WeatherGenie is a Browser Extension that allows users to check the current weather in any town at any time. This extension adds the “Weather:” search option to your new tab, and changes your default search engine to Yahoo.com. It also ads system Registry Entities that allow it to run each time the computer is restarted, several task schedulers are also added to allow it to run at various times during the day.
While installing this extension monitor browsing data from your computer. You may also see additional injected ads, sponsored links, and pop-up ads through your browser sessions.
Weather games have been marked as a Browser Hijacker by several anti-virus scanners and are therefore not recommended to keep on your computer. It is flagged as potentially unwanted for optional removal.
About Browser Hijackers
Browser hijacking is a very common type of online fraud where your web browser settings are altered to allow it to do things you do not intend. Browser hijackers could do a variety of things on your PC. Often, hijackers will force hits to sites of their preference either to increase targeted traffic generating higher ad earnings, or to gain a commission for every user visiting there. Even though it might seem naive, all browser hijackers are harmful and thus always regarded as security risks. As soon as the malware attacks your computer or laptop, it begins to mess things up a whole that slows your system down to a crawl. In the worse case, you might be pushed to tackle serious malware threats too.
How you can know whether the web browser is hijacked?
Symptoms that an internet browser is hi-jacked include: 1. you notice unauthorized modifications to your web browser’s home-page 2. bookmark and the new tab are also changed 3. the essential web browser settings are modified and unwanted or insecure sites are put into the trusted sites list 4. you’re getting new toolbars you have never witnessed before 5. you’ll notice random pop-ups start showing on a regular basis 6. web pages load slowly and at times incomplete 7. you can’t navigate to particular web pages, such as security software-related websites.
How does a PC get infected with a browser hijacker?
There are a number of ways your PC can become infected with a browser hijacker. They usually arrive by way of spam e-mail, via file-sharing networks, or by a drive-by download. They can be included with toolbars, BHO, add-ons, plugins, or browser extensions. Other times you might have mistakenly accepted a browser hijacker as part of a software bundle (generally freeware or shareware). A good example of some popular browser hijackers includes Conduit, Anyprotect, Babylon, SweetPage, DefaultTab, RocketTab, and Delta Search, but the names are regularly changing.
The existence of any browser hijacker on your system might substantially diminish the browsing experience, record your internet activities that lead to critical privacy concerns, diminish overall system performance and cause software instability as well.
The best ways to get rid of browser hijackers
Some browser hijacking can be simply reversed by identifying and eliminating the corresponding malware software from your control panel. But, many hijackers are harder to find or eliminate as they could get themselves connected with certain crucial computer files which allow them to operate as a necessary operating-system process. Besides, browser hijackers could modify the Computer registry so it could be very tough to repair manually, especially if you’re not a very tech-savvy individual.
You can go for automatic browser hijacker removal by just installing and running a reliable anti-malware application. SafeBytes Anti-Malware discovers all kinds of hijackers – such as WeatherGenie – and eliminates every trace quickly and efficiently. Utilize a pc optimizer together with your antivirus software to repair various registry issues, remove system vulnerabilities, and improve your computer performance.
How To Get Rid Of Malware That Is Blocking Anti-Malware Installation?
Practically all malware is detrimental and the effects of the damage may vary based on the specific type of malware. Some malware goes to great lengths to stop you from downloading or installing anything on your PC, particularly anti-virus software programs. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re stuck with a malware infection that is preventing you to download or install the Safebytes Anti-Malware program on your system. Refer to the instructions below to get rid of malware through alternative ways.
Remove malware in Safe Mode
Safe Mode is actually a special, basic version of Windows where only bare minimum services are loaded to stop viruses and also other problematic programs from loading. In the event the malware is blocking internet access and affecting your computer, starting it in Safe Mode enables you to download anti-malware and run a scan whilst limiting possible damage. In order to enter into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press the F8 key while the PC is starting up or run MSConfig and locate the “Safe Boot” options in the “Boot” tab. Once you’re in Safe Mode, you can attempt to install your anti-malware software without the hindrance of the malware. After installation, run the malware scanner to get rid of most standard infections.
Switch to an alternative internet browser
Some malware mainly targets specific internet browsers. If this is your situation, use another internet browser as it can circumvent the computer virus. The best solution to avoid this problem is to opt for a web browser that is well known for its security features. Firefox contains built-in Phishing and Malware Protection to help keep you safe online.
Make a bootable USB anti-virus drive
Here’s yet another solution which is using a portable USB anti-virus software that can scan your system for malware without needing installation. Follow these steps to employ a USB flash drive to clean your corrupted computer system. 1) Download the anti-malware on a virus-free PC. 2) Insert the USB drive on the same computer. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the anti-malware program to run the Installation Wizard. 4) Choose the flash drive as the location for saving the file. Follow the instructions to complete the installation process. 5) Now, transfer the flash drive to the infected computer. 6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the flash drive by double-clicking the icon. 7) Click on “Scan Now” to run a scan on the affected computer for viruses.
Top Features of SafeBytes Anti-Malware
Today an anti-malware tool can protect your computer or laptop from various forms of online threats. But how do choose the best one amongst several malware protection software that is available in the market? Perhaps you might be aware, there are several anti-malware companies and tools for you to consider. A few of them are great but there are many scamware applications that pretend as genuine anti-malware software waiting to wreak havoc on the computer. When searching for an anti-malware tool, pick one which provides dependable, efficient, and complete protection against all known computer viruses and malware. One of the highly recommended software is SafeBytes AntiMalware. SafeBytes carries a superb history of excellent service, and customers are happy with it.
Safebytes is one of the well-established PC solutions companies, which offer this comprehensive anti-malware tool. When you have installed this software, SafeByte's sophisticated protection system will ensure that absolutely no viruses or malware can seep through your computer.
SafeBytes anti-malware takes PC protection to a whole new level with its advanced features. The following are a few of the great ones:
Active Protection: SafeBytes provides complete and real-time security for your PC. It will inspect your personal computer for suspicious activity at all times and shields your personal computer from illegal access.
Robust Anti-malware Protection: Safebytes is based on the best virus engine within the industry. These engines can find and eliminate threats even during the early stages of a malware outbreak.
Fast Scan: SafeBytes’s high-speed malware scanning engine reduces scanning times and extends battery life. Simultaneously, it’ll effectively identify and remove infected computer files or any online threat.
Internet Security: SafeBytes checks and provides a unique safety ranking to every website you visit and block access to web pages considered to be phishing sites, thus safeguarding you from identity theft, or known to contain malicious software.
Very Low CPU and Memory Usage: SafeBytes is a lightweight tool. It consumes a very small amount of processing power as it runs in the background so you are free to use your Windows-based PC the way you would like.
Premium Support: For any technical issues or product assistance, you could get 24/7 professional assistance via chat and email.
To conclude, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is pretty great for securing your laptop or computer against all sorts of malware threats. Malware problems will become a thing of the past when you put this software program to use. So if you’re looking for a comprehensive antivirus program that’s still easy to use, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is exactly what you will need!
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
To remove WeatherGenie manually, navigate to the Add/Remove programs list in the Control Panel and choose the program you want to remove. For internet browser extensions, go to your browser’s Addon/Extension manager and choose the plug-in you wish to disable or remove. You’ll probably also want to reset your browser to its default configuration settings.
In order to ensure the complete removal, manually examine your hard drive and Windows registry for all of the following and eliminate or reset the values as needed. Please keep in mind that only experienced users should attempt to manually edit the registry because deleting any single critical system file results in a serious problem or even a system crash. In addition, certain malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. It is advisable that you do the removal process in Safe Mode.
Socket error 10013 is an error code that often pops on the screen when you try to access the server. This error code restricts your permission to access. It shows that your permission request was denied.
The error message is displayed in the following format:
“Socket.error: [Errno 10013] an attempt was made to access a socket in a way forbidden by its access permissions”
Solution
Error Causes
Narrowing down a particular reason for the cause of socket error 10013 is difficult, typically because this error code can be generated due to several reasons. Here are some of the common reasons for its occurrence on your PC:
High-security set up- Firewall or an antivirus program
Too many functions tied to the same driver confuses the socket
Outdated drivers
Malware
The good news is that the socket error 10013 is not fatal. However, it is advisable to fix and resolve the issue to avoid inconvenience.
Further Information and Manual Repair
Here are some of the best, quickest and easiest methods to work around the problem and resolve socket error 10013 without any hassle or delay.
Method 1 - Turn off Firewall
Believe it or not, a high level of internet security measures like Firewalls and anti-virus programs are a common cause of socket error 10013.
Firewalls are made to protect a computer from harmful connections but sometimes it may also restrict server connections, considering them as a threat to your system security.
Due to this, permission access is adamantly denied. To resolve this issue on your PC, the best way to go about is to turn off your Firewall or any other anti-virus programs installed on your system.
Once you turn off these programs, try accessing the server again. The majority of the time the issue is resolved by carrying this step. Nonetheless, if the error still persists, try the methods given below.
Method 2 - Check the Permissions section of the Firewall Program
Another way to resolve this is to check the permission section of the Firewall program and check for the server. If the server is not listed, contact the Internet Service Provider (ISP) and ask for help in adding the server to the list.
Method 3 - Update Drivers
The outdated driver may sometimes be the reason for the socket error 10013. The socket may no longer use the drivers installed on your PC which is why permission to access the server is not granted.
When this is the reason, try updating the drivers to resolve. For new drivers, visit the software manufacturers’ website, download, and install.
Method 4 - Scan for Viruses and Malware
Another alternative is to scan for viruses and malware. Sometimes the cause for the error is a viral infection. Therefore, remove them to resolve.
The best way is to download Restoro. This is a user-friendly and next-generation PC Fixer embedded with 6 scanners including a powerful anti-virus. It scans your entire PC and removes all types of viruses including malware, adware, spyware, and Trojans in seconds.
Click here to download Restoro.
In their search for making Windows, a better operating system Microsoft has come up with an insider program that will collect telemetry and send it to Microsoft in order to provide enough information to make a better OS. Being in an insider program is per choice basis and it is not forced to anyone.
This guide will cover how to turn off the insider program since its constant updates and telemetry can slow down the internet. So if you decided that you no longer want to be part of this program here is how to turn it off.
Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog
Type in dialog gpedit.msc and press ENTER
You will find yourself in the Local Group Policy Editor Window. Inside windows find:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Component > Windows Update > Windows Update for Business
Move to the right pane and double-click on the Manage Preview Builds option
Inside the Manage Preview Builds window, check the Enabled radio button
Go to the Options section, and using the drop-down menu, set the preferred release channel
If you are trying to install Microsoft Office on your Windows 10 computer but encounter an error code 30068 instead, read on as this post will guide you in fixing this problem. One of the causes of this error is an issue with the Office Click-to-Run service. It can also occur due to issues with the installation. And aside from the error code 30068, the error codes could also appear like this: 30068-29 (2), 30068-4 (3), 30068-4 (1715), 30068-39 (3), and many more.
In most cases, the installation of Microsoft Office happens directly from the Microsoft servers which work via Click-to-Run service. This service is an alternative to MSI or offline installation. It is a Microsoft streaming and virtualization technology that helps in reducing the time that’s required to install Microsoft Office. Although it saves a lot of time, it also requires a good and stable internet connection for it to properly work. So if you encounter error code 30068 or any of the aforementioned error codes above when using this service, here are some potential fixes that could help.
Option 1 – Try to restart your computer and reinstall Office
The first thing you can do is restart your computer and then try installing Office again. It is possible that there’s some glitch and a restart might fix it. Once you’ve restarted your computer, install Office again. And if the online installation didn’t work, you can also try to download an offline Office setup.
Option 2 – Try checking if the Click-to-Run service is disabled
The next thing you can do is to verify if the Click-to-Run service is enabled or disabled. You can check its status in Services. How? Refer to these steps:
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and then type “services.msc” in the field and tap Enter or click OK to open Services.
Next, look for the Microsoft Click-to-Run service from the list of services and once you found it, double click on it.
After that, go to the General tab and in the Startup type section, click on the drop-down menu and select Automatic.
Then click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made.
Once you’re done, try to install Office again and see if the error is now fixed.
Option 3 – Try to uninstall and reinstall Office
If neither of the two given options above worked, then you might want to uninstall Office and reinstall it. All you have to do is download the Microsoft Office Uninstall tool from the official site of Microsoft and run it. This will remove any incomplete Office installation as well as unwanted files. It will also get rid of all the Office apps and settings on your computer. This same option can be also applied if you encountered error code 30068-4 (3) when installing Office. On the other hand, if the Uninstaller tool throws an error that says, “Office installation is missing”, you have to check if there is an ongoing installation of Office.
If you are trying to install or upgrade your Windows 10 computer but suddenly encountered an error message saying, “Windows Could not configure one or more system components”, read on as this post will show you how you can fix the problem.
You are not alone in experiencing this problem as other users also reported having the same scenario. Some of them reported getting the following error message:
“Windows could not configure one or more system components. To install Windows restart the computer with error code 0xc1900101-0x30018.”
When you check on the Windows 10 rollback log, you will see a part with the “iisetup.exe” that’s related to the abort. Usually, the upgrade process completes over 50% and gets stuck and then rolls back later on and generates the error logs. This kind of error, in most cases, appears during the upgrade of Windows 10 and is related to the Internet Information Services or IIS in Windows 10. For some unknown reason, it restricts the installation or the upgrade which causes the error to appear. To fix the “Windows could not configure one or more system components” error, you can try to remove the IIS from the Windows Features or rename the “inetsrv” folder. You could also move all the folders related to IIS to another drive. For more details, refer to the options provided below.
Option 1 – Try to remove the IIS from Windows Features
The IIS is installed from the Windows Features and you can find it at Control Panel > Programs. From there, uncheck the checkbox for the Internet Information Services. Once done, click on the OK button to save the changes. Note that this process will get rid of all the related programs, services, and folders from Windows 10. So if you want to, you can just install them later on or use an offline installer from the official site of Microsoft.
Option 2 – Try renaming the inetsrv folder
The next option you can check out to resolve the problem is to rename the “inetsrv” folder. If you have uninstalled IIS from the Windows Features, this should remove the folders as well, however, it didn’t remove the folder then you have to delete the folders that are related to the IIS by following these steps:
First, you have to boot into the Advanced Recovery Mode and from there, open Command Prompt.
Next, execute this command to rename the folder from this location, C:Windowssystem32inetsrv: rename C:/Windows/system32/inetsrv/inetsrv.old
Once done, boot into your computer normally and try to upgrade Windows 10 again, and check if the problem is fixed or not.
Option 3 – Try to move the folders related to IIS to a different drive
Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run utility and type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Windows Services Manager.
Next, look for the Application Host Helper Service from the list of services and stop it.
Once done, take ownership of the “WinSxS” folder and then move the *windows-iis*.*” folders to another drive. You can just search using the “*windows-iis*.*” keyword in the Start Search.
Next, tap the Ctrl + X keys and paste the folders to another drive.
After that, start the update process for Windows 10 again.
Easy Home Decorating is a Browser Extension for Google Chrome. It offers users tips and tricks on how to manage your home decoration, you can find ideas for certain rooms, combine and plan.
This might seem useful at the start, however, all this extension does is add a toolbar that links you to the most popular Home Decor Websites that you can find on any Search engine within seconds.
When installed it changes your default search engine and new tab page to MyWay.com or Ask.com (depending on the extension version). It monitors user browsing activity in the background, allowing it to gather visited websites, clicked links, search queries, and other user information. This data is later sent/sold to better target ads.
While using this extension you will see additional ads and sponsored content displaying throughout your browsing sessions. Several anti-virus applications have marked this extension as a Browser Hijacker and a potential security flaw and are therefore not recommended to keep on your computer.
About Browser Hijackers
Browser hijackers (sometimes referred to as hijackware) are a type of malware that modifies web browser configurations without the user’s knowledge or approval. These hijacks happen to be increasing at an alarming rate worldwide, and it could be actually nefarious and sometimes harmful too. Browser hijacker malware is developed for many different reasons. These are generally used to force visitors to a particular website, manipulating web traffic to earn ad revenue. It might seem naive, but the majority of these websites are not legitimate and can present a serious risk to your online safety. Moreover, hijackers could make the whole infected system vulnerable – other destructive malware and viruses would use these opportunities to get into your computer effortlessly.
How one can know if your browser has been hijacked
Here are some signs and symptoms that suggest you’ve been hijacked: your web browser’s home page is suddenly different; if you enter a URL, you find yourself regularly directed to a different site than the one you meant; the default online search engine is modified; unsolicited new toolbars are added to your web browser; you see a lot of pop-up ads on your computer screen; your web browser gets slow, buggy, crashes frequently; you can’t visit specific websites like home pages of security software.
How does a computer get infected with a browser hijacker?
Browser hijackers infect computer systems in numerous ways, including through a drive-by download, a file-share, or an infected email. They can also come from any BHO, extension, add-on, toolbar, or plug-in with malicious purpose. Other times you might have inadvertently accepted a browser hijacker as part of a software bundle (generally freeware or shareware). Examples of well-known browser hijackers are Fireball, GoSave, Ask Toolbar, CoolWebSearch, Babylon Toolbar, and RocketTab.
Browser hijackers could affect the user’s web browsing experience significantly, monitor the websites visited by users and steal private information, cause difficulty in connecting to the web, and finally create stability problems, causing programs and systems to freeze.
How you can fix a browser hijack
Certain kinds of browser hijackers can be effortlessly removed from your PC by deleting malicious software applications or any other recently installed shareware. But, many hijackers are very hard to identify or eliminate as they might get themselves associated with some important computer files which allow it to operate as a necessary operating system process. Rookie computer users should never try the manual form of removal methods since it requires comprehensive computer knowledge to carry out repairs on the computer registry and HOSTS file.
Anti-malware application is really efficient with regards to picking up and removing browser hijackers that normal anti-virus application has overlooked. To eradicate any kind of browser hijacker from your PC, you can download this certified malware removal program – SafeBytes Anti-Malware. Employ a system optimizer (like Total System Care) together with your antivirus software to solve various registry issues, remove system vulnerabilities, and improve your computer's overall performance.
How To Install Safebytes Anti-Malware On An Infected PC
All malware is bad, but certain kinds of malware do much more damage to your PC than others. Some malware is designed to restrict or prevent things that you wish to do on your personal computer. It may well not permit you to download anything from the net or prevent you from accessing some or all of the websites, especially the anti-virus sites. If you’re reading this article, you probably have got infected by a virus that prevents you from downloading a computer security program such as Safebytes Antimalware on your PC. There are some steps you can take to get around this issue.
Install in Safe Mode
The Windows OS has got a special mode known as “Safe Mode” in which just the bare minimum required programs and services are loaded. If the malware is blocking access to the internet and affecting your PC, running it in Safe Mode allows you to download antivirus and run a scan while limiting possible damage. In order to get into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press the F8 key while the computer is starting up or run MSCONFIG and locate the “Safe Boot” options in the “Boot” tab. Once you are in Safe Mode, you can attempt to download and install your antivirus program without the hindrance of the malicious software. Now, you can run the antivirus scan to eliminate viruses and malware without any interference from another application.
Switch to an alternate internet browser
Web-based malware could be environment-specific, aiming for a particular web browser or attacking specific versions of the browser. In case you suspect that your Internet Explorer has been hijacked by a computer virus or otherwise compromised by cybercriminals, the most effective course of action is to switch to a different internet browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari to download your favorite computer security software – Safebytes Anti-Malware.
Run anti-virus from a USB drive
Another solution is to save and operate an antivirus software program entirely from a Thumb drive. To run antivirus using a thumb drive, follow these simple steps:
1) On a clean PC, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware.2) Put the USB drive into the uninfected PC.3) Double-click the Setup icon of the anti-malware program to run the Installation Wizard.4) When asked, choose the location of the USB drive as the place in which you would like to store the software files. Follow the instructions to finish the installation process.5) Now, insert the pen drive into the infected PC.6) Double-click the EXE file to open the Safebytes program right from the flash drive.7) Click “Scan Now” to run a complete scan on the affected computer for viruses.
SafeBytes Anti-Malware Overview
To help protect your laptop or computer from various internet-based threats, it’s very important to install an anti-malware program on your PC. But with countless numbers of antimalware companies out there, these days it’s challenging to decide which one you should buy for your PC. Some of them are good, some are ok types, while some will harm your PC themselves! You must pick a company that builds industry-best anti-malware and has gained a reputation as reliable. Amongst few good programs, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is the highly recommended software program for the security-conscious user.
SafeBytes is a powerful, real-time anti-spyware application that is designed to assist the everyday computer end user in safeguarding their computer from malicious internet threats. With its cutting-edge technology, this application will allow you to remove several types of malware including viruses, trojans, PUPs, worms, ransomware, adware, and browser hijackers.
There are plenty of great features you’ll get with this particular security product. Listed here are a few of the great ones:
Real-time Threat Response: SafeBytes offers real-time active checking and protection from all known viruses and malware. It’ll monitor your PC for suspicious activity continuously and its unparalleled firewall shields your PC from illegal access by the outside world.
Antimalware Protection: Built upon a greatly acclaimed anti-virus engine, this malware removal tool can find and get rid of many obstinate malware threats such as browser hijackers, PUPs, and ransomware that other typical anti-virus software will miss.
Website Filtering: 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.
Lowest CPU and RAM Usage: SafeBytes provides complete protection from internet threats at a fraction of the CPU load due to its advanced detection engine and algorithms.
Premium Support: For any technical questions or product support, you could get 24/7 expert assistance through chat and email.
Overall, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is a solid program as it has lots of features and could detect and remove any potential threats. You can be sure that your PC will be protected in real-time once you put this software program to use. You will get the very best all-around protection for the money you pay on SafeBytes Anti-Malware subscription, there’s no question about it.
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
If you don’t wish to use an automated tool and prefer to get rid of Easy Home Decorating manually, you might accomplish this by going to the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu in the control panel and removing the offending software; in cases of web browser add-ons, you could remove it by visiting the browser’s Add-on/Extension manager. Additionally, it is suggested to factory reset your web browser settings to their default state.
To make sure of complete removal, find the following Windows registry entries on your computer and delete it or reset the values appropriately. Please remember that this is for experienced users only and might be challenging, with incorrect file removal causing additional PC errors. Also, certain malware is capable of replicating itself or preventing deletion. Completing this task in Safe Mode is suggested.
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.
There are a lot of online services and a lot of ways to get your public IP address. One of them being typing whats my IP in Google search and you will get immediate results. But there is a way to get the same information inside Windows 10 which could be very useful if for any reason you can not connect to mentioned services. By checking public IP directly inside your windows you can make sure that the issue for not being able to open some websites is not due to your public IP.
In order to use this Windows feature, we will be checking our public IP using Windows PowerShell.
To open Power Shell in Windows first press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog
Inside run dialog type Powershell and press ENTER
In the Powershell type in the following command and press ENTER
Code 17 is a typical Spotify error code. Spotify is a music streaming service. Through this software, PC users can browse songs and search by artist, album, and playlist.
Simply put, it is an audio player available for BlackBerry, iOS, and Microsoft Windows desktop.
You may experience error code 17 if the process fails when downloading Spotify from the internet. The error message is displayed in any one of the following formats:
Error 17: Spotify has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience. Spotify could not be started (Error code 17)
Some of the symptoms of this error code are program crash, slow Windows performance, and periodic system freeze.
Solution
Error Causes
Error 17 may be triggered by several reasons such as:
Viral infection
Incomplete installation of Spotify software
Corrupt download
Registry corruption
Windows Installer service terminated
To use the audio player Spotify successfully on your PC, it is advisable to fix error 17 right away on your system. Delay may cause inconvenience and limit your access to your desired program.
Further Information and Manual Repair
To repair this error code on your PC, you don’t have to hire a professional or be a technical whiz yourself. The good news is that this error is quite easy to fix.
You don’t need to be technically sound to resolve it. Here are some proven methods for you to fix error code 17 on your system.
So let’s get started:
Method 1 - Make sure that the Windows Installer is running
Sometimes Spotify error 17 may occur if the Windows Installer service is terminated. Therefore before you download, make sure the Windows Installer is running. This is a good way to ensure the error code 17 messages don’t pop up on your PC again.
For this here’s what you need to do, first quit all programs. Now go to the start menu and in the search box type RUN, and press enter. In the Open Box, type msiexec /unregister and then press OK to confirm.
After that, perform the same steps again, and now in the Open Box type msiexec /regserver and press OK to save.
Reboot your PC and try downloading Spotify again. If the program successfully downloads on your system, then this means error 17 is resolved. However, if the error code still persists, then try other methods given below.
Method 2 - Use System Restore to Undo Recent Changes
Another reason for the cause of error 17 is the improper or incomplete installation of Spotify. Improper installations can configure settings and also leave bad entries in the registries.
To resolve, use System Restore utility built-in Windows. By using this system tool, you can undo recent changes and resume your computer to its previous condition as it was before the proper installation was attempted.
To do this, go to the start menu, then in the search box type System Restore and press enter. Go to System Restore and choose a restore point. Once you’ve selected the point, reboot your PC to activate changes.
Method 3 - Remove Viruses
Viruses can enter and damage your PC if you download software programs from unknown websites. These not only damage your PC but also hinder your ability to install desired programs successfully in this case audio player Spotify.
In such an event, simply use an antivirus to remove all viruses infecting your system. After they are removed, make sure you download and install Spotify software from a trusted website.
Method 4 - Repair the Registry
Another cause of error 17 is registry corruption. This occurs due to bad entries, invalid and junk files saved in the registry. To fix the corrupt registry simply download Restoro.
This is a user-friendly PC Fixer embedded with a powerful registry cleaner. This software is compatible with all Windows versions. The registry cleaner detects all registry issues, removes all file corrupting the registry, and cleans it immediately in just a few clicks.
Click here to download Restoro on your PC and resolve Error 17.
One of the most useful and powerful built-in utility in Windows 10 is the DISM tool. This tool can be used with the Command Prompt command line as well as for other purposes. However, it is not without flaws and there are times when you may encounter some issues while using it.
One of the problems you can get while using the DISM tool is the following error:
“The scratch directory size might be insufficient to perform this operation”
This kind of error in DISM occurs when the DISM command is executed from the Windows Recovery Environment due to the limited size permissions of a delivery where the operating is being performed. To fix this DISM error, you need to follow the instructions laid out below.
Step 1: First, tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility and then type “cmd” in the field and tap Enter to open Command Prompt.
Step 2: Next, you have to specify a scratch directory that contains the Windows folder and to do that, you can either use the DIR command or the BCEDIT command. So in the elevated command prompt type and enter “dir” or “bcedit”.
Step 3: After that, you will see a list of folders inside the C: partition. Now you have to create a folder named “scratch” inside the partition. To do so, execute the following command:
mkdir C:Scratch
Note: The command you just entered will create a directory inside the root of the C: partition named Scratch.
Step 4: Now that you’ve created the Scratch folder, note that each time you run any of the DISM commands, you have to enter the following code snippet in them:
/ScratchDir:C:Scratch
Note: For instance, if you are using the DISM tool to repair the offline Windows image, instead of executing the “Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” command, you now have to execute the “DISM /Image:C: /ScratchDir:C: Scratch /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth” command. And if you want to remove a selected installed update package, you can use the “DISM /image:C: /ScratchDir:C:Scratch /Remove-Package /PackageName:Package_for_RollupFix~31bf3856ad364e75~amd64~~16299.196.4.9” command. Keep in mind that the mentioned package is only an example. And lastly, you also have to replace the drive letter in the new code snippet when you execute the commands given above.
The Motitags toolbar browser add-on was created by Mindspark Inc. and is compatible with Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. It claims to enhance users’ Internet browsing experience by enabling smileys within popular email clients such as Gmail, Yahoo!, AOL, and Outlook Live. While such added functionality may seem useful, Internet users should be aware that this browser plugin is categorized as a Browser Hijacker due to its behavior.
When installed this extension changes your default search engine, the home page, and new tab to MyWay.com, and while installed it gathers user browsing data and sends it back to Mindspark servers. This data is later used to inject additional unwanted ads into the user’s browser search results.
About Browser Hijackers
Browser hijacking is actually a type of unwanted software program, often a web browser add-on or extension, which then causes modifications in the web browser’s settings. Browser hijacker malware is developed for a number of reasons. These are generally used to force hits to a specific website, manipulating web traffic to generate ad revenue. It could seem harmless, but the majority of these websites aren’t legitimate and could pose a serious threat to your online safety. In a much worst case, your internet browser could be hi-jacked to open up your computer to a host of additional computer infections.
How one can identify a browser hijack
There are several signs of browser hijacking. Here are a few of them: the home page of your browser is changed unexpectedly; you get re-directed to websites you never intended to visit; the essential web browser settings are altered and unwanted or unsafe resources are added to the trusted websites list; discover new toolbars that you didn’t add; endless pop-up adverts show up and/or your web browser popup blocker is disabled; your browser gets sluggish, buggy, crashes frequently; you can’t navigate to certain internet pages, for example, security software related websites.
So how does a browser hijacker infect a computer?
Browser hijackers infect computers via malicious email attachments, downloaded infected files, or by going to infected sites. Many internet browser hijackings come from add-on software, i.e., toolbars, browser helper objects (BHO), or plug-ins added to browsers to provide them extra capabilities. Browser hijackers sneak into your pc in addition to free software application downloads that you unwittingly install along with the original. An example of some infamous browser hijacker includes Babylon, Anyprotect, Conduit, SweetPage, DefaultTab, RocketTab, and Delta Search, but the names are often changing.
Browser hijacking can bring about severe privacy problems and also identity theft, affect your browsing experience by taking control over outgoing traffic, drastically slows down your PC by consuming lots of resources, and result in system instability also.
Getting rid of browser hijackers
Some browser hijacking could be easily stopped by discovering and eliminating the corresponding malware program through your control panel. But, most browser hijackers are difficult to eliminate manually. No matter how much you try to eliminate it, it can return over and over. Rookie PC users should not try for the manual form of removal, since it needs thorough computer knowledge to perform fixes on the system registry and HOSTS file.
Professionals always recommend users to remove any malware including browser hijacker with an automatic removal tool, which is easier, safer, and quicker than the manual removal technique. Safebytes Anti-Malware has a state-of-the-art anti-malware engine that will help you stop browser hijacking in the first place, and clean up any existing issues.
What To Do If You Cannot Download Safebytes Anti-Malware?
Malware could potentially cause all sorts of damage once they invade your computer, starting from stealing your private details to erasing data files on your computer system. Some malware sits in between your computer and your internet connection and blocks some or all sites that you would like to visit. It might also prevent you from installing anything on your PC, particularly anti-virus programs. If you’re reading this, you probably have infected by malware that prevents you from downloading a computer security program such as Safebytes Antimalware on your PC. There are a few options you could try to get around with this particular obstacle.
Install in Safe Mode
If the malware is set to load automatically when Windows starts, entering Safe Mode could block this attempt. Only minimal required programs and services are loaded whenever you start your personal computer in Safe Mode. To start your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computers in Safe Mode with Networking, please do as instructed below.
1) At power on/start-up, press the F8 key in 1-second intervals. This would conjure up the Advanced Boot Options menu.2) Choose Safe Mode with Networking with arrow keys and press Enter.3) When you are into this mode, you will have online access again. Now, get the virus removal application you want by using the web browser. To install the program, follow the directions within the setup wizard.4) Right after the software is installed, allow the scan run to eliminate viruses and other threats automatically.
Use an alternate web browser to download security software
Malicious code could exploit vulnerabilities on a particular internet browser and block access to all anti-virus software sites. The most effective way to avoid this issue is to choose a web browser that is renowned for its security features. Firefox contains built-in Malware and Phishing Protection to keep you safe online.
Install security software on a USB drive
To effectively eliminate the malware, you need to approach the problem of installing an anti-virus software program on the infected PC from a different angle. Follow these steps to run the antivirus on the affected computer.
1) Download Safebytes Anti-Malware or Microsoft Windows Defender Offline onto a virus-free computer system.2) Plug the pen drive into the uninfected computer.3) Double click on the downloaded file to open the installation wizard.4) Choose the USB stick as the destination for saving the software file. Follow the instructions on the screen to finish up the installation process.5) Disconnect the flash drive. You may now use this portable anti-malware on the infected computer.6) Double-click the anti-malware program EXE file on the USB flash drive.7) Run Full System Scan to detect and get rid of all sorts of malware.
Benefits and Features of SafeBytes Security Suite
To protect your laptop or computer from many different internet-based threats, it is very important to install an anti-malware program on your PC. However, with so many anti-malware companies in the marketplace, nowadays it’s difficult to decide which one you should obtain for your laptop. A few are very good ones, some are ok types, and some are simply just fake anti-malware applications that could damage your computer themselves! When looking for an anti-malware program, pick one which gives reliable, efficient, and total protection against all known viruses and malware. One of the highly recommended software by industry analysts is SafeBytes Anti-Malware, a popular security application for Microsoft Windows.
Safebytes is one of the well-established computer solutions companies, which provide this complete anti-malware software. Using its cutting-edge technology, this application can assist you to eliminate multiples types of malware such as viruses, PUPs, trojans, worms, ransomware, adware, and browser hijackers.
SafeBytes possesses a variety of wonderful features that can help you protect your laptop or computer from malware attack and damage. Below are some typical features found in this application:
World-class AntiMalware Protection: Built upon a greatly acclaimed anti-virus engine, this malware removal application can find and remove numerous stubborn malware threats like browser hijackers, PUPs, and ransomware that other typical anti-virus applications will miss.
Real-time Threat Response: SafeBytes gives complete and real-time security for your computer. They’re extremely effective in screening and getting rid of numerous threats since they’re regularly improved with the latest updates and alerts.
“Fast Scan” Features: Safebytes Anti-Malware, using its enhanced scanning engine, provides ultra-fast scanning which can quickly target any active online threat.
Website Filtering: Through its unique safety ranking, SafeBytes notifies you whether a site is safe or not to visit it. This will ensure that you’re always certain of your online safety when browsing the internet.
Light-weight: The program is lightweight and can run silently in the background, and will not have an effect on your PC efficiency.
24/7 Premium Support: SafeBytes provides you with 24/7 technical support, automatic maintenance, and software upgrades for the best user experience.
Simply put, SafeBytes has developed a meaningful anti-malware solution that is aimed to protect you against various malware. Malware issues can become a thing of the past when you put this tool to use. So if you’re seeking the very best malware removal application out there, and when you don’t mind shelling out a few bucks for it, go for SafeBytes Anti-Malware.
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
If you wish to manually remove Motitags without using an automated tool, it may be possible to do so by removing the application from the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser extensions, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. Additionally, it is advised to factory reset your web browser to its default state to fix corrupt settings.
Finally, check your hard drive for all of the following and clean your computer registry manually to get rid of leftover application entries after uninstalls. Please remember that only advanced users should try to manually edit the system files simply because removing any single vital registry entry leads to a serious issue or even a PC crash. Moreover, certain malicious programs have the capability to defend against its removal. Carrying out this in Safe Mode is recommended.
Error Causes
