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Malware Guide: How to Remove Bandoo

What is Bandoo?

Bandoo application, specifically product version 5.0.2.4762, is a bundled program. What does this mean? Simply, Bandoo, upon installation, installs additional programs, extensions, and add-ons to a computer and computer’s browser, without the knowledge of the user. This version of Bandoo concentrates on providing features for entertainment and also functionality/tools for backing up your computer files. Once executed, the file installs the iLivid Download Manager Software.

Additional tools installed within the bundle include a Movie Toolbar and the thriving search engine ‘Ask.com.’

Technical details about Bandoo include: 

Digital Signature/Publisher:  Bandoo Media, Inc.

Product Version: 5.0.2.4762

Entry Point:  0x000038AF

Assessment of Bandoo Potentially Unwanted Program

Interestingly, before the installation of Bandoo product version 5.0.2.4762 was complete, Spyhunter detected that the software was a PUP. After the installation was complete, product version 5.0.2.4762 of Bandoo added add-ons and extensions to both Internet Explorer and Chrome Browsers (these were the only 2 browsers used within the assessment). These appeared in the form of a Movie toolbar, providing quick access to movie trailers, reviews, ratings, and other video functionality, and ‘Ask’ (Ask.com) search engine.

Areas of Infiltration by Bandoo

Bandoo product version 5.0.2.4762 infiltrated several areas of the computer system. After installation, folders were neatly placed as files within all programs. Within “All Programs” there were 3 newly added programs. These included:

  • iLivid
  • Movies Search App for Chrome
  • Movies Search App for Internet Explorer

The iLiVid application seems to be the main offer while the others, namely Movies App for Internet Explorer by Ask was featured as promotions or advertisements. Additionally, just below the 'END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT AND PRIVACY POLICY' a request was made that the user set Ask.com as both their homepage, new tab, and default search engine. This is just another well-concocted plan to get Internet users onto the 'Ask.com' search engine.

Along with the 3 programs installed as a bundle,  a new folder was found within the computer's local drive. This program was termed OLBPre.

What is OLBPre?

OLBPre.exe is reputed as dangerous adware that weakens the security settings of a computer system. It's also covertly used for dropping files on a targeted computer, often without the user's consent or knowledge.

Manual Steps for Removal of Movie Search Apps

I found this removal pretty simple. Depending on your Operating System, there will be slight discrepancies in the manual removal steps. Using the Windows 8 (8.1) OS on your computer:

  • Step 1: from your desktop, right-click on the ‘Start Button’.  A menu box will then appear.
  • Step 2: from the menu box, click ‘Search’.
  • Step 3: enter “Programs and Features” within the Input Box.
  • Step 4: locate the installed apps. You should be able to see “Movies Search App for Chrome” & “Movies Search App for Internet Explorer”.
  • Step 5: right-click on the names of the Apps (the ones you want to remove) when you’ve located them.
  • Note: you will have to remove the apps one after the other.
  • Step 6: after right-clicking the app, click the uninstall option (probably the only option available anyway).
  • Note: If a box appears asking If you wish to ‘block’ or ‘allow’, select the allow option. That’s just the Publisher’s way to annoy you out of uninstalling the app.
  • Step 7: follow instructions until the app is fully removed.
  • Step 8: Repeat steps for the other app.

Since Bandoo also changed your search engine, you’ll have to reset that manually for Internet Explorer and Chrome. Follow the steps below:

  • Step 1: Open your Internet Explorer browser.
  • Step 2: Click the tool option located in the top right-hand corner of the page.
  • Step 3: Click the “Internet Options” option.
  • Step 4: Under the “General” tab, you’ll be able to see approximately 3 buttons. Click the button labeled ‘Use Default”.
  • Step 5: At the bottom right-hand corner of the pop-up menu, select the “Apply” button and “OK”. That should do the trick.

Removal for Chrome Extension

This removal is simple.

  • Step 1: Open your Chrome browser.
  • Step 2: A pop-up box will be visible.
  • Step 3: Click the “Remove from Chrome” option.

After removing the extensions/add-ons, perform another scan with Spyhunter. You’ll pick up a few threats. The second scan should clear up everything.

To completely remove Bandoo from your computer, click here to download and install Spyhunter.

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The current state of Government vs BigTech
BigTech justiceBigTech platforms Google and Facebook were hit with a series of antitrust lawsuits by the US federal government and states on charges they are operating monopolies and abusing their power. Below is the status of the cases, as well as government probes of Apple and Amazon in their current states

Two lawsuits against Facebook

In a defeat, Judge James Boasberg said the Federal Trade Commission, which had sued Facebook in December asking that Facebook be forced to sell WhatsApp and Instagram, failed to show that Facebook had monopoly power in the social-networking market, among other problems. However, the FTC could file a new complaint by July 29. He threw out a related state lawsuit entirely, saying that the attorney's general had waited too long. They are looking at their options.

Four lawsuits against Google

The US Justice Department sued Google in October, accusing the $1 trillion company of illegally using its market muscle to hobble rivals. A trial date was set for September 12, 2023. A lawsuit by 38 US states and territories accuses Google of abusing its market power to try to make its search engine as dominant inside cars, TVs, and speakers as it is in phones. This was consolidated with the federal lawsuit for purposes of discovery. Texas, backed by other states, filed a separate lawsuit against Google, accusing it of breaking antitrust law in how it runs its online advertising business. Dozens of state attorneys general sued Google on July 7, alleging that it bought off competitors and used restrictive contracts to unlawfully maintain a monopoly for its app store on Android phones.

Justice Department investigates Apple

This probe, revealed in June 2019, appears to focus on Apple's app store. Some app developers have accused Apple of introducing new products very similar to existing apps created by other developers and sold in the Apple Store, and then trying to banish the older apps from the store because they compete with Apple's new product. Apple says it seeks to have only the highest-quality apps in the app store.

Justice Department probing Facebook and Amazon

In July 2019, the Justice Department said it was expanding its Big Tech probes to include "search, social media, and some retail services online", an apparent reference to Facebook and Amazon.

Federal Trade Commission on Amazon

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Jzip PUP Easy Removal Tutorial

jZip is a software utility published by Bandoo Media and is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Program. The software is an archive tool that used to compress and extract files in the rar, zip, and other formats. The program is typically bundled upon installation with other unwanted applications and is itself often installed in co-bundles. As of publication time, over 40 AntiViruses have flagged jZip as malicious or potentially unwanted.

It injects itself in Windows shell, providing quick access to the program by right-clicking on any file. jZip displays it's advertising in your browser, instead of the default search results, to better do this, it collects information about your browsing history and your current browsing session, so it can better target ads. This software, upon install, defines an auto-start registry key in your system, this allows the software to launch every time your computer is rebooted, no matter what Windows account you log in to, it also adds Windows Tasks, to allow it to launch by itself at random times, even when closed.

About Potentially Unwanted Applications

If you have ever downloaded software programs from the internet (shareware, freeware, etc,), odds are high you’ve unintentionally installed unwanted programs on your personal computer. Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUP), also referred to as Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUA), are applications that you never wanted in the first place and quite often come bundled with freeware software. Once installed, most of these applications can be hard to remove and become more of a nuisance rather than a necessity. The idea of PUP was actually coined to define this crapware as something other than malware. The primary reason for this is that most PUPs get into users’ computers not because they exploit security vulnerabilities, for instance, but because the users grant consent to install it – unwittingly in many instances. Nevertheless, there isn’t any doubt that PUPs are still bad news for PC users as they could be incredibly damaging to the computer in lots of ways.

What do PUPs do on your computer, precisely?

The unwanted programs after installation display a lot of annoying pop-up advertisements create fake alerts, and quite often it even pushes the end-user to buy the software. PUPs which come as browser add-ons and toolbars are widely identifiable. Not just they needlessly take up space on your computer screen, toolbars could also manipulate search results, monitor your browsing activities, decrease your internet browser’s overall performance, and slow your net connection to a crawl. They might seem innocent but PUPs tend to be spyware. The worst part of setting up a PUP is the spyware, adware, and keystroke loggers that might lurk inside. Even if the PUPs aren’t inherently malicious, these programs still do absolutely nothing good on your PC – they will take valuable system resources, slow down your computer or laptop, weaken your device’s security, and make your PC more susceptible to trojans.

Some tips on protecting yourself from unwanted software

• Read the EULA meticulously. Look for clauses that say that you have to accept advertisements and pop-ups or bundled programs from the company. • Typically, when setting up a program you will get two options, ‘Standard Installation (recommended)’ and ‘Custom Installation’. Don’t pick ‘Standard’ as unwanted programs will automatically be installed that way! • Have a solid anti-virus program such as Safebytes Anti-Malware that will protect your personal machine from PUPs. Once you install this software, the defense against viruses and PUPs is already switched on. • Avoid installing freeware software you will not utilize. Turn off or get rid of toolbars and internet browser extensions you don’t really need. • Only download programs from the original providers’ websites. Avoid download portals since they use their own download manager to bundle extra programs along with the initial download.

Can't Install Safebytes Anti-malware because of a Virus? Do This!

Malware may cause several kinds of damage to computers, networks, and data. Some malware types alter browser settings by including a proxy server or change the computer’s DNS configuration settings. In such cases, you will be unable to visit some or all of the websites, and therefore unable to download or install the required security software to clear out the infection. So what to do if malicious software keeps you from downloading or installing Safebytes Anti-Malware? Follow the instructions below to eliminate malware in alternate ways.

Make use of Safe Mode to fix the issue

In Safe Mode, you are able to modify Windows settings, un-install or install some software, and eliminate hard-to-delete viruses. In case the virus is set to load immediately when the computer starts, switching to this particular mode may well prevent it from doing so. In order to get 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 in the “Boot” tab. After you restart the PC into Safe Mode with Networking, you may download, install, and update the anti-malware program from there. After installation, run the malware scanner to remove most standard infections.

Download the security program using an alternate internet browser

Web-based viruses can be environment-specific, aiming for a particular web browser or attacking particular versions of the browser. The most effective solution to avoid this issue is to opt for an internet browser that is known for its security measures. Firefox contains built-in Phishing and Malware Protection to help keep you safe online.

Create a portable USB antivirus for eliminating viruses

Another solution is to save and run an anti-malware software tool completely from a USB drive. Adopt these measures to employ a USB drive to clean your corrupted system. 1) Download Safebytes Anti-Malware or MS Windows Defender Offline onto a clean computer. 2) Plug the Flash drive into the uninfected computer. 3) Double-click 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 activation instructions. 5) Now, plug the thumb drive into the corrupted PC. 6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the pen drive by double-clicking the icon. 7) Run Full System Scan to detect and clean-up up all kinds of malware.

SafeBytes Anti-Malware Features

These days, anti-malware software can protect your laptop or computer from different kinds of internet threats. But how to select the right one among several malware protection application that is available in the market? Perhaps you might be aware, there are many anti-malware companies and tools for you to consider. Some of them are good, some are decent, while some will ruin your computer themselves! You must pick one that is dependable, practical, and has a good reputation for its malware source protection. On the list of recommended software programs is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. SafeBytes carries a superb track record of top-quality service, and customers seem to be happy with it. Safebytes is one of the well-established PC solutions companies, which offer this comprehensive anti-malware program. Once you’ve got installed this software program, SafeByte's state-of-the-art protection system will ensure that absolutely no viruses or malicious software can seep through your computer. SafeBytes anti-malware comes with a myriad of enhanced features which sets it aside from all others. Here are a few typical features found in this application: Active Protection: SafeBytes provides real-time active monitoring service and protection against all known computer viruses and malware. This software will constantly monitor your PC for any suspicious activity and updates itself continuously to keep current with the newest threats. Most effective AntiMalware Protection: By using a critically acclaimed malware engine, SafeBytes offers multilayered protection that is designed to catch and remove viruses and malware which are concealed deep in your computer system. Safe Browsing: SafeBytes gives an instant safety rating about the web pages you are about to check out, automatically blocking harmful sites and make sure that you’re certain of your safety while browsing the world wide web. Fast Multithreaded Scanning: Safebytes Anti-Malware, using its enhanced scanning engine, gives super-fast scanning which can promptly target any active internet threat. Minimal CPU Usage: SafeBytes is a lightweight tool. It consumes a really small amount of processing power as it works in the background which means you won’t observe any computer performance issues. 24/7 Customer Support: You will get 24/7 technical support to quickly resolve any issue with your security application.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove Jzip 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 Jzip

Files: File APPDATAjziptoolbaruninstallIE.dat. File APPDATAMozillaExtensions1FD91A9C-410C-4090-BBCC-55D3450EF433. File COMMONDESKTOPEmoticons for your messenger!.url. File LOCALSETTINGSTempinstallhelper.dll. File LOCALSETTINGSTempnsb2.tmp.exe. File LOCALSETTINGSTempSetupDataMngr_jZip.exe. File PROGRAMFILESMozilla Firefoxextensions1FD91A9C-410C-4090-BBCC-55D3450EF433. File PROGRAMFILESMozilla FirefoxsearchpluginsjZipWebSearch.xml. Directory APPDATAjzipband. Directory APPDATAjziptoolbar. Directory APPDATAMozillaFirefoxProfilesENV(jZip_ff_profile)extensions1e48c56f-08cd-43aa-a6ef-c1ec891551ab. Directory APPDATAMozillaFirefoxProfilesENV(jZip_ff_profile)jziptoolbar. Directory PROGRAMFILESWindows jZip ToolbarDatamngr. Directory PROGRAMFILESWindows jZip ToolbarToolBar. Registry: Key in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT named JzipIEHelper.DNSGuard.*, plus associated values. Key in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT named JzipIEHelper.DNSGuard, plus associated values. Key 1e48c56f-08cd-43aa-a6ef-c1ec891551ab at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID. Key 1e48c56f-08cd-43aa-a6ef-c1ec891551ab at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects. Key 41C4AA37-1DDD-4345-B8DC-734E4B38414D at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID. Key 41C4AA37-1DDD-4345-B8DC-734E4B38414D at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects. Key 99D9640D-7DD9-4AB1-946C-AD779E1EABE0 at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib. Key jZipMediabarTb at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARE. Key jziptoolbar at HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftware. Value 1e48c56f-08cd-43aa-a6ef-c1ec891551ab at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbar. Value <$PROGRAMFILES>Windows jZip ToolbarToolBardtUser.exe at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMControlSet001ServicesSharedAccessParametersFirewallPolicyStandardProfileAuthorizedApplicationsList. Value <$PROGRAMFILES>Windows jZip ToolbarToolBardtUser.exe at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMControlSet002ServicesSharedAccessParametersFirewallPolicyStandardProfileAuthorizedApplicationsList. Value <$PROGRAMFILES>Windows jZip ToolbarToolBardtUser.exe at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMControlSet003ServicesSharedAccessParametersFirewallPolicyStandardProfileAuthorizedApplicationsList. Value <$PROGRAMFILES>Windows jZip ToolbarToolBardtUser.exe at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesSharedAccessParametersFirewallPolicyStandardProfileAuthorizedApplicationsList. Remove <$PROGRAMFILES>WINDOW~4Datamngrdatamngr.dll <$PROGRAMFILES>WINDOW~4DatamngrIEBHO.dll from registry value AppInit_DLLs at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWindows.
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Keyboard wont type numbers in Windows
As you know, you can find the number keys in two spots on your keyboard – one is above the letters while the second one is at the number pad. Recently, a number of users reported not being able to type any numbers on their keyboards while some reported that their keyboards only type numbers. This issue could occur on both sets of the number keys or on the one at the number pad. This is a rare situation and seldom happens to users. So if you are one of the few who experience the same problem then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you on what you can do to fix the keyboard issue. This issue is most likely due to a switched-off number pad, outdated or corrupted keyboard drivers, turned on mouse keys or it might have something to do with the physical connections. Whatever the cause is, here are some options you have to try to resolve the problem.

Option 1 – Try to enable Numlock

The first thing you can do to fix the issue with the keyboard is to enable the Numlock since one of the most common reasons for this kind of problem is where the keyboard won’t type numbers because the Numlock key is disabled. Thus, you have to enable this key by pressing it once to enable the number pad.

Option 2 – Turn off the Mouse key

  • From the Start Menu, go to Control Panel.
  • Navigate to Ease of Access Center.
  • Then select the option “Make the keyboard easier to use”.
  • Navigate to the option “Control the mouse with keyboard” and then uncheck the “Turn On Mouse Keys” option to turn off the Mouse key.
  • Click on Apply and then on OK to save the changes made.
Note: The problem with the keyboard could stem down to a simple issue in its settings so if you have successfully followed the steps for this solution then you should be able to fix the problem.

Option 3 – Reinstall, update or rollback your keyboard driver

Once you’ve determined that the problem is in the software part of the keyboard, it is now time to try to reinstall, update or roll back your keyboard drivers. To reinstall the driver for your keyboard, refer to these steps:
  • From the WinX Menu, open the Device Manager.
  • In the Device Manager, you should find your laptop’s keyboard under the “Keyboards” option. Right-click on it and select the “Uninstall” option.
Note: If you’re not quite certain about your laptop’s keyboard, you can uninstall all the keyboards if there’s more than one.
  • After that, restart your PC and see if the keyboard driver is installing automatically. If not, open the Device Manager again and right-click on Keyboards, and select the option “Scan for hardware changes” to install it.
Once the keyboard driver is installed again, check if your keyboard is now working properly or not.

Option 4 – Try connecting the keyboard to a different USB port or another computer

The problem might have something to do with the USB port that’s currently in use by your keyboard. It could be that it’s not working so it makes sense to unplug it and attach it to another USB port. You can also clean the USB port on both ends to ensure that they are not affected by corrosion. In addition, you can also try connecting the keyboard to a different computer and see if the Shift key works there or not.

Option 5 – Try to check your connections

You can also try checking if the connection mode you are using for your keyboard is functioning properly. For instance, if you are using a Surface 2-in-device, you can clean the connection pins and see if it resolves the problem.

Option 6 – Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooters

  • The first thing you need to do is click on Start and then on the gear-like icon to pull up the window for Settings.
  • After opening Settings, look for the Update and Security option and select it.
  • From there, go to the Troubleshoot option located on the left-hand side of the list.
  • Next, select Keyboard from the list and open the Troubleshooter and run it. Once it is doing its job, wait for it to complete the process and then restart the system.
  • After the system restarts, check if the problem’s now fixed. If not, refer to the next option given below.
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Fix Mic not working in DOTA2
DOTA2 involves teams of five players each, where each player chooses a “hero” character. Each game has two teams pitted against each other, on opposite sides of a map. Once you start, you and your teammates try to level up by fighting and defeating heroes from other teams as well as non-player characters who exist within the game universe. Once you have a strong enough team, you would then try to attack an opposing team’s base. If you destroy their “ancient,” your team wins. The teamwork and interactivity required to play the game are some of its biggest attractions. You can text and voice chat as part of the Dota 2 gameplay, enabling you and your team to come up with strategies to take over your opponents’ base and fortifications. For this reason, a properly working microphone and headset are important if you are to get the most out of this exciting online game. However, there are many times when you find that there are audio dropouts when you try to speak into your microphone. The question “How do I get my mic to work on Dota 2?” is one of the most commonly asked on gaming forums related to this game. Here are solutions for why this can happen:
  1. You are logged in to another computer that is running the STEAM client

    While entirely rare, there are cases where the microphone in Steam is disabled because the same account is active and in use on a different computer. It may not notify you that your account is in use elsewhere. If this is the error, try to log out on other devices and then test it on only one system. If you cannot access the other computer that has access to your account, then change your password. This will automatically disconnect your Steam account from the other computer and let you enjoy voice chat in Dota 2 and other Steam games.
  2. Your microphone is not properly set up in Dota 2

    From the main Dota 2 menu, before you start a match, you can set up your microphone for voice chat. At the top, left-hand corner, click the gear icon to open Settings Select the AUDIO tab and ensure that the Sound Device and Speaker Configuration are set to default. On the same tab, activate Voice (Party) and set your Push to Talk shortcut key for your team. Select the appropriate Open Mic Threshold using the slider at the bottom of this tab to get your microphone recorded at a comfortable level.
  3. The Windows Audio Enhancements setting is turned on

    If you still cannot get your microphone to work properly, then your problem could be Windows Audio Enhancement. It is possible to get your microphone to work with Dota 2 by disabling these features. Right-click your volume icon on the system tray and select Recording Devices. Choose your active microphone then click its Properties button. On the Microphone Enhancements tab, make sure the checkboxes marked Voice enhancements and Acoustic Echo cancellation is unchecked Reboot your PC and retry using your microphone to chat.
  4. Your audio drivers need to be updated

    If you try all of the steps above and still have Dota 2 not recognizing your mic input update mic drivers by going in device manager and choosing update driver.
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The device is not ready trying to connect USB
External hard drives have become essentials as they store data. However, they are also prone to issues and one of them is the “The device is not ready”. You could encounter this error when you try to access your connected hard drive. This error won’t allow you to access the contents of your hard drive so unless you fix it, you won’t be able to access any of the files on your hard drive. One of the most likely causes of this error is a hardware defect. Aside from that, it could also be due to loose connections, obsolete device drivers, as well as compatibility issues between the operating system and the hard drive. Before you start troubleshooting the problem, you need to determine if you were able to access your hard drive before you encountered the error or not. If not, you need to check the compatibility of the device with your operating system as it could be the reason why you’re getting the error. There are several potential fixes you can check out to fix this error. You can try to check the hardware connections, run the built-in Hardware and Devices troubleshooter, as well as the USB troubleshooter. You could also run the CHKDSK utility or update the drivers of the device or the USB drivers.

Option 1 – Try checking the hardware connections

The first thing you have to do before you further troubleshoot the problem is to check the hardware connections of your computer and see if there are damaged ones, just like with USB ports, it would also affect the overall connectivity of the device with the computer. So if you notice some irregularities in the connecting cable physically, you might have to buy another one and replace it and then see if it fixes the problem or not.

Option 2 – Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooters

  • The first thing you need to do is click on Start and then on the gear-like icon to pull up the window for Settings.
  • After opening Settings, look for the Update and Security option and select it.
  • From there, go to the Troubleshoot option located on the left-hand side of the list.
  • Next, select Hardware and Devices from the list and open the Troubleshooter and run it. Once it is doing its job, wait for it to complete the process and then restart the system.
  • After the system restarts, check if the problem’s now fixed. If not, refer to the next option given below.
Note: You could also try to run the USB troubleshooter as it could also resolve the problem.

Option 3 – Run the CHKDSK utility

As you know, the CHKDSK utility can help you in identifying the bad sectors in a drive and fix them automatically. Thus, you can run it to fix the “The device is not ready” error when you connect your USB drive to your computer.
  • Open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
  • Next, type and enter this command to execute it: chkdsk /f <drive>
  • Now, wait until the process is completed and exit Command Prompt.
  • Restart your computer and try connecting the USB drive again and see if the error is fixed.

Option 4 – Try to update the drivers of the device

Although you can always update the device drivers using the Device Manager, you might want to try downloading the latest set of drivers directly from the manufacturer’s website. Once you’ve downloaded them, install them right away and then correct the external hard drive.

Option 5 – Update or reinstall the Universal Serial Bus Controller driver

If updating the drivers of the device did not fix the “The device is not ready” error, you can try to update or reinstall the Universal Serial Bus Controller drivers instead of using the Device Manager. Refer to the following steps:
  • First, click the Start button and type “device manager”.
  • Then click on the “Device Manager” from the search results to open it.
  • From there, look for the “Universal Serial Bus controllers” option and then right-click on each one of the USB drivers and select the Update Driver from the menu.
Note: If it is a regular USB drive, then it will be listed as a USB Mass Storage Device but if you have a USB 3.0 device, then look for a USB 3.0 Extensible Host Controller.
  • Restart your PC and then click the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option.
Note: If updating the USB Controller drivers didn’t work, you can try to reinstall them instead.

Option 6 – Restart your computer in a Clean Boot State

If the first three given options didn’t work and you still see the error when you connect external devices, you can try putting your computer in a Clean Boot State and then try connecting them again.
  • Log onto your PC as an administrator.
  • Type in MSConfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
  • From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
  • Clear the “Load Startup items” check box and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
  • Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” check box.
  • Click Disable all.
  • Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)
  • Now try to connect the external devices and check if the error is now gone.
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Fixing Folder Size Issue in Windows 10
Recently, several Windows 10 users have reported an issue with the Windows folder sizes in their PCs. If you are one of these affected users, read on as this post will walk you through fixing this issue. For instance, if you have a folder with 100 GB worth of data and when checking its size using its properties, you see the wrong size instead of 100GB. The size displayed will most likely be a random number which can either be bigger or smaller than the real size of the folder. This incorrect folder size issue does not happen to any specific drive or certain kinds of folders as any folder can be affected by this incorrect folder size issue. When you try to rename the affected folder, the size will change but its size still remains to be incorrect. The root cause of this particular issue is in Windows 10 itself. It is a known bug that came along with one of the latest Windows Updates which prevents the File Explorer to accurately read the metadata of a certain folder or file and leads to displaying incorrect and unexpected file sizes and the reason why you might also notice that your drive is also not correct. Since this is brought upon by one of the recent or latest Windows Updates the good thing is that Microsoft will most likely release a fix on its next upcoming updates but until then, you will be left with no choice but to deal with an incorrect folder or file size. To remedy that, here are some suggestions you can try that might fix the problem.

Option 1 – Try using the System File Checker

The System File Checker or SFC is a built-in command utility that helps in restoring corrupted files as well as missing files. It replaces bad and corrupted system files to good system files that might be causing the incorrect folder or file size in Windows 10. To run the SFC command, follow the steps given below.
  • Tap Win + R to launch Run.
  • Type in cmd in the field and tap Enter.
  • After opening Command Prompt, type in sfc /scannow
The command will start a system scan which will take a few whiles before it finishes. Once it’s done, you could get the following results:
  1. Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
  2. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
  3. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.

Option 2 – Try resetting Windows 10

To fix the folder and file size issue, you can try resetting Windows 10. Doing so won’t get rid of any file in your system – instead of erasing all your media files and documents, this reset option resets all the system settings and files. That way, you won’t have to deal with inaccurate folders or file sizes as you browse and use your files.

Option 3 – Wait for the Windows Update

As mentioned, this is already a known issue and a lot of Windows 10 users have already complained about it to Microsoft so a bug fix will be soon released in the latest Windows Updates.
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MyImageConverter Removal Guide for Windows

This toolbar/web browser extension is ad/search-supported that is typically installed as an optional offer, users generally have this bundled with 3rd party software. During setup, this toolbar will modify the home page and new tab pages to the affiliate search portal MyWay.com using a primary search engine to collect shared search revenue. It will also modify the default search provider as well. While this extension is installed users will experience a display of additional ads and sponsored content throughout their browsing sessions, as well as the possibility of pop-up ads. Several anti-virus scanners have marked this extension as a Browser Hijacker and it is recommended to remove it from your computer.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking means that a malicious code has taken control over and altered the settings of your internet browser, without your consent. They are designed to interfere with browser programs for a variety of purposes. Usually, it’ll drive users to predetermined websites that are looking to increase their advertising campaign income. Though it may seem naive, all browser hijackers are damaging and thus always regarded as security risks. In a worst-case scenario, your internet browser can be hijacked to download malicious software that can do a great deal of damage to your laptop or computer.

How to know if your internet browser has been hijacked

The common symptoms that indicate having this malicious software on your PC are: 1. home page is modified 2. bookmark and the new tab are likewise modified 3. default online search engine is changed 4. you’re getting new toolbars you have never found before 5. your internet browser displays endless pop-up ads 6. your web browser has become unstable or starts running slowly 7. you can’t visit certain websites like homepages of anti-malware software.

Exactly how browser hijacker finds its way onto your computer system

Browser hijackers can enter a computer by some means or other, including via downloads, file sharing, and e-mail also. They may also come from any BHO, extension, add-on, toolbar, or plug-in with malicious intent. Browser hijackers sneak into your pc in addition to free software application downloads that you unintentionally install alongside the original. Some of the most popular hijackers are MyImageConverter, Conduit Search, Babylon Toolbar, Sweet Page, OneWebSearch, and CoolWebSearch.

Learn how to get rid of browser hijackers

Certain hijackers could be removed by just uninstalling the related freeware or add-ons through the Add or Remove Programs in the Windows control panel. In some cases, it could be a difficult job to find and remove the malicious piece because the associated file could be running as part of the operating system process. Besides, browser hijackers can modify the Windows registry so it can be quite tough to restore all the values manually, especially when you are not a very tech-savvy person. You can choose automatic browser hijacker removal by just installing and running an efficient anti-malware program. SafeBytes Anti-Malware detects all types of hijackers – including MyImageConverter – and eliminates every trace quickly and efficiently. In addition to anti-virus software, a PC optimizer program, like Total System Care, can help you fix Windows registry errors, remove unwanted toolbars, secure your internet privacy, and boost overall computer performance.

What to Do if Virus Stops You From Downloading Or Installing Antivirus?

Practically all malware is bad, but certain types of malware do much more damage to your PC than others. Some malware variants alter web browser settings by adding a proxy server or change the PC’s DNS configuration settings. In such cases, you’ll be unable to visit some or all of the websites, and therefore not able to download or install the required security software to clear out the computer virus. If you are reading this now, you might have perhaps realized that virus infection is a reason behind your blocked net connectivity. So how to proceed if you need to install an anti-virus software like Safebytes? Follow the instructions below to remove malware by alternate methods.

Download the software in Safe Mode with Networking

The Windows operating system comes with a special mode referred to as “Safe Mode” in which only the minimum required programs and services are loaded. In the event the malware is blocking internet connection and affecting your computer, running it in Safe Mode enables you to download anti-virus and run a diagnostic scan whilst limiting potential damage. To get into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press F8 while the system is booting up or run MSCONFIG and locate the “Safe Boot” options in the “Boot” tab. Once you are in safe mode, you can try to install your anti-malware application without the hindrance of the malware. Now, you can run the antivirus scan to get rid of viruses and malware without hindrance from another malicious application.

Download the security software using an alternate internet browser

Some malware only targets particular web browsers. If this sounds like your situation, utilize another web browser as it might circumvent the virus. If you seem to have a trojan attached to Internet Explorer, then switch to an alternate web browser with built-in safety features, such as Firefox or Chrome, to download your preferred anti-malware program – Safebytes.

Install anti-malware on a USB drive

Another option would be to make a portable antivirus program on your USB flash drive. To run anti-malware from a USB pen drive, follow these simple measures: 1) On a virus-free computer, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug the USB drive into the clean computer. 3) Double-click on the downloaded file to open the installation wizard. 4) Select the drive letter of the flash drive as the location when the wizard asks you exactly where you want to install the antivirus. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation process. 5) Transfer the flash drive from the uninfected computer to the infected computer. 6) Double-click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the USB drive to run the software. 7) Hit the “Scan” button to run a full computer scan and remove viruses automatically.

Protect Your PC and Privacy With SafeBytes Anti-Malware

Are you looking to install the best anti-malware software program for your PC? You can find many applications on the market which come in free and paid versions for Windows systems. A few of them do a great job in eradicating malware threats while some will affect your PC themselves. You should look for a product that has obtained a good reputation and detects not only viruses but other types of malware as well. While considering the highly regarded applications, Safebytes AntiMalware is certainly the highly recommended one. SafeBytes anti-malware is trustworthy software that not only secures your PC completely but is also quite user-friendly for people of all ability levels. Through its cutting-edge technology, this software will help you protect your computer against infections caused by various kinds of malware and similar internet threats, including adware, spyware, viruses, worms, trojans, keyloggers, ransomware, and potentially unwanted program (PUPs).

SafeBytes anti-malware offers an array of advanced features which sets it aside from all others. Let’s take a look at a few of them below:

Real-time Threat Response: SafeBytes provides real-time active supervision and protection from all known computer viruses and malware. It’ll inspect your personal computer for suspicious activity regularly and its unrivaled firewall protects your computer from illegal access by the outside world. World-class AntiMalware Protection: Using a critically acclaimed anti-malware engine, SafeBytes offers multilayered protection which is designed to catch and get rid of viruses and malware that are hidden deep inside your computer’s operating system. Web protection: SafeBytes inspects the hyperlinks present on a webpage for possible threats and notifies you if the site is safe to visit or not, through its unique safety ranking system. Light-weight: This application is not “heavy” on the computer’s resources, so you’ll not see any performance troubles when SafeBytes is working in the background. 24/7 Customer Support: Support service is readily available 24 x 7 x 365 days through email and chats to answer your concerns. SafeBytes has developed a great anti-malware solution to help you conquer the latest malware threats and virus attacks. You can be sure that your computer will be protected in real-time once you put this tool to use. So if you’re looking for the absolute best malware removal application out there, and if you don’t mind paying out a few bucks for it, opt for SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

To get rid of MyImageConverter manually, navigate to the Add or Remove programs list in the Control Panel and choose the program you want to get rid of. For web browser extensions, go to your browser’s Addon/Extension manager and choose the plug-in you intend to disable or remove. You may also want to reset your home page and search engine providers, and also delete temporary files, browsing history, and cookies. If you opt to manually delete the system files and Windows registry entries, utilize the following checklist to make sure you know precisely what files to remove before performing any actions. But bear in mind, editing the Windows registry is usually a difficult task that only advanced users and professionals should attempt to fix the problem. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing removal. It is highly recommended that you carry out the removal procedure in Windows Safe Mode.
Files: %PROGRAMFILES(x86)%4zUninstall MyImageConverter.dll %SystemDrive%\Users\wsierra\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\pe3eufs0.default\extensionszffxtbr-bs@MyImageConverter_4z.com\content\MyImageConverter.exe %LOCALAPPDATA%\MyImageConverter_4z %PROGRAMFILES%\MyImageConverter_4z %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\amailnkkmeeoijlkjdgloiclaiifpojf %LOCALAPPDATA%\amailnkkmeeoijlkjdgloiclaiifpojf %ProgramFiles%\MyImageConverter %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\oeabadoffdnkmmecmhpknaklgmabippp %ProgramFiles(x86)%\MyImageConverter %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\ikgjglmlehllifdekcggaapkaplbdpje %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\ikgjglmlehllifdekcggaapkaplbdpje %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\ikgjglmlehllifdekcggaapkaplbdpje %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\ikgjglmlehllifdekcggaapkaplbdpje %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\MyImageConverterTooltab %LOCALAPPDATA%\MyImageConverterTooltab Registry: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\Software\MyImageConverter_4z HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MyImageConverter_4z HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.DynamicBarButton HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.DynamicBarButton.1 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.FeedManager HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.HTMLPanel HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.HTMLPanel.1 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.MultipleButton HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.MultipleButton.1 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.PseudoTransparentPlugin HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.PseudoTransparentPlugin.1 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.Radio HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.ScriptButton HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.ScriptButton.1 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.SettingsPlugin HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.SettingsPlugin.1 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.SkinLauncher HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.SkinLauncher.1 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.SkinLauncherSettings HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.SkinLauncherSettings.1 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.ToolbarProtector HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.ToolbarProtector.1 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.UrlAlertButton HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.UrlAlertButton.1 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.XMLSessionPlugin HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter_4z.XMLSessionPlugin.1 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Approved Extensions, value: 312F84FB-8970-4FD3-BDDB-7012EAC4AFC9 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Approved Extensions, value: 48586425-6BB7-4F51-8DC6-38C88E3EBB58 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Google\Chrome\Extensions\adldappccjhelkmbkpiibilgnnjakieg HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\3d429207-4689-492d-a0e5-cdc5dfbb5005 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\66d59105-fe06-43a4-b292-eb0097e9eb74 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\9103c314-c4e2-4463-8934-b19bcb46236d HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\97cef41c-5055-474a-855a-892d4fe3e596 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\d375ee64-f893-498a-a0e9-0e9829c88c3d HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\MyImageConverterCrxSetup_RASAPI32 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\MyImageConverterCrxSetup_RASMANCS HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\PreApproved\1f6f39c1-00a8-4752-a94c-d0ea92d978b6 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\PreApproved\38122a36-83b2-46b8-b39a-ec72a4614a07 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\PreApproved\5354d921-3f52-47c5-938d-77a2fb6defe7 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\PreApproved\71144427-1368-4D18-8DC9-2AE3CC4C4F83 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\PreApproved\99e1f6fd-2e94-4cf6-8344-1ba63cd3bd9b HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\PreApproved\a86782d8-7b41-452f-a217-1854f72dba54 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\PreApproved\ed345812-2722-4dca-9976-d01832db44ee HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\MozillaPlugins\@MyImageConverter_4z.com/Plugin HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\9103c314-c4e2-4463-8934-b19bcb46236d HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\97cef41c-5055-474a-855a-892d4fe3e596 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\d375ee64-f893-498a-a0e9-0e9829c88c3d HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\MyImageConverterCrxSetup_RASAPI32 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\MyImageConverterCrxSetup_RASMANCS HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Browser Helper Objects\312f84fb-8970-4fd3-bddb-7012eac4afc9 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Browser Helper Objects\c547c6c2-561b-4169-a2a5-20ba771ca93b HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\PreApproved\1f6f39c1-00a8-4752-a94c-d0ea92d978b6 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\PreApproved\71144427-1368-4D18-8DC9-2AE3CC4C4F83 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\PreApproved\99e1f6fd-2e94-4cf6-8344-1ba63cd3bd9b HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\PreApproved\a86782d8-7b41-452f-a217-1854f72dba54 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\PreApproved\ed345812-2722-4dca-9976-d01832db44ee HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MozillaPlugins\@MyImageConverter_4z.com/Plugin HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, value: MyImageConverter Search Scope Monitor HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\VDC_is1 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\Extensions\adldappccjhelkmbkpiibilgnnjakieg HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MyImageConverter HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\MyImageConverter_4z HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter.ScriptHelper HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyImageConverter.ScriptHelper.1 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\cf6e4b1c-dbde-457e-9cef-ab8ecac8a5e8 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\MyImageConverter HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MozillaPlugins\@MyImageConverter_ScriptHelper.com/Plugin HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, value: MyImageConverter_4z Browser Plugin Loader HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, value: MyImageConverter_4z Browser Plugin Loader HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\LowRegistry\DOMStorage\MyImageConverter.dl.tb.ask.com HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\MyImageConverter.dl.myway.com HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\MyImageConverter.com HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\LowRegistry\DOMStorage\www.MyImageConverter.com HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\free.MyImageConverter.com HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\[APPLICATION]\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall..Uninstaller
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Change position of Taskbar in Windows 10
Changing Taskbar location in your Windows 10 is an easy task but lately, Microsoft has removed the option to just drag it to one side of the screen and place it there, now in order to change location we need to do a little more work but do not worry it is not difficult at all. Right-click on the taskbar to open its properties menu taskbar settings menuin the menu, on the bottom choose taskbar settings. Once the settings dialog opens, on the right side locate the taskbar location on screen. taskbar location chooserClick on the dropdown menu and choose the desired location for the taskbar.
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Fake Windows 11 installers come with malware
Being in the Microsoft Windows insider program will let you get a hands-on new Windows 11, but some people just want Windows 11 without being in the insider program. Well, people beware! It was detected that some groups have been releasing fake Windows 11 installers with malware into them. There’s one malicious file called 86307_windows 11 builds 21996.1 x64 + activator.exe. Based on the filename, one might guess that it includes Windows 11 build 21996.1, and on top of that, there’s something in it that will automatically activate Windows for you. It comes in at 1.75GB, so for some people, that might seem reasonable. It starts out looking like a normal installer, and then there’s a second installer that calls itself a download manager. If you accept the nonsense agreement that’s included, you get a bunch of malware. This is just one example of malicious installers running amok internet, but there are more of them with different software placed inside. Malware can be anything from adware to a Trojan virus. The adware usually isn’t super dangerous. It’s just malware that’s meant to inject your PC with advertisements. Viruses can be more of an issue, and they can be harder to get rid of if your machine is infected. Windows Defender does a good job of getting rid of this stuff. The only problem is that if you’re downloading Windows 11 from shady sources, you’re probably already set to click through the dozen or so warnings that pop up telling you not to install it. The solution will be to get Windows from a trusted source of roll inside the insider program and get it from Microsoft directly.
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Malware Guide: How to remove OpenCandy

What is OpenCandy?

OpenCandy is an application that downloads and installs software, including other Internet Browsers to a computer system. Used as a bundle, this application installs additional programs that you may knowingly or unknowingly agree to install. Since most users don’t accept the challenge of reading the EULA in its entirety, they tend to download bundled applications unknowingly.

Assessment of OpenCandy PUP

During the initial assessment of OpenCandy, I was a little skeptical about what to look out for or expect. In fact, I had to install the OpenCandy.exe file twice to discern its behavior. I’m not sure how this application got its name but I do believe it has something to do with the fact that it supposedly helps Internet users open a new world of Internet browsing. That conclusion was arrived at after realizing that OpenCandy.exe installed mostly Internet browsers along with a tune-up tool on the test computer. However, as a result of the system requirements, there was a pop-up message indicating that Internet Explorer 8 was not compatible with the computer system in question. In comparison to the malware I’ve encountered since I started researching malware, OpenCandy is everything but malicious. In fact, this application is only categorized as malware because of its’ subtle covert nature of installing bundled programs unsolicited by the user. Additionally, OpenCandy coerces users into changing their Internet Browsers by installing those unrequested by the user. In fact, it’s no shock that OpenCandy chose to install the Internet Browser ‘Opera’ as a part of this bundle since it’s one of the least used browsers according to the Federal Government. Clearly, this was a smoothly disguised advertisement or promotion to force users into using the Opera Browser, along with Internet Explorer 8.0. While these aforementioned browsers in themselves aren’t malicious and are in no way considered malware, they were installed as a promotional tool and without the request of the user. Despite being mentioned within the EULA, advertisers are capitalizing on this since most users do not bother to read the agreements when installing a program. Furthermore, OpenCandy, like most other bundled applications I’ve dealt with, threw in a tune-up tool as a part of the promotion. I found this tune-up application annoying since I had to hassle my way into getting it to close from the computer screen. I can only imagine the hassle users would go through trying to remove this software. Image 7: Depiction of a scan performed by Tuneup Utilities. The scan detected that several areas on the test PC could be optimized/tuned up. Image 8: After a scan was completed using the Tuneup utility program, I was given an option to buy the full version. Nothing is wrong with this marketing strategy. In fact, most utility tools if not all will scan your computer to detect threats or loopholes, but they won't exactly allow you to fix those problems unless you buy the full version. It's not unfair, it's just business. Programs installed during the installation of OpenCandy include:
  • Web Companion: Developed by Lavasoft, Web Companion is said to be an application that serves as a security defense for your Internet browsers by preventing unauthorized changes (see image below)
  • Tuneup Utilities: Tuneup Utilities does exactly as it says. It cleans up a computer system, whereby preventing unused programs from slowing it down.
  • Opera Stable 30.01.1835.88: Opera is a fast, simple, and effective Internet browser that allows users to get around on the web.
All in all, the intent of installing an application such as OpenCandy is to unleash a world of promotion or advertisements on your computer. They are pretty annoying and in some cases difficult to remove. Furthermore, as a user, you want to control what gets installed on your computer without being dictated to or coerced in some EULA that you probably overlook. To completely remove OpenCandy PUP from your computer, click here to download and install Spyhunter.
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