Sadooma is a Browser Extension for Google Chrome. This extension offers users the ability to search for any trending news on the web.
This extension changes your default search engine to Yahoo, and while active it changes the displayed ads on your browser, allowing it to make revenue on every ad you click. While this is not inherently malicious, the extension redirects your search to its servers first before forwarding it to yahoo and displaying search results. The information that is sent back to the servers contains your browsing data & visited web pages. As this represents a security and privacy risk, Sadooma is classified as a browser hijacker for its potentially unwanted functions and poor user experience.
From the Author:
We’ve got what you need! If you are like us, addicted to interesting viral content, you’ve reached the best place for this. Sadooma will help you to find what is trending right now on the internet in an easy and immediate way. Privacy – We don’t share your information with others. Trending Content – New viral content every day Up to Date – We update sources to keep things fresh. Made with Love – Our content is safe and suitable for all ages.
About Browser Hijackers
Browser hijacking is a type of unwanted software, commonly a browser add-on or extension, which then causes modifications in the web browser’s settings. Browser hijackers can do more than simply modifying home pages. It redirects you to the sponsored sites and inserts advertisements on the internet browser that helps its creator generate earnings. A lot of people think that these types of sites are legitimate and harmless but that is not true. Nearly all browser hijackers pose an existent threat to your online safety and it is vital to classify them under privacy dangers. In a much worst case, your web browser could be hijacked to download malicious software that will do a lot of damage to your computer.
Indications of browser hijack
There are many symptoms that point to a browser hijacking: you see unauthorized modifications to your web browser’s homepage; you get re-directed to sites you never intended to visit; default web engine is modified; you’re getting browser toolbars you haven’t noticed before; your internet browser will display constant pop-up windows; your web browser starts running slowly or presents frequent errors; You can’t access certain websites, particularly anti-virus websites.
How they get into your computer or laptop
Browser hijackers infect computers via malicious email attachments, downloaded infected computer files, or by visiting infected sites. Many web browser hijackings originate from add-on software, i.e., browser helper objects (BHO), toolbars, or extensions added to web browsers to give them extra features. Browser hijackers sneak to your computer along with free software application downloads that you unknowingly install alongside the original. An example of some well-known browser hijacker includes Conduit, Anyprotect, Babylon, SweetPage, DefaultTab, RocketTab, and Delta Search, but the names are regularly changing.
Removal
Certain browser hijacking could be quite easily stopped by finding and removing the corresponding malware application from your control panel. But, the majority of hijackers are really tenacious and require specialized applications to remove them. You should think about undertaking manual repairs only if you’re a tech-savvy individual, as potential risks are associated with fiddling with the system registry and HOSTS file.
You might opt for automatic browser hijacker removal methods by simply installing and running a reliable anti-malware application. One of the top tools for correcting browser hijacker malware is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. It can help you remove any pre-existing malware in your computer and gives you real-time monitoring and protection from the latest internet threats. Together with the anti-malware tool, a system optimizer will help you in removing all linked files and modifications in the computer registry automatically.
What To Do When You Cannot Install Any Antivirus?
All malware is inherently dangerous, but certain kinds of malware do a lot more damage to your computer than others. Some malware variants modify internet browser settings by including a proxy server or change the computer’s DNS configurations. In such cases, you’ll be unable to visit some or all websites, and thus unable to download or install the required security software to clear out the computer virus. If you are reading this, you may have infected by a virus that prevents you from downloading computer security software like Safebytes Anti-Malware. Although this sort of issue will be difficult to circumvent, there are some steps you can take.
Make use of Safe Mode to resolve the problem
In Safe Mode, you could adjust Windows settings, un-install or install some programs, and eliminate hard-to-delete malware. If the malicious software is set to load immediately when the computer starts, switching into this mode may well prevent it from doing so. In order to enter into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press the F8 key while the computer is starting up or run MSCONFIG and locate the “Safe Boot” options under the “Boot” tab. Once you are in safe mode, you can try to download and install your anti-malware software program without the hindrance of malicious software. After installation, run the malware scanner to eliminate most standard infections.
Switch to some other browser
Malicious code may exploit vulnerabilities on a specific internet browser and block access to all anti-virus software websites. When you suspect that your Internet Explorer happens to be hijacked by a computer virus or otherwise compromised by hackers, the best plan of action is to switch to a different internet browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari to download your chosen security application – Safebytes Anti-Malware.
Install and run anti-virus from your Thumb drive
Another solution is to save and run an antivirus program entirely from a USB drive. Try these simple actions to clear up your infected PC using a portable antivirus. 1) Make use of another virus-free PC to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug the Flash drive into the clean computer. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the antivirus software to run the Installation Wizard. 4) Select the drive letter of the flash drive as the location when the wizard asks you where you would like to install the anti-virus. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation process. 5) Remove the pen drive. You may now use this portable anti-malware on the infected computer. 6) Double click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the flash drive to run the program. 7) Run Full System Scan to identify and get rid of all kinds of malware.
Let's Talk About SafeBytes Anti-Malware!
If you are looking to download the anti-malware program for your computer, there are several tools in the market to consider however, you cannot trust blindly anyone, no matter whether it is paid or free program. Some of them do a great job in getting rid of malware threats while some will affect your PC themselves. You have to purchase a tool that has got a good reputation and detects not just viruses but other sorts of malware as well. One of the recommended tools by industry analysts is SafeBytes Anti-Malware, the safest program for Microsoft Windows.
SafeBytes anti-malware is a powerful, very effective protection software made to assist users of all levels of IT literacy in finding and removing malicious threats out of their personal computers. Using its cutting-edge technology, this application will help you get rid of several types of malware including computer viruses, PUPs, trojans, worms, ransomware, adware, and browser hijackers.
There are many great features you’ll get with this security product. Below are some of the highlighted features included in the tool.
Real-time Threat Response: SafeBytes provides round-the-clock protection for your PC restricting malware intrusions instantly. It will regularly monitor your laptop or computer for hacker activity and also provides users with advanced firewall protection.
World-class AntiMalware Protection: Safebytes is made on the best virus engine in the industry. These engines will find and get rid of threats even during the early phases of a malware outbreak.
Faster Scanning: This software has got one of the quickest and most effective virus scanning engines in the industry. The scans are very accurate and take a short amount of time to complete.
Safe Web Browsing: SafeBytes provides an instant safety rating on the web pages you are about to check out, automatically blocking unsafe sites and make sure that you’re certain of your online safety while browsing the net.
Lightweight Tool: SafeBytes is a lightweight and user-friendly anti-virus and antimalware solution. Since it uses minimal computer resources, this application leaves the computer’s power exactly where it belongs to: with you actually.
24/7 Online Technical Support: You could get high levels of support round the clock if you’re using their paid software.
To sum it up, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is pretty great for securing your laptop or computer against all sorts of malware threats. There is no doubt that your computer will be protected in real-time as soon as you put this software to use. So if you’re trying to find a comprehensive antivirus program that’s still simple enough to use, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is exactly what you will need!
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
If you don’t want to use malware removal software and prefer to eliminate Sadooma manually, you could do so by going to the Add/Remove Programs menu in the Control Panel and removing the offending software; in cases of browser add-ons, you may uninstall it by visiting the browser’s Add-on/Extension manager. You might even want to reset your browser settings, as well as clear your web browser cache and cookies.
In order to ensure the complete removal, manually examine your hard disk and registry for all the following and eliminate or reset the values as needed. However, editing the Windows registry is actually a complicated job that only advanced users and professionals should try to fix it. In addition, certain malicious programs have the capability to defend against its deletion. You are encouraged to do this procedure in Safe Mode.
PC Fix Speed is a Potentially Unwanted Program designed to improve the speed of your computer. This program usually comes bundled with other software, and when installs automatically scan your PC and displays exaggerated messages on the status of the PC’s performance, to get users to pay for the PRO version of the software. It also adds registry entities that allow it to run each time the computer is started, and the application itself will constantly keep reminding users that they have errors by putting the application windows on top.
From the Author: The Service is provided by PCRx through Crawler, LLC. Clean and repair your PC’s registry, optimize PC performance and free up disk and memory space. With everything you do on your PC, including adding on devices, a new entry is created in your Windows® registry, and seldom are any removed after they’re no longer needed. As a result, your PC gets bogged down with unnecessary entries, slowing your PC speed, the start-up, and your Internet browser. PC Fix Speed cleans up registry entries and puts your PC back on track for optimal performance. PC Fix Speed is an essential application that should be a part of every computer. PC Fix Speed especially helps computers that are unusually slow, freeze up often or show error messages, by cleaning the system registry and improving overall performance.
About Potentially Unwanted Applications
If you have ever downloaded software from the internet (shareware, freeware, etc,), it’s quite possible you’ve unconsciously installed unwanted programs on your computer system. A Potentially Unwanted Program, often known as PUP, in short, is software that contains adware, installs toolbars, or has other hidden goals. These kinds of programs are usually bundled up with free applications that you download from the internet or will also be bundled inside the custom installers on many download sites.
It’s clear by its name – unwanted programs – but did not actually constitute “malware” in the traditional sense. An important difference between malware and PUP is distribution. Malware is normally dropped through vulnerability exploitation while PUP gets installed with the consent of the user, who intentionally or unwittingly approves the PUP installation on their computer. PUP developers can argue their programs aren’t malicious software however, it can nevertheless be unsafe software and put your PC at risk much the same way malware does.
Exactly how do PUPs look like?
Unwanted programs come in various forms. More often, they can be found in adware bundlers which are known to utilize aggressive and misleading advertising. Most bundlers install many adware programs from a number of vendors, each of which possesses its own EULA policy. Safebytes Anti-malware entirely eliminates this threat and safeguards your computer against unwanted programs or adware infection. Several PUPs also show up as toolbars or add-ons, mounted on your preferred web browser. These toolbars change your homepage and your search engine in the installed browser, track your web activities, control your search results with redirects and sponsored links, and eventually slow down your browser and diminish your web browsing experience.
Potentially Unwanted Programs occasionally act very much like viruses or spyware. Some PUPs carry keyloggers, dialers, and other software to collect your personal details that can cause identity theft. Because of this unwanted program, your application may freeze, your security protections can get disabled which could leave your computer susceptible, your system may get ruined, and the list goes on and on.
Some tips on protecting yourself from PUPs
• Read meticulously before you install anything. Don’t click accept until you have read the fine print. There could be a clause about PUPs.• Use ONLY custom or manual install method – and don’t blindly click Next, Next, Next.• Use good anti-malware software. Try Safebytes Anti-malware which can spot PUPs and handle them as malware by flagging them for removal.• Be alert if you install freeware, open-source programs, or shareware. Disable or eliminate toolbars and browser extensions you don’t really need.• Only download applications from the original providers’ websites. Avoid download portals since they use their very own download manager to pack additional programs together with the initial download.
Remember the fact that although PUPs could cause damage and hinder the proper function of the computer, they can’t get into your system without your consent, so be watchful not to provide them with it.
What To Do If You Cannot Install Any Antivirus?
Malware could cause a great deal of damage to your PC. Some malware sits in between your PC and your net connection and blocks some or all internet sites that you would like to check out. It could also prevent you from adding anything to your PC, especially the antivirus program. So what should you do when malware prevents you from downloading or installing Anti-Malware? Although this kind of issue will be tougher to get around, there are some steps you can take.
Start your computer in Safe Mode
If the malware is set to load at Windows start-up, then booting in Safe Mode should prevent it. Only the bare minimum required applications and services are loaded whenever you start your laptop or computer into Safe Mode. Listed below are the steps you should follow to boot into the Safe Mode of your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computers (check out the Microsoft website for instructions on Windows 8 and 10 PCs).
1) At power-on/startup, tap the F8 key in 1-second intervals. This will bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu.2) Make use of the arrow keys to select Safe Mode with Networking and press ENTER.3) When you are into this mode, you will have an internet connection again. Now, use your web browser to download and install an anti-malware program.4) After the application is installed, allow the diagnostic scan run to eliminate trojans and other threats automatically.
Switch to an alternate web browser
Web-based viruses could be environment-specific, aiming for a particular internet browser or attacking specific versions of the web browser. The ideal way to avoid this problem is to select an internet browser that is well known for its security features. Firefox contains built-in Malware and Phishing Protection to keep you safe online.
Make a bootable USB anti-virus drive
Here’s yet another solution which is using a portable USB anti-malware software package that can check your computer for malware without needing installation. To run anti-virus from a USB drive, follow these simple steps:
1) Make use of another virus-free PC to download Safebytes Anti-Malware.2) Plug in the pen drive to a USB port on the uninfected computer.3) Double-click the executable file to run the installation wizard.4) Choose a USB drive as the location when the wizard asks you where you want to install the application. Follow the instructions on the computer screen to finish off the installation process.5) Now, insert the USB drive into the corrupted PC.6) Double-click the EXE file to run the Safebytes tool right from the thumb drive.7) Click the “Scan” button to run a full system scan and remove viruses automatically.
SafeBytes AntiMalware Overview
Want to download the best anti-malware software program for your system? There are various applications available that come in free and paid versions for Microsoft Windows systems. A few are good ones, some are decent, while some are merely bogus anti-malware programs that can damage your personal computer themselves! When searching for an anti-malware tool, select one which gives dependable, efficient, and complete protection against all known viruses and malware. On the list of highly recommended software is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. SafeBytes carries a superb track record of excellent service, and customers appear to be happy with it.
SafeBytes can be described as a powerful, real-time antivirus application that is created to assist the typical computer end user in protecting their PC from malicious threats. This tool can easily detect, remove, and protect your computer from the most advanced malware intrusions including adware, spyware, trojan horses, ransomware, worms, PUPs, parasites, and other potentially harmful software programs.
There are plenty of amazing features you will get with this particular security product. Here are some of the features you will like in SafeBytes.
Active Protection: SafeBytes provides a totally hands-free active protection that is set to observe, block, and remove all computer threats at its first encounter. This utility will always keep track of your PC for suspicious activity and updates itself continuously to keep abreast of the constantly changing threat landscape.
Anti-Malware Protection: This deep-cleaning anti-malware software goes much deeper than most antivirus tools to clean your computer system. Its critically acclaimed virus engine finds and disables hard-to-remove malware that hides deep inside your PC.
Web protection: Through its unique safety rating, SafeBytes informs you whether a site is safe or not to access it. This will make sure that you’re always certain of your online safety when browsing the web.
Low Memory/CPU Usage: SafeBytes is a lightweight and easy-of-use anti-virus and antimalware solution. As it uses very little computer resources, this application leaves the computer’s power exactly where it belongs: with you.
24/7 Premium Support: SafeBytes provides 24/7 technical support, automatic maintenance, and updates for the best user experience.
SafeBytes has developed a wonderful anti-malware solution that can help you conquer the latest malware threats and virus attacks. You can rest assured that your computer system will be protected in real-time as soon as you put this software to use. So if you need sophisticated forms of protection features and threat detections, purchasing SafeBytes Anti-Malware will be well worth the dollars!
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
If you do not want to use malware removal software and prefer to get rid of PC Fix Speed manually, you might do so by going to the Add/Remove Programs menu in the control panel and removing the offending software; in cases of web browser plug-ins, you could un-install it by going to the browser’s Add-on/Extension manager. You will definitely also want to reset your browser.
Finally, examine your hard drive for all of the following and clean your computer registry manually to remove leftover application entries after uninstalls. However, this is a tough task and only computer professionals can perform it safely. Moreover, some malware keeps replicating which makes it tough to get rid of. It is advised that you carry out the removal procedure in Windows Safe Mode.
Error code 0x800704c7 occurs when Windows users attempt to update their system. It affects various Windows users including those using Windows 7, Windows 8, and 8.1 and Windows 10. It usually occurs due to poor maintenance of the system and includes common symptoms such as the following:
Inability to upgrade your Windows operating system
Message box with error code 0x800704c7
Solution
Error Causes
Error code 0x800704c7 in Windows 10 can occur due to several reasons. For instance, it may be due to corrupted or missing system files. It may also result from malicious programs affecting your system or occur when a program or several programs are running in the background of one’s system while the user attempts to run the update.
To correct this issue, Windows users will need to select one or a few methods, depending on the issues affecting their PC.
Further Information and Manual Repair
Some of the best solutions for error code 0x800704c7 available to Windows users including using tools to scan for missing systems files or correct other issues inherent within your system.
These methods may include the use of Command Prompt and the performance of technical repair procedures. If you are uncertain of your skills, avoid compounding the issue or causing further damage to your PC by contacting a skilled Windows repair technician. This IT professional will be best equipped to use Windows tools and other methods to resolve error code 0x800704c7.
Method One: Scan Your System for Missing or Corrupt System Files
Using System File Checker Tool (SFC), Windows users can check their system for missing o corrupt system files. These utility tools within your Windows device will be able to replace missing files and repair corrupted ones, resulting in a more efficient system. Run this tool by following the steps below:
Step One: Go to Start and type Command Prompt or CMD.
Step Two: Run as Administrator
Step Three: Type sfc /scannow. (Be sure to place a space between “sfc” and “/scannow”).
After running these procedures, check if the error code has been resolved. Go to Settings > Update & security > Windows Update. Update your Windows operating system. If error code 0x800704c7 reoccurs, you will need to try the next method below.
Method Two: Restore your System
System Restore is one of the best manual repair solutions Windows users can apply when they come across error codes like error code 0x800704c7. That’s because this method requires no technical or advanced knowledge and therefore can be performed by anyone. Simply follow the steps below to restore your system to a period of time in the past where the error was not present on your system. If done correctly, this could enable you to resolve the issue with little frustration on your part.
Step one: Type Control Panel in the search bar near the Start button
Step two: Select Control Panel, then Recovery
Step three: Select System Restore then click Next
Step four: Select a restore point before appeared on your Windows 10 system
Step five: Select Next then Finish
Note that once System Restore is enabled it will remove drivers, apps, and even updates installed after the restore point. For this reason, be careful to choose the most appropriate restore point. Also once you’ve completed this task, check to see if you are able to update your system. If the update stops before the process is complete and a message box occurs with the error code 0x800704c7, proceed to the next manual repair option below.
Method Three: Check for and Remove Malware
Viruses or other forms of malware can adversely affect your system, causing error codes and other issues to take place. To resolve error code 0x800704c7 in Windows 10, check for and remove malware using a reputable anti-malware program.
If no anti-virus software is present on your system or if you scan your device but fail to spot an issue, proceed to method four.
Method Four: Use an Automated Tool
This method involves the use of a powerful automated tool. But why is this important you might ask? A third-party tool is often the best solution when all manual repair efforts fail. Automated tools come equipped to tackle the most serious PC problems including error codes which can cause frustration and result in reduces PC performance.
CyboScan PC Optimizer is promoted as a useful program that helps you clean unnecessary files and registry entries on the Windows Operating System. When installed CyboScan PC Optimizer will automatically scan your computer for issues. Upon reviewing the scan results, it was discovered that most, if not all of these issues were exaggerated, and removing them will not give the promised speed boost. The CyboScan PC Optimizer program appears to scan the Registry for installed anti-virus and anti-spyware shields and may recommend users to install products from partners. This Potentially Unwanted Program comes bundled with other Potentially Unwanted Applications that may harm your Operating System or lead to information compromise.
CyboScan PC Optimizer is also known as MySoftScans PC Cleaner, none of these offer any details about the development company and users will end up paying a fee of up to 99.95USD every 3 months for using the program.
About Potentially Unwanted Applications
You have encountered it – you download a free application, then you discover some unwanted applications on your computer or discover a strange toolbar has been added to your web browser. You did not install them, so how did they appear? These unwanted programs, which are called Potentially Unwanted Programs, or PUPs in short, typically tag along as a software bundle when downloading the application and can result in major problems for computer users.
The idea of PUP was actually coined to outline this crapware as something other than malicious software. This is because, the majority of PUPs get into a computer not because they slip via the security holes, for instance, but mainly because the users have installed them themselves – 100 % unintentionally needless to say. Even though a PUP isn’t really malware by definition, it could nevertheless be dangerous software that puts the computer at risk exactly the same way a virus does.
Exactly how do unwanted programs look like?
Unwanted programs can be found in many forms. Typically, they could be found in adware bundlers which are known to utilize aggressive and misleading advertising. The majority of bundlers install many adware applications from several companies, each of which has its own EULA policy. Safebytes Anti-malware completely eliminates this threat and protects your machine against PUP or adware infection. Also, the majority of free programs nowadays come with a few unwanted add-ons; in most cases a web browser toolbar or browser modification such as a homepage hijacker. They may track your online routines, redirect your search results to unsafe websites where viruses can be downloaded and installed, hijack your search page, and slow your browser down to a crawl.
PUPs lie inside the gray part of the software spectrum. Some PUPs contain keyloggers, dialers, and other software to gather your individual information which often can lead to identity theft. These are software programs that don’t really do anything useful to you; in addition to taking over space on the hard disk, they also slow down your computer, often alter settings without your permission, and the list of bothersome features goes on and on.
How one can prevent PUPs
• Read carefully before agreeing to the license agreement as it might possess a clause about PUPs.• Always pick the custom if you’re provided a choice between Recommended and Custom Installations – never click Next, Next, Next blindly.• Install reputable antivirus software, just like Safebytes Anti-malware that offers real-time protection against PUPs.• Do not download free applications or shareware unless you actually need it. Disable or remove toolbars and browser extensions you don’t actually need.• Always download software from the original site. The majority of PUPs find their way onto your PC is via download portals, so steer clear of it entirely.
Remember that although PUPs can cause damage and hinder the proper functioning of your computer, they can’t enter into your computer without your permission, so be watchful not to give it to them.
Malware Blocking Internet And All Anti-Malware Software? Do This!
Malware can cause all kinds of damage when they invade your system, starting from stealing sensitive details to erasing files on your computer. Some malware variants modify web browser settings by adding a proxy server or modify the computer’s DNS settings. In such cases, you will be unable to visit some or all of the internet sites, and therefore unable to download or install the necessary security software to get rid of the computer virus. If you’re reading this article, odds are you’re stuck with a virus infection that is preventing you to download and/or install the Safebytes Anti-Malware program on your PC. There are a few options you can try to get around with this issue.
Make use of Safe Mode to resolve the issue
Safe Mode is a unique, simplified version of Windows in which just essential services are loaded to stop malware and also other problematic applications from loading. In the event, the malware is set to load automatically when the computer boots, switching to this particular mode may well prevent it from doing so. To start the computer into Safe Mode, hit the “F8” key on your keyboard right before the Windows logo screen shows up; Or after normal Windows boot up, run MSConfig, check “Safe Boot” under Boot tab, and then click Apply. Once you’re in Safe Mode, you can try to download and install your antivirus software application without the hindrance of the malicious software. Right after installation, run the malware scanner to remove most standard infections.
Utilize an alternate internet browser to download antivirus software
Some malware only targets certain browsers. If this is your case, use another internet browser as it may circumvent the virus. If you’re not able to download the antivirus application using Internet Explorer, it means malware may be targeting IE’s vulnerabilities. Here, you should switch to an alternate web browser like Firefox or Chrome to download Safebytes software.
Create a portable antivirus for removing malware
Here’s another solution which is using portable USB anti-malware software that can scan your system for viruses without the need for installation. Abide by these steps to run the anti-virus on the affected computer system.
1) On a virus-free computer, install Safebytes Anti-Malware.2) Plug the Flash drive into the uninfected computer.3) Double click on the executable file to run the installation wizard.4) Choose the USB stick as the location for saving the file. Follow activation instructions.5) Transfer the thumb drive from the uninfected computer to the infected PC.6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the USB drive by double-clicking the icon.7) Click on “Scan Now” to run a scan on the infected computer for malware.
Protect Your Personal Computer From Viruses and Malware With SafeBytes Security Suite
If you’re looking to install an anti-malware program for your computer, there are various tools on the market to consider but you should not trust blindly anyone, irrespective of whether it is a free or paid program. Some of them do a great job in eliminating threats while some will ruin your PC themselves. When searching for an antivirus program, pick one that provides solid, efficient, and comprehensive protection against all known viruses and malware. On the list of highly recommended software by industry leaders is SafeBytes Anti-Malware, popular security software for Windows computers.
Safebytes is among the well-established PC solutions companies, which provide this all-inclusive anti-malware software program. With its most advanced virus detection and repair technology, this software will help you protect your PC against infections caused by different kinds of malware and other internet threats, including spyware, adware, viruses, worms, trojans, keyloggers, potentially unwanted program (PUPs), and ransomware.
SafeBytes anti-malware provides an array of enhanced features that sets it apart from all others. Here are some of the good ones:
Real-time Active Protection: SafeBytes gives complete and real-time security for your personal machine. It will constantly monitor your pc for hacker activity and also gives users superior firewall protection.
Antimalware Protection: This deep-cleaning antimalware software program goes much deeper than most antivirus tools to clean out your computer. Its critically acclaimed virus engine detects and disables hard-to-remove malware that hides deep within your PC.
Web Security: Safebytes allots all sites a unique safety ranking that helps you to get an idea of whether the webpage you’re going to visit is safe to view or known to be a phishing site.
Extremely Speed Scanning: This software has got one of the quickest and most powerful virus scanning engines in the industry. The scans are extremely accurate and take a short amount of time to complete.
Lightweight:SafeBytes is a lightweight and easy-to-use anti-virus and anti-malware solution. Since it utilizes low computer resources, this program leaves the computer power exactly where it belongs: with you.
24/7 Guidance: You can get 24/7 technical assistance to promptly resolve any concern with your security tool.
On the whole, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is a solid program as it has lots of features and can detect and eliminate any potential threats. Once you have downloaded and installed this software, you will no longer have to worry about malware or any other security worries. If you need sophisticated forms of protection features & threat detections, buying SafeBytes Anti-Malware could be worth the dollars!
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
If you wish to manually get rid of CyboScan PC Optimizer without the use of an automated tool, it might be possible to do so by removing the application from the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser plug-ins, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You will likely also want to reset your internet browser.
In order to ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard disk and computer registry for all of the following and remove or reset the values accordingly. Having said that, editing the registry is actually a difficult task that only advanced users and professionals should try to fix the problem. Furthermore, certain malware keeps replicating which makes it tough to remove. You’re suggested to do this procedure in Safe Mode.
Files:
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Cyboscan PC Optimizer
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Cyboscan PC Optimizer
%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Cyboscan\Cyboscan PC Optimizer
Registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\[APPLICATION]\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall..Uninstaller
E55FEFEA-F506-47DC-A76E-9F7668D6E5C9
SearchApp by Blpsearch is a Browser Hijacker that is presently targeting Google Chrome browsers. It is offered as a tool gives user enhanced online search experience. Search App also has other amazing tools that let you quickly search the web from a new tab window.
This extension changed your home page and new tab search to blpsearch. While installing you will see additional ads and sponsored links displaying throughout your browsing sessions. It collects user browsing information and uses it to better serve sponsored content.
About Browser Hijackers
Browser hijacking means a malicious code has control over and altered the settings of your web browser, without your approval. There are numerous reasons why you might experience an internet browser hijack; however commercial, marketing, and advertising are the key reasons for their creation. Generally, hijackers will force hits to websites of their preference either to increase web traffic generating higher ad earnings, or to obtain a commission for every user visiting there. Nonetheless, it is not that naive. Your internet safety is jeopardized and it is also very annoying. In a much worst case, your browser could be hi-jacked to download malicious software that will do a lot of damage to your computer or laptop.
Find out how to identify a browser hijack
Symptoms that your internet browser is hijacked include: your web browser’s homepage is suddenly different; bookmark and the new tab are also modified; the default browser configurations have been changed and/or your default web engine is altered; unsolicited new toolbars are added to your web browser; you observe numerous ads appear on your web browsers or display screen; your browser has instability issues or displays frequent errors; Inability to navigate to certain sites, especially anti-malware and other computer security software sites.
How it infects your personal computer
Browser hijackers can enter a PC by some means or other, for example via file sharing, downloads, and email too. Many internet browser hijackings come from add-on applications, i.e., toolbars, browser helper objects (BHO), or extensions added to web browsers to provide them extra capabilities. Some browser hijackers spread in user’s computers by using a deceptive software distribution strategy known as “bundling” (generally through shareware and freeware). Examples of popular browser hijackers are Fireball, GoSave, Ask Toolbar, CoolWebSearch, RocketTab, and Babylon Toolbar.
Browser hijackers may record user keystrokes to gather potentially important information leading to privacy issues, cause instability on systems, drastically disrupt the user experience, and ultimately slow down the system to a stage where it becomes unusable.
How to repair a browser hijack
The one thing you could try to remove a browser hijacker is to discover the malicious software within the “Add or Remove Programs” list of the Windows Control Panel. It might or might not be there. When it is, uninstall it. Yet, some hijackers will be more difficult to locate or remove since they might get themselves associated with certain important computer files that enable it to operate as a necessary operating-system process. You should think about carrying out manual fixes only if you’re a tech-savvy individual because there are negative consequences associated with messing around with the system registry and HOSTS file.
Installing and running antivirus software on the affected computer could automatically erase browser hijackers and other malicious programs. Safebytes Anti-Malware features a cutting-edge anti-malware engine to help you prevent browser hijacker infection in the first place, and clean up any existing issues. Together with the anti-malware tool, a PC optimizer, can help you in getting rid of all linked files and modifications in the computer registry automatically.
What To Do If You Cannot Install Any Anti-Malware?
Malware can cause plenty of damage to your personal computer. Some malware goes to great lengths to stop you from downloading or installing anything on your computer, particularly anti-virus software programs. If you are reading this now, you’ve perhaps realized that a malware infection is a reason behind your blocked net traffic. So how to proceed if you need to download and install an antivirus application such as Safebytes? There are a few steps you can take to circumvent this problem.
Install anti-virus in Safe Mode with Networking
In Safe Mode, you can actually change Windows settings, uninstall or install some program, and eradicate hard-to-delete malware. In the event the malware is obstructing the internet connection and affecting your computer, running it in Safe Mode allows you to download antivirus and run a scan whilst limiting potential damage. To boot into Safe Mode, hit the “F8” key on the keyboard right before the Windows boot screen shows up; Or right after normal Windows boot up, run MSConfig, check Safe Boot under Boot tab, and click Apply. Once you’re in Safe Mode, you can attempt to install your antivirus software program without the hindrance of the malware. Following installation, run the malware scanner to eliminate most standard infections.
Use an alternate browser to download security software
Some malware only targets particular web browsers. If this is your situation, use another web browser as it could circumvent the virus. In the event you suspect that your Internet Explorer happens to be hijacked by a virus or otherwise compromised by cybercriminals, the most effective thing to do is to switch to an alternate web browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari to download your chosen security program – Safebytes Anti-Malware.
Install antivirus on a flash drive
Here’s yet another solution which is utilizing a portable USB anti-virus software that can scan your system for malware without needing installation. Do these simple steps to clear up your affected computer using a portable antivirus.
1) On a clean PC, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware.2) Connect the flash drive to a USB port on the clean computer.3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded application, which has a .exe file extension.4) Select thumb drive as the place when the wizard asks you where you want to install the application. Follow the directions to finish the installation process.5) Transfer the USB drive from the clean computer to the infected computer.6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the pen drive by double-clicking the icon.7) Click “Scan Now” to run a scan on the affected computer for viruses.
Protect your Computer against Malware With SafeBytes Security Suite
If you’re looking to download the anti-malware program for your PC, there are various tools in the market to consider but you just cannot trust blindly anyone, irrespective of whether it is paid or free program. Some of them are excellent, some are ok types, and some will ruin your computer themselves! When searching for anti-malware software, pick one that offers reliable, efficient, and complete protection against all known computer viruses and malware. In terms of commercial tool options, most people go with well-known brands, like SafeBytes, and are quite happy with it.
SafeBytes anti-malware is a powerful, highly effective protection tool created to help users of all levels of computer literacy in identifying and eliminating harmful threats out of their computer. Through its cutting-edge technology, this software protects your personal computer against infections brought on by different types of malware and other threats, including spyware, adware, computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, keyloggers, potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), and ransomware.
SafeBytes anti-malware offers a myriad of enhanced features that sets it apart from all others. Listed below are some of the features you might like in SafeBytes.
World-class AntiMalware Protection: Using its enhanced and sophisticated algorithm, this malware elimination tool can identify and eliminate the malware threats hiding in your PC effectively.
Active Protection: SafeBytes gives round-the-clock protection for your computer restricting malware attacks in real-time. This software will always keep track of your PC for suspicious activity and updates itself regularly to keep abreast of the latest threats.
Website Filtering: SafeBytes checks and gives a unique safety rating to every single website you visit and block access to web pages considered to be phishing sites, thus safeguarding you against identity theft, or known to contain malware.
Light-weight: SafeBytes is a lightweight and user-friendly antivirus and anti-malware solution. As it utilizes minimal computer resources, this program leaves the computer’s power exactly where it belongs to: with you.
Fantastic Tech Support: You can get high levels of support round the clock if you’re using their paid software.
To sum it up all, SafeBytes Anti-Malware gives you outstanding protection combined with very low system resource usage with both great malware detection and prevention. Once you’ve installed SafeBytes Anti-Malware, you no longer need to worry about malware or any other security concerns. So when you need advanced forms of protection features and threat detections, purchasing SafeBytes Anti-Malware could be worth the dollars!
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
If you don’t wish to use an automated tool and prefer to remove SearchApp manually, you could possibly do so by going to the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu in the control panel and deleting the offending program; in cases of browser extensions, you can uninstall it by going to the browser’s Add-on/Extension manager. You’ll probably also want to totally reset your internet browser to its default configuration settings.
In order to ensure the complete removal, manually examine your hard drive and registry for all the following and eliminate or reset the values as needed. But bear in mind, this is often a difficult task and only computer professionals can perform it safely. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. It is advisable that you carry out the removal procedure in Safe Mode.
QuickLook app is one of the best options to preview files without opening them in Windows 10. It works similar to the Quick Look feature of macOS. This Microsoft Store app has some really interesting features. It lets you preview images, documents, and media files. Also, just a hotkey is needed to preview the content of a file. There is no interface for the app. Only a preview window is visible.
You can also expand the preview window to full size. Apart from that, it lets you keep the preview window on top of the other opened applications. For image files, it also provides the EXIF data.
After installing this app, just select some file that you want to preview, and press the Spacebar key. That’s it! The preview window will open immediately to view the file content.
If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit errortools.com daily.
Sometimes, some applications after they are installed will put their shortcut in the context menu (right-click on desktop) for easy access, most of the time these are some system tied applications like AMD and Nvidia control panels or archives like WinRAR or 7ZIP but it can happen even for some usual application to do this.
There are some applications that you use frequently and they could be worth putting in the context menu, if you want to avoid clutter on the desktop or in the taskbar this is the third place that you should consider placing shortcuts.
Doing this will require some playing and tweaking in the Windows registry editor so be careful when editing the registry since bad entries can lead to system crash or instability. Follow step-by-step instructions.
Adding apps to the context menu in the registry
Creating entry
Open the registry editor by searching Regedit and pressing enter than inside of the registry editor search for the next key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell
Select shell and right-click on it, hover over New and in the submenu click on Key. In the next step, you need to name a key, this name will be the thing that will be shown in the context menu when you right-click on a desktop so type in the name that you would like or the name of the application that you wish to add to the menu.
If you wish you can even add a keyboard shortcut to launch this specific application. To do this select entry that you have created and edit the default value, inside the edit string in the Value data field type first & and after that key that you would like as a shortcut. Now after right click if you hit your shortcut key app will be launched right away.
Adding command
The next task is to create a command key that will actually hold the command to launch the application. Right-click on the entry that you have created, hover over New, and click on Key.
Next, you’ll need to create the command key that will actually hold the command used to launch the application. Right-click on the new Notepad key, and then choose New \ Key from the menu. Name this key 'command', all in lower case and without hyphens.
Now in order to finish setting the launcher, you need the full path of the file that you would like to run. Locate your file in file explorer or in another tool and copy its path by SHIFT + right-clicking on the file itself and choosing copy as path option.
Now click on the command key and double click on the default key on right to edit it, inside the field value data paste your path to executable. close and save the registry and you are done.
NDIS or Network Driver Interface Specification is a programming interface for the network interface cards that aids in the proper functioning of a system driver in a computer network. The NDIS helps the computer system in order to communicate with other connected devices and hardware components on a computer network. In relation, the ndis.sys file is a critical system file developed by Microsoft for the Windows operating system. As you know, sys files or system files are important parts of the Windows operating system as well as a repository of system driver settings used by Windows to communicate with the connected hardware and devices.
The ndis.sys files are stored mostly in a driver folder at C:/Windows/System32/drivers and as mentioned, these files are essential for the system to function properly. Although the presence of ndis.sys system file is not yet known to affect the normal functioning of the Windows OS, some of the Windows 10 users reported that they encountered ndis.sys blue screen errors on their PCs. Blue Screen of Death errors or Stop errors usually occurs when you open a program or a function. Moreover, it could also occur when the driver gets loaded during the system startup or during system shutdown.
It isn’t yet clear what really causes the ndis.sys blue screen error. However, like other Stop errors, it may occur due to corrupted files, misconfigured device drivers, bad drivers, corrupted Windows Registry, missing or damaged system files, and malicious programs. Aside from the aforementioned reasons, the ndis.sys blue screen error might also occur if your hard disk is damaged and if the RAM is corrupted. In such cases, a lot of users usually disable the ndis.sys file. However, it won’t really resolve the issue since the file is required for the normal functioning of the operating system and even when you disable the file, it’s pretty useless as the file will start all over again. In addition, you might want to disable security programs or firewalls and antivirus programs in the meantime to check if these programs are the ones that are causing the error. And if you’ve determined that none of the security programs or firewalls and antivirus programs are to blame, refer to the options below that might help you resolve the DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL or ndis.sys Blue Screen of Death error.
Option 1 – Try to update or reinstall the PC device driver
The Ndis.sys Blue screen error can occur when the device driver in your computer is outdated or corrupted. Thus, you either have to update or reinstall it to fix the issue.
Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
Type in devmgmt.msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. If you see a red or yellow sign that shows up against the driver, right-click on the driver’s name and select “Update Driver Software” or “Uninstall”. And if you find any “Unknown device”, you need to update it as well.
Select the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option and then follow the instructions to complete the process.
Restart your PC.
Option 2 – Rollback your Network drivers
If you have updated the driver software as of late and you suddenly got this BSOD error, you might have to roll back the device driver – in other words, switch back to the previous working version. To do that, follow 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 it.
Next, select the driver entries that are labeled appropriately other than anything in the context of the WAN Miniport.
Then select each one of them and double-click to open a new mini window.
After that, make sure that you’re on the Driver tab and if you are not, just navigate to it then click the Roll Back Driver button to switch back to the previous version of your Network adapters.
Now restart your computer to successfully apply the changes made.
Option 3 – Try running the System File Checker
The SFC or System File Checker scan could detect and automatically repair damaged system files that could be causing the ndis.sys Blue Screen of Death error. SFC is a built-in command utility that helps in restoring corrupted files as well as missing files. It replaces bad and corrupted system files with good system files. 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 and hit Enter.
The command will start a system scan which will take a few whiles before it finishes. Once it’s done, you could get the following results:
Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.
Option 4 – Try running the CHKDSK utility
Running the CHKDSK utility might also help you resolve the Netwtw04.sys failed BSOD error. If your hard drive has issues with integrity, the update will really fail as the system will think that it’s not healthy and that’s where the CHKDSK utility comes in. The CHKDSK utility repairs hard drive errors that might be causing the problem.
Open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
After opening Command Prompt, execute the following command and hit Enter:
chkdsk /f /r
Wait for the process to be completed and then restart your computer.
Option 5 – Run the DISM Tool
The DISM tool is another command-line tool in the Windows operating system that could help users fix various corrupted system files. To use it, follow these steps:
Open the Command Prompt as admin.
Then type in this command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
The DISM command you entered will repair the corrupted system image. Do not close the window if the process takes a while as it will probably take a few minutes to finish.
Restart your PC.
Option 6 – Perform a System Restore
Performing a System Restore on your computer can also help you fix the ndis.sys Blue Screen of Death error. You can do this option either by booting into Safe Mode or in System Restore. If you are already in the Advanced Startup Options, just directly select System Restore and proceed with the next steps. And if you have just booted your PC into Safe Mode, refer to the steps below.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
After that, type in “sysdm.cpl” in the field and tap Enter.
Next, go to the System Protection tab then click the System Restore button. This will open a new window where you have to select your preferred System Restore point.
After that, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process and then restart your computer and check if the problem is fixed or not.
800b0100 is a typical Windows Update error. This error message occurs when you try to install the latest updates from Microsoft Updates and Windows Updates. The error message is displayed in the following format:
“Code 800B0100 Windows Update encountered an unknown error.”
Solution
Error Causes
Error code 800b0100 may pop up on your computer screen due to different reasons. However, some of the common causes include:
The file needed by Windows Update is corrupt or missing
Security software conflict such as Firewall
Incorrect Registry keys
Windows security .dll files are registered incorrectly
Further Information and Manual Repair
To resolve error code 800b0100 on your system, you don’t have to hire a professional. This error is quite easy to repair and requires no technical expertise. In other words, you don’t need to be a computer programmer or technically sound to repair this issue.
Here are some of the easy and effective DIY methods that you can try to resolve error code 800b0100 on your system:
Method 1
Download System Update Readiness Tool from Microsoft’s website on your PC. This tool can help you fix this problem that might prevent Windows Updates from installing.
Typically it will take 15 minutes or less to scan your entire PC. The System Update Readiness Tool will scan your computer for inconsistencies that may cause errors to occur.
Method 2
Disable Security Software on your PC for example if you use Windows Vista then you will have Firewall already built in.
Disable it to resolve error 800b0100. To do this, simply go to the start menu and open the control panel and then select security. Now locate the option Windows Firewall and upon finding, simply choose the option Turn Windows Firewall on or off. Select off (not recommended) option, then click Apply and OK to reset and confirm changes.
After that, go back to the Windows Update screen and then click the try again button. The download and installation would start.
After the installation is complete, restart your PC to activate changes. Once the updates are successfully installed, not re-enable the Firewall, to ensure your PC is not exposed to potential security threats or viruses.
Method 3
Remove Invalid Keys from the Registry by downloading Restoro.
This is a PC Fixer deployed with a registry cleaner. It scans your entire PC and removes all the obsolete and unnecessary files like cookies, bad and invalid registry keys. It cleans and repairs the registry in a few clicks.
Click here to download Restoro.
If you suddenly find your Windows 10 computer stuck on the “Preparing to configure” screen for quite a long time now after you run Windows Update, read on as you will be guided on how you can fix that issue in this post.
During an update process, there’s a lot of things that go on in the background which is why Windows Updates take quite a while before it finishes. It can be at 25%, 50%, or even 100% but the only message you’re going to see on your screen is the “Preparing to configure Windows, Don’t turn off your computer”. However, if you notice that the Windows Update is taking a longer time than it’s supposed to, the first option is to wait some more but if it’s still the same, then there’s definitely something wrong. This kind of issue occurs when Windows Update fails to configure in short correctly download and install the update. When this happens, it will revert all the changes which are why you were advised to wait for a couple of hours.
There are two possibilities why your computer is stuck on the “Preparing to configure Windows, Don’t turn off your computer” screen. The first one is that the Windows 10 operating system is installing any updates. The second one is when the user profile takes time to load or encounters an error. There are several options you can try to fix the problem. You can try running System Restore or boot your computer in Safe Mode or repair the corrupted profile via Registry Editor. You might also want to try using installation media to boot and repair your computer if the other options didn’t work.
Option 1 – Perform System Restore
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.
Note: If you can’t boot into the desktop of your computer, you can run System Restore in the Advanced Startup Options by following these steps:
Boot your computer into the Advanced Startup Options screen.
From there, you will see some options to troubleshoot when you can’t log in to Windows in the usual way.
Now select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
After that, type “rstrui” and hit Enter to execute the command which will start the System Restore process.
Once it’s done, restart your computer.
Option 2 – Boot your computer in Safe Mode
You can try to tap the F8 key if you have it enabled in your Windows 10 computer, as you start your system to boot into Safe Mode. Once your computer is in Safe Mode, you can access the Start Menu and the Mouse and Keyboard. Aside from that, you can also access your files and other built-in tools in Windows such as Command Prompt, PowerShell, Computer Manager, Device Manager, Event Log Viewer, and many more. On the other hand, if you haven’t enabled the F8 key, you can just go to the Advanced Startup options to boot your computer into Safe Mode. Once you’re there, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart > Tap the number 4 key. After that, your computer will restart in Safe Mode. If you want to reboot into Safe Mode with Networking instead, you can tap the number 5 key and for Safe Mode with Command Prompt, tap the number 6 key. Once your computer is in Safe Mode, you can use any of the built-in tools to restore your computer or troubleshoot the problem that’s causing your computer to get stuck at the “Preparing to configure” screen.
Option 3 – Try to repair your corrupted profile via Registry
In this third option, you can try to repair the corrupted profile using the Registry but before you proceed, take note that you can only try this if you can boot into your desktop and if you can, make sure to create a System Restore Point and then follow the steps below.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter or click OK to open the Registry Editor.
Next, go to this registry key: ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionProfileList
Once you’ve opened the registry key, you should see a list of all the user profiles on your computer. Now click on each S-1-5 folder and look for the “ProfileImagePath” entry and double click on it to check which user account it is related to. You will see a path like “CUsersACK” where “ACK” is the username.
You should know which of the user account is corrupted. Just look for a key named “RefCount” and change its Value data to “0” and click OK. And if it isn’t available, simply right-click on the right pane and create it.
After that, double click on the key named “State” and make sure that the Value data is “0” and click OK.
Exit the Registry Editor and restart your computer to apply the changes made.
Option 4 – Try to use installation media to boot and repair your computer
Another thing you can try to resolve the issue is to use the Windows installation bootable media so you can boot and repair the operating system. To use it, follow these steps:
You need to first create an installation media which has the dame version of the operating system installed in your computer.
After that, once you reach the Install Windows screen, click on the “Repair your computer” link.
Wait until the repair is completed and then shut down your computer
Now once your computer has restarted, check if it can now boot properly.
Anxiety from all these digital threats lurking everywhere? An antivirus program can help put your mind at ease.
What can a virus do to your device?
A virus is malicious software that can affect pretty much any device and does so in a variety of ways. Be it your computer, your phone or your smart lightbulb - as long as there’s access to the internet, malware can get to it.
How exactly does this kind of attack manifest itself? Well, there’s a wide variety of effects ranging from mild to severe. Among other things, they depend on which type of malware attacks your device - a virus, spyware, ransomware, adware or something else.
These are some of the things you can expect to happen:
Slow performance
System crashes
Theft of data and sensitive information
Connectivity issues
Constant browser redirects
Strange messages sent to your contacts
Interference with files
It really can be the stuff of nightmares. So, if you want to sleep peacefully knowing that your devices are completely safe, you should definitely consider getting an antivirus.
P.S. don’t let its name fool you - an antivirus does indeed protect your devices against more than just viruses.
What is antivirus software exactly?
Antivirus software is designed to help you battle and ward off malware. Basically, it scans your device to detect any suspicious activity and offers tools to get rid of the culprit.
At first, antiviruses were developed to fight against viruses only, but nowadays they cover a lot more ground. Here are some of the biggest benefits of getting yourself a powerful defender.
Advantages of antivirus software
1. It fights those pesky ads
Look, constant ads that pop up everywhere aren’t the absolute worst thing that can happen on your computer. If anything, they are annoying, like when you’re trying to sleep but that one fly in your room just won’t stop buzzing.
Now, there’s a free, well-established solution for that - installing an ad blocker. And we’re about a hundred and ten percent sure you’ve already done that on each and every browser you use.
However, “if I can’t see it, it doesn’t exist” isn’t the most ideal approach for your online safety. Ad blockers can’t block everything and they won’t protect you from potential adware. An antivirus on the other hand offers that layer of protection against malware snuck into pop-ups and spammy websites.
2. It protects you from hackers
Hackers don’t target government institutions only. They’ll target regular people too if they have something to gain.
Credit: Clint Patteron (Unsplash)
There are different types of hacking, such as phishing e-mails, transmission of malicious programs, credential reuse, denial of service and more. In any case, they take control of your device and hijack your data.
The good thing is that, as threats evolve, antiviruses evolve too and there are tons of quality programs on the market that can keep you secure for an affordable price.
3. It keeps your files and data safe
When malware enters your device, it can target pretty much any file and get access to any and all data.
Installing an antivirus program will make sure that every single file, new or old, is monitored at all times, warning you against threats immediately. That way, you can make sure to react before your other files become infected and data is lost or stolen.
Another great thing for data protection is that the best antivirus software normally comes with a password manager, so no one can use malware to steal your passwords.
4. It blocks all kinds of malware
As we already stated, malicious attacks can be performed in many ways and malware comes in in different shapes an sizes, such as:
Trojan horse
Spyware
Ransomware
Adware
Rootkit
RAT (remote access Trojan)
Keyloggers
Worms
Botnets
Credit: Growtika (Unsplash)
Nowadays, antivirus software is designed to fight against all of these types. That’s why more often than not we hear the term 'antivirus' used interchangeably with 'anti-malware,' like in this article.
5. It keeps your children protected
You can’t keep your eyes on your kid every second of the day and you can’t protect them from everything. But at least you can limit their exposure to the threats they can encounter at every corner of the digital world.
An antivirus program will block harmful or suspicious websites and ads, which is great both for you and your children. To take it a step further, though, many such programs come with special parental controls and offer monitoring as well. It’s a great solution for keeping your kids safe online without sounding like the irritating, overbearing, controlling parent who “just doesn’t get it!”
How to pick one
There are definitely lots of different antivirus programs out there, both free and paid. We recommend you look for a paid option, since free ones are unfortunately a lot more susceptible to being compromised through malicious attacks.
Now, there are a few factors to consider when choosing the right software. If you use your PC for basic things then a basic antivirus will suffice. However, the more complex your use and the more sensitive the data you deal with, the stronger it needs to be.
It’s also crucial that you take into account the features it includes. As we already mentioned, some programs have additional security options. For example, depending on the package you select, Bitdefender provides:
Some are included in plans and some are separate products, so make sure to check out all the offers.
And don’t worry if you have multiple PCs or you’re looking for protection for your smartphone or tablet as well; Bitdefender has suitable solutions for your needs. Of course, you can also just pick their classic antivirus software if you’re not in need of advanced protection.
Another important point is how regularly the software is updated and enhanced. The more frequent the updates the better, as bugs can make the program more vulnerable. Other things we advise you consider are user-friendliness, impact on performance, reputation (user reviews especially) and, of course, price.
The bottom line
Fact is: anyone can be a malware victim. Don’t let it be you.
You can’t put a price on peace and security, so don’t be reluctant to pay for yours - especially since a lot of options out there are extremely affordable. Is $159.00 a year really too much to pay for cross-platform protection for up to 10 devices? We don’t think so.
Explore your options and protect your files and data before it’s too late.