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Remove HowToSimplified PUP Removal Tutorial

HowToSimplified is a browser extension developed by MindSpark inc. This extension offers users easy access to DIY tutorials, guides, and websites just a few clicks away. There is also a top video selection with the most popular DIY videos at the moment.

This extension, though it may look useful in the beginning, hijacks your browser's default search provider, it changes your default home page to HowToSimplified, powered by the MyWay search engine. During your browsing sessions, it will record your website visits, collect information, clicks, and sometimes even personal data. This information is later used to deliver ads that are injected into your browser search results. Aside from sponsored links, and additional unwanted ads that this extension displays, it also may from time to time display pop-up ads during your browsing sessions.

Multiple anti-virus scanners have detected HowToSimplified as a Browser Hijacker and are therefore not recommended to keep on your computer for security and privacy reasons.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking means that a malicious program code has control over and altered the settings of your internet browser, without your approval. Almost all browser hijackers are made for marketing or advertising purposes. In most cases, browser hijacking is used for earning ad revenue that comes from forced advert clicks and site visits. It could seem naive, but most of such sites aren’t legitimate and could pose a severe threat to your online safety. In a much worst case, your browser can be hijacked to download malware that can do a lot of damage to your computer system.

How you can recognize a browser hijack

There are many symptoms that indicate your browser has been highjacked: home page is changed; bookmark and the new tab are also changed; the default web engine is changed and your browser security settings have been cut down without your knowledge; find new toolbars that you simply didn’t add; unstoppable flurries of popup advertisements show up on your personal computer screen; your internet browser has become unstable or starts running sluggishly; you can’t navigate to certain internet pages, like computer security software related websites.

How they invade PCs

Browser hijackers infect computer systems through malicious email attachments, downloaded infected documents, or by visiting infected websites. They can also be deployed via the installation of a web browser toolbar, add-on, or extension. Other times you may have accidentally accepted a browser hijacker as part of an application bundle (generally freeware or shareware). An example of some notorious browser hijacker includes Babylon, Anyprotect, Conduit, DefaultTab, SweetPage, Delta Search, and RocketTab, but the names are regularly changing.

Browser hijacking can lead to severe privacy issues and even identity theft, disrupt your browsing experience by taking command over outbound traffic, drastically slows down your personal computer by consuming a lot of resources, and cause system instability as well.

Browser Hijacker Malware – Removal

The one thing you can try to get rid of a browser hijacker is to find the malware inside the “Add or Remove Programs” list of the Windows Control Panel. It might or might not be there. When it is, uninstall it. However, many hijackers are harder to track down or remove since they might get themselves associated with some critical computer files that enable it to operate as a necessary operating-system process. Amateur computer users shouldn’t ever attempt the manual form of removal methods, since it requires detailed system knowledge to carry out repairs on the computer registry and HOSTS file.

How One Can Eliminate a Virus that is Blocking Websites or Preventing Downloads

Practically all malware is detrimental and the extent of the damage will vary greatly depending on the type of malware. Some malware is meant to hinder or block things that you want to do on your computer. It may well not let you download anything from the web or it will prevent you from accessing a few or all internet sites, especially the anti-malware websites. If you are reading this article right now, you may have perhaps realized that a malware infection is the cause of your blocked internet connectivity. So how to proceed if you need to install an anti-malware program like Safebytes? There are a few actions you can take to get around this problem.

Install the anti-malware in Safe Mode

The Windows operating system comes with a special mode referred to as “Safe Mode” where just the minimum required applications and services are loaded. If the malware is obstructing the internet connection and affecting your PC, starting it in Safe Mode allows you to download anti-malware and run a diagnostic scan while limiting potential damage. To enter into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press the F8 key while the PC is starting up or run MSCONFIG and look for the “Safe Boot” options under the “Boot” tab. Once you’re in Safe Mode, you can attempt to install your anti-malware software application without the hindrance of the malicious software. At this point, you can actually run the antivirus scan to get rid of viruses and malware without interference from another malicious application.

Obtain the anti-malware program using an alternate web browser

Web-based viruses can be environment-specific, targeting a particular internet browser or attacking specific versions of the web browser. If you seem to have a trojan attached to Internet Explorer, then switch to a different browser with built-in security features, such as Firefox or Chrome, to download your favorite anti-malware program – Safebytes.

Install and run anti-malware from the USB drive

Another solution is to create a portable anti-malware program on your USB thumb drive. Try these simple measures to clear up your infected PC using portable anti-malware.
1) Download the anti-malware on a virus-free computer.
2) Plug the Thumb drive into the uninfected computer.
3) Double-click the Setup icon of the antivirus program to run the Installation Wizard.
4) Choose a thumb drive as the place when the wizard asks you where you want to install the application. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
5) Transfer the USB drive from the uninfected PC to the infected PC.
6) Double-click the EXE file to run the Safebytes software right from the thumb drive.
7) Click on “Scan Now” to run a complete scan on the affected computer for viruses.

If, after all of these methods, you are still having troubles with the possible infection, feel free to write to us with your question, through chat or email. If you are unsure which method to employ, simply call our toll-free number 1-844-377-4107 to speak to our technical support team. Our experts can walk you through the virus removal process on the phone and fix the computer remotely.

Protect Your Personal Computer From Viruses and Malware With SafeBytes Security Suite

Nowadays, an anti-malware tool can protect your laptop or computer from various kinds of internet threats. But exactly how to choose the best one amongst the many malware protection software that is available on the market? Perhaps you might be aware, there are several anti-malware companies and products for you to consider. A few of them are great but there are lots of scamware applications that pretend as authentic anti-malware software waiting to wreak havoc on the computer. You must be careful not to choose the wrong product, especially if you purchase a paid application. When thinking about trustworthy programs, Safebytes AntiMalware is certainly the highly recommended one.

SafeBytes anti-malware is a powerful, highly effective protection tool designed to assist users of all levels of IT literacy in detecting and eliminating malicious threats from their PC. This tool can easily detect, eliminate, and protect your PC from the most advanced malware intrusions including spyware, adware, trojan horses, ransomware, parasites, worms, PUPs, as well as other possibly damaging software programs.

SafeBytes has great features when compared to other anti-malware programs. A few of them are listed as below:

Best AntiMalware Protection: Built on a highly acclaimed anti-virus engine, this malware removal application has the capacity to identify and remove various obstinate malware threats such as browser hijackers, potentially unwanted programs, and ransomware that other common anti-virus software will miss.

Live Protection: SafeBytes provides real-time active monitoring service and protection against all known computer viruses and malware. It’ll constantly monitor your computer for hacker activity and also gives users superior firewall protection.

Web Protection: Safebytes allots all websites a unique safety score that helps you to have an idea of whether the webpage you’re about to visit is safe to view or known to be a phishing site.

“Fast Scan” Features: SafeBytes Anti-Malware possesses a multi-thread scan algorithm that works up to five times faster than any other protection software.

Very Low CPU and RAM Usage: SafeBytes is a lightweight application. It uses up a really small amount of processing power as it works in the background therefore you won’t notice any computer performance difficulties.

24/7 Customer Support: You will get 24/7 technical support to quickly resolve any concern with your security tool.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove HowToSimplified 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 HowToSimplified

Files:
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempnsu1.tmp
C:76681c9c0f70e45328483cc27310678c28751a66f9849aa13f34d2e7f8c650
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempnsf2.tmp
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempnsf2.tmpnsDialogs.dll
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempnsf2.tmpSystem.dll
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempnsf2.tmpnsDialogs.dll
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempnsf2.tmpSystem.dll
C:Program FilesHowToSimplified_8e

Registry:
Key: HKCUSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper ObjectsValue: Verizon Broadband Toolbar Data: A057A204-BACC-4D26-8398-26FADCF27386
Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun Value: Hoolapp Android Data: C:usersuserappdataRoamingHOOLAP~1Hoolapp.exe
Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun Value: ctfmon.exe Data: C:Program Files3rundll32.exe C:Program Files3lni28.dat,FG00

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Option 2 – Try to run the DISM tool

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Option 3 – Try performing a System Restore

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Option 4 – Try to run Automatic or Startup Repair

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Further Information and Manual Repair

The error 0x80040116 is displayed in just one of these types:
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Option 1 – Delete the contents in the Temporary folder

You can also try deleting the contents in the Temporary folder – all the downloaded, pending, or failed Windows 10 updates. You can do that using the simple and easy steps below.
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  • Then type “%temp%” in the field and press Enter to open the Temporary folder.
  • After that, select all the folders and files within the Temp folder and delete all of them.

Option 2 – Try running the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Running the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter is one of the things you can first check out as it is known to automatically resolve any Windows Update errors like Error code 0x80246007. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button. After that, follow the next on-screen instructions and you should be good to go.

Option 3 – Try renaming or removing the pending .xml file

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Option 4 – Restart the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)

The Background Intelligent Transfer Service or BITS is a part of the Windows Update service that manages the background download of Windows Update, as well as scans for new updates and so on. Thus, if your Windows Update fails a couple of times, you might want to restart BITS. For you to do that, make sure that you have admin privileges.
  • Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “msc” in the field and hit Enter to open Services.
  • After opening Services, look for the Background Intelligent Transfer Service from the list of services and then double click on it to open Properties.
  • Next, set the Startup type to Manual and click on the Start button. If it doesn’t help, you can try setting it to Automatic (Delayed) and then reboot your PC.

Option 5 – Run the DISM tool

Running the DISM Tool helps in repairing the Windows System Image as well as the Windows Component Store in Windows 10. Using this built-in tool, you have various options such as the “/ScanHealth”, “/CheckHealth”, and “/RestoreHealth”.
  • Open the Command Prompt with admin privileges.
  • Then type in the following commands and make sure to hit Enter right after you type each one of them:
    • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
    • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
    • exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
  • Do not close the window if the process takes a while as it will probably take a few minutes to finish.

Option 6 – Delete the files from the Software Distribution folder

The downloaded Windows Updates are placed in a folder called “SoftwareDistribution”. The files downloaded in this folder are automatically deleted once the installation is completed. However, if the files are not clean up or if the installation is still pending, you can delete all the files in this folder after you pause the Windows Update service. For complete instructions, refer to the steps below.
  • Open the WinX Menu.
  • From there, open Command Prompt as admin.
  • Then type in the following command – don’t forget to hit Enter right after typing each one of them.
net stop wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver
  • After entering these commands, it will stop the Windows Update Service, Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Cryptographic, and the MSI Installer
  • Next, go to the C:/Windows/SoftwareDistribution folder and get rid of all the folders and files thereby tapping the Ctrl + A keys to select them all and then click on Delete. Note that if the files are in use, you won’t be able to delete them.

Option 7 – Reset the Catroot2 folder

After resetting the SoftwareDistribution folder, you need to reset the Catroot2 folder to restart the services you just stopped. To do that, follow these steps:
  • Type each one of the following commands.
net start wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver
  • After that, exit Command Prompt and restart your computer, and then try to run Windows Update once more.
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A Quick Guide to Fixing Error 577

Error 577 - What is it?

This is a typical system error code. It stops your ability to run or load programs on your PC. The error message is displayed in the following format:
‘Windows cannot verify the digital signature for this file.
A recent hardware or software change might have installed a file that is signed incorrectly or damaged, or that might be malicious software from an unknown source.’

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Error 577 may be triggered due to several reasons. However, the most common causes of this error include:
  • Device Driver Conflicts
  • Hardware Malfunction
  • Viral Infection
  • Windows Registry Corruption or Damage
  • Software File Corruption or Damage
Error 577 can prove to be fatal if the underlying causes are related to viral infection or registry corruption.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To resolve error 577 on your PC, you don’t have to hire a professional and spend hundreds of dollars on repair. The process for fixing this error is simple and easy. Here are some of the best and efficient methods to repair error 577 - no technical expertise is required.

Method 1 - Check and Update Device Drivers

If the problem is triggered by the outdated or corrupted driver for the device reporting the error then it is advisable to update the driver. To do this, first, uninstall the corrupted driver and then reinstall the latest version. For this simply click the start menu, go to the control panel and then click Performance and Maintenance, and then System. In the new window, you will then see a tab called Hardware and the Device Manager. Double click on the device whose driver you need to uninstall. Click on the properties window with a tab marked driver. Then click on the driver you want to uninstall. To activate changes reboot your PC. Now reinstall the latest and updated version of the driver uninstalled using the Plug and Play feature.

Method 2 - Scan For Viruses

System error codes like 577 can also pop up if your PC is infected by viruses. Viruses enter through phishing emails and downloadable files from unreliable websites. If the reason for error 577 is a viral infection, then simply install a powerful antivirus, run it to scan your entire PC. Remove all the viruses and malicious programs immediately to resolve. If the issue still persists, then try method 3.

Method 3 - Repair the Registry

Sometimes registry corruption can be the underlying cause for error 577. The registry is the part that saves all activities performed on the system. It stores both important and unnecessary files like junk files, cookies, and bad registry entries. If these files are not removed from the registry frequently, they accumulate and corrupt the registry which then generates system error codes. To resolve and repair the registry in seconds, simply download Restoro. This is a user-friendly PC Repair Tool embedded with a registry cleaner. It wipes away all unnecessary files corrupting the registry and repairs it. Click here to download Restoro.
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Types of Malware Attacks & How to Battle Them

Afraid of the growing threats online? As you should be. But we’re here to show you what kinds of malware are out there and what you can do to keep them at bay.

Malware definition

Malware comes from the term malicious software. It’s software designed to attack and exploit devices and networks to the advantage of the hacker who made it.

Malware can be transmitted in different ways. Most commonly this happens via infected USB drives, downloadable files or malicious websites. Depending on the type and ultimate goal, the consequences of a malware attack can range from negligible to catastrophic.

Credit: Ed Hardie on Unsplash

What kinds of malware are there?

1. Virus

A virus is typically spread via infected files, websites or links. It’s one of the oldest malware types and one of the most difficult to get rid of. That’s because, once activated, it replicates itself - hence the name. 

It can perform different kinds of attacks, depending on what the creator wants to achieve. The main characteristic of a virus is that it really doesn’t show itself until you activate the host. So that’s a scary thought for sure.

2. Adware

Sometimes an ad blocker isn’t enough to fight off unwanted ads. And some of them can, unfortunately, be malicious. They may redirect you to infected sites or prompt downloads of risky files. Even just opening a malicious site can lead to data theft.

So, definitely be careful when clicking around. Even if an ad seems completely legitimate, you can never be too sure.

3. Ransomware

Through ransomware, cybercriminals gain access to a user’s data and use it to extort them for money. Basically, the user is threatened with data deletion or even exposure if a ransom isn’t paid by a specific deadline.

This is a particularly nerve-wracking type of malware. If it targets an individual, it preys upon their sense of anxiety, fear, guilt and even shame. If it targets a business (which is a lot more common), it preys upon not only that business’s profit but also every single one of their customers and their data.

4. Trojans

This type of malware disguises itself very well as a legitimate-looking program. Once you download it, hackers can get full access and control of your device, data and network. They can even be hidden in games, apps and attachments. They cannot self-replicate, though, so we guess that’s… good news?

5. Worms

Worms can replicate, just like viruses, but you don’t need to actually activate the infected program for them to get going. They can be used for various purposes, ranging from data deletion to file encryption to support a ransomware attack.

Credit: Growtika on Unsplash

6. Spyware

Spyware refers to malicious software that stays hidden on your computer and monitors your activity. The best-known type is keyloggers. This can be used to steal sensitive data like passwords and banking information.

7. Rootkits

Rootkits are among the most dangerous types of malware. They allow administrative access and full control of a device, which lets hackers continue hijacking all your data and monitoring your activity without your knowledge.

8. Botnets

Botnets are networks made up of bots - computers that cybercriminals have infected with malicious software. Bots and botnets give hackers remote access to users’ devices and allow them to spy on your camera, take screenshots, memorize passwords and launch Distributed Denial of Service attacks. This one truly makes your hair stand on end.

What can you do about it?

You know the old adage - better safe than sorry. And trust us, malware attacks are such a pain in the you-know-what that you really don’t want to be sorry.

Luckily, there are simple solutions that can shield you from most digital threats these days. What you want to be looking at is a solid antivirus program. Well, technically, you need an antimalware program, but since the latter evolved from the former, we still mostly refer to them as antivirus software.
The majority of antimalware programs these days don’t just shield you from potential risks online, but include additional features as well. For example, some Bitdefender antivirus packages also include parental control and a VPN. And Bitdefender is not just for PCs either - it offers protection for your beloved iPhone or Android as well. You can throw in a password manager in there too, for an additional layer of security.

Credit: Dan Nelson on Unsplash

If you aren’t too concerned about all these various threats or feel like you don’t need extra security, you can at least take a step to protect your information from being exposed to lurking cybercriminals as you’re browsing. This can be done through a good VPN like Surfshark, which hides your identity in the digital space and prevents your data from being tracked.

Choosing the right protective software is especially important if you have children with access to the Internet, since they’re unfortunately even more vulnerable to malicious attacks. If you aren’t sure what the right kind of antimalware program is right for you, you can reach out to us and we’ll be happy to help keep your entire household or office digitally secure.

The bottom line

The truth is that there’s no way to be 100% protected in the online world. Hackers are constantly coming up with new ways to infiltrate our devices. But malware-battling software evolves along with them and there’s still plenty you can do to keep risks away. Stay safe!

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How to Fix Error 0x00000643

Error 0x00000643 - What is it?

This is a Windows Vista printer error. It occurs when you try to use the plug-and-play service to install a WSD printer on your PC. WSD is the abbreviation for Web Services for Devices. It is a Microsoft API to simply programming connections to web service enabled devices such as printers, file shares and scanners.  The error 0x00000643 code is displayed in the following format:
“Operation could not be completed (error 0x00000643)”

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

The error 0x00000643 may occur due to multiple reasons, including:
  • No suitable driver installed for your printer
  • A firewall or other security program is too restrictive
  • Registry file has invalid entries
  • Virus and Trojan
  • Outdated system drivers

Further Information and Manual Repair

To resolve this error code on your PC, you don’t have to hire a professional technician and spend hundreds of dollars to perform system repair. You can resolve it all by yourself, even if you are not a computer programmer or lack technical expertise. Here are some of the easiest and proven methods to fix the error 0x00000643 on your PC:

1. Update Outdated Drivers

This can be done by accessing the ‘Device Manager’. All you have to do is, go to the start menu and type Device Manager in the start search box. Then click on the Device Manager in the list. On the action menu, click the scan for hardware changes or update the driver.

2. Delete the WSD Port to Resolve Error

Go to the start menu and type printers in the search box. Click printers in the given program list and then click the option add a new printer. After that, select the existing WSD port and any printer driver. Now delete the printer. The WSD will be deleted automatically. Once this is done, connect the printer to your computer. You will see the plug-and-play service will begin to install the printer again. This process is most likely to resolve the issue and reinstall your printer.

3. Disable Firewall

Sometimes the error may occur if the security programs are too restrictive such as the Firewall. To fix the problem simply disable Firewall.

4. Viral Infection

If the underlying cause of the error is a viral infection, then download a powerful antivirus and run it on your PC. Scan for viruses and delete them.

5. Registry Invalid Entries

If you don’t clean the registry regularly, this overloads with unnecessary, redundant and obsolete files like cookies, internet history, junk files, bad registry keys and invalid entries. This damages the registry and generates such error codes. Although you can resolve and repair the registry manually, but that method is slight tricky and time consuming. It may require technical expertise. However, another quick and easy way to clean and restore the registry and resolve error 0x00000643 on your system is to download Restoro. This is a next-generation, advanced, and highly functional PC Repair Tool. It is deployed with an intuitive algorithm and multiple utilities such as a smart registry cleaner, a powerful antivirus, and a system optimizer. The registry cleaning utility detects all registry issues on your PC, removes invalid entries cluttering the registry, and repairs it right away thereby resolving error 0x00000643. The antivirus simultaneously detects malware on your PC and removes them while the system optimizer boosts the speed of your computer significantly. Restoro is bug-free, safe, and efficient. It has simple navigations and a user-friendly interface. This software is compatible with all Windows versions including Vista. To fix error 0x00000643 on your system in seconds, click here to download Restoro now!
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Restore default Display Color settings in Windows 10
The color settings in a Windows computer certainly matter a lot especially when it comes to printing pictures. Users who are found or edit photos for a living change their computer’s color settings in order to ensure that the printout looks like the actual colors. However, those settings might not be appropriate for computer display and you can really tell right away that there something’s not right in the display. You might also notice some weird tint which isn’t easy to get rid of. You can’t actually tell the difference at first, not until you look at some other computers and then wonder what’s wrong with yours so, in this guide, you will know how to restore the display color settings back to their default state on your Windows 10 PC. Make sure to follow each one of the steps laid out below carefully to restore the default Display Color settings.

Step 1: Set the Color Management Settings to default.

  • In the Start search box, type in “color management”. Once you see it in the search results, open it.
  • Once you’ve pulled up the Color Management window, go to the Advanced tab. From there, make sure that every single option is set to default – from all the options in both the “Windows Color System” and “ICC rendering intent to WCS gamut mapping”.
Note: You also have the option to reset it for everyone by simply clicking on the “Change system defaults” button.
  • Finally, you can also try to calibrate your display.

Step 2: Set the Graphics Properties to default.

After making changes in the Color Management settings, you need to also set the Graphics Properties to default.
  • Start by right-clicking on any empty space on your desktop.
  • Then select the Graphics properties from the context menu. From the Graphics properties window, you will see that most sections have to restore defaults.

Step 3: Try using Nvidia Color Settings for Desktop

The next thing you can try is using the Nvidia Color Settings if you have Nvidia graphics installed on your Windows 10 PC. Just the Control Panel to reset the color settings.
  • From the system tray, launch the Nvidia control panel.
  • Next, go to Display > adjust desktop color settings.
  • From there, select the display and then select the Nvidia Settings.
  • After that, change the options accordingly in order to get the correct combination though you can always leave them to default.
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