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DownSpeedTest Removal Guide

DownSpeedTest is a Browser Toolbar Extension for Google Chrome that allows users to test their internet speed and convert files, however this speed test does not show proper values, nor even close.

Upon installation DownSpeedTest will replace your default New Tab page with its own Search Engine “MyWay.com” or “Search.MyWay.com”. This Search Engine camouflages itself as a “Enhanced Google Search Engine”, but all it does is allow more room for easier ad injection. In the background, this extension monitors user browsing behavior and records visited links, viewed products, clicked links and time spend on websites. This information is later used for Ad targeting.

While browsing the internet with this extension enabled you will experience additional ads, sponsored content, and even pop-up ads on some occasions. Due to its information mining behavior and aggressive ad placement, DownSpeedTest had been marked as a Browser Hijacker and it is recommended for removal.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a type of unwanted program, commonly a web browser add-on or extension, which causes modifications in the browser’s settings. There are lots of reasons why you may experience a browser hijack; but commercial, advertising and marketing are the major reasons for their creation. These are typically used to force hits to a specific site, manipulating web-traffic to generate ad-revenue. Even though it might appear naive, these tools are made by malicious people who always try to take full advantage of you, so that hackers could earn money from your naive and distraction. In a worst-case scenario, your browser could be hi-jacked to download malicious software that can do a lot of damage to your laptop or computer.

How one can know whether the browser is hijacked?

When your web browser is hijacked, the following might happen: your browser’s homepage has been reset to some unknown webpage; new bookmarks pointing to porn websites have been added to your bookmarks; the default browser configurations are modified and/or your default web engine is altered; you see unwanted new toolbars added; unstoppable flurries of pop-up ads show up on your computer screen; your browser gets slow, buggy, crashes regularly; you can’t navigate to specific internet pages, such as security software related websites.

How does a browser hijacker infect a computer?

Browser hijackers infect computers via malicious e-mail attachments, downloaded infected documents or by visiting infected internet sites. They can be included with toolbars, add-ons, BHO, plugins or browser extensions. Also, some freeware and shareware can put the hijacker in your PC through “bundling”.

Browser hijackers could record user keystrokes to collect potentially important information leading to privacy concerns, cause instability on computers, significantly disrupt user’s browsing experience, and ultimately slow down the system to a point where it becomes unusable.

How you can fix a browser hijack

One thing you could try to eradicate a browser hijacker is to find the malware in the “Add or Remove Programs” list of the Microsoft Windows Control Panel. It might or might not be there. When it is, uninstall it. However, most browser hijackers are difficult to eliminate manually. Regardless of how much you attempt to get rid of it, it might come back over and over. Amateur PC users should never try for the manual form of removal methods, since it demands in-depth system knowledge to perform fixes on the system registry and HOSTS file.

Anti-malware software is really effective when it comes to picking up and eliminating browser hijackers that regular anti-virus application has overlooked. If you’d like to get rid of persistent hijackers effectively, install the top-rated Anti-Malware software Safebytes Anti-Malware. Use a system optimizer (like Total System Care) along with your anti-malware software to fix various registry issues, remove system vulnerabilities, and improve your computer performance.

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

Practically all malware is bad and the consequences of the damage could differ according to the specific kind of malicious software. Some malware is created to interfere with or block things that you’d like to do on your PC. It may not permit you to download anything from the web or prevent you from accessing a few or all of the internet sites, especially the anti-malware websites. So what you should do if malware prevents you from downloading or installing Anti-Malware? There are a few actions you can take to circumvent this problem.

Install the anti-virus in Safe Mode

Safe Mode is a unique, simplified version of Microsoft Windows in which only essential services are loaded to counteract viruses and also other problematic applications from loading. If the malware is set to load immediately when computer starts, switching into this mode may prevent it from doing so. To start the computer into Safe Mode, press the “F8” key on the keyboard just before the Windows logo screen shows up; Or after normal Windows boot up, run MSConfig, look over “Safe Boot” under the Boot tab, and then click Apply. Once you are in Safe Mode, you can try to install your antivirus application without the hindrance of the malicious software. Following installation, run the malware scanner to get rid of most standard infections.

Download the anti-malware program using a different browser

Web-based malware could be environment-specific, aiming for a particular web browser or attacking particular versions of the browser. If you’re not able to download the security program using Internet Explorer, it means virus is targeting IE’s vulnerabilities. Here, you should switch over to an alternative web browser such as Chrome or Firefox to download Safebytes Anti-malware software.

Install anti-malware on a thumb drive

Another solution is to save and operate antivirus software tool completely from a Pen drive. Follow these steps to use a USB flash drive to clean your infected PC.
1) Make use of another virus-free computer to download Safebytes Anti-Malware.
2) Insert the USB drive on the same system.
3) Double click on the downloaded file to run the installation wizard.
4) Choose the USB flash drive as the location for saving the software file. Follow the instructions to complete the installation process.
5) Now, plug the USB drive into the corrupted computer.
6) Double-click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the pen drive to run the application.
7) Run Full System Scan to identify and clean-up of all types of malware.

Protect Your Computer & Privacy With SafeBytes Anti-Malware

If you’re planning to purchase anti-malware for your computer, there are lots of brands and utilities for you to consider. A few of them do a good job in getting rid of threats while many will harm your PC by themselves. You need to select one that is trustworthy, practical and has a good reputation for its malware source protection. While thinking about the dependable programs, Safebytes Anti-Malware is certainly the strongly recommended one.

SafeBytes anti-malware is a reliable software that not only secures your system permanently but is also very user friendly for people of all skill levels. Through its cutting-edge technology, this software will help you protect your PC against infections brought on by different kinds of malware and other threats, including spyware, adware, viruses, worms, trojans, keyloggers, potentially unwanted program (PUPs), and ransomware.

SafeBytes has great features when compared with other anti-malware programs. The following are some of the features you might like in SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

Live Protection: SafeBytes provides complete and real-time security for your computer system. This tool will continuously monitor your PC for any suspicious activity and updates itself regularly to keep abreast of the latest threats.

World-class AntiMalware Protection: With a critically acclaimed anti-malware engine, SafeBytes offers multilayered protection which is made to find and remove threats which are hidden deep in your computer’s operating system.

Safe Browsing: Safebytes assigns all sites a unique safety ranking that helps you to have an idea of whether the webpage you’re just about to visit is safe to view or known to be a phishing site.

Lightweight: This program is light-weight and will work quietly in the background, and will not affect your computer efficiency.

24/7 Online Technical Support: Support service is available for 24 x 7 x 365 days via email and chats to answer your queries.

SafeBytes can keep your PC safe from latest malware threats automatically with very little input needed from you again. Once you have installed this software, you no longer have to worry about malware or any other security worries. You will get the very best all-around protection for the money you pay on SafeBytes anti-malware subscription, there’s no question about it.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

To get rid of DownSpeedTest manually, go to the Add or Remove programs list in the Control Panel and select the offending program you want to get rid of. For internet browser extensions, go to your browser’s Addon/Extension manager and choose the plug-in you intend to disable or remove. You’ll likely also want to reset your web browser.

To ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard disk and computer registry for all the following and remove or reset the values as needed. Please be aware that this is for skilled users only and might be challenging, with incorrect file removal causing additional system errors. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating itself or preventing deletion. You’re suggested to do this procedure in Safe Mode.

Files:
%USERPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\DownSpeedTest
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\DownSpeedTest
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\DownSpeedTest
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\maoffpmgdffbgbncadalkhfhmlfihkgk
%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\maoffpmgdffbgbncadalkhfhmlfihkgk
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\maoffpmgdffbgbncadalkhfhmlfihkgk
%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\maoffpmgdffbgbncadalkhfhmlfihkgk

Registry:
HKEY_CURREN_USER\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Browser Helper Objects\5818CEA7-889D-459A-9A75-889E1298A892
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\5818CEA7-889D-459A-9A75-889E1298A892
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\481F6B47-2AD8-4C6A-8554-A2897E6CF900
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\1AAB982B-77D7-44F1-B305-8909DAC045F2
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\5818CEA7-889D-459A-9A75-889E1298A892
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\481F6B47-2AD8-4C6A-8554-A2897E6CF900
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\1AAB982B-77D7-44F1-B305-8909DAC045F2
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Approved Extensions, value: 1AAB982B-77D7-44F1-B305-8909DAC045F2
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\CA6A7AB9-F4B5-4D50-B5D2-33E996549AE3
HKEY_CURREN_USER\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar, value: 1AAB982B-77D7-44F1-B305-8909DAC045F2
HKEY_CURREN_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar, value: 1AAB982B-77D7-44F1-B305-8909DAC045F2
HKEY_CURREN_USER\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\DownSpeedTest_RASMANCS
HKEY_CURREN_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\DownSpeedTest_RASMANCS
HKEY_CURREN_USER\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\DownSpeedTest_RASAPI32
HKEY_CURREN_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\DownSpeedTest_RASAPI32
HKEY_CURREN_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\LowRegistry\DOMStorage\downspeedtest.dl.myway.com

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Chrome automatically opens a new tab
Recently, a number of users reported that their Google Chrome browsers keep on opening new tabs no matter what they do. This issue could be due to lots of reasons but the main ones are corrupt installation, background applications, adware, dubious browser extensions, malware, and so on. Although there are a lot of possible causes for this particular issue in Chrome, its potential fixes are straightforward so you should not have any problem following the given options below.

Option 1 – Get rid of any conflicting browser extensions

As mentioned, shady browser extensions can cause unusual behavior in a browser. Chances are, these extensions or toolbars might be conflicting with the loading of the website. Thus, you have to get rid of these unwanted extensions and toolbars to fix the issue.
  • Open Chrome and press Alt + F keys.
  • Go to More tools and click Extensions to look for any suspicious browser extensions or toolbars.
  • Click the Recycle bin and select Remove.
  • Restart Chrome and press Alt + F keys again.
  • Proceed to On Startup and mark Open a specific page or set of pages.
  • To check if the browser hijacker is still active, click Set pages, if it is active, overwrite the URL.

Option 2 – Try to disable applications from running in the background

  • Open Google Chrome and then click on the menu button located in the top-right corner.
  • From the drop-down, select Settings and then scroll down until you see the Advanced button. Click on it.
  • Next, turn off the toggle for “Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed” under the System section.
  • Now restart Chrome and check if it is working properly.

Option 3 – Try to configure the search settings of Chrome

  • Open Google Chrome and type any search query in the address bar and then tap Enter.
  • After that, it will open the Google search engine. From the top-right corner, click the Settings button.
  • Next, select Search settings from the drop-down menu.
  • Then scroll down to the new page that appears and make sure that the “Open New Window for each result” option is set to Uncheck.
  • Once you’re done, save the changes made and restart Google Chrome.

Option 4 – Reset Chrome

Resetting Chrome can also help you fix the error. This means that you will be restoring its default settings, disabling all the extensions, add-ons and themes. Aside from that, the content settings will be reset as well and the cookies, cache, and site data will also be deleted. To reset Chrome, here’s what you have to do:
  • Open Google Chrome, then tap the Alt + F keys.
  • After that, click on Settings.
  • Next, scroll down until you see the Advanced option, once you see it, click on it.
  • After clicking the Advanced option, go to the “Restore and clean up option and click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” option to reset Google Chrome.
  • Now restart Google Chrome.

Option 5 – Try to clean reinstall Chrome

There are instances when programs leave files behind after you’ve uninstalled them and the same thing can happen to Chrome so before you reinstall Chrome, you have to make sure that you have deleted the User Data folder. To do so, refer to the following steps:
  • Hit the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type “%LOCALAPPDATA%GoogleChromeUser Data” in the field and hit Enter to open the User Data folder.
  • From there, rename the default folder and name it something else, e.g. “Default.old”.
  • After that, install Google Chrome again and check if the issue is now fixed.

Option 6 – Try scanning your computer using Windows Defender

As mentioned, the error when accessing the security settings or properties of a folder or file might be due to a virus or malware. It could be that it had made some modifications that prevents you from accessing security settings or properties. To eliminate it, you have to scan your computer using security programs like Windows Defender.
  • Tap the Win + I keys to open Update & Security.
  • Then click on the Windows Security option and open Windows Defender Security Center.
  • Next, click on Virus & threat protection > Run a new advanced scan.
  • Now make sure that Full Scan is selected from the menu and then click the Scan Now button to get started.
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Stopping automatic redirects in Browsers
As you know, the internet has changed the world immensely. Nowadays, JavaScript is pushing the modern web ahead. One of the things that make these experiences with the internet seamless and with less clutter is redirection. It is often used on web pages and there are times when a user is prompted about them and most of the time, we barely notice them. However, there are also instances when things can go wrong with redirects as they could become a loop that could mess things up. And since the browser takes a lot of system resources, redirection can result in a poor user experience. That’s why in this post, you will be guided on how you can stop these automatic redirects on browsers such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, on your Windows 10 computer. To get started, refer to each one of the options provided below to stop automatic redirects in Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox.

Option 1 – Configure the browsers to stop pop-ups and deceptive contents

There are a lot of browsers with built-in settings that allow users to stop pop-ups and deceptive content. To configure these settings, refer to these steps:
  • Microsoft Edge:

    • Click on the three horizontal dots icon or the menu button.
    • Next, click on Settings and select Privacy & Security from the left side navigation.
    • After that, scroll down on the right-side panel and look for Block pop-ups and Windows Defender SmartScreen and then turn their toggle buttons to On.
  • Google Chrome:

    • Open Google Chrome and click on the three vertical dots icon for the menu located in the top right corner of the browser.
    • Next, click on Settings and scroll down until you see the Advanced option. Click on it to open the Advanced Settings.
    • Now scroll down until you reach the Privacy and Security section and look for the Safe browsing option and turn its toggle button to On.
  • Mozilla Firefox

    • Open Mozilla and click on the three horizontal lines icon for the menu button located in the top right corner of the browser and click on Options.
    • Next, go to the Settings section and click the Privacy & Security tab and scroll down and then click on Permissions.
    • From there, make sure that the Block pop-up windows checkbox is checked.
    • Finally, scroll down until you reach the Security section and make sure that the checkbox for the Block dangerous and deceptive content is checked.

Option 2 – Try to reset Winsock, TCP/IP & Flush DNS

To stop redirects, you can also reset Winsock and the TCP/IP as well as flush the DNS cache. To do so, follow these steps:
  • Right-click on the Start button and click on Command Prompt (administrator) so you can pull up an elevated Command Prompt.
  • After that, execute each one of the commands listed below. And after you typed in one after the other, you have to hit Enter.
  1. netsh winsock reset – type in this command to reset Winsock
  2. netsh int ip reset resettcpip.txt – type in this command to reset TCP/IP
  3. ipconfig /flushdns – type in this command to flush the DNS cache
  • Next, restart your PC and check if the problem’s fixed.

Option 3 – Edit your Hosts File

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open then type in %WinDir% and then click OK.
  • Go to System32/drivers/etc.
  • Open the host file using Notepad.
  • Delete all the suspicious entries.
  • After that, save the changes you’ve made and close the file.
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How to Fix Error Code 0x8007042c

What is Error 0x8007042c?

0x8007042c is a Windows Firewall error code. This error hampers your ability to turn on Windows Firewall on your PC. Firewall is a network security system. It establishes a barrier between a trusted, secure internal network and another network (the internet) that is assumed unsecure. Error 0x8007042c is displayed in the following format: “0x8007042c” error message when you try to start Windows Firewall

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Error 0x8007042c may pop up on your computer screen because of many reasons. These include:
  • Firewall service is disabled
  • Malware infection
  • Registry corruption

Further Information and Manual Repair

The good news is that this error code is easy to resolve. To repair, you don’t to be technically sound or hire a professional for the job. Try our DIY methods illustrated below to fix the problem by yourself in a few minutes.

Method 1 - Start Firewall Manually

This method allows you to start Windows Firewall service manually and then make sure that it starts automatically in the future. This can be done by following these steps, first, go to the start menu and then type services in the search box. Right-click services and then click RUN as Administrator. Now scroll down until you see Windows Firewall. Then double click on it. After that, click the startup type box and then click Automatic. If ‘Service Status’ is stopped, then click Start. Now click ‘Apply’ and then press OK. Scroll until you see ‘Base Filtering Engine’, double click it. If again the ‘Service Status’ is stopped, click start. Press Apply and then OK to activate changes. Now restart Windows, Firewall will be enabled.

Method 2 - Remove Malware

If the error cause is a malware infection, use the Microsoft Safety Scanner to remove malware immediately from your PC. Download it from Microsoft’s official website, install, accept terms and then run it to perform a quick scan. The Microsoft Safety Scanner will scan and remove all malware infecting your PC. Once this is done, click Start and then type Windows Firewall in the Search box. Click Windows Firewall and the navigation pane of Control Panel; Click Turn Windows Firewall on or off. Click Turn on Windows Firewall for each network location and then press OK to activate changes.

Method 3 - Repair the Registry

Sometimes the underlying cause can be registry corruption. In such a situation, download Restoro. It is a PC Repair Tool deployed with a registry cleaner. It scans and removes all the bad entries and files infecting your PC, cleans and repairs the registry in a few minutes. Click here to download Restoro.
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How to Resolve Runtime Error 372

What is the Runtime Error 372?

Runtime Error 372 is one of the various types of runtime errors on Windows PC. This error code hampers your ability to access and run Microsoft Visual Basic applications on the system.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Runtime Error 372 can occur due to multiple reasons:
  • Corrupt application due to viral infection
  • Missing or damaged DLL file
  • Poor PC maintenance
  • Data overload
  • Registry damages
Delay in resolving the runtime error 372  exposes your PC to further problems like the inability to install new programs, Windows startup issues, slow PC performance, system hang-ups, and crashes, etc. Therefore, it is recommended to take measures to resolve the runtime error 372 immediately.

Further Information and Manual Repair

The registry is one of the most critical components of Windows PC. It stores every data and configuration of your computer. Every hardware and software on the system has to connect to the registry to function properly. However, everyday and frequent PC usage keeps creating wasted, obsolete and invalid entries on your system and saves them in the registry. And if not cleaned, these files dilate the registry and eventually cause the registry to malfunction. DLL files go missing and often get damaged or corrupt. This leads to runtime error pop-ups like the error code 372. Furthermore, sometimes the registry also gets damaged due to malware attacks and viral infections. This malicious software damages the registry and exposes your system to serious PC threats like system failures, data loss, and data breaches.

Solutions To Runtime Error 372

To resolve the runtime error 372 on your system, clean and restore your registry. For this, you don’t have to hire a technician and spend hundreds of dollars when you can repair it for free. All you have to do is download Restoro. This is a powerful one-stop solution for all your PC-related problems. It functions as a registry cleaner and a system optimizer. Restoro is a user-friendly Windows PC repair tool that can be used by all levels of users. To run and operate this software on your system you don’t have to be a computer programmer or an expert. Its simple navigation and layout make it very easy to use. It resolves disk fragmentation issues which lead to missing DLL files. It also repairs the damaged and corrupted registry thereby resolving runtime errors like the error code 372. Restoro is a bug-free, reliable, and efficient tool. It is compatible with all Windows versions. Click here to download Restoro to repair the runtime error 372 on your PC.
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Computer boots to the BIOS when you turn it on
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.
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Fix STOP 0XC000021A, error in Windows 10
Upgrading your Windows computer may not always go as expected as you could end up getting some error messages along the way. One of the error messages you can encounter is the “STOP 0XC000021A or STATUS_SYSTEM_PROCESS_TERMINATED” error. This error indicates that is some security issue within the Windows operating system. It could be that the system files have an issue and they have been modified incorrectly. Although this does not necessarily mean that malware is behind the modification, one of the applications you installed recently might have something to do with the problem. The application might have modified or corrupted some of the core system files. When you encounter this error, you will see a blue screen along with the following error message:
“Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart. We’re just collecting some error info, and then we’ll restart for you. (0% complete) If you’d like to know more, you can search online later for this error: 0xc000021a”
This error pops up when a user-mode subsystem like the WinLogon or the Client Server Run-Time Subsystem or CSRSS has been compromised fatally and security can no longer be guaranteed in the system. Thus, the operating system switches to kernel mode, and Windows won’t be able to run without the WinLogon or the Client Server Run-Time Subsystem. This is why it’s one of the few cases where the failure of a user-mode service can shut down the system. To resolve the issue, here are some fixes that might help.

Option 1 – Uninstall programs you installed lately

  • 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 the concerned program and select it and then uninstall it.
Note: If you have downloaded the app from the Windows Store, you can simply right-click on it from the application list and then uninstall it.

Option 2 – Perform System Restore

Performing System Restore can also help you fix the “STOP 0XC000021A or STATUS_SYSTEM_PROCESS_TERMINATED” 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.

Option 3 – Run the System File Checker or SFC scan

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 to good system files that might be the cause why you’re getting the “STOP 0XC000021A or STATUS_SYSTEM_PROCESS_TERMINATED” error. To run the SFC command, follow the steps given below.
  • Tap Win + R to launch Run.
  • Type in cmd in the field and tap Enter.
  • 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:
  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.

Option 4 – Rebuild the BCD and fix MBR

Rebuilding the BCD can help you in fixing the “STOP 0XC000021A or STATUS_SYSTEM_PROCESS_TERMINATED” error.
  • You can start by booting into the installation environment for Windows 10 from an installation media.
  • After that, click on Repair your computer and on the blue screen, select Troubleshoot and then select the Advanced options menu.
  • Next, select Command Prompt and type in the commands below one by one, and tap Enter right after you do so.
  • exe /FixMbr
  • exe /FixBoot
    • exe /RebuildBcd
The commands you entered should rebuild the BCD and repair MBR.

Option 5 – Run the CHKDSK utility

You can also run the Chkdsk utility to resolve the problem. 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 commands listed below, and don’t forget to hit Enter right after you type in each one of them.
  • chkntfs /t
  • chkntfs /t:10
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Remove GIFables - Malware Removal Guide

Gables is a browser extension developed by MindSpark Inc. This browser extension lets you create gifs and memes with a few simple clicks. This extension usually comes bundled up with the ASK toolbar.

While active this extension monitors your browser activity and records website visits, clicked links, and potentially personal data. This data is later forwarded to MindSparks ad servers where it is used to better target ads.

This extension hijacks your browser home screen, as well as your default search provider, and changes them to MyWay.com. This extension has been marked as a Browser Hijacker by several anti-virus scanners, and due to its behavior, it is not recommended to keep it on your computer for security reasons.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking means that a malicious program code has taken control over and altered the settings of your browser, without your approval. Browser hijacker malware is designed for a number of reasons. It redirects you to the sponsored websites and injects adverts on your internet browser that helps its creator generate earnings. Most people believe that these sites are legitimate and harmless but that is not true. Nearly every browser hijacker poses an existent threat to your online safety and it’s important to categorize them under privacy dangers. In a worst-case scenario, your internet browser could be hijacked to download malicious software that will do a lot of damage to your computer system.

Indications of browser hijack

There are numerous signs of web browser hijacking: your browser’s home page has been reset to some mysterious site; you find yourself regularly directed to some other web page than the one you actually meant; The default search page of web browser is modified; unwanted new toolbars are added to your browser; unstoppable flurries of popup advertisements appear on your computer screen; your browser has instability problems or displays frequent errors; You cannot access certain websites, in particular anti-virus sites.

Exactly how browser hijacker finds its way to your PC

Browser hijackers infect computers in numerous ways, including through a drive-by download, a file-share, or an infected email. They can be included with toolbars, add-ons, BHO, plugins, or browser extensions. Other times you may have mistakenly accepted a browser hijacker as part of an application bundle (generally freeware or shareware). A good example of a popular browser hijacker is the most recent Chinese malicious software called “Fireball”, which has infected 250 million computers globally. It works as a hijacker but can be turned into a full-functioning malware downloader later on. Browser hijackers could affect the user’s browsing experience significantly, record the websites frequented by users and steal personal information, cause difficulty in connecting to the internet, and ultimately create stability issues, making software programs and computers crash.

Learn how to get rid of browser hijackers

Some browser hijacking could be easily stopped by identifying and removing the corresponding malware program from your control panel. Often, it could be a challenging job to discover and delete the malicious program because the associated file will be running as part of the operating system process. Also, browser hijackers could modify the Computer registry so that it can be extremely difficult to restore all of the values manually, particularly if you are not a tech-savvy individual.

What To Do If You Cannot Install Any Antivirus?

Malware can cause a great deal of damage to your computer. Some malware is designed to hinder or block things that you wish to do on your computer system. It may well not allow you to download anything from the web or it will prevent you from accessing some or all of the sites, in particular the antivirus sites. If you’re reading this article, odds are you’re stuck with a malware infection that is preventing you to download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware software on your computer system. Refer to the instructions below to remove malware by alternate methods.

Use Safe Mode to resolve the problem

Safe Mode is a special, basic version of Microsoft Windows in which only essential services are loaded to prevent viruses and other problematic applications from loading. In the event, the virus is set to load immediately when PC boots, shifting to this particular mode may prevent it from doing so. To enter 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 under the “Boot” tab. Once you are in safe mode, you can attempt to install your antivirus software program without the hindrance of the malware. At this point, you could run the anti-malware scan to get rid of computer viruses and malware without hindrance from another malicious application.

Download the security software using an alternate browser

Some malware mainly targets specific internet browsers. If this sounds like your case, make use of another web browser as it might circumvent the malware. The best way to avoid this problem is to opt for a web browser that is known for its security features. Firefox has built-in Phishing and Malware Protection to help keep you secure online.

Create a bootable USB antivirus drive

Here’s another solution which is creating a portable USB antivirus software package that can check your system for viruses without needing installation. Adopt these measures to run the anti-virus on the affected computer. 1) Make use of another virus-free computer to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug the Flash drive into the clean computer. 3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded application, which has a .exe file format. 4) Select the drive letter of the pen drive as the location when the wizard asks you exactly where you want to install the anti-malware. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. 5) Now, transfer the pen drive to the infected computer. 6) Double click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the USB drive to run the application. 7) Run Full System Scan to detect and clean-up up all kinds of malware.

How SafeBytes Anti-Malware Keep your Computer Virus Free

Do you wish to install the best anti-malware program for your system? There are many applications on the market that come in paid and free versions for Windows computers. Some are worth your money, but most aren’t. You really should select a company that creates industry-best anti-malware and has earned a reputation as reliable. While thinking about reliable applications, Safebytes AntiMalware is undoubtedly the highly recommended one. SafeBytes antimalware is a highly effective and user-friendly protection tool that is designed for end-users of all levels of IT literacy. This tool can easily identify, remove, and protect your computer from the latest malware intrusions including adware, spyware, trojan horses, ransomware, parasites, worms, PUPs, as well as other possibly damaging software programs. SafeBytes anti-malware takes computer protection to a whole new level with its enhanced features. Below are some of the good ones: World-class AntiMalware Protection: Using its advanced and sophisticated algorithm, this malware removal tool can detect and get rid of the malware threats hiding in your computer system effectively. Real-time Active Protection: SafeBytes gives round-the-clock protection for your computer limiting malware attacks instantly. It will continuously monitor your pc for hacker activity and also provides users with advanced firewall protection. Safe Browsing: Through its unique safety ranking, SafeBytes informs you whether a site is safe or not to visit it. This will ensure that you’re always certain of your online safety when browsing the online world. “Fast Scan” Features: This program has got one of the fastest and most powerful virus scanning engines in the industry. The scans are very accurate and take a little time to complete. Minimal CPU Usage: SafeBytes is renowned for its minimal influence on processing power and great detection rate of numerous threats. It runs quietly and efficiently in the background so you are free to use your PC at full power all of the time. Fantastic Technical Support: Support service is accessible 24 x 7 x 365 days through chat and email to answer your questions.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove GIFables 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 GIFables

Files: %UserProfile%Local SettingsApplication DataGoogleChromeUser DataDefaultSync Extension Settingsjahgjnedbefhiimghmiemdmgiegiddjg %LOCALAPPDATA%GoogleChromeUser DataDefaultLocal Extension Settingsjahgjnedbefhiimghmiemdmgiegiddjg %UserProfile%Local SettingsApplication DataGoogleChromeUser DataDefaultLocal Extension Settingsjahgjnedbefhiimghmiemdmgiegiddjg Search and Delete: chrome-extension_jahgjnedbefhiimghmiemdmgiegiddjg_0.localstorage-journal Search and Delete: chrome-extension_jahgjnedbefhiimghmiemdmgiegiddjg_0.localstorage
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Should you use the Faraday bag

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

faraday bag

Faraday bag explained

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

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

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

Advantages of Faraday bag

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

Disadvantages of bag

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

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Reasons to Defrag Hard Drive
Hello and welcome to our Reasons to Defrag Hard Drive. You ought to defrag your hard drive, in case your PC is slow. This could enhance the efficiency and pace of your PC too as its hardware longevity. It places them where there is space, whenever your PC saves files. Often files are separated into bits. For example, whenever you remember a file and focus on it, it frequently doesn't fit back in exactly the same physical place. Where it can your PC divides up the file, occasionally into several parts, and saves it.

Why defrag?

Fragmentation causes difficulties that doing a defrag can correct. Fragmented files because it requires more resources and time to locate and remember these files slow down your pc. Applications may also take longer to load. Defragging can prolong the life span of the components. A defragged hard disk too can raise your likelihood of recovering lost information. Once fragmentation starts, it can propagate fast -- demanding defragging. It's like the pages of a publication are divided and hidden in several locations around a house, if a file is fragmented. It's like the pages of the book being brought back together, should you defrag. Defragging discovers all the bits of the file and places them in contiguous, actual places.

How will you defrag?

To defrag your hard drive, you must utilize software or utility. There are lots of defragging tools available. SpeedyPC Pro, a whole package of cleaning and optimization tools, can defragment your PC. Before you defrag, it's best to assess your hard drive. This evaluation finds if a defrag is needed and how much of the disc is fragmented. You simply allow the application do the work if it's determined that you must defrag your PC to enhance performance. To be able to defrag a drive, free disk space will be required by your PC. Defragging can take a while. How long depends on several variables, such as the system resources accessible, the disc volume, the number of files, and how fragmented the files are. It's a great idea to defrag when you don't have to use your pc or it isn't doing other jobs. For example, the night could become a great time to defrag. Be certain to close out of resource-intensive applications, like your antivirus scanner, before you defrag.
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How to Fix Error 12031

Error 12031 - What is it?

Error 12031 indicates that the connection with the server has been reset or is not properly connected. In other words, it signifies that the File Transfer Protocol which is the standard network protocol that is used to transfer files from one host to another over the internet is either reset or not working properly. For example, if you are using a wireless adapter, then you may experience this error code when the adapter loses its association with the access point. The error code is often displayed in the following format:
  • "ERROR_INTERNET_CONNECTION_RESET"
  • "Cannot Connect to the FTP Server"

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Though the error 12031 is largely caused by poor internet connection and failure to obtain files from the FTP server, however, sometimes the error may be caused by invalid registry entries and outdated drivers. Furthermore, it may also be a Firewall issue.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To resolve this issue on your system, we have listed down the best and easy DIY solutions. These solutions are simple to perform and do not require any kind of technical expertise or knowledge. Just follow the steps and you will be able to resolve it in a couple of minutes.

Solution 1: Disable Firewall

If you are unable to connect to the server and you encounter the error code 12031 on your system, then to resolve this issue, disable the Firewall on your PC.

Solution 2: Reset IE (Internet Explorer) Settings

This error is typically experienced by IE7 users.  If you can’t access some websites in Internet Explorer and you come across a 12031 error code, then try resetting your IE settings. To do this, open Internet Explorer, click on tools, and then click on Internet Options. Now go to the advanced tab and select Use Passive FTP. After checking the box, exit and then try accessing those sites that were not accessible before. If after modifying IE settings you are able to access the sites without any error message display, then this means the error is resolved. Nonetheless, if the error still persists, then the error could be generated due to invalid registry entries.

Solution3: Download and Run Restoro

To remove invalid registry entries from your system and resolve the 12031 error immediately, it is advisable to download and run Restoro. This is a new, cutting-edge, and multi-functional PC repair tool integrated with multiple utilities like a powerful registry cleaner, an antivirus, and a system optimizer. The registry cleaning utility scans your PC for all registry errors. It wipes out unnecessary files, bad and invalid registry entries, repairs damaged files, and restores the registry thereby resolving the 12031 error on your PC. This error tool has a user-friendly interface and simple navigations. It is easy to use and compatible with all Windows versions. In addition to this, you can also use it to scan for malicious software and remove malware. It also functions as a system optimizer and boosts your computer’s speed dramatically. Click here to download Restoro on your PC and resolve error 12031 right away!
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