EasyDocMerge Toolbar is a Browser Hijacker for Google Chrome. Usually, such browser extensions are installed without your knowledge. These types of Browser Hijackers are often the cause of many problems while surfing the Internet. The most common problems are unwanted pop-ups, underlined words, additional ads, sponsored links, to generate web traffic and earn revenue of the advertising networks by gathering the users browsing data and sending it back to the Mindspark ads network.
When installed this extension will hijack your home page setting it to MyWay.com, it will also change your new tab page to EasyDocMerge (Powered by MyWay.com Search).
About Browser Hijackers
Browser hijacking is a form of an unwanted program, commonly a web browser add-on or extension, which then causes modifications in the browser’s settings. Browser hijacker malware is developed for a variety of reasons. It redirects you to the sponsored internet sites and inserts adverts on your browser that assist its creator to generate earnings. A lot of people think that the browser hijacker is only a harmless website but that is not the case. Nearly every browser hijacker poses an existent threat to your online safety and it’s important to classify them under privacy dangers. They don’t just mess up your browsers, but browser hijackers can even modify the computer registry, leaving your computer susceptible to various other types of attacks.
Key symptoms that your web browser has been hijacked
There are various signs of web browser hijacking: the home page of the web browser is changed unexpectedly; new bookmarks pointing to porn websites are added to your favorite pages; the essential web browser settings are modified and unwanted or insecure resources are added to the trusted sites list; you’ll see many toolbars on your web browser; you see a lot of pop-up ads on your computer screen; your web browser has become unstable or starts running sluggishly; Inability to navigate to particular sites, particularly anti-malware and other computer security software sites.
How they infect computers
Browser hijackers infect computer systems by numerous means, including via a file-share, a drive-by download, or an infected e-mail attachment. They can also originate from any BHO, extension, add-on, toolbar, or plug-in with malicious intent. A browser hijacker may also come bundled up with some free software that you unintentionally download to your computer, compromising your internet security. Typical examples of browser hijackers include CoolWebSearch, Conduit, Coupon Server, OneWebSearch, RocketTab, Searchult.com, Snap.do, and Delta Search.
Browser hijackers may record user keystrokes to gather potentially important information that leads to privacy issues, cause instability on computers, drastically disrupt user’s browsing experience, and finally slow down the system to a point where it will become unusable.
Removal
Certain browser hijacking could be simply reversed by discovering and eliminating the corresponding malware software from your control panel. In some cases, it can be a difficult job to identify and eliminate the malicious component because the associated file might be running as part of the operating system process. You should consider carrying out manual fixes only if you are a tech-savvy person, as potential risks are associated with tinkering with the system registry and HOSTS file.
Installing and running antivirus programs on the affected computer could automatically erase browser hijackers and other malicious applications. Safebytes Anti-Malware contains a state-of-the-art anti-malware engine to help you prevent browser hijacking in the first place, and clean up any pre-existing issues
What you can do if Virus Prevents You From Downloading Or Installing Anything?
Practically all malware is bad, but certain kinds of malware do a lot more damage to your computer than others. Some malware sits in between your computer and the internet connection and blocks a few or all internet sites that you would like to visit. It will also prevent you from adding anything to your PC, especially antivirus software. If you’re reading this now, you might have probably recognized that a malware infection is the real cause of your blocked web connectivity. So how to proceed if you need to install an antivirus application such as Safebytes? Although this kind of problem can be difficult to get around, there are a few steps you can take.
Eliminate viruses in Safe Mode
If any virus is set to run automatically when Microsoft Windows starts, stepping into Safe Mode could block this attempt. Only minimal required programs and services are loaded when you boot your laptop or computer in Safe Mode. You will need to do the following to eliminate malware in Safe mode.
1) At power on/start-up, hit the F8 key in 1-second intervals. This should bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2) Select Safe Mode with Networking using arrow keys and press ENTER. 3) When this mode loads, you should have the internet. Now, utilize your browser normally and navigate to https://safebytes.com/products/anti-malware/ to download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 4) Once the software is installed, allow the diagnostic scan to run to eliminate viruses and other threats automatically.
Obtain the security program using an alternate web browser
Some malware might target vulnerabilities of a specific web browser that obstruct the downloading process. The best way to avoid this problem is to pick a web browser that is renowned for its security features. Firefox has built-in Phishing and Malware Protection to help keep you secure online.
Run anti-malware from your USB drive
To effectively get rid of the malware, you need to approach the problem of running antivirus software on the infected computer from a different angle. Abide by these steps to run the anti-virus on the affected computer. 1) On a virus-free PC, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug the Flash drive into the clean computer. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the antivirus program to run the Installation Wizard. 4) Choose the flash drive as the destination for saving the file. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation process. 5) Remove the pen drive. You can now utilize this portable anti-virus on the infected computer system. 6) Double-click the antivirus program EXE file on the USB flash drive. 7) Simply click “Scan Now” to run a complete scan on the affected computer for viruses.
Protect Your Computer Against Viruses and Malware With SafeBytes Security Suite
Today an anti-malware program can protect your laptop or computer from different types of internet threats. But how to select the best one amongst countless malware protection software that is available out there? As you might be aware, there are several anti-malware companies and tools for you to consider. A few are really worth your money, but many aren’t. You need to choose one that is dependable, practical, and has a strong reputation for its malware source protection. Among few good applications, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is the strongly recommended software program for the security-conscious user.
SafeBytes anti-malware is a powerful, highly effective protection application made to help end-users of all levels of computer literacy in detecting and removing harmful threats from their computer. After you have installed this software, SafeByte's sophisticated protection system will ensure that no viruses or malicious software can seep through your personal computer.
SafeBytes has fantastic features when compared to various other anti-malware programs. Listed below are some of the great features included in the software.
Real-time Active Protection: SafeBytes gives you round-the-clock protection for your personal computer limiting malware intrusions instantly. It will examine your PC for suspicious activity at all times and safeguards your PC from illegal access.
Antimalware Protection: Safebytes is made on the best virus engine in the industry. These engines can identify and get rid of threats even during the initial phases of a malware outbreak.
“Fast Scan” Features: SafeBytes’s high-speed malware scanning engine minimizes scanning times and extends the life of the battery. Simultaneously, it will effectively find and get rid of infected files or any internet threat.
Web Protection: SafeBytes checks and gives a unique safety rating to every website you visit and block access to webpages known to be phishing sites, thus protecting you against identity theft, or known to contain malicious software.
Low CPU Usage: SafeBytes is a lightweight application. It consumes an extremely small amount of processing power as it runs in the background so you are free to use your Windows-based computer the way you want.
24/7 Premium Support: Professional technicians are at your disposal 24/7! They will immediately fix any technical issues you may be encountering with your security software.
Simply put, SafeBytes has formulated a meaningful anti-malware solution that is aimed to protect your computer against various malware. Malware trouble will become a thing of the past once you put this software to use. For top protection and the best value for money, you can’t get better than SafeBytes Anti-Malware.
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
If you want to manually remove EasyDocMerge without using an automated tool, it may be possible to do so by removing the application from the Microsoft Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser plug-ins, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You’ll likely also want to totally reset your browser to its default configuration settings.
To be certain of complete removal, find the following registry entries on your computer and remove them or reset the values appropriately. However, this is a tricky task and only computer experts can perform it safely. Moreover, some malicious programs are capable to defend against its removal. It is highly recommended that you do the removal process in Windows Safe Mode.
There is a built-in tool in Windows 10 the Disk Cleanup Utility which can help you restore hard disk space by removing temporary files, Thumbnails, old Windows files, Windows Upgrade logs, Delivery optimization files, and many more. However, from time to time, this built-in tool also experiences some issues. One of these issues is when it gets stuck on Windows Update Cleanup. Read on to find out what you can do in such a case.
When the Disk Cleanup Utility is stuck on the Windows Update Cleanup, the process could be slow and take a long time to complete when purging the files. If this happens, click on Cancel to close the dialog box. After that, try running the Disk Cleanup Tool again as administrator and check if the files that you want to clean is still there or not. If it isn’t there, then this means that the cleanup has been done, otherwise, you need to refer to the options given below.
Option 1 – Try to manually delete the contents in the SoftwareDistribution folder
Open the WinX Menu.
From there, open Command Prompt as admin.
Then type in the following command – don’t forget to hit Enter right after typing each one of them.
net stop wuauservnet start cryptSvcnet start bitsnet start msiserver
After entering these commands, it will stop the Windows Update Service, Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Cryptographic, and the MSI Installer
Next, go to the C:/Windows/SoftwareDistribution folder and get rid of all the folders and files thereby tapping the Ctrl + A keys to select them all and then click on Delete. Note that if the files are in use, you won’t be able to delete them.
After resetting the SoftwareDistribution folder, you need to reset the Catroot2 folder to restart the services you just stopped. To do that, follow these steps:
Type each one of the following commands.
net start wuauservnet start cryptSvcnet start bitsnet start msiserver
After that, exit Command Prompt and restart your computer and then try to run Windows Update once more.
Option 2 – Try to manually delete the contents of the Windows.old folder
The Windows.old folder is the one that holds the older version of Windows when you upgrade. It comes really useful when you want to revert to the previous version of Windows 10. Thus, you can delete the Windows.old files in case the cleanup tool is stuck.
Option 3 – Try running Disk Cleanup in a Clean Boot State or Safe Mode
Another thing you can try is to restart your computer in a Clean Boot State or Safe Mode. Chances are, there are some programs that are preventing the Disk Cleanup Utility tool to run properly. After you restart your computer in a Clean Boot State or Safe Mode, try to run the Disk Cleanup tool again and then see if it now works or not.
Option 4 – Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
You might also want to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter as it could also help in fixing this issue. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button. After that, follow the next on-screen instructions and you should be good to go.
Option 5 – Run the DISM tool to fix the corruption in the Component Store
You can try running the Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management or DISM tool to fix the Wdf01000.sys Blue Screen error. Using this built-in tool, you have various options such as the “/ScanHealth”, “/CheckHealth”, and “/RestoreHealth”.
Open the Command Prompt with admin privileges.
Then type in the following commands and make sure to hit Enter right after you type each one of them:
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
Do not close the window if the process takes a while as it will probably take a few minutes to finish.
Regsvr32 (Microsoft Register Server) is a command-line utility in Microsoft Windows Operating System. This is used for registering and unregistering OLE controls such as ActiveX controls and DLLs in the Windows Registry.
This is executed as Regsvr32.exe. The filename extension .exe is the abbreviation for executable. It is installed in the %systemroot%System32 folder in Windows XP and new Windows versions.
The Regsvr32.exe is an error that occurs when you attempt to run Regsvr32.exe to register a 32 bit DLL (Dynamic Link Library) on a 64-bit version of Windows.
The error message is displayed as the following:
Filename.dll is not an executable file and no registration helper is registered for this file type.
Unrecognized flag: /invalid_flag
No DLL name specified
Dll_Name is not an executable file and no registration helper is registered for this file type.
The module "%1" failed to load.
Solution
Error Causes
There are multiple causes for the Regsvr32.exe error code. These include:
Invalid entry (command) path
Active X control errors
Missing or Damaged .dll files
Viral infection (Trojans) (.exe can easily get infected by viruses)
Registry issues
If you come across the Regsvr32.exe error code, it is advisable to repair it immediately before the damage sets in. Since this may occur due to viral infection, it can pose privacy and data security risks to your PC.
Further Information and Manual Repair
Here are solutions that you can implement to resolve the Regsvr32.exe error code on your system:
If an invalid entry point is the cause of the error, then simply open an elevated command prompt. If the 32-bit DLL is in the %systemroot%System32 folder, then move it to the %systemroot%SysWoW64 folder. After that run the following command: %systemroot%SysWoW64regsvr32 <full path of the DLL>. This will help resolve the Regsvr32.exe error.
If the cause of the error is a viral infection, then you will need to run a powerful antivirus to detect and remove viruses from your system to resolve the Regsvr32.exe error on your system.
Nonetheless, if the causes for Regsvr32.exe are either Active X controls or registry corruption, then you will need to scan your computer with different tools to resolve each issue separately.
This can be time-consuming and too many program installations at one time can also slow down your system’s performance. This means you’ll also have to compromise on your PC’s speed.
Repair Regsvr32.exe Error With Restoro
To avoid all this hassle yet repair the Regsvr32.exe error, download Restoro.
This is a multi-functional and innovative PC repair tool deployed with multiple utilities in one program including features like a registry cleaner and an Active X controls error fixer. It also functions as a system optimizer.
It is a one-stop solution for all your PC-related errors including the Regsvr32.dll error.
It is safe, efficient, and user-friendly. It is compatible with all Windows versions.
When the RAM overloads it leads to damaged dlls and registry corruption. The registry cleaner utility repairs the damaged dll files and the corrupt registry. It wipes out all the unnecessary files cluttering the RAM including the junk files, invalid registry entries, and temporary files.
Restoro also has an Active X controls scanning utility. This utility can be of great use if the Regsvr32.exe error is triggered by Active X control-related issues.
Click here to download Restoro and resolve Regsvr32.exe on your computer right away.
The error 103 may occur either due to issues in your Google Chrome browser or system issues. If error 103 occurs when using Chrome, this means there is a conflict between Google Chrome and the antivirus program running on your PC.
It is displayed in either of the following formats:
‘Chrome error 103 connection aborted’, ‘Chrome error 103 err_connection_aborted’ or ‘Error 103 (net: ERR_CONNECTION_ABORTED): Unknown error.
However, if this is a system error code, it may be displayed in the following format ‘The semaphore cannot be set again’ or as ‘ERROR_TOO_MANY_SEM_REQUESTS’ or as the value 0x67.
Solution
Error Causes
The error 103 is triggered due to multiple reasons such as:
The conflict between Google Chrome and anti-viruses arises because when the web browser attempts to update, the anti-virus programs on your PC may view the update as a threat.
Due to this, the connection to the internet is terminated and the error 103 message is displayed on your computer screen. And besides, this keeps you from upgrading your Google Chrome browser too.
Other causes include:
Viral infection
Missing Windows component called ‘expand.exe’
Registry overlaps
Incompatible drivers
Further Information and Manual Repair
Here are some of the easy and efficient ways to resolve error 103. Choose a method according to the error 103 messages displayed on your screen.
Method 1: Check for the ‘Expand.exe’ Windows component
This method is workable if the error 103 is triggered due to browser issues. To get started, follow these steps.
First, go to the start menu, and in the search bar type ‘expand.exe’. If you are able to find it, move it to the following directory C:\Windows\system32. However, if you are unable to locate it, then copy the file from Windows installation CD. Once you copy the file to the directory, reinstall the updated version of Google Chrome.
Method 2: Change the Location of the Temporary File
If the error still persists, try method 2.
Go to the start menu and open the Run window. Now type C: and press OK. Then go to File, then New, and then Folder. Now create a temporary folder and name it ‘test’. After that go back to the start menu and open the Run window again. Now enter the following text in the text field:cmd.exe then press OK. In the command prompt type set TMP=C:\test.
After that try reinstalling Google Chrome by typing the following in the command prompt: start ChromeSetup.exe.
Method 3: Update Drivers
If the error message 103 is generated due to system issues, then try updating drivers. Sometimes the error may occur due to incompatible drivers.
Method 4: Perform an Entire PC Scan for Viruses
To resolve error 103, perform an entire PC Scan for viruses. Sometimes the error may occur due to viral infection. Removing viruses may fix the error.
Method 5: Clean and Restore the Registry
If the error is triggered due to registry issues, then it is advisable to download Restoro.
This is a multi-functional PC repair tool integrated with powerful utilities including an anti-virus, a registry cleaner, Active X controls, and class scanner, and a system optimizer. The registry cleaner feature wipes out all the unnecessary files including cookies, junk files, and bad registry keys that corrupt the registry. It cleans and restores the registry instantly.
The anti-feature removes all viruses and spyware while the system optimizer utility ensures your system works at its optimum speed.
It can be downloaded on all Windows versions. It is safe and efficient. This software is a one-stop solution for all PC-related errors.
Click here to download Restoro.
If your Windows 10 computer is having problems connecting to a wireless network and it takes too long to respond and only keeps on displaying the “Checking network requirements”, then you’ve come to the right place as this place will walk you through fixing the problem.
There are two things that can happen when your computer connects to a wireless network. Windows can either connect to the wireless network successfully or return an error message that says, “Cannot connect to the network. However, if none of these things happened, and it only remains at the “Checking network requirements” message, then it could be due to obsolete or incompatible drivers in your computer, particularly the network adapter drivers. To fix this problem, you can try to update or reinstall these drivers, reset the TCP/IP, or run the Network Adapter troubleshooter, as well as reset the Network. For more information, refer to the given options below.
Option 1 – Update the Network Adapter drivers
The first thing you can do to resolve the problem is to update the Network Adapter drivers by following these steps:
Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run window and then type in the “devmgmt.msc” command and hit Enter to open the Device Manager window.
Under the Device Manager, you will see a list of drivers. From there, look for the Network Adapters and expand them.
Look for the Broadcom Network Adapter and right-click on it, as well as other network adapters that have an exclamation icon, and update them all.
Restart your PC and see if it helped in fixing the problem.
Note: If updating the network drivers didn’t help in fixing the problem, you can also try to uninstall the very same drivers and restart your Windows 10 PC. After that, the system itself will reinstall the drivers you just uninstalled. Alternatively, you can also download and install the drivers from the manufacturer’s website directly.
To reinstall the network adapter drivers, refer to these steps:
Open the Devices Manager from the Win X Menu.
Then locate the device drivers and right-click on them to open the Properties.
After that, switch to the Driver tab and click on the Uninstall Device button.
Follow the screen option to completely uninstall it.
Finally, restart your computer. It will just reinstall the device drivers automatically.
Option 2 – Try to reset the TCP/IP
As you know, the TCP/IP or the Internet Protocol is the most important thing if you want to use the internet on your computer. That’s why if it ends up getting corrupted, you need to reset the TCP/IP to fix the problem. To reset TCP/IP, refer to these steps:
In the Windows start the search, type “command prompt” and right-click on Command Prompt from the search results.
Then select the “Run as administrator” option to open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
After that, execute this command: netsh int ip reset resettcpip.txt
Once it’s done, exit Command Prompt and restart your computer and then check if the error is now fixed.
Option 3 – Run the Network Adapter troubleshooter
To run the Network Troubleshooter, refer to these steps:
Open the Search bar on your computer and type in “troubleshoot” to open the Troubleshoot settings.
Next, scroll down and select the “Network Adapter” option from the right pane.
Then click on the Run Troubleshooter” button.
After that, your computer will check for any possible errors and will pinpoint the root cause of the problem if possible.
Restart your computer.
Option 4 – Try to perform Network Reset
You can also try to perform a Network Reset to resolve the problem. This will reset the entire network configuration including your IP address. To perform Network Reset, follow these steps:
Tap the Win + I keys to open Settings.
From there, go to the Network and Internet section.
Next, scroll down and look for “Network Reset” under the status pane.
After that, click on Network Reset and then on Reset now to start resetting the network configuration. Once done, check if it is able to fix the error or not.
So, what is Electron bot, and why it even matters if it is in the MS store. Electron bot is malware that somehow found its way inside MS Store via game clones of popular games temple run and subway surfer. This infiltration led to the infection of around 5000 systems over the globe in a very short period of time.
This malware is a backdoor that gives complete system control to the attacker. Any type of execution can be performed remotely in real-time. Usually, this kind of attack was aimed at a spread of click fraud over popular social media like Facebook, google, youtube, etc.
Primary goal
Electron Bot's primary goals in the ongoing campaign analyzed by researchers are:
SEO poisoning – Create malware-dropping sites that rank high on Google Search results.
Ad clicking – Connect to remote sites in the background and click on non-viewable advertisements.
Social media account promotion – Direct traffic to specific content on social media platforms.
Online product promotion – Increase store rating by clicking on its advertisements.
These functions are offered as services to those who want to increase their online profits illegitimately, so the gains for the malware operators are indirect.
Publishers that contain malware
For now, users may take note of the publishers who released confirmed malicious game apps using the following names:
You may experience error code 24 when you try to use a device on your PC that is not properly installed or its driver is corrupted. Code 24 is a Device Manager error and it pops up on your computer screen in the following format:
“This device is not present, is not working properly, or does not have all its drivers installed. (Code 24)”
Solution
Error Causes
Error code 24 may be triggered due to several reasons. However, the most common causes for this error code include:
Incorrect device installation
Hardware failure/ conflict
Corrupted or outdated driver
Device prepared for removal
It is recommended to resolve the error code to ensure your PC works at its optimal performance. Error code 24 can lower the device functionality and PC performance dramatically.
Further Information and Manual Repair
Since this error code can mean several different things, troubleshooting it can be quite tricky but to make it simple to resolve, we have listed down some easy methods to repair error code 24.
Try these methods to fix error 24 on your PC and ensure your system works at its optimal pace.
Let’s get started….
Method 1 - Update the BIOS on Your Motherboard
Problems with BIOS, the controlling software in the PC motherboard, can sometimes trigger hardware conflicts resulting in Device Manager error code pop-ups.
In such a scenario, it is advisable to update BIOS. To update, go to your PC motherboard manufacturer’s website. Here you will be able to find instructions on updating BIOS.
Follow the instructions carefully to resolve error code 24 on your system. If the error code still persists, then try other methods discussed below.
Method 2 - Remove New Devices
If you experienced code 24 on your PC after installing new devices, then it is advisable to remove them to resolve the error code.
If the device is attached to your computer, then simply disconnect and remove it immediately. Once you disconnect it, reboot your system to activate changes.
Method 3 - Update Drivers
If device removal does not resolve the problem, then consider updating the device driver. Code 24 is also related to driver problems.
It can occur if a device driver is corrupted or outdated. In such an event, it is advisable to update the driver by installing the new and latest device driver version on your PC.
For doing this, simply download the latest device driver version from the manufacturer’s website and update it.
Method 4 - Install DriverFIX for Both Device Driver Update and Safe Device Removal
Finding problematic drivers and the latest device driver versions to update them, however, can be time-consuming and sometimes even frustrating. To avoid being in this situation, it is advisable to download DriverFIX.
DriverFIX is a cutting-edge, user-friendly and an innovative program exclusively designed to resolve device driver related issues and problems on computer systems
It is integrated with the newest technology and intelligent programming system that enables and empowers PC users like you to repair device driver error codes in seconds.
Once you install this software on your PC, simply run it. The software program instantly detects all problematic drivers and updates them with their latest versions available on the internet.
All this is done in mere seconds and it’s not time-consuming at all. Moreover, device driver updates are performed frequently to ensure that you don’t experience any driver problems again.
With this software on your PC, you don’t have to worry about updating drivers regularly.
In addition to this, as we discussed above, driver code 24 can also occur due to new plugged-in devices. If that’s the reason, then DriverFIX can help you resolve this problem too.
It can help you manage and unplug USB devices safely from your PC. After installing DriverFIX, unplugging USB devices is easy and you don’t have to worry about data corruption or drive damage.
DriverFIX manages USB devices smoothly by making the ejecting process easy and safely removes hardware from your PC, thereby resolving error code 24 in no time.
DriverFIX is easy to install and use and is compatible with all Windows versions.
Click here to download DriverFIX and repair Device Manager error code 24 right away.
In case you don’t know, Microsoft Office uses a separate mechanism than the Windows operating system for specific purposes such as Updates and Activation which brings in the content dependencies of this mechanism on different services and processes. Thus, in such cases, you could encounter errors like the error code 0x80070426. When you get this error, you will see the following error message on your screen:
“An unexpected error has occurred. Your request cannot be processed at this time. Please try again later. (0x80070426)”
This kind of error is caused by various supporting processes and services that are not working or are not being triggered as they were supposed to. If you are currently facing this issue, worry not for this post will guide you in fixing it. There are two potential fixes you can try – you can either check the responsible services or manually run the Activation Script. For more details refer to the given options below.
Option 1 – Try checking the responsible Services
In the Start search, type “services.msc” in the field and tap Enter or click OK to open the Windows Services Manager.
If a User Account Control or UAC prompt appears, just click on Yes to proceed to the Windows Services Manager utility window.
After that, look for the “Software Licensing Service” service entry from the given list of services inside the window.
Then right-click on it and select Properties and from there, make sure that its Startup Type is set to Automatic.
Once done, click on the Start button to start the service and then exit the Services Manager.
Next, tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility and then type “cmd” in the field and tap Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt.
After that, type and enter each command below one after the other.
net start slsvc
sc qc slsvc
sc queryex slsvc
sc qprivs slsvc
sc qsidtype slsvc
sc sdshow slsvc
Now check if the problem is fixed or not.
Option 2 – Try to manually run the Activation Script
In the Start search, type “cmd” and right-click on Command Prompt from the given search results and then select the “Run as administrator” option to open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
Next, navigate to the following location inside the Command Prompt command-line utility if you are using Office 16.
If you encounter an error message that states, “Your computer has lost the lease to its IP Address <IP ADDRESS> on the Network Card with network address <NETWORK ADDRESS>”, then this post might be of help to you. This kind of error due to the timeout caused by the DHCPv6 address which is used to connect the client to the user network as an independent client or a part of a domain.
There are a lot of potential fixes you can try to fix this error and we will be discussing each one of them below. You can try to reboot your router, flush the DNS cache, reset the Network adapter, toggle the DHCPv6 Lease time or disable IPv6 in the Network Center. For more details, refer to the following options.
Option 1 – Try rebooting your router
The first thing you can try to do to fix the error is to simply restart your router. All you need to do is reboot the router from its Admin panel or you can also turn it off manually and turn it back on after a couple of seconds so that it can completely reboot. Once you’re done, try accessing your server again and see if the error is now fixed.
Option 2 – Try to flush the DNS configuration
You could also try to flush the DNS configuration in your computer to fix the error. How? Refer to these steps:
Tap the Win + X key combination and click on the Command Prompt (Admin) option or you could also search “cmd” in the Cortana search box and right-click on Command Prompt from the search results and select the “Run as administrator” option.
After opening Command Prompt with admin privileges, enter each one of the commands given below sequentially in order to flush the DNS cache.
ipconfig/release
ipconfig/renew
ipconfig/flushdns
Now type the exit command to close Command Prompt and then restart your computer and see if the problem is fixed.
One the other hand, you could also try to reset Winsock as well as the TCP/IP.
Once done, just exit the Command Prompt and check if that fixes your issue.
You may want to reset Winsock & reset TCP/IP as well.
Option 3 – Try to toggle the DHCPv6 Lease time
First, you need to log in to the Admin panel of your router.
Next, navigate to the DHCPv6 settings inside it and look for a field for Lease Time.
After you’ve found it, increase the Lease Time value to something greater than what is already entered depending on your preference.
Now apply the configuration and reboot your router to apply the modified settings. Just remember that if things didn’t work out, you can just change back the Lease Time value to what it was before.
Option 4 – Try disabling the IPv6 in the Network Center
Tap the Win + X key combination and click on Network Connections.
This will open the Settings app on a specific page. Now on the right-side panel, click on the Network and Sharing Center link.
After that, it will open the Control Panel and from there, click on the network that your computer is connected to and then click on Properties.
Next, uncheck the entry that says, “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)” in the list that populates.
Now click on OK and close all other windows and see if the error is fixed.
Option 5 – Run the Network Adapter troubleshooter
To run the Network Troubleshooter, refer to these steps:
Open the Search bar on your computer and type in “troubleshoot” to open the Troubleshoot settings.
Next, scroll down and select the “Network Adapter” option from the right pane.
Then click on the Run Troubleshooter” button.
After that, your computer will check for any possible errors and will pinpoint the root cause of the problem if possible.
Restart your computer.
Option 6 – Try to perform Network Reset
You can also try to perform a Network Reset to resolve the problem. This will reset the entire network configuration including your IP address. To perform Network Reset, follow these steps:
Tap the Win + I keys to open Settings.
From there, go to the Network and Internet section.
Next, scroll down and look for “Network Reset” under the status pane.
After that, click on Network Reset and then on Reset now to start resetting the network configuration. Once done, check if it is able to fix the error or not.
What software are you using to keep your information and all your files and memories safe?
None? Yikes. Let’s hope no damage has been done to your data yet then. Because with how the digital world has evolved, your data might be getting leaked and you have no idea.
Why do you need to invest in security software?
There’s really no good excuse not to purchase a quality platform for PC protection. Especially since top security solutions are available at such affordable prices nowadays, your wallet would barely even notice it.
At this point, only people who barely use their PCs and have zero sensitive information on them can get away with simply using the built-in Windows 10/11 security software. But we guarantee that those people are extremely hard to find and that you’re not one of them, and here’s why.
Even if you don’t use your computer for things that are very obviously sensitive, such as internet banking, you still have some personal data at risk of being stolen. How so? Well, think about the data you enter into your social media profiles, for example. How devastating would it be if somebody got a hold of any of it? Yep, that’s what we thought.
Credit: FLY:D on Unsplash
In the hands of a skilled cybercriminal, your phone number alone could put you at risk of scams, ransomware, identity theft and more. Also think about the stuff you share in texts and social media chats. Think about the websites you visit and how many times you may have accidentally clicked on an ad, which could very well contain malicious software. Those all seem harmless until someone’s actually used them against you.
Now imagine the dangers involved when you actually store truly confidential data on your PC and browsers. Sends shivers down your spine, doesn’t it?
In the case of a successful cyberattack of whatever type (virus, phishing, worms, etc.), there’s so much that is at stake. Businesses/legal persons will suffer from financial loss and damaged reputation, at the very least. Natural persons may be threatened or exploited, get their banking or medical information and even their identity stolen, etc. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
These are our biggest reasons for investing in Windows PC protection software:
Cyberthreats are constantly evolving to the point where built-in or free software won’t cut it anymore.
Those working remotely can have peace of mind knowing both personal and business data is completely secure.
Businesses using top security solutions ensure their customers trust them.
Data breaches are a pain in the you-know-what to handle. Fighting a cyberattack and going back to normal is a demanding process, and not to mention the stress it’ll cause. We’d rather prevent all that by using trustworthy security products!
It helps parents worry a little less about their children’s safety in the online world.
Added bonus: with most products, you get an ad-free browsing experience!
Obviously, there are a lot more reasons to get your PC secured. But we think you get it. So let’s cut to the chase and take a look at our 6 favorite protection solutions and the wonders they can do for you.
*Note that in this article we’re looking at products primarily suited for households and home offices, some for small businesses. No enterprise solutions will make the list today, but stay tuned for a future article on those.
Top 6 best PC protection solutions
1. Bitdefender Total & Internet Security\
One of the biggest security product vendors out there, Bitdefender offers several awesome solutions. We want to introduce two of our favorites, Bitdefender Total Security and Bitdefender Internet Security.
Bitdefender Total Security is great for both households and smaller offices. You can choose to protect 5 or 10 devices, and not necessarily just Windows devices. It also works for macOS, Android and iOS. It offers a range of powerful features, such as:
Real-time data protection
Webcam and microphone protection
Device optimization options
Anti-phishing/-fraud/-spam technology
Ransomware protection
Anti-loss and anti-theft tools
VPN and privacy firewall
Anti-tracking technology
Parental controls
24/7 support
Bitdefender Internet Security shares almost all of these features, but there are a few important differences to note. Unlike Total Security, Internet Security has more options in terms of the number of protected devices: 1, 3, 5 or 10. However it’s only compatible with the Windows platform and it doesn’t offer device optimization tools or anti-theft options. Whether or not this is a deal-breaker depends on your needs alone - we still find it a great security tool.
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2. ESET Internet Security
An award-winning Windows security product, ESET Internet Security is essential on this list. It has an outstanding protection rate of 99.9% and a range of amazing options you’ll definitely want to make use of. It can be installed on up to 10 devices, making it an awesome tool for your household, home office or a small business. It’s also compatible with macOS and Android.
These are ESET Internet Security’s best features:
Protection against ransomware and spyware
Protection against malware specifically designed to avoid detection
In-depth scans when the computer is not in use
Firewall to prevent unauthorized access to your PC
Anti-spam tool
Anti-phishing and botnet protection technologies
Tool to scan your router and smart devices for vulnerabilities
Special browser for secure internet banking
Parental controls
Prevention of unauthorized webcam access
If you ask us, ESET has it all!
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3. Kaspersky Total & Internet Security
Having a deja vu? Didn’t you just read Total Security and Internet Security somewhere? Oh, that’s right - the first entry on our list! But here we’re talking about Kaspersky, a vendor you’ve also definitely heard about before.
Just like Bitdefender, Kaspersky is another one of those renowned names in the cybersecurity world that always make it to every ‘best of’ list. And for good reason - its products really fulfill their purpose. So let’s take a closer look at the two we chose.
These are the features both Kaspersky Total Security and Kaspersky Internet Security have in common:
Real-time virus and spyware blocking
Webcam protection
Wi-Fi security notifications
Advanced identity theft protection
Free technical support on several channels
Remote security management
Multiple devices (up to 10)
The main difference between Kaspersky Total Security and Internet Security is that the former offers more capabilities. These are the features KTS offers that KIS does not:
System cleanup
File shredding
Password management
Data backup and encryption
Both are excellent security tools, though we do prefer KTS a little more because of these additional options.
4. Norton 360 Deluxe
Of course one of the industry-leading solutions makes the list. Norton 360 Deluxe can protect up to 5 devices, be it Windows, iOS, macOS or Android. It’s worth noting that its features are best developed for Windows. Here’s what you get with Norton 360 Deluxe:
Protection against viruses, hackers, malware
100% virus protection promise
VPN included for all devices
Unlimited VPN on Windows
Password manager
Parental controls
So is there anything aside from these standard protection features that makes it such a favorite among us techies? Let us tell you! Norton added a little bit of spice here with two really powerful capabilities. The Deluxe product offers 50GB of cloud backup and dark web monitoring. The latter means the software notifies you if any of your personal information is found on the dark web, which helps protect you against identity theft.
Credit: Luke Peters on Unsplash
5. McAfee Antivirus
Don’t be misled by the name of this product. Antivirus software may have started as protection against viruses only, but it’s developed quite a lot. The name simply stuck. All that to say that McAfee Antivirus - another award-winning security solution - protects you against several different threats.
The basic and essential plan allow 1 and 5 devices respectively, while McAfee+ Premium and Advanced work on an unlimited number of devices. The latter two also offer more capabilities, as you can imagine. Here’s what you can expect from all of them:
Secure unlimited VPN
File shredder to delete sensitive files completely
Ultimate safety while browsing
Protection against hackers
100% virus protection promise
Advanced firewall to block dangerous traffic
Online support from specialists
Protection score (shows how safe you are and detects vulnerabilities)
Identity monitoring (notifies you if any of your information is on the dark web)
Password management
Unlike the previous products, McAfee Antivirus does not offer parental controls. Otherwise it’s a pretty strong and comprehensive protection tool and might just be the right choice for you!
6. Trend Micro Maximum Security
Last but definitely not least, we’ve got Maximum Security by Trend Micro. And yes, you guessed it, Trend Micro is also an award winner in terms of cybersecurity. Its products have been recognized as industry-leading security solutions by AV-Test since 2003. Among all its fantastic solutions, our favorite for households or small offices is Maximum Security.
You can use Trend Micro Maximum Security to protect 3-5 devices for a year or two years before needing to renew your license. Aside from Windows, it’s compatible with iOS, Android, Mac and Chromebook devices. Here’s what you can expect from this protection software:
Powerful malware protection
Phishing detection and prevention (email)
Password management and protection
Maximum security for online banking and shopping
System optimization
Social media privacy protection
Parental controls
24/7 technical support
No notifications during gaming
It’s truly one of the most effective platforms out there dedicated to protecting your digital life. Using this product, ransomware, identity thieves and malicious websites don’t stand a chance.
The bottom line
If you’ve made it all the way here, congratulations, you’ve made the right choice: to invest in securing your valuable data! Now the question is: which one of these 6 awesome antivirus/antimalware products to select?
The paradox of choice is a very real thing - we feel you. As mentioned, it comes down to what your specific needs are. So before you go ahead and purchase your security software, make sure to explore all options.
And if you really can’t handle the decision-making anxiety, feel free to reach out. We’ll happily assist you in finding the right product to keep your digital life secure!
If you encounter the BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO Blue Screen error in your Windows 10 PC, then read on as this post will guide you in fixing this issue. Usually, this kind of Blue Screen error is caused by some issues with the Boot Configuration Data file. The main issue inside of the Boot Configuration Data file is that either some boot order files or older files might be in conflict with the newer ones or the stable ones and thus triggering the BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO Blue Screen error.
This kind of Stop error also indicates that there is an error in the Windows Registry which is why you need to update potential culprit drivers as well as edit some entries in the Registry if need be. But before you get started, make sure that you create a System Restore Point first. After creating a System Restore Point, try to boot your computer into Safe Mode and then restart your computer normally. However, if it doesn’t work, proceed to the given options below.
Option 1 – Run System Restore
Performing System Restore might help you in fixing the BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO Blue Screen 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 2 – Update or rollback your device drivers
If the first option didn’t work for you, then it’s time to either update or roll back the device drivers. It is most likely that after you updated your Windows computer that your driver also needs a refresh. On the other hand, if you have just updated your device drivers then you need to roll back the drivers to their previous versions. Whichever applies to you, refer to the steps below.
Open the Devices Manager from the Win X Menu.
Then locate the device drivers and right-click on them to open the Properties.
After that, switch to the Driver tab and click on the Uninstall Device button.
Follow the screen option to completely uninstall it.
Finally, restart your computer. It will just reinstall the device drivers automatically.
Note: You can install a dedicated driver on your computer in case you have it or you could also look for it directly from the website of the manufacturer.
Option 3 – Try fixing the Windows Registry files
In order to fix the Windows Registry files, you need to make a bootable Windows 10 USB drive and then boot your PC using it. To do so, refer to the steps below.
Once you see the Welcome Screen, click on Next.
Then click on the “Repair your computer” option located on the bottom-left section of the window.
Next, click on Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
After opening Command Prompt, execute each one of the commands listed below in the sequence that they are given:
CD C:WindowsSystem32config
ren C:WindowsSystem32configDEFAULT DEFAULT.old
ren C:WindowsSystem32configSAM SAM.old
ren C:WindowsSystem32configSECURITY SECURITY.old
ren C:WindowsSystem32configSOFTWARE SOFTWARE.old
ren C:WindowsSystem32configSYSTEM SYSTEM.old
After executing the commands given above, type in the next ones below and make sure to execute them in the given sequence below.
On the other hand, you can also fix the BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO Blue Screen error by running a Memory Check using the Windows Memory Diagnostic. Refer to these steps to do so.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “mdsched.exe” in the field and hit Enter to open the Windows Memory Diagnostic.
After that, the Windows Memory Diagnostic will give out two options such as:
Restart now and check for problems (recommended)
Check for problems the next time I start my computer
Select any of the given options. After that, your computer will restart and check for memory-based issues upon the restart. If there are any issues, it will automatically them.
Option 5 – Rebuild BCD files and repair MBR files
Like what you did on the third option above, you also have to make a bootable Windows 10 USB drive for this option and then boot your Windows 10 PC using it.
Once you get to the Welcome Screen part, click on Next.
Afterward, click on the Repair your computer option located on the bottom-left part of the window.
Then click on Troubleshoot.
Next, select the Advanced Options and then Command Prompt.
Once Command Prompt has been pulled up, enter each one of the following commands and in the sequence that they are given to rebuild BCD files and repair MBR files:
bootrec /repairbcd
bootrec /osscan
bootrec /repairmbr
Now type “exit” to close Command Prompt and then restart your computer to successfully apply the changes made.