MS Store and Electron Bot

If you got the FAULTY_HARDWARE_CORRUPTED_PAGE Blue Screen error on your Windows 10 computer then it is most likely caused by various factors. It could be caused by an incomplete installation or uninstallation of some applications or program, or it could also be caused by some exploit that intervenes with the normal functioning of the computer, as well as bad sectors on the hard disk, damaged system files, malfunctioned system drivers, modified Windows Registry files, or a Blue Screen occurrence during a Windows Update and many more. Getting this bug check means that a single-bit error was found on this page. It also indicates that this is a hardware memory error and to resolve it, you need to follow the suggestions laid out below but before that, it is recommended for you to create a System Restore Point first so that if anything goes wrong, you can always go back to the previous state.

Option 1 – Run a Memory Check to test RAM

Since the problem might have something to do with hardware memory, you need to test RAM by running a Memory Check using the Windows Memory Diagnostic. Refer to these steps to do so.

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Then type “mdsched.exe” in the field and hit Enter to open the Windows Memory Diagnostic.
• After that, the Windows Memory Diagnostic will give out two options such as:

1. Restart now and check for problems (recommended)
2. Check for problems the next time I start my computer

• Select any of the given options. After that, your computer will restart and check for memory-based issues upon the restart. If there are any issues, it will automatically them.

Option 2 – Run the System File Checker

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 with good system files that might be the cause why you’re getting the FAULTY_HARDWARE_CORRUPTED_PAGE Blue Screen error. 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 3 – Check for conflicting or incompatible programs by putting your PC in a Clean Boot state

As mentioned, the FAULTY_HARDWARE_CORRUPTED_PAGE Blue Screen error might be caused by some problematic programs that clash with your existing operating system. Several users reported that numerous programs that are supposedly designed to enhance computer performance are causing conflict in the system instead. To identify which program is causing the problem, you need to put your computer in a Clean Boot State. To do so, follow the steps below.

• 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” checkbox 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” checkbox.
• 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.)
• From there, start to isolate the problem by checking which one of the programs you installed recently is the root cause of the problem.

Option 4 – Update or rollback drivers

If the first few options didn’t work for you, then it’s time to either update or roll back the device drivers. It is most likely that after you updated your Windows computer that your driver also needs a refresh. On the other hand, if you have just updated your device drivers then you need to roll back the drivers to their previous versions. Whichever applies to you, refer to the steps below.

• Open the Devices Manager from the Win X Menu.
• Then locate the device drivers and right-click on them to open the Properties.
• After that, switch to the Driver tab and click on the Uninstall Device button.
• Follow the screen option to completely uninstall it.
• Finally, restart your computer. It will just reinstall the device drivers automatically.

Note: You can install a dedicated driver on your computer in case you have it or you could also look for it directly from the website of the manufacturer.

Hello and welcome everyone, just a few years ago we had FLASH video content on the internet, we had FLASH games, full FLASH website experiences, and more, but then flash was shut down mostly due to security reasons meaning that in just a few months we have lost most of FLASH web content. However, there is still FLASH content on the internet even today, there are still FLASH videos and flash games, but we can not play any of that content since browsers do not support FLASH and you can not get the FLASH plugin for browsers. So what might be the solution for this situation?

Ruffle and FLASH emulation

Emulation of course. We will not be able to get the flash player working, well at least not the original and official one, but we can make flash content playable again inside our browsers. The first thing is first, we need to get an emulator package from the internet in order for this trick to work, one we will be using is RUFFLE. It is lightweight, it is free, it is open source and it is reliable, everything we need. Download RUFFLE from its official website here. For Chrome and Edge download the ZIP package, for Firefox, go to the Firefox section of the tutorial. There is also a desktop version of RUFFLE there so if you are keen on playing your flash content on your desktop computer you might well grab that as well, but for the sake of this tutorial where we are enabling flash in our browsers, we will not focus on that part since it is pretty straightforward. Now once you have downloaded the RUFFLE emulator, please extract it to the desired folder somewhere on your computer. Once it is extracted, start your browser of choice and follow instructions.

FOR CHROME:

1. Navigate to: chrome://extensions/
2. Turn ON developer mode in the top right corner
3. Click on Load unpacked
4. Navigate to the folder where you have extracted RUFFLE

FOR EDGE:

1. Navigate to: edge://extensions/
2. Turn ON developer mode on the bottom left corner
3. Navigate to the folder where you have extracted RUFFLE
4. Turn RUFFLE ON

FOR FIREFOX:

1. Go to the RUFFLE download page, we can not use the zip package we were using for Chrome and Edge
2. Right-click on the Firefox download link
3. Save link by clicking on Save link as...
4. Navigate to about: debugging
5. Click on this Firefox
6. Click Load Temporary Add-on
7. Select the .xpi that you have downloaded

BONUS:

If you want to enable FLASH content live on your website use:  <script src="path_to_ruffle/ruffle.js"></script>

Error Code 0xC1900101, 0x4000D - What Is It?

Error Code 0xC1900101, 0x4000D is not very common among the many error codes emerging when updating to Windows 10. It is specific to Windows 7 users who try to upgrade to Windows 10 system.

This error hinders Windows 7 users to install the Windows 10 update. Once the update is launched, the process will go smoothly until a certain percentage (normally upon hitting 70% or more) and then it gets stuck. The user will then see a notification stating: “The installation failed in the SECOND_BOOT phase with an error during MIGRATE_DATA operation.”

You’ll be able to get past the error after a while. The error message will disappear and continue with the configuration process. But, not for long as it will reoccur at around 90% of installation with another error message saying: “The installation failed in the SECOND_BOOT phase with an error during PRE_OOBE operation.”

Solution

Error Causes

You’re most likely to encounter Error Code 0xC1900101 – 0x4000D when you upgrade to Windows 10 using a USB drive. There are several reasons why this update-related error happens such as wrong update, incompatibility with an antivirus program, or incompatibilities with some software.

Further Information and Manual Repair

In attempting to fix error code-related problems, it is best to do manual repair methods. Employing repair methods manually can help users pinpoint the root causes of the issues they are encountering and apply permanent solutions to fix the problem.

While every Windows user can do most manual repair methods, there are certain cases where help from a Windows expert is needed. If you’re not confident in employing the manual repair methods yourself, you can always consider seeking help from a professional Windows technician who is equipped with enough knowledge to address any issues you are facing or you can just simply use a powerful automated tool.

In fixing Error Code 0xC1900101 – 0x4000D, you can try doing any of the following manual repair methods:

Method One: Disable Background Applications

Error Code 0xC1900101-0x4000D probably occurs when there are programs running in the background of the system as you are in the process of updating. On that note, you must ensure that any programs running in the background must be disabled through Task Manager.

1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del then choose Task Manager.
2. Right-click on all background applications then chooses End Task to close the apps.

NOTE: If there are any processes you are unfamiliar with, you can always right-click that process then “search online.” Be careful not to end “Windows process” tasks under the “Type” column as it might cause further problems.

3. Restart your device then proceed to Windows 10 system upgrading.

Method Two: Uninstall Anti-Malware Tools

Anti-malware tools normally trigger problems since they consist of files that are possibly incompatible with some software. If Error Code 0xc1900101-0x4000d is caused by incompatibility with an antivirus program, follow the following steps:

1. Open the Control Panel then choose System and Security.
2. Select Windows Solution Center.
3. Click Security to locate your antivirus.
4. Once you’ve located your antivirus, click on it then choose
5. Restart your device then check if it eliminates the problem.

Method Three: Install System Updates

1. Click on the Start menu then select System and Security – Windows Updates.
2. Choose Check for updates.
3. If there are any required updates detected by the system, select them all then choose Install Updates.
4. Restart your device.

Method Four: Check System For Any Incompatibilities

In doing this method, you need to use the System Readiness tool.

1. Download System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB947821).
2. Once the download is finished, open Windows 6.1-KB947821-v34-x64.msu
3. Run the program to check for any incompatibilities in your system.

NOTE: The process might take a while depending on the speed of your device.

4. If there are no results found, you can now try updating again to Windows 10. However, if there are any issues found, you need to have them fixed first.

Method Five: Download A Powerful Automated Tool

Can’t seem to put up with the long and technical manual repair process? You can still fix this error by downloading and installing a powerful automated tool that will surely get the job done in a jiffy!

Error Code 0x8024001e - What is it?

Error Code 0x8024001e is most commonly associated with the installation of apps from the Windows store, although versions of the error have been present in multiple versions of the Windows operating system. At its most basic level, the error says that a program has not been installed, even after the installation wizard has run through to completion.

Common symptoms include:

• Inability to open or run apps downloaded from the Windows store
• The error message reads, “Something happened and this app couldn’t be installed. Please try again.”

The solutions to Error Code 0x8024001e are somewhat complex, so it is a good idea to get in touch with a computer repair professional if you do not feel confident in your ability to follow the steps below to complete. However, most users should be able to follow the steps below and achieve the desired results.

Solution

Error Causes

There are a couple of different causes that can lead to the appearance of Error Code 0x8024001e. In some cases, extraneous data left in the app cache can cause the problem. In other cases, particular processes may need to be manually reset to clear the problem. Last, but not least, unresolved updates may lead to Error Code 0x8024001e causing issues with downloaded and installed apps from the Windows Store.

Further Information and Manual Repair

There are three primary methods to address the appearance of Error Code 0x8024001e. These should work for all users, regardless of the specific cause for their machine. The methods below do require some advanced skills in computing, so be sure to contact a Windows repair technician if you have trouble following the instructions below.

Here are the top ways to repair Error Code 0x8024001e on Windows 10:

Method One:  Clear the App Cache and Use Power User Options

In many cases, simply clearing your app cache can resolve the errors that pop up when you are downloading, installing, or updating any apps that have come from the Windows store. This method may not perfectly resolve the problem every time, but it is a step that should always be done before any others.

Next, open up the Power User options by pressing both the Windows key and the X key at the same time. Choose “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the options that appear. Then type in the commands into the prompt, one at a time:

• net stop wuauserv
• cd/windows
• rename SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bck
• net start wuauserv

Restart your computer after these changes have been made so that all changes can take effect. You may be able to access the desired programs and apps after this is complete.

Method Two:  Run Your Registry Repair Tools

Sometimes, the best way to repair Error Code 0x8024001e is to simply open up the Window Registry tools and run the repair process. This will scan your registry for any errant entries, corrupted entries, or missing entries, repairing them automatically as the device is able to do. This process may take some time to complete, so plan accordingly.

After this process is complete, it is always a good idea to restart your computer to apply any changes that have been made. Reattempt to install or run the program in question one this is done.

Method Three:  Run Windows Updates as Necessary

Last, open up the Windows Update tools to check to see if any of your programs need to be updated or if your operating system needs to be updated. Install each of the updates, restarting your computer after the entire process has been completed so that they can fully take effect on your machine. You should be able to run the programs that had caused problems once this is complete.

It is important to keep up-to-date on your system and program updates to avoid future errors in installations and downloads from the Windows store.

In most cases, using the steps above should allow you to use the apps that you’ve downloaded from the Windows store without Error Code 0x8024001e popping back up. If the problem persists or if you have not been able to follow the steps listed above to remedy the error, it is a good idea to contact a qualified professional who is experienced in working with Windows 10 errors.

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.

FoxTab Toolbar is a browser hijacking toolbar add-on for IE, Firefox, Chrome, and Opera browsers that claims that it allows you to access your favorite sites faster, and improving your overall search and browsing experience. 1-click access to search results, most popular websites, and web services directly from our Foxtab browser toolbar.

Fox tab will integrate itself into your browser, modifying the search engine, welcome page, and new tab. This toolbar may change some browser settings, display unwanted ads, and sometimes displays additional ads from its ad sponsor. Some of the settings that this toolbar changes can lower the security of your browser.

Upon installation the toolbar ads scheduled tasks in Windows, allowing it to run with your browser every time, and to automatically update itself. Several anti-virus programs have flagged this software as Malware and therefore it is classified as a browser hijacker and recommended for optional removal.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijackers (sometimes called hijackware) are a type of malicious software that modifies internet browser settings without the user’s knowledge or approval. These types of hijacks are rising at an astonishing rate across the world, and they can be actually nefarious and sometimes dangerous too. They are created to interfere with web browser programs for many different reasons. Often, hijackers will force hits to internet sites of their choice either to increase targeted traffic generating higher ad revenue, or to gain a commission for every user visiting there. Although it might appear harmless, these tools are made by malicious people who always try to take full advantage of you, so that hackers can earn money from your naivety and distraction. What’s more, hijackers can make the whole infected system fragile – other destructive malware and viruses will take hold of these opportunities to get into your computer system effortlessly.

How to know whether the browser is hijacked?

Symptoms that your internet browser is hijacked include: 1. your home page has been reset to some unknown webpage 2. bookmark and the new tab are also changed 3. default web engine is changed 4. you see unwanted new toolbars added 5. you’ll notice random pop-ups start showing regularly 6. your web browser starts running sluggishly or exhibits frequent glitches 7. Inability to navigate to particular sites, particularly anti-malware as well as other computer security software webpages.

How it infects your PC

Browser hijackers infect PCs in numerous ways, including via a file-share, a drive-by download, or an infected email. They can also be deployed via the installation of an internet browser toolbar, extension, or add-on. Also, certain shareware and freeware can put the hijacker in your PC through “bundling”. Browser hijackers can record user keystrokes to collect potentially invaluable information that leads to privacy issues, cause instability on systems, drastically disrupt the user experience, and ultimately slow down the PC to a point where it becomes unusable.

Tips on how to get rid of browser hijackers

Certain kinds of browser hijackers can be removed from your computer by deleting malicious applications or any other recently added freeware. Often, it can be a tough task to find and eliminate the malicious component because the associated file might be running as part of the operating system process. Also, manual removals require in-depth system understanding and thus can be a very difficult task for beginner computer users. Professionals always suggest users remove any malicious software including browser hijacker by using an automatic removal tool, which is easier, safer, and quicker than the manual removal process. Safebytes Anti-Malware detects all kinds of hijackers – including FoxTab – and eliminates every trace efficiently and quickly. Employ a pc optimizer along with your antivirus software to solve various computer registry problems, eliminate system vulnerabilities, and boost your computer performance.

Malware Blocking Access To Safebytes Website And Anti-Malware Downloads - What You Should Do?

Malware may cause many different types of damage to computer systems, networks, and data. Some malware is meant to interfere with or prevent things that you wish to do on your PC. It may well not permit you to download anything from the internet or prevent you from accessing some or all of the sites, particularly the anti-malware sites. If you’re reading this, you may have affected by a virus that stops you from downloading a computer security program like Safebytes Anti-Malware. There are a few steps you can take to get around this problem.

Download the software in Safe Mode with Networking

If any virus is set to load automatically when Microsoft Windows starts, getting into Safe Mode could very well block the attempt. Just the minimum required programs and services are loaded when you start your PC in Safe Mode. To start your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computers in Safe Mode with Networking, please do as instructed below. 1) Tap the F8 key repeatedly as soon as your system boots, but before the large windows logo comes up. This would conjure up the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2) Choose Safe Mode with Networking using arrow keys and hit ENTER. 3) When this mode loads, you will have the internet. Now, get the virus removal software you want by utilizing the internet browser. To install the software, follow the guidelines within the setup wizard. 4) Immediately after installation, do a complete scan and let the program remove the threats it finds.

Download the antivirus program in a different web browser

Some malware mainly targets particular browsers. If this is your situation, employ another web browser as it could circumvent the computer virus. In the event you suspect that your Internet Explorer has been hijacked by malware or otherwise compromised by online hackers, the ideal course of action would be to switch over to a different browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari to download your favorite computer security application – Safebytes Anti-Malware. Create a bootable USB anti-virus drive Another option is to make a portable anti-malware program onto your USB flash drive. Try these simple measures to clean up your infected PC using a portable antivirus. 1) Make use of another virus-free computer to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Insert the pen drive into the clean PC. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the antivirus software to run the Installation Wizard. 4) When asked, choose the location of the USB drive as the place in which you would like to store the software files. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation. 5) Disconnect the USB drive. You may now utilize this portable anti-virus on the affected computer system. 6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the thumb drive by double-clicking the icon. 7) Hit the “Scan Now” button to start the malware scan.

Protect Your PC and Privacy With SafeBytes Anti-Malware

Do you want to install the best anti-malware software for your computer? There are plenty of applications on the market that comes in free and paid versions for Windows computers. Some are very good ones, some are decent, and some are simply just bogus anti-malware software that will damage your PC themselves! You need to be very careful not to pick the wrong product, particularly if you buy a paid application. On the list of recommended software programs is SafeBytes AntiMalware. SafeBytes has a very good reputation for excellent service, and clients seem to be happy with it. SafeBytes anti-malware is a trusted tool that not only protects your computer system permanently but is also quite easy to use for people of all skill levels. After you have installed this application, SafeBytes' superior protection system will make sure that absolutely no viruses or malware can seep through your computer. SafeBytes has great features when compared with other anti-malware programs. Below are some of the great features included in the application. Active Protection: SafeBytes offers real-time active monitoring service and protection against all known viruses and malware. It’ll monitor your computer system for suspicious activity regularly and its unparalleled firewall guards your PC against illegal access by the outside world. World-class AntiMalware Protection: Built on a highly acclaimed anti-virus engine, this malware removal tool is able to detect and remove numerous obstinate malware threats such as browser hijackers, potentially unwanted programs, and ransomware that other common antivirus software will miss. Safe Browsing: SafeBytes checks and provides a unique safety rating to every single site you visit and block access to web pages known to be phishing sites, thus protecting you from identity theft, or known to contain malicious software. Low Memory/CPU Usage: This software is lightweight and will run quietly in the background, and that does not have an effect on your PC efficiency. 24/7 Online Technical Support: SafeBytes provides you with 24/7 technical support, automatic maintenance, and updates for the best user experience. Overall, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is a solid program since it has plenty of features and can detect and remove any potential threats. There is no doubt that your computer will be protected in real-time as soon as you put this software program to use. If you’re looking for the absolute best malware removal tool out there, and if you don’t mind shelling out some money for it, go for SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove FoxTab 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 FoxTab

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What is BitCoinMiner Malware?

BitCoinMiner is a Malware created with the intent to force computer systems to generate crypto-currency, namely Bitcoin. This is done without the consent and knowledge of a computer/system holder. This unwanted file bears no digital signature or publisher since the creators of such a heinous invention do not wish to be known. Technical details about BitCoinMiner Malware include:

Product Version: 1.0.0.0 Original File Name: crss.exe Entry Point:  0x000C5AAE

Assessment of BitCoinMiner Malware

After installation of the BitCoinMiner Malware, there were no visible signs of an infection or program files installed. However, based on research, BitcoinMiner Malware utilizes the CPU’s resources (est. to be about 50%). Computer users have reported that they recognized an unknown process utilizing the majority of their processing space. the bitcoin miner is used by the creators to penetrate a user’s system, in effect coercing each infected system to mine Bitcoins covertly. After years of mining, a user might discern that their computer is moving slouchy and may even encounter various forms of BSODs.   After Bitcoins have been mined in the infiltrated system, the cyber currency is then returned/ sent to the creator of the malware. This venture is a sly and deceptive way to earn Bitcoins since the currency is gaining much popularity.

Further Information on BitCoinMiner

BitCoinMiner works covertly. There are no obvious traces of this program running on a computer system. However, once a computer system is infiltrated, the computer user will realize that their CPU resources are strangely being used up, even while the computer idles. Another expression of BitCoinMiner is the addition of cookies of various sorts to a computer system. These include:

• Tracking cookies
• Advert (Adware) cookies
• Casale Media (Spyware) cookies
• Atwola (Spyware) cookies
• Adtech (Spyware) cookies

Once BitCoinMiner is present on a computer system, it can potentially slow it down and also create back doors as a means to install other unwanted and harmful programs. To completely remove BitCoinMiner Malware from your computer, click here to download and install Spyhunter.

There are times when you may encounter some glitches on your Google Chrome browser in your Windows 10 computer. One of these glitches is when the connection status of Chrome keeps on saying “Waiting for cache” which is displayed at the bottom-left side of the browser in the Status bar. At the time of writing, it isn’t clear yet what could be causing this problem. Although it is possible that it’s caused by browser cache, some extensions in the browser. On the other hand, it could also be caused by the browser profile or due to some fragmented files or that the SSD is occupied. Whatever the cause is, you can check out each one of the given options below to fix the problem.

Option 1 – Try clearing browser cache

There are times when some data in the browser is conflicting with the loading of the website and triggers some problems like “Waiting for cache”. And so you can try to clear your browser’s data. This might be a very basic solution but oftentimes it works in fixing this kind of error in Google Chrome. Follow the steps below to clear the data in your browser.

• Open your Google Chrome browser.
• After that, tap the Ctrl + H keys. Doing so will open a new panel that allows you to delete the browsing history and other data in your browser.
• Now select every checkbox that you see and click on the Clear browsing data button.
• Then restart your Chrome browser and check if you can now open any website or not.

Option 2 – Try to disable writing of Cache files to the SSD

You can also disable the writing of Cache files to the SSD to stop Google Chrome’s dependency on the SSD to gather all the cache files.

Option 3 – Delete the User Profile in Chrome

You can also try deleting the User Profile folder in Chrome. To do so, follow these steps:

• You need to first end every single process of Google Chrome. To do so, right-click on the Taskbar then select the Task Manager. And if the Task Manager is not responding, you can just use the Alt + Ctrl + Del keys and then select the Task Manager.
• After opening the Task Manager, under Processes, look for Google Chrome’s process which would most likely be named “chrome.exe”.
• Right-click on Google Chrome’s process and then select the End task option.
• Next, tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialogue box.
• Then copy and paste “%USERPROFILE%AppDataLocalGoogleChromeUser Data” and hit Enter.
• From there, look for a folder named “Default folder” and then copy the folder to another drive as a backup.
• After creating a copy of the folder, delete the Default folder.
• Next, open Google Chrome again and go to Settings > Advanced > Reset.

Option 4 – Reset Chrome

Resetting Chrome can also help you fix the error. This means that you will be restoring its default settings, disabling all the extensions, add-ons, and themes. Aside from that, the content settings will be reset as well and the cookies, cache, and site data will also be deleted. To reset Chrome, here’s what you have to do:

• 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.

Option 5 – Try to clean reinstall Chrome

There are instances when programs leave files behind after you’ve uninstalled them and the same thing can happen to Chrome so before you reinstall Chrome, you have to make sure that you have deleted the User Data folder. To do so, refer to the following steps:

• Hit the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Next, type “%LOCALAPPDATA%GoogleChromeUser Data” in the field and hit Enter to open the User Data folder.
• From there, rename the default folder and name it something else, e.g. “Default.old”.
• After that, install Google Chrome again and check if the issue is now fixed.

DownSpeedTest is a Browser Toolbar Extension for Google Chrome that allows users to test their internet speed and convert files, however this speed test does not show proper values, nor even close.

Upon installation DownSpeedTest will replace your default New Tab page with its own Search Engine “MyWay.com” or “Search.MyWay.com”. This Search Engine camouflages itself as a “Enhanced Google Search Engine”, but all it does is allow more room for easier ad injection. In the background, this extension monitors user browsing behavior and records visited links, viewed products, clicked links and time spend on websites. This information is later used for Ad targeting.

While browsing the internet with this extension enabled you will experience additional ads, sponsored content, and even pop-up ads on some occasions. Due to its information mining behavior and aggressive ad placement, DownSpeedTest had been marked as a Browser Hijacker and it is recommended for removal.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a type of unwanted program, commonly a web browser add-on or extension, which causes modifications in the browser’s settings. There are lots of reasons why you may experience a browser hijack; but commercial, advertising and marketing are the major reasons for their creation. These are typically used to force hits to a specific site, manipulating web-traffic to generate ad-revenue. Even though it might appear naive, these tools are made by malicious people who always try to take full advantage of you, so that hackers could earn money from your naive and distraction. In a worst-case scenario, your browser could be hi-jacked to download malicious software that can do a lot of damage to your laptop or computer.

How one can know whether the browser is hijacked?

When your web browser is hijacked, the following might happen: your browser’s homepage has been reset to some unknown webpage; new bookmarks pointing to porn websites have been added to your bookmarks; the default browser configurations are modified and/or your default web engine is altered; you see unwanted new toolbars added; unstoppable flurries of pop-up ads show up on your computer screen; your browser gets slow, buggy, crashes regularly; you can’t navigate to specific internet pages, such as security software related websites.

How does a browser hijacker infect a computer?

Browser hijackers infect computers via malicious e-mail attachments, downloaded infected documents or by visiting infected internet sites. They can be included with toolbars, add-ons, BHO, plugins or browser extensions. Also, some freeware and shareware can put the hijacker in your PC through “bundling”. Browser hijackers could record user keystrokes to collect potentially important information leading to privacy concerns, cause instability on computers, significantly disrupt user’s browsing experience, and ultimately slow down the system to a point where it becomes unusable.

How you can fix a browser hijack

One thing you could try to eradicate a browser hijacker is to find the malware in the “Add or Remove Programs” list of the Microsoft Windows Control Panel. It might or might not be there. When it is, uninstall it. However, most browser hijackers are difficult to eliminate manually. Regardless of how much you attempt to get rid of it, it might come back over and over. Amateur PC users should never try for the manual form of removal methods, since it demands in-depth system knowledge to perform fixes on the system registry and HOSTS file. Anti-malware software is really effective when it comes to picking up and eliminating browser hijackers that regular anti-virus application has overlooked. If you’d like to get rid of persistent hijackers effectively, install the top-rated Anti-Malware software Safebytes Anti-Malware. Use a system optimizer (like Total System Care) along with your anti-malware software to fix various registry issues, remove system vulnerabilities, and improve your computer performance.

What To Do If You Cannot Install Any Anti-Malware?

Practically all malware is bad and the consequences of the damage could differ according to the specific kind of malicious software. Some malware is created to interfere with or block things that you’d like to do on your PC. It may not permit you to download anything from the web or prevent you from accessing a few or all of the internet sites, especially the anti-malware websites. So what you should do if malware prevents you from downloading or installing Anti-Malware? There are a few actions you can take to circumvent this problem.

Install the anti-virus in Safe Mode

Safe Mode is a unique, simplified version of Microsoft Windows in which only essential services are loaded to counteract viruses and also other problematic applications from loading. If the malware is set to load immediately when computer starts, switching into this mode may prevent it from doing so. To start the computer into Safe Mode, press the “F8” key on the keyboard just before the Windows logo screen shows up; Or after normal Windows boot up, run MSConfig, look over “Safe Boot” under the Boot tab, and then click Apply. Once you are in Safe Mode, you can try to install your antivirus application without the hindrance of the malicious software. Following installation, run the malware scanner to get rid of most standard infections.

Download the anti-malware program using a different browser

Web-based malware could be environment-specific, aiming for a particular web browser or attacking particular versions of the browser. If you’re not able to download the security program using Internet Explorer, it means virus is targeting IE’s vulnerabilities. Here, you should switch over to an alternative web browser such as Chrome or Firefox to download Safebytes Anti-malware software.

Install anti-malware on a thumb drive

Another solution is to save and operate antivirus software tool completely from a Pen drive. Follow these steps to use a USB flash drive to clean your infected PC. 1) Make use of another virus-free computer to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Insert the USB drive on the same system. 3) Double click on the downloaded file to run the installation wizard. 4) Choose the USB flash drive as the location for saving the software file. Follow the instructions to complete the installation process. 5) Now, plug the USB drive into the corrupted computer. 6) Double-click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the pen drive to run the application. 7) Run Full System Scan to identify and clean-up of all types of malware.

Protect Your Computer & Privacy With SafeBytes Anti-Malware

If you’re planning to purchase anti-malware for your computer, there are lots of brands and utilities for you to consider. A few of them do a good job in getting rid of threats while many will harm your PC by themselves. You need to select one that is trustworthy, practical and has a good reputation for its malware source protection. While thinking about the dependable programs, Safebytes Anti-Malware is certainly the strongly recommended one. SafeBytes anti-malware is a reliable software that not only secures your system permanently but is also very user friendly for people of all skill levels. Through its cutting-edge technology, this software will help you protect your PC against infections brought on by different kinds of malware and other threats, including spyware, adware, viruses, worms, trojans, keyloggers, potentially unwanted program (PUPs), and ransomware.

SafeBytes has great features when compared with other anti-malware programs. The following are some of the features you might like in SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

Live Protection: SafeBytes provides complete and real-time security for your computer system. This tool will continuously monitor your PC for any suspicious activity and updates itself regularly to keep abreast of the latest threats. World-class AntiMalware Protection: With a critically acclaimed anti-malware engine, SafeBytes offers multilayered protection which is made to find and remove threats which are hidden deep in your computer’s operating system. Safe Browsing: Safebytes assigns all sites a unique safety ranking that helps you to have an idea of whether the webpage you’re just about to visit is safe to view or known to be a phishing site. Lightweight: This program is light-weight and will work quietly in the background, and will not affect your computer efficiency. 24/7 Online Technical Support: Support service is available for 24 x 7 x 365 days via email and chats to answer your queries. SafeBytes can keep your PC safe from latest malware threats automatically with very little input needed from you again. Once you have installed this software, you no longer have to worry about malware or any other security worries. You will get the very best all-around protection for the money you pay on SafeBytes anti-malware subscription, there’s no question about it.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

To get rid of DownSpeedTest manually, go to the Add or Remove programs list in the Control Panel and select the offending program you want to get rid of. For internet browser extensions, go to your browser’s Addon/Extension manager and choose the plug-in you intend to disable or remove. You’ll likely also want to reset your web browser. To ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard disk and computer registry for all the following and remove or reset the values as needed. Please be aware that this is for skilled users only and might be challenging, with incorrect file removal causing additional system errors. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating itself or preventing deletion. You’re suggested to do this procedure in Safe Mode.

We are all waiting for the release of Intel’s Alder Lake series of processors and real-world results on its performance. Sadly lately it came to our attention that some games might have issues with the processor. Now before you go on the bandwagon on bashing Intel itself take note that it is not Intel’s fault at all. The issue that arises is mostly due to DRM software and how it works. As you might know or not, Alder Lake has two sets of cores, standard performance cores, and power cores, and with Intel’s Thread Director on-chip right cores will be used for the right tasks, and here lies the issue. DRM software might detect Thread Director as something suspicious and malicious, and then cut access to the game because of this. Intel, of course, has reached DRM manufacturers and places documentation about how software should be developed with this hybrid technology in mind. Of course, newer games will be updated if needed and everything will work fine, also games on GOG will work fine because of GOG’s policy of no DRM store but some older ones might be left in limbo. They could work fine but DRM might be triggered and prevent them from loading, usually, game developer itself removes DRM protection after some time but that is not really always the case and there is a chance that some games might simply just not work on Alder Lake CPU only because of DRM protection.

Conclusion

I will admit that I have not been a great fan of DRM in general, I understand that game developer want to protect themselves from piracy but how it looks they were not really successful with it. Even today single-player games get pirated on the day they are released and legally bought ones always make trouble for people that actually paid for them. I remember times when DRM was awful and you could install a game a limited number of times, luckily this was removed but it seems that many old habits still remain sadly and DRM is present even today in various forms. GOG is proof that people will buy DRM-free games and that they will support this kind of model. Maybe it is time to forget about fighting against piracy, you will not make it go away and people who do not want to buy games will not buy them, on other hand many users that do buy games, if they cannot use them they will rest to pirated version since that one will work. It is sad to see that pirated software can work better than a legal one and offer a more pleasant experience.

In case you don’t know, Windows now comes with an all-new Light Mode theme which gives a light accent color to the Taskbar, Start, and Notification Area. Aside from that, it also brings new improvements and features. This new theme is somewhere between dark and completely white and in this post, you will be guided on how you can enable this new feature in your Windows 10 computer. Although the Light Mode sure looks stunning and a lot of users love it, it actually switches all the apps plus the Taskbar and Start Menu to the light mode which was not the case before. In addition, the icons in the system tray area, as well as the notification center, are also inverted. To resolve that, there are several ways you can customize the light mode theme as well as activate it in the Windows 10 v1903. How? Refer to each one of the options given below.

Option 1 – Via Theme settings

Windows 10 brought a new theme called “Windows (Light)” which will enable the light mode automatically and will set the accent colors to automatic. This will also apply the new Windows 10 wallpaper on your desktop. To enable Windows (Light), all you have to do is right-click on the desktop and select Themes from the left menu. After that, select the Windows (Light) option under the Change Themes section. This will apply to the Windows (Light) mode.

Option 2 – Via Color settings

The second and more customizable way to activate the light mode is via Settings. Aside from the Light and Dark, Windows also introduced a Custom color option which allows you to decide the default Windows and App mode independently. To enable Light mode via Settings, refer to the steps below.

• First, open Settings and go to Personalization.
• After that, select “Colours” from the left menu.
• Next, select Light under the “Choose your color” section to activate the light mode in Windows 10. This will activate light mode all over your computer.

Note: If after activating light mode, you find that you don’t like it and you want to keep things as they were before (Light App Mode and Dark Windows Mode), you can achieve that using the Custom option. All you have to do is select Custom from the drop-down menu to decide the default Windows and app mode independently. After that, select light under the default app mode and dark under the default Windows mode so that you can keep things as they were before the update. On the other hand, you can also try the opposite version of the light Windows mode and Dark app mode since Windows increased the level of customizability which allows users to use an option of a completely light mode.