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PrivacyAssistant Malware Removal Tutorial

PrivacyAssistant is a browser extension developed by SearchAssistant.net. These extensions allegedly offer users a safer way to browse the internet and some other tools to customize the home page with background wallpapers and one-click links that can be added. While all this may sound appealing, PrivacyAssistant also monitors your browser activity, search quarries, clicks, visits, and possibly personal information.

This extension changes your default home page to SearchAssistant.com and rerouting all searches through its search portal, displaying sponsored links instead of your typical search results. While active you may see unwanted ads and even pop-up ads appearing while browsing the internet.

Several anti-virus programs have classified this extension as a Browser Hijacker, and are, therefore, for security reasons, not recommended to keep on your computer.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is amongst the web’s constant risks that target internet browsers. It’s a kind of malicious software that alters your internet browser’s configuration settings and redirects you to websites or pages that you had no intention of checking out. They are created to disrupt browser functions for many different reasons. Usually, hijackers will force hits to internet sites of their choice either to increase traffic producing higher advertisement earnings, or to gain a commission for each and every user visiting there. Most people believe that these kinds of websites are legitimate and harmless but that is not the case. Almost every browser hijacker poses an existent threat to your online safety and it’s important to categorize them under privacy dangers. When the program attacks your PC, it starts to mess things up a whole that slows your computer down to a crawl. In the worst-case scenario, you might be forced to deal with serious malware threats as well.

How one can recognize a browser hijack

There are numerous symptoms that point to a browser hijacking: your browser’s home page is suddenly different; you get re-directed to sites you never meant to visit; the default web engine has been changed and your web browser security settings have been lowered without your knowledge; find new toolbars that you simply did not add; you might find many pop-up ads on your computer screen; your web browser starts running slowly or displays frequent errors; you have prohibited entry to certain web pages, for example, the website of an antivirus software developer like SafeBytes.

So how exactly does a browser hijacker infect a PC

Browser hijackers may use drive-by downloads or file-sharing websites or perhaps an email attachment in order to reach a targeted computer system. They can also originate from any BHO, extension, toolbar, add-on, or plug-in with malicious intent. Other times you might have unintentionally accepted a browser hijacker as part of a software program bundle (generally freeware or shareware). A good example of some popular browser hijackers includes Conduit, Anyprotect, Babylon, DefaultTab, SweetPage, Delta Search, and RocketTab, however, the names are constantly changing.

Browser hijacking can lead to serious privacy problems and even identity theft, disrupt your browsing experience by taking control over outgoing traffic, considerably slows down your personal computer by consuming lots of system resources, and result in system instability at the same time.

How to repair a browser hijack

Some hijackers can be removed by uninstalling the free software they were included with or by deleting any extension you’ve recently added to your browser. But, the majority of hijackers are extremely tenacious and require specialized applications to eradicate them. Furthermore, manual removal requires you to execute many time-consuming and tricky procedures which are hard to carry out for inexperienced computer users.

How To Get Rid Of Virus That Is Preventing Antivirus Installation?

Viruses can cause a great deal of damage to your computer system. Some malware sits in between the computer and your net connection and blocks some or all sites that you really want to visit. It will also prevent you from installing anything on your computer, especially anti-malware software. So what to do if malicious software keeps you from downloading or installing Safebytes Anti-Malware? Although this sort of problem can be difficult to circumvent, there are some actions you can take.

Make use of Safe Mode to resolve the problem

In Safe Mode, you can actually change Windows settings, un-install or install some software, and eliminate hard-to-delete malware. In case the malware is set to load immediately when PC boots, switching into this mode may well prevent it from doing so. To enter into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press F8 while the system is starting up or run MSCONFIG and look for the “Safe Boot” options in the “Boot” tab. Once you’re in safe mode, you can try to install your anti-malware program without the hindrance of the malicious software. Following installation, run the malware scanner to remove most standard infections.

Switch over to some other web browser

Some malware mainly targets specific browsers. If this is your situation, use another internet browser as it can circumvent the malware. In the event you suspect that your Internet Explorer has been hijacked by a computer virus or otherwise compromised by cybercriminals, the best approach is to switch over to a different internet browser like Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, or Apple Safari to download your favorite computer security program – Safebytes Anti-Malware.

Run anti-virus from a USB drive

Another solution is to create a portable anti-malware program on your USB thumb drive. Try these simple actions to clean up your affected PC using a portable antivirus.
1) Download Safebytes Anti-Malware or Microsoft Windows Defender Offline onto a clean computer system.
2) Plug the pen drive into the uninfected PC.
3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded application, which has a .exe file format.
4) Choose the flash drive as the location for saving the file. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
5) Transfer the pen drive from the uninfected computer to the infected computer.
6) Double-click the EXE file to open the Safebytes tool from the pen drive.
7) Click “Scan Now” to run a scan on the infected computer for viruses.

A Look at the Best AntiMalware Program

If you are looking to download an anti-malware application for your computer, there are several tools out there to consider nonetheless, you cannot trust blindly anyone, no matter whether it is paid or free software. Some are really worth your money, but many aren’t. While looking for an anti-malware program, choose one that offers solid, efficient, and complete protection against all known computer viruses and malware. One of the highly recommended software is SafeBytes AntiMalware. SafeBytes carries a very good track record of quality service, and customers appear to be happy with it.

SafeBytes anti-malware is really a powerful, very effective protection tool created to assist users of all levels of IT literacy in finding and eliminating malicious threats out of their PC. Once you’ve got installed this software, SafeByte's state-of-the-art protection system will make sure that no viruses or malicious software can seep through your PC.

SafeBytes anti-malware comes with a plethora of enhanced features which sets it aside from all others. Listed below are some of the highlighted features included in the tool.

Robust Anti-malware Protection: This deep-cleaning anti-malware software goes much deeper than most anti-virus tools to clean your computer. Its critically acclaimed virus engine finds and disables hard to remove malware that conceals deep inside your personal computer.

Active Protection: SafeBytes gives round-the-clock protection for your PC limiting malware attacks in real-time. They’re extremely effective in screening and removing various threats since they’re constantly improved with the latest updates and alerts.

Web protection: SafeBytes checks the links present on a web page for possible threats and alerts you whether the website is safe to explore or not, through its unique safety ranking system.

Light-weight: The program is lightweight and will work quietly in the background, and that does not impact your computer efficiency.

24/7 Premium Support: Support service is readily available for 24 x 7 x 365 days through email and chats to answer your queries.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove PrivacyAssistant without the use of an automated tool, it may be possible to do so by removing the program from the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser extensions, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You will likely also want to reset your browser.

To ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard drive and registry for all of the following and remove or reset the values accordingly. Please note that this is for advanced users only and may be difficult, with incorrect file removal causing additional PC errors. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. Doing this in Safe Mode is advised.

The following files, folders, and registry entries are created or modified by PrivacyAssistant

Registry:
HKLMSOFTWAREClassesAppID.exe
HKEY_CURRENT_USERsoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMainStart Page Redirect=http://.com
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionvirus name
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWinlogon Shell = %AppData%.exe
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun Random HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionRandom
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREsupWPM
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesWpm
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallPrivacyAssist
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionImage File Execution Optionsmsseces.exe
HKLMSOFTWAREClassesAppIDrandom.exe
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain Default_Page_URL

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How to Fix Windows 10 Error 0xc0000005

Error Code 0xc0000005 - What is it?

Error Code 0xc0000005 can be a frustrating error that occurs when you attempt to use programs within Windows 10. While it is most often associated with Windows 10, this particular error has also made an appearance in previous versions of the Windows operating system. In each case, the error works in the same ways and is generally caused by the same things.

Common symptoms include:
  • Inability to run programs as designed
  • Inability to start programs

While it can be hard to have to deal with an error like Error Code 0xc0000005 on your Windows machine, there are at least three different strategies that you can use to attempt to resolve the problem at hand. If you do not feel like you have the skill or ability to complete these steps on your own, get in touch with a professional who is familiar with the Windows 10 operating system that can assist you. Please note, if this error code is not rectified, you could be exposing your computer to other error messages such as error code 0xC1900101 -0x20017.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

The most common causes of Error Code 0xc0000005 on Windows 10 machines include interference with other programs that are running on the computer, such as antivirus programs, problems encountered within the registry entries made on the operating system, or faulty drivers that cause bad interactions between the system and the program in question.

Fortunately, there are several methods that can be used to resolve these specific issues.

Further Information and Manual Repair

There are three main ways that you can try to resolve Error Code 0xc0000005 on your Windows machine. Depending on your degree of technical ability and confidence, it may be easy to moderately difficult to follow these steps, so if you feel like you are not able to complete the methods below on your own, be sure to get in touch with a qualified computer repair technician to aid you in the process.

Here are the best ways to resolve Error Code 0xc0000005 on your Windows machine:

Method One:  Disable Any Anti-Virus Processes

In some cases, an antivirus program can cause interference with your programs. If you believe that this is the primary culprit of your issue, try temporarily disabling the software that you are running to see if you are then able to use the program that experienced the error correctly.

Always be sure to keep on other security software, such as Windows Defender, while you disable your antivirus programs, ensuring that your computer is still protected from malicious software. In general, this is usually the best security tool that you can run on your computer, without interfering with other programs.

Method Two:  Run a Registry Cleaner

In some cases, the error code can appear when a registry entry is either seen to be missing or faulty by the system. If you believe this is the primary cause of your problem, use a trusted registry cleaning software to scan the files and attempt to automatically fix the problem.

Always be sure to check out the provider of the registry cleaning tool that you use, as not every tool that you can download from the Internet is safe. When possible, always try to use registry tools that are directly available from the Microsoft website, rather than ones that you do a simple search for online.

Once the registry scan is complete, take the time to reboot your computer to ensure that every change that has been made can be recognized and applied by your operating system and devices.

Method Three:  Check Your Drivers

If your drivers aren’t communicating properly with your hardware, it can cause the error code to appear. To fix this, open up your device manager software and choose to update your driver software. You can run an automatic search for updates to your drivers to make things easier.

When the driver updates have been downloaded and installed, make sure that you take the time to reboot your computer, which can allow your computer to apply and recognize any changes that have been made.

Method Four: Use An Automated Tool

If you wish to always have at your disposal a utility tool to fix these Windows 10 and other related issues when they do arise, download and install a powerful automated tool.
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Fix Windows Update Error 0x80240034
There are cases when you encounter some issues while updating your Windows 10 computer. One of these issues is the error 0x80240034. This particular error is a Windows Update Error that appears on the Windows Update pane every time an update fails to install. When this happens, your Windows Update will only get stuck at 1% and nothing happens afterward and eventually fails. If you click on the View Installed Update History, you will see the error code 0x80240034 for the failed updates. You will see this error each time you try to update your Windows PC. Take note that this issue doesn’t only happen to a specific version of the Windows Update but on various different Windows builds based on many users. What’s more, is that some users are also seeing a different error code when their Windows Update fails but they still end up seeing the error code 0x80240034 when they check the Windows Update history. At the time of writing, it isn’t determined yet what really causes this error but it’s most likely due to some corrupted files in the computer which is why the most common solution you can try is resetting the Windows Update cache. On the other hand, other users also resolved the issue by using the ISO and selecting the “Do not keep previous settings” option during the Windows Update so it might be something to do with transferring the previous settings through the update client. For clear instructions in fixing this issue, refer to the two options provided below.

Option 1 – Try to clear the Windows Update Cache/Distribution Folder

As mentioned earlier, a lot of users tried clearing the Windows Update cache to fix the problem and so far it has worked. Like them, you can try clearing the Windows Update cache by simply deleting the contents of the folder named “SoftwareDistribution” since Windows apparently can’t clear and re-download the update contents once they are corrupted. Thus, deleting the contents of this folder will make Windows download the contents again which will fix the problem. To do that, follow the steps below.
  • Step 1: Tap the Windows key once.
  • Step 2: Next, type in “command prompt” in the Windows Start Search, and from the search results that appear, right-click on Command Prompt and select the “Run as administrator” option from the context menu.
  • Step 3: After opening Command Prompt, type in “net start wuauserv” and hit Enter.
  • Step 4: Then type in “rmdir %windir%SoftwareDistribution /S /Q” and hit Enter.
  • Step 5: Now type in “net start wuauserv” and hit Enter. Once it’s done, try updating your Windows PC again, it should now work just fine.

Option 2 – Update Windows via ISO file

If option 1 didn’t work for you, you can try this second option of updating your Windows 10 computer using an ISO file which means that you will have to create a Windows 10 bootable media and use it to install the latest Windows 10 version. The most user reported that this option works and the reason why it does have something to do with the Windows Update client since the Windows Updates downloaded from the regular Windows Update client seems to create issues such as the error 0x80240034. However, issues like this one don’t occur when the very same Windows Updates are downloaded and installed via an ISO file. Take note that when using a Windows ISO file, you will be asked to choose what you want to do with the previous settings and apps. A lot of users opted for the “Not to keep the old Windows settings” option which has resolved the issue. So if you want to keep the previous settings then you must try to update Windows first while keeping the old settings. However, if it doesn’t work, you have to try installing the latest version of Windows without keeping the previous settings.
  • Step 1: Click this link and then click the Download Tool Now button.
  • Step 2: Next, click the “Use the tool to create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file)…” option and follow the next given instructions on the screen.
  • Step 3: Now select the ISO file option in step 5.
  • Step 4: After that, you should now have an ISO file.
  • Step 5: Next, go to the location where you’ve downloaded the ISO file.
  • Step 6: Then right-click on the Windows 10 ISO file and select the Open with an option and then select File Explorer.
  • Step 7: Now click on “setup.exe” and follow the next instructions that appear on the screen. When asked, you have to select either: Nothing (clean install) or Keep personal files only option. Take note that you must not select the “Keep personal files, apps, and Windows settings since it doesn’t really work.
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Fixing Error code 15 or Error code 16
If you get an Error Code 15 or Error Code 16 while you are browsing the web and you notice that your access is blocked to a particular website, then read on as this post will guide you in resolving this problem. Both Error Code 15 and Error Code 16 have the same message that states, “Access Denied: This request was blocked by the security rules”. Note that the error depends on what kind of browser you are using, as well as the operating system and network that you are using. On the other hand, the fixes for this error are the same and there is a handful of them that you can check out just make sure to follow each one of them carefully.

Option 1 – Sync Date and Time

The first thing you can try is to sync the Date and Time of your computer as the wrong Date and Time settings are one of the most common causes of connection problems like Error code 15 or Error code 16. This is because of the incompatibility between the SSL Certificate validation date and the System Clock. Thus, you have to sync your System Clock. Refer to the steps below to do so.
  • Right-click on the Taskbar and click on the Adjust Date and Time option.
  • Next, click on the Sync Now button to synchronize the Date and Time with the Microsoft Servers.
  • Now make sure that the Time Zone that’s set on the same page is correct.

Option 2 – Try to reset the affected browser

Resetting the affected browser might help in fixing Error Code 15 or Error Code 16.

Mozilla Firefox

  • Open Firefox and click the icon that looks like three stacked lines located at the top-right section of the browser.
  • Next, select the question mark icon from the drop-down menu.
  • Then select “Troubleshooting information” from the slide-out menu.
  • After that, click on the “Reset Firefox” button located at the top-right section of the newly opened web page.
  • Now select “Reset Firefox” in the confirmation pop-up window that appears.

Google Chrome

  • Open Google Chrome, then tap the Alt + F keys.
  • After that, click on Settings.
  • Next, scroll down until you see the Advanced option, once you see it, click on it.
  • After clicking the Advanced option, go to the “Restore and clean up option and click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” option to reset Google Chrome.
  • Now restart Google Chrome.

Internet Explorer

  • Launch Internet Explorer.
  • Next, click the wrench icon for Settings.
  • Then click Internet Options.
  • After that, go to the Advanced tab.
  • From there, click the Reset button. This will reset Internet Explorer’s settings to their default condition.
  • Now click OK to save the changes made.

Option 3 – Temporarily disable Firewall and third-party antivirus

Firewall and antivirus programs are known to block files the instant it detects a threat to the system. However, there are some cases when it can also block a file even when it’s a safe one. Thus, your antivirus or firewall programs might be the reason why you can’t download anything on your Windows 10 computer. To isolate the issue, you need to temporarily disable both the Firewall and antivirus programs and then check if you can now download anything from the internet. Do not forget to enable them again as disabling them can leave your computer vulnerable to cyber threats.

Option 4 – Disable the Proxy server

You can also try to disable the Proxy server for your LAN to fix Error code 15 or Error code 16 especially if your computer was attacked by some malware or adware recently. In such cases, there is a chance that the malware or adware has changed your network settings in order to generate intrusive advertisements. Thus, you have to disable the proxy server and you can do that by following these steps:
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “inetcpl.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to pull up the Internet Properties.
  • After that, go to the Connections tab and select the LAN settings.
  • From there. Uncheck the “Use a Proxy Server” option for your LAN and then make sure that the “Automatically detect settings” option is checked.
  • Now click the OK and the Apply buttons.
  • Restart your PC.
Note: If you are using a third-party proxy service, you have to disable it.

Option 5 – Check your VPN

If you are using a VPN application, there are times when it causes some issues like this error. If that’s the case, you can try to disable your VPN temporarily and see if the error is resolved or not and if turns out that your VPN is the culprit, you have to uninstall it and install a new one or its latest version. To uninstall it, follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box
  • Then type “appwiz.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to open the Programs and Features in Control Panel.
  • From there, look for the VPN service you are using, select it and then click on Uninstall to remove it.
  • After that, restart your computer and try to install the latest version of the program again. It should work now. If not, proceed to the next available option below.
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Hide application and features in control panel
Program and features are Control panel section where once accessed contains all programs installed on the operating system. From these windows, any logged-in user can modify applications, uninstall them, etc. If for whatever reason you want to limit this access to users and remove this group from the control panel please do keep reading as we show you how you can achieve this desired result using two methods: via policy editor or registry editor. Feel free to use any provided method as both works (except on Windows 10 Home edition) and achieve the same thing, it all comes down to preferred preference on how you wish to do things.

Local group policy editor method

This method is more straightforward and easier perhaps than its counterpart but it has one significant drawback, it will not work on Windows 10 Home edition which does not have in itself a policy editor included. If you are using Windows 10 Home edition then feel free to skip this method and do it via registry editor. That being said let's start:
  • Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog
  • Inside run dialog type in gpedit.msc followed by ENTER to open Group policy editor
  • Go to User Configuration\ Administrative Templates\ Control Panel\ Programs\
  • Double-click on the setting named Hide Programs and Features page
  • Change the toggle option from Not Configured to Enabled
  • Click on the Apply button and then the Ok button to save the changes
  • at this point, everything is supposed to be applied and your changes should take effect immediately. However, it has come to our attention that sometimes this is not the case. If you are one of these users which for whatever reason have not experienced applying to set momentarily do not despair and follow this quick guide on how to refresh settings and apply them right away.
  • Press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the hidden menu
  • Click on command prompt (admin)
  • In command prompt type in gpupdate /force and press ENTER in order to force update and set setting right away

Registry editor method

The registry editor method is a more complex one but it will be your only way of doing it if as mentioned you are running Windows 10 Home edition. As always it is highly recommended to make a backup of the Windows registry before tempering with it.
  • Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog
  • Inside run dialog type in regedit and press ENTER to open the registry editor
  • If you would like to make a backup of the Windows registry go to File > Export and save the backup on a secure location naming it as you wish
  • Locate the following key inside the registry editor HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Programs
  • Right-click on the right pane of the Programs key and choose the New > DWORD (32-bit) Value option
  • Name the value as NoProgramsAndFeatures
  • Double-click on the NoProgramsAndFeatures value to open it
  • Change the value data to 1
  • Save the changes
  • Reboot the computer in order for changes to take effect.
note: you can always change values back in order to show again panel by changing the value to 0 in registry editor or choosing Not Configured or Disabled in the local group policy editor
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How to remove myBrowser

myBrowser is a Potentially Unwanted Program that allows users to access the internet. This browser suggests users install other PUP like myfiles, myemail, and others. This application claims to be a good reliable portable internet browser, however during our test use of the program several website scripts crashed and were not able to open up all the website assets required, leaving the users with a mediocre browsing experience.

While browsing the internet through this program, you might see additional ads and sponsored links injected into your search results and/or websites.

About Potentially Unwanted Applications

What is a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP)?

Everyone has experienced it – you download and install a free application, you then notice some unwanted programs on your computer system, come across a strange toolbar on your web browser, or find your default search engine has been changed to something else. You didn’t set them up, so how did they turn up? Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUP), also referred to as Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUA), are programs that you never wanted in the first place and often come bundled with freeware software. Once installed, most of these applications can be difficult to eliminate and become much more of an annoyance rather than a necessity. PUP doesn’t involve malware in the traditional sense. A basic difference between PUP and malware is distribution. Malware is commonly dropped by silent installation vectors such as drive-by downloads while PUP gets installed with the consent of the user, who knowingly or unintentionally authorizes the PUP installation on their PC. PUP developers may argue that their programs aren’t malicious software but they can still be dangerous software and put the computer at risk much the same way a computer virus does.

What do PUPs do on your PC, precisely?

Unwanted programs can be found in various forms. Usually, they will be found in adware bundlers that are known to utilize aggressive and misleading advertising. The majority of bundlers install many adware applications from several vendors, each of which features its own EULA policy. Safebytes Anti-malware entirely removes this threat and protects your PC against unwanted programs or malware infection. PUPS also appear in the form of undesirable toolbars or web browser add-ons. They may change your internet browser settings, monitor your surfing activities and online searches, take up a large amount of space on your monitor, and degrade your web browsing experience. Potentially Unwanted Programs at times act quite similarly to computer viruses or spyware. They will often carry keyloggers, dialers, and other programs built inside them that may track you or send your sensitive details to third parties. Even if the PUPs aren’t basically malicious, these programs still do absolutely nothing good on your computer – they will take precious resources, slow down your PC, weaken your device’s security, making your PC more vulnerable to trojans.

Protect yourself from PUPs

• Read very carefully before you install anything. Do not click accept till you have read the fine print. There will probably be a clause about PUPs. • Always select “Custom” or “Advanced” installation and never blindly click the Next button, which will let you uncheck any foistware software programs you do not want. • Use an anti-PUP program. Security software like Safebytes Anti-malware provides the very best real-time protection against PUPs and also other malware. • Be alert if you install freeware, open-source software, or shareware. Don’t install programs that appear suspicious or malicious. • Always download software from reliable sources like official websites instead of untrustworthy sharing space. Stay away from file-hosting sites where/when possible. Comply with these guidelines and you should more or less never get potentially unwanted programs on your PC

What To Do When You Cannot Install Safebytes Anti-Malware?

Malware could cause all kinds of damage once they invade your PC, from stealing your private details to deleting files on your computer. Some malware is designed to restrict or prevent things that you wish to do on your computer. It may well not let you download anything from the internet or stop you from accessing a few or all of the internet sites, particularly the anti-malware sites. So what you should do if malware prevents you from downloading or installing Safebytes Anti-Malware? Follow the instructions below to eliminate malware by alternate methods.

Make use of Safe Mode to fix the problem

If any virus is set to run automatically when Microsoft Windows starts, stepping into safe mode could very well block this attempt. Since only the minimal programs and services launch in Safe Mode, there are hardly any reasons for issues to occur. Below are the steps you need to follow to start into the Safe Mode of your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computers (check out the Microsoft website for instructions on Windows 8 and 10 computers). 1) Hit the F8 key repeatedly as soon as your PC boots, but before the big Windows logo comes up. 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 this mode loads, you should have the internet. Now, make use of your internet browser to download and install an anti-malware application. 4) Right after the software is installed, let the scan run to remove viruses and other threats automatically.

Obtain the antivirus software using a different browser

Some malware mainly targets specific web browsers. If this sounds like your case, make use of another internet browser as it might circumvent the virus. If you’re not able to download the security application using Internet Explorer, this means the virus is targeting IE’s vulnerabilities. Here, you should switch to another internet browser such as Chrome or Firefox to download the Safebytes program.

Create a bootable USB antivirus drive

Here’s another solution which is creating a portable USB anti-virus software package that can scan your system for malware without needing installation. Adopt these measures to run the anti-virus on the affected PC. 1) Download Safebytes Anti-Malware or Microsoft Windows Defender Offline onto a clean PC. 2) Plug in the pen drive into the uninfected computer. 3) Double click on the exe file to open the installation wizard. 4) When asked, choose the location of the USB drive as the place in which you want to store the software files. Follow the directions to finish the installation process. 5) Now, transfer the flash drive to the infected computer. 6) Double-click the EXE file to open the Safebytes tool right from the flash drive. 7) Click the “Scan” button to run a full computer scan and remove malware automatically.

SafeBytes Anti-Malware: Lightweight Malware Protection for Windows Computer

If you’re looking to download the anti-malware program for your computer, there are numerous tools on the market to consider however, you should not trust blindly anyone, irrespective of whether it is a paid or free program. Some of them do a good job in removing threats while some will ruin your computer themselves. You have to select one that is reliable, practical and has a good reputation for its malware source protection. On the list of strongly recommended tool by industry experts is SafeBytes Anti-Malware, a well known security software for Microsoft Windows. SafeBytes is a powerful, real-time anti-malware application that is designed to assist the common computer user in safeguarding their computer from malicious threats. With its outstanding protection system, this tool will quickly detect and eliminate the majority of the security threats, which includes adware, viruses, browser hijackers, ransomware, trojans, worms, and PUPs.

SafeBytes anti-malware takes computer protection to a whole new level with its enhanced features. The following are some of the great features included in the software.

Live Protection: SafeBytes offers real-time active checking and protection against all known viruses and malware. It will continuously monitor your pc for hacker activity and also gives end-users superior firewall protection. Best AntiMalware Protection: This deep-cleaning anti-malware application goes much deeper than most antivirus tools to clean your computer. Its critically acclaimed virus engine locates and disables hard to remove malware that hides deep within your computer. Website Filtering: SafeBytes provides instant safety rating to the webpages you’re going to visit, automatically blocking unsafe sites and to make sure that you are certain of your safety while browsing the internet. Lightweight Utility: SafeBytes is a light-weight application. It consumes a very small amount of processing power as it works in the background so you are free to use your Windows-based computer the way you really want. Premium Support: You will get 24/7 technical assistance to quickly resolve any concern with your security application. SafeBytes can keep your PC protected from the latest malware threats automatically, thus keeping your online experience secure and safe. Now you may realize that this tool does more than just scan and delete threats in your computer. If you’re looking for the very best malware removal tool out there, and if you don’t mind spending some dollars for it, opt for SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you want to carry out the removal of myBrowser manually instead of using an automated software tool, you can follow these simple steps: Proceed to the Windows Control Panel, click on the “Add/Remove Programs” and there, choose the offending application to remove. In cases of suspicious versions of browser extensions, you can easily remove them through your web browser’s extension manager. You will most probably also want to totally reset your internet browser to its default settings. Lastly, check your hard disk for all of the following and clean your Windows registry manually to remove leftover application entries after uninstalls. Please remember that only advanced computer users should try to manually edit the registry because incorrect file deletion leads to a major problem or even a PC crash. Moreover, some malicious programs have the capability to defend against its deletion. Carrying out this in Safe Mode is advised.
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Install Remote Server Administration Tools
RSAT or Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 10 is a collection of programs for IT experts. It helps in managing Servers from a Windows 10 PC and starting with the Windows 10 v1809 or the October 2018 update, users have to install the Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 10 as Features on Demand or as Optional Features. The program includes the Microsoft Management Console or MMC snap-ins, Server Manager, consoles, Windows PowerShell cmdlets, and providers as well as command-line tools for managing roles and features that run on the Windows Server. So if you have updated your Windows 10 pc to v1809 or later then the RSAT tool has to be installed as a set of Features on Demand right from Windows 10. You can install RSAT Tools on Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 10 Professional and once you install it, make sure that you do not install RSAT tools from the Microsoft Download page directly. Step 1: Open Settings and then go to Apps > Apps & Features. Step 2: Next, click on Manage Optional Features. Step 3: After that, click on Add a Feature which will load all the optional features one can install. Step 4: Now scroll to find the listing of all 18 RSAT tools and depending on what you need, click and install them. Step 5: Then go back to where you should see the progress of the installation. Click on the Manage Optional Features page to check the status. Note: If you are well-versed with the command line or automation, you can also install Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 10 via DISM /add-capability. And when you install anything via Features on Demand, they stay across Windows 10 version upgrades. On the other hand, if you feel that you don’t need a particular RSAT feature, you have the option to uninstall it using the Manage Option Features. However, bear in mind that some tools depend on one another which means that if you uninstall anything that has a dependency, it will only fail that’s why you need to be careful.

To uninstall an RSAT feature, here’s what you have to do:

Step 1: Go to Settings > Apps > Manage Optional Features. Step 2: After that, look for the list of installed feature that appears before this. Step 3: Now select the feature you want to uninstall and go back. If you have some system-related issues that need to get fixed, there is a one-click solution known as [product-name] you could check out to resolve them. This program is a useful and efficient tool that could repair corrupted registries and optimize your PC’s overall performance. Aside from that, it also cleans out your computer for any junk or corrupted files that help you eliminate any unwanted files from your system. This is basically a solution that’s within your grasp with just a click. It’s easy to use as it is user-friendly. For the complete set of instructions in downloading and using it, refer to the steps below.
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Windows computer doesn’t recognize second GPU
A lot of Windows users, use a second GPU for their computer systems, especially gamers above the dedicated graphics card. The operating system is set such that the dedicated high-end graphics card is set to default but there are times when the system does not recognize or detect the second graphics card. Even though every computer system comes with an integrated graphics card, for the most part, it is insufficient for graphics-intensive games and software which is why if you have an extra dedicated graphics card and your computer does not seem to detect or recognize it, then this post is for you. It could be that the dedicated graphics card has failed or it could also be an issue with the drivers and so on. Follow the suggested options below to resolve the problem.

Option 1 – Update your Graphics drivers

  • First, boot your computer into Safe Mode.
  • After that, tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
  • Type in msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
  • After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. From there, look for the Display Adapters and click on them.
  • After that, right-click on each entry under the Display Adapters and select the “Uninstall Device” option from the menu.
  • Now restart your computer.
  • After restarting your computer, go to the Settings app and Check for Updates in the Windows Update section.
Note: You also have the option to go directly to the website of your graphics card manufacturers like NVIDIA, Intel, or AMD and go to the section called Drivers then check if there’s a new available update – if there is, download and install it.

Option 2 – Update the BIOS

Take note that you have to be careful when modifying something in the BIOS. So if you don’t know much about it, it’s best if you skip on this option and try the other ones instead. However, if you are well-versed in navigating the BIOS, then follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type “msinfo32” in the field and press Enter to open System Information.
  • From there, you should find a search field on the bottom where you have to search for the BIOS version and then press Enter.
  • After that, you should see the developer and version of the BIOS installed on your PC.
  • Go to your manufacturer’s website and then download the latest version of BIOS on your computer.
  • If you are using a laptop, make sure that you keep it plugged in until you have updated the BIOS.
  • Now double click on the downloaded file and install the new BIOS version on your computer.
  • Now restart your computer to apply the changes made.

Option 3 – Try changing the GPU settings

  • Right-click on any empty space on your Desktop and select Graphics Properties. Note that the Graphics Properties screen depends on the graphics drivers installed on your computer and are system-specific as they may be different for other systems but they aren’t hard to find.
  • After that, make sure that the dedicated Graphics card is selected as Default under the Select Display drop-down.
  • If the Graphics card isn’t set as Default, set it and click Apply and Exit.

Option 4 – Try disabling the driver for the integrated Graphics card

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type “devmgmt.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Device Manager.
  • From there, expand the list of Display Adapters and then right-click and select Disable device for the Integrated Graphics card. However, if the dedicated Graphics card fails, the display won’t work so you need to restart the system and enable it.
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How to remove GetCouponsFast.com from PC

The Get Coupons Fast Toolbar is a Browser Extension for Google Chrome developed by Mindspark Inc. This extension allows quick access to the most popular coupon websites available. While this might look like a good useful idea, keep in mind that it has been classified as a Browser Hijacker by Several anti-virus applications.

When installed this extension will hijack your new tab page, changing it to a customized version of Search.MyWay.com. While active It records user browser activity, this data is later used to better target ads. While browsing the internet with this extension installed you will see additional pop-up ads, sponsored content, and injected ads into your browser search results and pages. GetCouponsFast usually comes bundled with other PUP-s or Browser Hijackers that may harm your computer and it is recommended you remove it from your PC.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking means that a malicious code has taken control over and altered the settings of your internet browser, without your permission. They are created to disrupt browser functions for various reasons. It redirects you to the sponsored sites and inserts ads on your internet browser that assists its developer to generate revenue. While it might seem harmless, these tools were created by malicious people who always look to take advantage of you, so that they could make money from your naivety and distraction. They did not just ruin your browsers, but browser hijackers can also modify the system registry, making your computer or laptop susceptible to various other types of attacks.

Signs of browser hijacker infection

There are plenty of signs that indicate the web browser has been highjacked: 1. you notice unauthorized modifications to your web browser’s home-page 2. you find re-directed to internet sites you never intended to visit 3. the default browser configurations have been modified and/or your default web engine is altered 4. you’ll see many toolbars on your browser 5. you might see never-ending pop-up adverts on your computer screen 6. your browser has become unstable or starts running slowly 7. you are blocked to access the websites of antivirus solution providers.

How does a computer get infected with a browser hijacker?

Browser hijackers might use drive-by downloads or file-sharing networks or an email attachment in order to reach a targeted computer system. They could also come from add-on applications, also known as browser helper objects (BHO), web browser extensions, or toolbars. Some internet browser hijackers spread in user’s computers using a deceptive software distribution method called “bundling” (often through freeware and shareware). Browser hijackers will affect the user’s web browsing experience severely, monitor the websites visited by users and steal sensitive information, cause difficulty in connecting to the web, and eventually create stability problems, making programs and systems freeze.

Removal

Some hijackers can be simply removed by deleting the free software they were included with or by deleting any add-ons you have recently added to your browser. Unluckily, the majority of the software applications utilized to hijack an internet browser are deliberately designed to be difficult to detect or get rid of. And there is no denying the very fact that manual repairs and removal can certainly be a difficult task for a novice PC user. Moreover, there are various risks connected with tinkering around with the system registry files. Installing and running anti-malware software on the affected computer will automatically erase browser hijackers as well as other unwanted programs. In order to get rid of persistent browser hijackers effectively, install the award-winning Anti-Malware tool Safebytes Anti-Malware. Employ a pc optimizer (such as Total System Care) along with your anti-malware to repair various computer registry problems, remove computer vulnerabilities, and improve your computer performance.

How To Get Eliminate Virus That Is Blocking Antivirus Downloads?

Malware could 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 is created to hinder or block things that you wish to do on your PC. It may not permit you to download anything from the net or it will prevent you from accessing a few or all of the websites, in particular the anti-virus sites. If you are reading this article right now, you may have perhaps realized that a malware infection is a reason for your blocked internet connectivity. So what to do if you want to download and install an anti-virus application like Safebytes? There are some steps you can take to circumvent this problem.

Boot Windows in Safe Mode

Safe Mode is actually a unique, simplified version of Windows in which just bare minimum services are loaded to prevent malware and also other troublesome programs from loading. If the malicious software is set to load automatically when the PC starts, shifting into this mode may prevent it from doing so. In order to enter into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press the F8 key while the system is booting up or run MSCONFIG and find the “Safe Boot” options under the “Boot” tab. Once you are in safe mode, you can attempt to install your anti-malware program without the hindrance of the malicious software. Right after installation, run the malware scanner to remove standard infections.

Use an alternate web browser to download security software

Web-based malware can be environment-specific, aiming for a particular browser or attacking particular versions of the browser. The best solution to avoid this issue is to choose an internet browser that is known for its security features. Firefox contains built-in Malware and Phishing Protection to keep you secure online.

Run anti-virus from a pen drive

Another option would be to make a portable anti-malware program onto your USB flash drive. To run anti-virus using a pen drive, follow these simple measures: 1) Download Safebytes Anti-Malware or Windows Defender Offline onto a virus-free PC. 2) Plug the USB drive into the clean computer. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the anti-malware program to run the Installation Wizard. 4) Select thumb drive as the place when the wizard asks you where you wish to install the application. Follow the directions to complete the installation process. 5) Unplug the flash drive. Now you can utilize this portable anti-virus on the infected computer. 6) Double click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the pen drive to run the application. 7) Click the “Scan Now” button to start the virus scan.

SafeBytes Anti-Malware Overview

Want to download the best anti-malware application for your desktop? There are many applications on the market that comes in free and paid versions for Windows systems. Some are very good ones, some are ok types, while some are just fake anti-malware programs that will damage your personal computer themselves! While looking for an antimalware program, pick one that offers reliable, efficient, and total protection against all known viruses and malware. On the list of recommended software is SafeBytes AntiMalware. SafeBytes has a good history of quality service, and customers appear to be happy with it. Safebytes is among the well-established PC solutions companies, which provide this all-inclusive anti-malware application. With its outstanding protection system, this tool will automatically detect and remove most of the security threats, which include adware, viruses, browser hijackers, PUPs, trojans, worms, and ransomware.

SafeBytes possesses a variety of wonderful features that can help you protect your computer from malware attacks and damage. Listed below are a few of the great ones:

Real-time Protection: SafeBytes provides round-the-clock protection for your computer restricting malware intrusions in real-time. They are very efficient in screening and getting rid of numerous threats because they’re regularly improved with new updates and alerts. Robust Anti-malware Protection: Built on a highly acclaimed antivirus engine, this malware removal tool has the capacity to find and remove various stubborn malware threats such as browser hijackers, PUPs, and ransomware that other common antivirus programs will miss. Web protection: SafeBytes checks the hyperlinks present on a webpage for possible threats and tells you if the website is safe to explore or not, through its unique safety rating system. Minimal CPU and Memory Usage: SafeBytes is a lightweight and simple to use antivirus and anti-malware solution. As it utilizes very low computer resources, this software leaves the computer power exactly where it belongs: with you. 24/7 Customer Service: Support service is available 24 x 7 x 365 days via chat and email to answer your queries. Overall, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is a solid program since it has lots of features and could identify and remove any potential threats. Now you may realize that this tool does more than just scan and delete threats on your computer. So when you need advanced forms of protection features and threat detections, purchasing SafeBytes Anti-Malware could be well worth the dollars!

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you don’t want to use malware removal software and prefer to eliminate GetCouponsFast manually, you could 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 remove it by visiting the browser’s Add-on/Extension manager. Additionally, it is advised to reset your web browser settings to their default state. Lastly, check your hard disk for all of the following and clean your registry manually to remove leftover application entries after uninstallation. Please keep in mind that only advanced users should attempt to manually edit the system files since deleting any single vital registry entry results in a serious problem or even a PC crash. Moreover, certain malicious programs are capable to defend against its removal. It is recommended that you do the removal process in Windows Safe Mode.
Files: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\iadmakoacmnjmcacmhlcjcameijgcopj %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\iadmakoacmnjmcacmhlcjcameijgcopj %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\GetCouponsFastTooltab %LOCALAPPDATA%\GetCouponsFastTooltab Registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\[APPLICATION]\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall..Uninstaller
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Protestware, what it is, and why it is a bad thing

The author of the famous software library mode-ipc that gets over a million downloads per week found that it has some questionable code inside. The code itself behaves like this: if it finds out that your location is within Russia or Belarus it will try to replace the contents of all files on the computer with a heart emoji.

One important thing is that we here are not supporting the current Ukrainian situation and are against any type of violence or war but we also do not support this kind of behavior as well. If we look at this only from a technical perspective, we would then classify the mode-ipc library as malware and a harmful piece of code no matter the motivation behind it.

code block

So this so-called protestware is well basically malware, but not always, it will protest when certain conditions are met. The issue with this is that companies and users should not be placed under harm if they do not share the personal view of the code author. Imagine if, for example, I would publish code to delete all pictures from your computer if my code found out that you do not like metal music. I guess you not liking metal music and war in Ukraine are two very different things but the source is the same, unreliable code that invades your privacy in order to serve one purpose, punishment for disagreeing with my personal views and that should not be allowed.

Not all protestware are equal, some will not harm your computer on purpose, they will just annoy you with some messages like viruses did in their infancy stages, others might place some developer sanctions but no matter the outcome basic principle is the same, it does something without user consent and without informing the user that something like that might happen.

On the internet, many blog posts and discussions were open about this issue and its morality. Discussion is still active with different takes on the situation and how to prevent it. Our take on this matter is that professional developers should have standards and not submit to doing harm for the sake of personal views and feelings.

In the long run, this kind of behavior and practice can only harm developers involved in this kind of entanglement. Infected libraries will in time stop being used since people would not trust them and authors will have a stain on their name as impulsive or not trustworthy.

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GitHub introduction and explanation
If you are starting to get into the “wonderful” world of coding there is a high chance that you have heard of GitHub or Git for short and there is a slight chance that you might be confused about what exactly GitHub is. If this is the case, we are welcoming you to go through our article and find everything about it and why it is so popular and used all around the world.

githubWhat exactly is GitHub?

If we want to go all technical and just point the obvious we could say that GitHub is basically a WEB site and cloud service used for storing and managing code in all languages. But to truly understand why you should use GitHub and not Dropbox or any storage service instead you need to understand concepts like Version Control and Git.

Version Control

Version control is meant to help developers to work separately on different parts of codes and update is separately not breaking the original one. Take note that this option is meant when there is a big project and has more than one coder working on it. If you are a solo coder on your personal project this might not be anything groundbreaking for you personally. But let’s now assume that you are part of a team and that your task is to edit only one function of a project and other people working will also have their tasks. With version control, you could take only part of the code and work on it and once you are finished merge it back into the main repository. All changes in the main code are automatically tracked and can be easily reverted back if needed. The good stuff is that rolling back can be used only let’s say on a code you submitted and other changes made to the source can be kept. As you can see this makes a very good and efficient working space and a good coding environment.

Git

Git itself is a specific version control system, an open-source version control system to be more precise created by Linus Torvalds in 2005. It is a distributed version control system, which means that the entire codebase and history is available on every developer’s computer, which allows for easy branching and merging. Currently, over 87% of worldwide developers are using Git on a daily basis.

So GitHub is?

GitHub is a profit company that offers a cloud-based Git repository hosting service, in other words, it automates and makes it easy for everyone to use Git for version control and collaboration. It focuses on user interface and ease of use so even beginner coders can use it right away without any large confusion and using command lines and setting it themselves manually. GitHub also has a free personal plan in which you can host a public code repository completely free. This option placed GitHub very popular with open source projects. If you are a company you can purchase a plan to have a private code repository shared only to members of your team or company.

Conclusion

As stated almost every developer on a planet uses some version of Git, many of them are on GitHub and there is a lot of open source projects on it. Some employers even ask to see your GitHub repository when deciding if they want to employ you, think of it as a portfolio for coders. There is not a single disadvantage and not a single argument against using it, especially it has a personal free option. So if you want to look better and more professional in the coding world go, make an account and place some code on it, share it with the world, and see how it goes. You might even get some help on projects from other coders if you need it.
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