Removal Malware Removal Tutorial

BringMeSports is a browser extension developed by Mindspark Inc. that lets you watch live sports streams, follow sports scores, and catch up on the latest news from the sports world. BringMeSports installs an extension into your browser that replaces your default home page with the MyWebSearch starting page, it also replaces your default search engine, shows additional ads, and while running, collects personal and web browsing data that is later sent back to be Sold / Forwarded to serve ads. While browsing the internet with this extension installed, you will see additional ads and sponsored links appear in your search results. It may even show pop-up ads. Several anti-virus scanners have marked this extension as a Browser Hijacker and are therefore not recommended to keep on your computer.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a type of unwanted software, commonly a web browser add-on or extension, which causes modifications in web browser’s settings. Browser hijacker malware is created for many different reasons. The idea would be to force users to visit particular websites that are trying to increase their website visitor traffic and produce higher ad income. Although it might appear naive, all browser hijackers are damaging and therefore always regarded as security risks. Browser hijackers can even allow other harmful programs without your knowledge to further damage your personal computer.

Signs of browser hijack

There are various symptoms of browser hijacking. Here are a few of them: 1. you notice unauthorized changes to your Internet browser’s homepage 2. you find re-directed to websites you never meant to visit 3. the default search engine is changed and the web browser security settings have been lowered without your knowledge 4. you’re finding new toolbars you have never seen before 5. you observe numerous ads pop up on the browsers or computer screen 6. your web browser gets slow, buggy crashes frequently 7. you are blocked to access those sites of computer security solution providers.

Precisely how browser hijacker infects computers

Browser hijackers attack computer systems through malicious email attachments, downloaded infected computer files, or by going to infected internet sites. They could also come from add-on programs, also called browser helper objects (BHO), web browser extensions, or toolbars. A browser hijacker could also be installed as a part of freeware, shareware, demoware, and pirated programs. Common examples of browser hijackers include CoolWebSearch, Conduit, Coupon Server, OneWebSearch, RocketTab, Snap.do, Delta Search, and Searchult.com. The existence of any browser hijacker malware on your computer might drastically diminish the web browsing experience, track your online activities that result in troublesome privacy concerns, create system stability problems and eventually cause your computer to slow down or to a practically unusable state.

How you can remove browser hijackers

Some hijackers could be removed by deleting the free software they were included with or by removing any extension you have recently added to your system. Having said that, many hijackers are quite tenacious and need specialized tools to eliminate them. And there’s no denying the very fact that the manual fixes and removal methods can certainly be a complicated job for a novice PC user. Also, there are plenty of risks associated with fiddling around with the system registry files.

What To Do If You Cannot Install Any Anti-Malware?

Every malware is bad and the consequences of the damage could vary based on the specific kind of malware. Certain malware variants alter internet browser settings by including a proxy server or modify the computer’s DNS configurations. In these instances, you will be unable to visit certain or all of the websites, and therefore unable to download or install the required security software to remove the infection. If you are reading this, odds are you’re stuck with a malware infection that is preventing you to download or install Safebytes Anti-Malware software on your system. Although this type of issue will be difficult to circumvent, there are a few actions you can take.

Install in Safe Mode

In Safe Mode, you could change Windows settings, uninstall or install some programs, and remove hard-to-delete malware. If the malicious software is set to load automatically when the computer starts, switching to this particular mode may prevent it from doing so. To enter into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press F8 while the PC is starting up or run MSCONFIG and look for the “Safe Boot” options in the “Boot” tab. Once you are in Safe Mode, you can try to install your antivirus software application without the hindrance of the malware. After installation, run the malware scanner to get rid of most standard infections.

Utilize an alternate internet browser to download the anti-malware application

Web-based viruses could be environment-specific, aiming for a particular browser or attacking particular versions of the browser. The most effective way to overcome this issue is to select a web browser that is renowned for its security features. Firefox comprises built-in Malware and Phishing Protection to keep you safe online. Create a portable anti-malware for removing viruses Another option is to create a portable anti-malware program onto your USB stick. To run anti-virus using a USB flash drive, follow these simple steps: 1) Download the anti-malware on a virus-free PC. 2) Insert the USB drive on the same system. 3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded software, which has a .exe file format. 4) Select the drive letter of the pen drive as the place when the wizard asks you exactly where you want to install the anti-malware. Do as instructed on the screen to complete the installation process. 5) Transfer the flash drive from the uninfected PC to the infected PC. 6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the flash drive by double-clicking the icon. 7) Click the “Scan” button to run a full system scan and remove malware automatically.

Protect Your PC & Privacy With SafeBytes Anti-Malware

If you are looking to buy anti-malware for your PC, there are lots of brands and packages for you to consider. A few of them do a great job in getting rid of malware threats while some will affect your PC themselves. You need to be careful not to pick the wrong product, especially if you buy a premium program. One of the recommended software is SafeBytes AntiMalware. SafeBytes carries a very good reputation for top-quality service, and clients appear to be very happy with it. Safebytes is among the well-established computer solutions firms, which provide this complete anti-malware application. Using its cutting-edge technology, this application will assist you to eliminate multiples types of malware such as viruses, PUPs, trojans, worms, ransomware, adware, and browser hijackers. SafeBytes has got a variety of features that can help you protect your computer from malware attacks and damage. Let’s check out a few of them below: Robust Anti-malware Protection: With a critically acclaimed malware engine, SafeBytes offers multilayered protection which is intended to catch and get rid of viruses and malware which are hidden deep in your computer system. Active Protection: SafeBytes provides real-time active checking and protection against all known viruses and malware. It’ll continuously monitor your laptop or computer for hacker activity and also provides users with superior firewall protection. “Fast Scan” Abilities: SafeBytes Anti-Malware has a multi-thread scan algorithm that works up to 5 times faster than any other anti-malware software. Internet Security: Safebytes assigns all sites a unique safety score that helps you to have an idea of whether the webpage you are going to visit is safe to view or known to be a phishing site. Lightweight Utility: SafeBytes is a lightweight and user-friendly anti-virus and anti-malware solution. Since it utilizes negligible computer resources, this application leaves the computer’s power exactly where it belongs: with you actually. Premium Support: Support service is available for 24 x 7 x 365 days via email and chats to answer your queries.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove BringMeSports 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 BringMeSports
Files: C:Program Filesbringmesports_1c chrome extensionbarBringMeSportsCrxSetup.exe C:Program Filesbringmesports_1c chrome extensiont8sql.dll C:Program Filesbringmesports_1c chrome extensionBringMeSportsCrxSetup.exe C:Program Filesbringmesports_1c chrome extensionBringMeSportsCrxSetup.05F72CDF-5595-450B-9BAB-B1F6C606AAEC.exe C:Program Filesbringmesports_1c chrome extensionBringMeSportsCrxSetup.1E4C7E0D-19E7-4C18-ADB3-3D45FC4BE84C.exe C:Program Filesbringmesports_1c chrome extensionBringMeSportsCrxSetup.85D40F0D-233C-463F-8BAB-F6D446902D65.exe C:Program Filesbringmesports_1c chrome extensionBringMeSportsCrxSetup.A94A3339-330B-4B96-B05A-B909E6BB85A1.exe C:Program Filesbringmesports_1c chrome extensionBringMeSportsCrxSetup.EEE1FB37-85E3-49E8-BC44-36CC97CE3B73.exe C:Program Filesbringmesports_1c chrome extensionsqlite3.dll C:Program Files (x86)BringMeSports_1cEI C:Program Files (x86)BringMeSports_1c C:Users%USERNAME%AppDataLocalBringMeSports_1c C:Users%USERNAME%AppDataLocalIAC C:Users%USERNAME%AppDataLocalLowBringMeSports_1cEI C:Users%USERNAME%AppDataLocalLowBringMeSports_1c C:Users%USERNAME%AppDataRoamingMozillaFirefoxProfilesXXX.defaultextensionscffxtbr@BringMeSports_1c.com C:Users%USERNAME%AppDataLocalGoogleChromeUserDataDefaultExtensionsllkjooekcinmdmojmfdjhidbakfpepod Registry: HKEY_CURRENT_USERMicrosoftInternet ExplorerApproved Extensions, value: F653D037-97FA-4755-98C1-7F382EEB59A7 HKEY_CURRENT_USERMicrosoftInternet ExplorerApproved Extensions, value: CC53BD19-7B23-43B0-AB7C-0E06C708CCED HKEY_CURRENT_USERMicrosoftInternet ExplorerApproved Extensions, value: 002D1BA6-4766-4D7D-82B8-F49439C66F97 HKEY_CURRENT_USERMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbar, value: cc53bd19-7b23-43b0-ab7c-0e06c708cced HKEY_CURRENT_USERWow6432NodeMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbar, value: cc53bd19-7b23-43b0-ab7c-0e06c708cced HKEY_CURRENT_USERMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExtPreApprovedbc61ca7a-6b81-47ec-b62d-ae1a236cadb9 HKEY_CURRENT_USERMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExtPreApproved82c7004a-078e-468c-9c0f-2243618ff7cb HKEY_CURRENT_USERMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExtPreApproved6285c254-4465-4f8b-a009-5f42ab02c291 HKEY_CURRENT_USERMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExtPreApprovedA8CC25D-66FF-41DF-B3B4-416079EF8F87 HKEY_CURRENT_USERMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionexplorerBrowser Helper Objectsf653d037-97fa-4755-98c1-7f382eeb59a7 HKEY_CURRENT_USERMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionexplorerBrowser Helper Objects02d1ba6-4766-4d7d-82b8-f49439c66f97 HKEY_CURRENT_USERWow6432NodeMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExtPreApprovedf0c8ccc2-baaa-4236-ad0a-22b5a401b9ef HKEY_CURRENT_USERWow6432NodeMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExtPreApprovedA8CC25D-66FF-41DF-B3B4-416079EF8F87 HKEY_CURRENT_USERWow6432NodeMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionexplorerBrowser Helper Objectsf653d037-97fa-4755-98c1-7f382eeb59a7 HKEY_CURRENT_USERWow6432NodeMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionexplorerBrowser Helper Objects02d1ba6-4766-4d7d-82b8-f49439c66f97 HKEY_CURRENT_USERMicrosoftInternet ExplorerLow RightsElevationPolicyfa460720-7b38-421d-981c-66f0ae288fb9 HKEY_CURRENT_USERMicrosoftInternet ExplorerLow RightsElevationPolicya2b4da91-a53c-4a84-b486-40080de13a9b HKEY_CURRENT_USERMicrosoftInternet ExplorerLow RightsElevationPolicy89b7ae32-9c52-41d6-a64d-14d7bdec9c58 HKEY_CURRENT_USERMicrosoftInternet ExplorerLow RightsElevationPolicy32a63172-5bcc-4d7e-9fe8-072eee6c287e HKEY_CURRENT_USERWow6432NodeMicrosoftInternet ExplorerLow RightsElevationPolicya2b4da91-a53c-4a84-b486-40080de13a9b HKEY_CURRENT_USERWow6432NodeMicrosoftInternet ExplorerLow RightsElevationPolicy89b7ae32-9c52-41d6-a64d-14d7bdec9c58 HKEY_CURRENT_USERWow6432NodeMicrosoftInternet ExplorerLow RightsElevationPolicy32a63172-5bcc-4d7e-9fe8-072eee6c287e HKEY_CURRENT_USERWow6432NodeMicrosoftInternet ExplorerLow RightsElevationPolicy1856a7bd-de8c-488b-aa7a-5682d13166fc HKEY_CURRENT_USERWow6432NodeMicrosoftInternet ExplorerLow RightsElevationPolicy164ea1fc-b0a0-4202-8c65-e4ba4d54a3ae HKEY_CURRENT_USERMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExtStatsF653D037-97FA-4755-98C1-7F382EEB59A7 HKEY_CURRENT_USERMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExtStatsCC53BD19-7B23-43B0-AB7C-0E06C708CCED HKEY_CURRENT_USERMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExtSettingsCC53BD19-7B23-43B0-AB7C-0E06C708CCED HKEY_CURRENT_USERMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExtSettings02D1BA6-4766-4D7D-82B8-F49439C66F97 HKEY_CURRENT_USERWow6432NodeMicrosoftInternet ExplorerSearchScopes8c9ef753-beb6-4582-b653-93ac59274437 HKEY_CURRENT_USERMicrosoftInternet ExplorerSearchScopes8c9ef753-beb6-4582-b653-93ac59274437 HKEY_CURRENT_USERMicrosoftInternet ExplorerDOMStoragebringmesports.com HKEY_CURRENT_USERMicrosoftInternet ExplorerDOMStoragebringmesports.dl.tb.ask.com HKEY_CURRENT_USERBringMeSports HKEY_CURRENT_USERMicrosoftInternet ExplorerDOMStoragebringmesports.dl.myway.com HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEHKEY_CURRENT_USER[APPLICATION]MicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstall..Uninstaller BringMeSports_1cbar Uninstall Internet Explorer BringMeSports_1cbar Uninstall Firefox BringMeSportsTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
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Fix Communication with service process failed
This post will guide you in fixing the “Communication with service process failed” error in Windows 10. This error is related to the Intel Driver and Support Assistant application. Although this error does not reportedly cause any loss of functionality in the computer, however, it still indicates that there is something wrong with some of your driver modules. Intel has taken a bold step and combined its older modules into this new application (Intel Driver and Support Assistant) recently. This application enables users to scan their computers for any available updates from Intel. This is the main application of Intel and provides users a way to update their driver software automatically instead of manually updating it. However, with the recent reports submitted by some users, it seems that something is wrong with this application, and users to have to deal with the “Communication with service process failed” error. This error might be caused by several reasons, for one, it could be that the application is corrupted or incomplete in its nature which is possible since this is still a developing and newly released app. It could also be that there are other utilities or modules that conflict with the Intel software. Whichever the reason may be, you can try out the options given below to resolve the problem but before you proceed, make sure that you have an administrator account as well as an active and stable internet connection.

Option 1 – Disable DSATray in Startup

If you receive this error message every time you start your computer then this means that the application is not able to launch properly. Like pointed out, it could be that it is still incomplete in nature or it conflicts with other applications. Thus, you can try to disable the service from the startup and check if it fixes the problem.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “taskmgr” in the field and hit Enter to open the Task Manager.
  • After that, go to the Startup tab and look for the Intel Driver and Support Assistant app.
  • Right-click on the app and select Disable.
  • Restart your PC and check if the error is now fixed or not

Option 2 – Reinstall the Intel Driver and Support Assistant

If the first option did not work, you can try reinstalling the Intel Driver and Support Assistant app. To do so, follow these steps:
  • In the search box, type in “control” and then click on Control Panel (desktop app) among the search results.
  • After that, select Programs and Features from the list which will give you a list of all the programs installed on your computer.
  • From there, look for Intel Driver and Support Assistant and select it and then uninstall it.
  • After you have the app uninstalled, open your browser and go to Intel’s official website. From there, download the driver utility manually.
  • Once the download is finished, right-click on it and select “Run as administrator” and install the app on your PC with elevated access.
  • Restart your PC and then check if the error is now fixed.
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Fix Windows Activation Error 0xC004F211
If you got an Activation Error 0xC004F211 after having installed or upgraded your Windows 10 PC, then this indicates that some hardware in your computer has changed which’s causing the error to pop up. Windows might not be able to determine if the key is used on a new computer or if it’s still the same one if you have just removed or upgraded old hardware. But worry not for this post will guide you in fixing the Windows Activation Error 0xC004F211 on your Windows 10 computer. When you encounter this error, you will see the following error message on your screen:
“Cannot activate Windows 10. Try activating again later. If that doesn’t work, contact support. Error code: 0xC004F211.”
Note that although hardware changes cause this error, the minor ones don’t really cause any issues with activation, however, if you have made any significant hardware change such as replacing your motherboard, it will most likely cause the activation error. In such cases, the Windows Activation system will treat this as new hardware and you will need a new license for that. Even if your Windows 10 computer has a genuine key, it might still fail to get activated which results in the Windows Activation Error 0xC004F211. Thus, before you do other troubleshooting steps, you need to run the Windows 10 Activation Troubleshooter first. To do so, follow these steps:
  • Go to Settings and then select Activation.
  • After that, click on the Windows Activation and then troubleshoot. This will help you address most of the commonly found activation issues in Windows devices.
In addition, there is an exception offered by Microsoft – if you are connected to a Microsoft account prior to the hardware change, then you can most certainly use the same license key to reactivate Windows 10 again. Microsoft calls this an “Exception path” which should be fixed easily by the Windows Activation Troubleshooter as pointed out earlier. However, if the Windows Activation Troubleshooter isn’t able to resolve the error you can try purchasing a new license. In such rate case, even if you do have a Microsoft account available on your Windows 10 computer, and if Windows was never activated, this solution will not work. And if you haven’t connected your Microsoft account with your Windows 10 computer prior to the major hardware change, then your only option left is to purchase a new license. For you to do that here are some steps you can follow.
  • To purchase a new Windows license, the first thing you have to do is click on the Start button > Settings > Update & Security.
  • From there, go to Activation and select the “Go to Microsoft Store” option.
  • After receiving your new license, you need to go back to Update & Security then go to Activation and select the “Change product key” option.
  • Now update your Windows 10 computer using the new key and it should automatically activate your computer.
  • Next, you have to create a Microsoft account or connect your existing local account to your online account.
  • Once the system links the key and the account, you need not buy a new license in case something like this happens again.
Note: If you are an IT administrator, you need to keep in mind that there is a limit to the number of times you can reactivate Windows on your computer. Moreover, if you don’t see any option to reactivate the license, and it is a work computer, you need to contact your organization’s tech support.
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Fix Some apps need to be uninstalled
When you update or upgrade your computer to Windows 10, the setup will look for the compatibility of both the hardware and software. And in this process, if suddenly got an error message saying, “Some apps need to be uninstalled” or “You need to uninstall a program in order to continue”, you have to look for the program(s) that might be causing the compatibility issues. But worry not as this post will help you resolve the issue. Simply follow the given suggestions below.

Option 1 – Look for the incompatible programs

There are times when Windows 10 will point out the programs that are incompatible with Windows 10. In this situation, just click on the Uninstall and continue button and then wait for the process to be completed. For more information, you can check out the official site Ready for Windows by Microsoft. This site can help you determine which software versions are compatible with Windows 10 and which ones are not. All you have to do is select the Windows 10 version and type your App name, after that, you will see the results about its compatibility. Thus, it’s now easier for you to figure out which software is causing an issue and if there is a new updated version available that you can install instead.

Option 2 – Try to install the Windows Update in a Clean Boot State

Putting your PC in a Clean Boot state can also help you install Windows Updates or Upgrades without any trouble because, during this state, you can start the system with a minimum number of drivers and startup programs that will surely help you in isolating the root cause of the issue.
  • 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” checkbox 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 that, try to install the Windows Updates or upgrade again.

Option 3 – Try creating a new user account

Creating a new user account can resolve the “Some apps need to be uninstalled” error when upgrading or updating your Windows 10 PC. All you have to do is create a new admin account and initiate the setup. And this is a new user account, there will be no third-party applications installed on your computer. Thus, the installation should go through without any trouble. And in case you’ve already installed programs for that user, you just have to uninstall them all and then re-run the setup.

Option 4 – Perform a clean install

If none of the options worked, you can try to clean install Windows 10. Just make sure that you have the ISO from the official Microsoft Website and then a bootable USB drive to install Windows 10 again. Take note that this will delete all the data from your drive where Windows 10 was installed previously.
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How to remove SearchAnonymo from your computer

SearchAnonymo is a Google Chrome browser extension. This extension allegedly allows you to browse the internet anonymously without your data being tracked. From the Author: Search Anonymo – Search the Web Privately

Switch your default search to Search Anonymo and become safer on the web. Search through our Search Anonymo extension instead of search engines that track your personal profile and your search history. Search Anonymo provides you with an easy and safe search tool. -Advanced Security -No User Profiling -No Tracking -No Search Leakage This extension replaces your Default Search to Search Anonymo. This extension reroutes your search algorithms through a few websites before finally forwarding it to Yahoo Search. It changes your default search engine to Yahoo, which keeps track of any search information you make. It will change your homepage, search provider, and in our testing added considerable delay to the speed of search. This browser hijacker is considered a low-risk threat but is detected for optional removal for previous reasons.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking means that a malicious program code has power over and altered the settings of your internet browser, without your permission. Nearly all browser hijackers are created for marketing or advertising purposes. In most cases, it will force users to predetermined websites that are trying to increase their advertising campaign revenue. Nonetheless, it isn’t that harmless. Your web safety is compromised and it is also really irritating. Browser hijackers can also let other malicious programs without your knowledge further damage your PC.

How one can know whether the web browser is hijacked?

There are many symptoms that could indicate a browser hijacking: the browser’s home-page is changed; you see new unwanted favorites or bookmarks added, typically directed to ad-filled or porn sites; the default browser configurations have been changed and/or your default search engine is altered; you’re getting browser toolbars you have never found before; never-ending pop-up ads appear and/or your web browser popup blocker is disabled; web pages load very slowly and at times incomplete; you can’t visit specific sites like homepages of security software.

How they get into your computer or laptop

There are a number of ways your PC can get infected by a browser hijacker. They usually arrive by way of spam e-mail, via file-sharing networks, or by a drive-by download. They can be included with toolbars, BHO, add-ons, plugins, or browser extensions. Also, certain freeware and shareware can put the hijacker in your PC through “bundling”. Examples of well-known browser hijackers are Fireball, GoSave, Ask Toolbar, CoolWebSearch, Babylon Toolbar, and RocketTab. The presence of any browser hijacker on your computer can considerably diminish the browsing experience, record your internet activities that lead to major privacy issues, develop system stability problems, and eventually cause your computer to slow down or to a practically unusable condition.

Getting rid of browser hijackers

Certain hijackers could be removed by just uninstalling the related freeware or add-ons through the Add or Remove Programs in the Windows control panel. Having said that, the majority of hijackers are very tenacious and need specialized tools to get rid of them. And there’s no denying the very fact that the manual fixes and removal methods can be a complicated job for a novice computer user. Additionally, there are plenty of risks connected with tinkering around with the system registry files. You can opt for automatic browser hijacker removal methods by simply installing and running an efficient anti-malware application. To eradicate any browser hijacker from your PC, you can download this particular certified malware removal application – SafeBytes Anti-Malware. In addition to anti-malware, a system optimizer software can help you correct registry errors, get rid of unwanted toolbars, secure internet privacy, and stabilize software programs installed on your computer.

What you can do if Virus Stops You From Downloading Or Installing Anti-malware?

All malware is inherently harmful, but certain kinds of malicious software do a lot more damage to your PC than others. Some malware is designed to hinder or prevent things that you want to do on your computer system. It may not allow you to download anything from the web or stop you from accessing some or all websites, especially the anti-virus sites. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re stuck with a malware infection that is preventing you to download or install Safebytes Anti-Malware software on your system. Do as instructed below to get rid of the malware by alternate methods.

Use Safe Mode to fix the problem

In Safe Mode, you could change Windows settings, un-install or install some software, and get rid of hard-to-delete viruses. In the event the malware is blocking internet connection and affecting your computer, starting it in Safe Mode enables you to download antivirus and run a scan while limiting possible damage. In order to get into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press the F8 key while the PC is starting up or run MSConfig and locate the “Safe Boot” options in the “Boot” tab. As soon as you restart the PC into Safe Mode with Networking, you could download, install, as well as update anti-malware software from there. After installation, run the malware scanner to remove standard infections.

Switch to an alternate web browser

Some malware mainly targets particular internet browsers. If this sounds like your case, make use of another web browser as it might circumvent the virus. When you suspect that your Internet Explorer happens to be hijacked by a trojan or otherwise compromised by online hackers, the best thing to do is to switch over to an alternate browser such as Firefox, Chrome, or Safari to download your chosen security software – Safebytes Anti-Malware.

Run anti-malware from your USB drive

Another technique is to download and transfer anti-malware software from a clean PC to run a scan on the infected system. Do these simple actions to clean up your infected computer by using a portable antivirus. 1) On a virus-free computer, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug in the pen drive into the clean computer. 3) Double-click the executable file to run the installation wizard. 4) Select the USB flash drive as the location for saving the software file. Follow the onscreen instructions to finish the installation process. 5) Now, transfer the USB drive to the infected PC. 6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the USB drive by double-clicking the icon. 7) Run Full System Scan to identify and get rid of all kinds of malware.

Overview of SafeBytes Anti-Malware

Do you want to install the very best anti-malware software program for your PC? There are numerous applications in the market that comes in paid and free versions for Windows systems. A few of them are great and some are scamware applications that pretend as legitimate anti-malware programs waiting to wreak havoc on your personal computer. When searching for anti-malware software, choose one that gives dependable, efficient, and comprehensive protection against all known viruses and malware. Amongst few good applications, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is the strongly recommended tool for the security-conscious individual. SafeBytes can be described as a powerful, real-time anti-malware application that is created to assist the everyday computer end user in protecting their PC from malicious threats. With its cutting-edge technology, this application will help you get rid of multiples types of malware such as computer viruses, worms, PUPs, trojans, adware, ransomware, and browser hijackers. SafeBytes anti-malware offers an array of enhanced features that sets it apart from all others. Listed below are some of the features you may like in SafeBytes. Most effective AntiMalware Protection: Built on a highly acclaimed anti-virus engine, this malware removal tool can find and remove numerous obstinate malware threats like browser hijackers, potentially unwanted programs, and ransomware that other common anti-virus applications will miss. Real-time Threat Response: SafeBytes offers a completely hands-free real-time protection that is set to monitor, block and destroy all threats at its first encounter. It will regularly monitor your pc for hacker activity and also gives end-users superior firewall protection. Web protection: SafeBytes checks the hyperlinks present on a webpage for possible threats and tells you whether the site is safe to visit or not, through its unique safety rating system. Lightweight: SafeBytes is renowned for its low effect on computer resources and great detection rate of countless threats. It runs quietly and efficiently in the background so you’re free to utilize your computer or laptop at full power all the time. 24/7 Guidance: You will get 24/7 technical assistance to immediately resolve any issue with your security application. To sum it up, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is pretty great for securing your computer against all sorts of malware threats. Malware problems can become a thing of the past once you put this tool to use. If you want advanced forms of protection features & threat detections, purchasing SafeBytes Anti-Malware will be well worth the dollars!

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove SearchAnonymo without using 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 web browser plug-ins, going to the browser’s AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. Additionally, it is suggested to reset your browser to its default state to fix corrupt settings. In order to ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard drive and computer registry for all the following and eliminate or reset the values as needed. But bear in mind, this is often a complicated task and only computer professionals could accomplish it safely. Furthermore, certain malware is capable of replicating itself or preventing deletion. Carrying out this in Safe Mode is recommended.
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How to turn off check boxes in File Explorer
By default inside Windows 11 in File Explorer, once the file is selected, the small check box will appear beside it on left indicating visually that the file is selected. Older users will remember this feature from old Windows Vista and the feature itself is great if you are on some sort of touch device and need to select multiple files. windows 11 File ExplorerHowever, if you are working on a computer with a keyboard and mouse this feature might annoy you and seem like something that is not needed. Like many things inside Windows 11 this feature also can be customized and turned OFF if you do not want it. In this guide, we will see how to turn these boxes off. Microsoft has somewhat hidden this feature but luckily it is not difficult to find it if you know where to look.

Turning check boxes OFF

  1. Open File Explorer (if you do not have an icon on your Taskbar, right-click on the Start button and select File Explorer from the menu)
  2. Click on View on the top toolbar
  3. Select Show
  4. Uncheck Item Check Boxes
That is everything that needs to be done, after the checkbox is unchecked all check boxes from File Explorer will disappear. If you wish to turn boxes back ON, just follow the steps and check the box beside Item Check Boxes.
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Fix Windows Setup Error code 0x80070006
Windows 10 setup is a bit complicated which is why it’s uncommon to encounter errors along the way. One of these errors you can encounter when running Windows Setup is the error code 0x80070006. If you are trying to fix this error, you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you on how to do so. When you get the error code 0x80070006, you will see the following error message:
“Windows cannot install required files. Network problems may be preventing Windows from accessing the file. Make sure the computer is connected to the network and restart the installation. Error code: 0x80070006.”
As stated in the error message, this kind of error in Windows Setup is due to an unstable or unreliable network connection. Such problems can also be triggered by network hardware which includes the network adapters and the network routers. To fix this error, you need to check your internet connection and router or run the built-in network troubleshooter. You could also try using a different USB port or recreate a bootable USB drive as well as get a new Windows image file.

Option 1 – Try checking your internet connection and router

As mentioned, this Windows 10 setup error could be due to an unstable internet connection. To fix it, the first thing you have to do is to check the status of your internet connection and see if it is stable and has enough speed to run the setup. If it’s slow, then it’s no wonder that the setup process failed. To fix that, you can try to reboot your router from its admin panel or you can just turn it off manually and then turn it back on after a couple of seconds. In addition, you also have to check if it’s plugged in properly.

Option 2 – Try to run the Network Adapter troubleshooter

The next thing you can do is to run the Network Adapter troubleshooter. This built-in troubleshooter can help resolve any network issues. It can reset the adapters, remove cached settings, and many more. To run it, follow these steps:
  • Go to Settings > Update & security and from there select Troubleshoot.
  • 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.

Option 3 – Try to use a different USB port

You might want to check the integrity of the USB port where connected the device if you are using a bootable USB storage device to run the setup for Windows 10. All you have to do is switch the USB port or try to use another bootable USB device and see if it fixes the problem.

Option 4 – Try recreating the Windows 10 installation USB

Recreating the Windows 10 installation USB might help in fixing the problem. You can use a USB drive to do so but make sure that it has a great read-write speed. Follow the steps below to recreate Windows 10 installation USB”
  • Click this link and then click the Download Tool Now button.
  • Next, click the “Use the tool to create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file)…” option and follow the next given instructions on the screen.
  • Now select the ISO file option in step 5.
  • After that, you should now have an ISO file.
  • Next, go to the location where you’ve downloaded the ISO file.
  • Then right-click on the Windows 10 ISO file and select the Open with option and then select File Explorer.
  • Now click on “setup.exe” and follow the next instructions that appear on the screen. When asked, you have to select either Nothing (clean install) or Keep personal files only option. Take note that you must not select the “Keep personal files, apps, and Windows settings since it doesn’t really work.

Option 5 – Try getting a new Windows image file

If none of the four given options above worked, you might want to get a newer installation image using the Windows Media Creation tool. After that, create the bootable USB drive and once completed and then try to run the Windows 10 setup again.
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Fix UNEXPECTED STORE EXCEPTION in Windows 10
Blue Screen of Death or Stop errors are definitely one of the most difficult issues to face in your Windows computer. One of them is the UNEXPECTED STORE EXCEPTION BSOD error. When you encounter this Stop error on your Windows 10 computer, this means that the store component has caught an unexpected exception. There are many potential causes for this error, but we’ve narrowed it down to a few specific causes – for one, this error could be caused by your antivirus program installed on your computer, two, it could also be caused by outdated hardware drivers on your computer, it could also be an error in the file system as well as some issue with the lock screen app, or even output to an unexpected port. Whichever the cause may be, you can use a couple of fixes laid out below. Make sure to carefully follow them.

Option 1 – Try to update your Display driver

  • 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: You also have the option to 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.

Option 2 – Run both the System File Checker scan and DISM tool

If the problem is caused by corrupted system files, then you can use both the System File Checker and the DISM tool. To use them, follow the instructions below.
  • Tap the Win + X keys or right-click on the Start button and click the “Command Prompt (Admin)” option. Alternatively, you can also search for “cmd” in the Cortana search box and right-click on Command Prompt from the search results, and select the “Run as administrator” option.
  • After that, if a User Account Control prompt pops up, click on Yes to proceed.
  • Once the Command Prompt window is pulled up, type the following command and hit Enter:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
  • Wait for the process to be completed. Once it’s done, type the following command and hit Enter:
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:
  1. Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
  2. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
  3. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.
  • Restart your PC.
Note: You should see the “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them. Details are included in the CBS.Log %WinDir%LogsCBSCBS.log” message on your screen. On the other hand, if you see the “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them. Details are included in the CBS.Log %WinDir%LogsCBSCBS.log” message instead, then you should run the following command in Command Prompt:
findstr /c:"[SR]" %windir%LogsCBSCBS.log >"%userprofile%Desktopsfclogs.txt"
The command you entered will open up the logs on your Desktop where you can look for files that are causing the error on your computer manually.

Option 3 – Disable Fast Start-up

If you want your computer to boot faster, then you might have enabled Fast Start-up. This feature is ideal for computers that are using a hard disk drive. However, turning on this feature also means that when the computer boots, it might lag some drivers that are loaded when it initially boots up. Thus, it might be the potential cause of the UNEXPECTED STORE EXCEPTION BSOD error. Thus, you need to disable Fast Start-up. To do that, follow these steps:
  • Boot your PC into Safe Mode.
  • Then tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type in “control” to open Control Panel.
  • After that, select Hardware and Sound and click on Power Options.
  • Select “Choose what the power buttons do” from the left side menu pane and click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
  • Afterward, uncheck the “Turn on fast startup (Recommended)” entry and click on Save Changes.
  • Now restart your PC for the changes to take effect and then check if the problem’s fixed afterward.

Option 4 – Try to run the Chkdsk utility

You can also run the Chkdsk utility to resolve the UNEXPECTED STORE EXCEPTION BSOD error. If your hard drive has issues with integrity, the update will really fail as the system will think that it’s not healthy and that’s where the Chkdsk utility comes in. The Chkdsk utility repairs hard drive errors that might be causing the problem.
  • Open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
  • After opening Command Prompt, execute the following command and hit Enter:
chkdsk /f /r
  • Wait for the process to be completed and then restart your computer.
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Start Search is not displaying results
If you have just installed the latest Cumulative Update on your Windows 10 computer and you find that since then, the Windows 10 Start Search is not displaying any results when you try to use it to search for something in your computer, then this post might help as it will give you some suggestions to fix the problem. This problem might be caused by some bugs brought in by the new cumulative update you’ve installed. It is also possible that Cortana is having some issues or that the Windows Search service hasn’t been initialized. Whatever the cause is, here are some suggestions you need to follow to fix this issue. You can try running the Search and Indexing troubleshooter or configure the
  1. Run Search and Indexing Troubleshooter
  2. Configure the Windows Firewall
  3. Reinstall Cortana.

Option 1 – Try to run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter

The first thing you can do is to run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter in Windows 10 as it checks whether the settings for Cortana are in place and automatically corrects any issues if the update or software installation has changed the settings. To run it just click on the Start button and select Settings > Updates and Security > Troubleshoot. From there, select the Search and Indexing Troubleshooter.

Option 2 – Restart Cortana’s process in the Task Manager

Restarting Cortana’s process in the Task Manager could also help you resolve the problem. Refer to the steps given below to do so.
  • Tap the Ctrl + Alt + Del keys to open the Security options window.
  • From there, look for the Task Manager in the given list and open it.
  • Next, look for the process of Cortana and right-click on it, and then select the End Task option to end its process.
  • After that, the Cortana process will restart by itself and re-initialize.

Option 3 – Try resetting Cortana

  • Open Cortana and go to the Settings section where you’ll see the “Turning off Cortana clears what Cortana knows on this device, but won’t delete anything from the Notebook. After Cortana is off, you can decide what you’d like to do with anything still stored in the cloud” option. Turn this option off.
  • Restart your PC.
  • After your computer boots, launch Cortana again and check.

Option 4 – Try to configure the Windows Firewall

  • Tap the Win + Fn + Shift (Pause) keys to open Control Panel.
  • From there, open the Windows Defender Firewall applet and click on the Advanced Settings to open the Windows Firewall with the Advanced Security panel.
  • Next, click on the Outbound Rules section and look for Cortana and then double click on it to open its Properties.
  • After that, make sure that the “Allow the connection” is selected although this is the default working setting.

Option 5 – Try to reinstall Cortana

If none of the options given above works, you must consider reinstalling Cortana.
  • First, right-click on the Taskbar and select the Task Manager.
  • Next, select File menu > Run new task and type “Powershell” in the field and then select the “Create this task with administrative privileges” option.
  • Click on OK to open the PowerShell console.
  • After that, type the following command and hit Enter to execute it:
Get-AppXPackage -Name Microsoft.Windows.Cortana | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml"}
  • Restart your computer and check if the Windows Start Search is now working.
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How to Fix Backup Error 0x80070002

What is Backup Error 0x80070002?

Error 0x80070002 shows once you’re done backing up files through the Windows Backup program on a system running Windows 7, you see a notification that pops up with a message that reads something like: “Check your backup results. The backup completed but some files were skipped.” You try finding out the reason and you hover over to the Options button beside the message, then you get to read the following lines: “Check your backup results. The backup completed but some files were skipped. View skipped files.” Upon clicking the “View Skipped Files” option, the backup error 0x80070002 pops up on your screen and you’re left scratching your head, wondering what you’re going to do now.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

There are multiple error logs that you will encounter in backup error 0x80070002 as per different conditions. The two most common cases in which this error shows up are stated below:

Case 1

You will see the following message when you press “View skipped files”: “Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C: Windows/System32/config/systemprofile. Error: (The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))” You will face this case if you have backed up a library that included custom folders that were located in your user profile.

Case 2

Upon pressing “View Skipped files” you will encounter the below-mentioned messages: “Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C:/Users<User>AppDataLocalLow. Error: (The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))” “Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C:/Users<User>Contacts. Error: (The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))” “Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C:/Users<User>Searches. Error:(The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))” You are likely to encounter any of these messages in case:
  • The Windows Backup program is trying to back up your files in either one or all of these folders (LocalLow, Searches, Contacts).
  • All three of these folders don’t exist in your system.
Keep in mind that all three of these folders exist due to the installation of certain programs and applications on your system.

Notes

The backup error 0x80070002 is also found to occur while using USB devices instead of storage devices. Other occurrences include the times when input/output (I/O) operations are performed on the USB device, which results in failure.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To make sure this issue is resolved, you will have to follow either one of the following solutions as appropriate to your situation:

Solution for Case 1

  1. Ignore the error. The store files of the custom library in your user profile will not be created as backups.
  2. Transfer the library folder from where it currently exists to a place outside its current folder (user profile). For instance, you can move the library folder to an entirely new destination such as “C: My Folders”
  3. Remove the library folder from the list of files that you are backing up using the Windows Backup program. Then, add the original place of the library’s content in the list.
  4. Go back and check step two. If carried out successfully then add a link to the folder you moved from the library. Check to see if the backup includes the library folder. To make sure, you have to do as follows:
  • Go to Start and select your username.
  • Hover across to the folder you wish to move, right-click on it and select “Cut”.
  • Head to the navigation pane and search for the area you will store the folder in, right-click and select “Paste” so that the folder is moved to that location.
  • Right-click on the folder that you just moved and select “Copy”.
  • Go back to Start, select your username, right-click any vacant space in your folder and select “Paste Shortcut”.
Note: If you want to store the folder in a different place other than the folder in which it currently exists (user profile), you will need to create a new folder. In order to do so, go to the Windows Explorer menu and look up the root of the drive. Hit “New Folder” and then choose edit to change its name. You can set it as any name for instance, “My Folders”.

Solution for Case 2

You can ignore this error safely. However, if you wish not to see this error in the future during your backup operations then you will need to carry out the following steps:
  1. Create all the folders listed in the error message including LocalLow, Contacts, and Searches.
  2. Remove all of these folders from the Backup settings to make sure they aren’t being backed up then add the folders which are in their original place. To carry out this procedure, you will have to follow the below-mentioned steps:
  • Head over to the Control Panel and open “Backup & Restore”.
  • Go to the Backup section and select “Change Settings”.
  • Click Next in the Setup backup dialog box.
  • Select “Let me choose” in the dialog box termed “What do you want to back up” then proceed by clicking Next.
  • Expand Data Files, expand <user> Libraries, expand Additional Locations then proceed by clearing out the AppData Folder, searches, and Contacts checkboxes.
  • Expand Computer as well as the item for your system drive (expand Local Disk (D:)), expand users, expand <user>, then go to AppData, Searches and Contacts and mark them if they are present.
  • Proceed by clicking next and select “Save Settings” then exit.
  • Back to Backup & Restore, select Back up now and your new backup will begin proceeding. The entire process will be complete without any errors now.
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