BubbleDock Complete Removal Tutorial

BubbleDock is a software developed by Nosibay. It installs a customizable dock at the top of your screen.

It adds registry entities to allow it to start automatically each time your system is rebooted, as well as installing an update checker that will automatically update the software when an update is available. The software also adds various scheduled tasks to start the application at different times, this ensures that once the application is closed, it is re-launched at a later time, making it very hard to keep the software closed permanently.

While the software is running, it will generate ad links in your browser, display sponsored ads, and collect personal information and deliver it back to it’s ad network.
While using this software you may see additional ads, banners, links, pop-up ads, and various other sponsored content while browsing the internet.

About Potentially Unwanted Applications

Have you ever found out an unwanted program running on your computer system and wondered exactly how the heck it got there? A PUA / PUP (potentially unwanted application / potentially unwanted program) is actually a piece of software that comes bundled with freeware and you consent to install it on your computer. These are programs you certainly don’t want on your computer since it does not provide any beneficial service.

From a technical standpoint, a PUP isn’t “true” malware. An interesting difference between PUP and malware is distribution. Malware is commonly dropped via vulnerability exploitation whereas PUP gets installed with the consent of the user, who purposefully or unwittingly authorizes the PUP installation on their PC. Although a PUP is not malware by definition, it can still be harmful software and put your computer at risk exactly the same way a computer virus does.

Exactly how do PUPs look like?

PUPs come in many forms; however, most of them are adware, which usually displays irritating adverts and advertising banners on internet pages that you’re surfing. PUPs which come as browser add-ons and toolbars are widely recognizable. These toolbars alter your homepage and your default search engine in the installed web browser, track your internet activities, modify your search results with re-directs and sponsored hyperlinks, and eventually slow down your internet browser and diminish your web browsing experience.

Potentially Unwanted Programs occasionally act quite much like viruses or spyware. They will carry dialers, keyloggers, as well as other software built right into them that may monitor you or deliver your sensitive details to 3rd parties. Even if the PUPs are not basically malicious, these applications still do practically nothing good on your personal computer – they’ll take precious system resources, slow your PC, weaken your device’s security, and make your PC more susceptible to viruses.

Preventing PUPs

• Study the fine print to be sure the end-user license agreement (EULA) you are accepting is only for the program you actually intend to download.
• Never accept standard, express, default, or other installation settings which are recommended. Always opt for custom installation.
• Use a good anti-malware program. Try Safebytes Anti-Malware which will spot PUPs and handle them as malware by flagging them for deletion.
• Avoid shareware or freeware wherever possible. Disable or get rid of toolbars and browser extensions you don’t actually need.
• Don’t download software from popups, online advertising, file sharing sites, as well as other unreliable sources; look out for any pre-set, unwanted features when downloading the program. Avoid heading to blogs and websites that promote pirated programs.

How To Install Safebytes Anti-Malware On An Infected Computer

Practically all malware is inherently unsafe, but certain kinds of malicious software do a lot more damage to your computer than others. Certain malware goes to great lengths to prevent you from downloading or installing anything on your personal computer, particularly antivirus applications. So what should you do if malicious software keeps you from downloading or installing Anti-Malware? There are some solutions you could try to get around with this particular obstacle.

Install in Safe Mode with Networking

Safe Mode is a unique, simplified version of Microsoft Windows where only the bare minimum services are loaded to stop malware and other troublesome applications from loading. In the event, the malicious software is set to load immediately when the PC starts, switching to this mode can prevent it from doing so. In order to enter into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press the F8 key while the PC is starting up or run MSCONFIG and look for the “Safe Boot” options under the “Boot” tab. After you restart the PC into Safe Mode with Networking, you may download, install, as well as update the anti-malware program from there. Now, you can run the anti-virus scan to remove computer viruses and malware without interference from another application.

Switch to some other internet browser

Web-based malware could be environment-specific, aiming for a particular internet browser or attacking specific versions of the web browser. If you’re not able to download the security software program using Internet Explorer, this means the virus may be targeting IE’s vulnerabilities. Here, you must switch over to a different browser like Firefox or Chrome to download Safebytes Anti-malware software.

Create a portable USB antivirus for removing viruses

Here’s yet another solution which is creating a portable USB antivirus software that can scan your computer for malware without needing installation. Abide by these steps to run the anti-virus on the affected computer.
1) Use another virus-free computer to download Safebytes Anti-Malware.
2) Plug the Flash drive into the clean computer.
3) Double-click the Setup icon of the antivirus software to run the Installation Wizard.
4) When asked, select the location of the USB drive as the place where you would like to put the software files. Follow the activation instructions.
5) Now, transfer the USB drive to the infected PC.
6) Double-click the antivirus program EXE file on the flash drive.
7) Hit the “Scan Now” button to start the virus scan.

Benefits and Features of SafeBytes Security Suite

To protect your computer from many different internet-based threats, it’s very important to install an anti-malware application on your laptop. However, with so many antimalware companies in the marketplace, these days it’s tough to decide which one you should obtain for your PC. A few of them are excellent, some are ok types, and some will destroy your computer themselves! You should pick one that is efficient, practical, and has a strong reputation for its malware source protection. While considering the highly regarded software programs, Safebytes Anti-Malware is undoubtedly the highly recommended one.

SafeBytes anti-malware is a powerful, highly effective protection application intended to help end-users of all levels of computer literacy in identifying and eliminating harmful threats out of their personal computer. After you have installed this software program, SafeBytes' superior protection system will ensure that no viruses or malicious software can seep through your personal computer.

There are numerous great features you’ll get with this security product. Let’s check out a few of them below:

Live Protection: Malware programs attempting to get into the computer are identified and stopped as and when detected by the SafeBytes real-time protection shields. They’re very efficient in screening and getting rid of different threats since they’re constantly improved with the latest updates and safety measures.

Robust Anti-malware Protection: Built upon a greatly acclaimed anti-virus engine, this malware removal tool is able to identify and get rid of many stubborn malware threats like browser hijackers, potentially unwanted programs, and ransomware that other common antivirus applications will miss.

Internet Security: SafeBytes gives an instant safety rating about the web pages you’re about to visit, automatically blocking dangerous sites and ensuring that you are certain of your safety while browsing the net.

“Fast Scan” Abilities: Safebytes AntiMalware, with its enhanced scanning engine, provides ultra-fast scanning that will promptly target any active online threat.

Lightweight: This program is not “heavy” on the computer’s resources, so you will not find any performance problems when SafeBytes is operating in the background.

24/7 Guidance: Expert technicians are at your disposal 24/7! They will quickly fix any technical issues you may be experiencing with your security software.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove BubbleDock 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 BubbleDock

Files:
%APPDATA%Nosibay
%PROGRAMS%Bubble Dock
%PROGRAMFILES%Nosibay

Registry:
Key: HKCUSoftwareNosibay
Key: HKCUSoftwareClassesbubbledock
Key: HKCUSoftwareClasses.bubbledock
Key: HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallBubble Dock
Key: HKLMSOFTWAREGoogleChromeExtensionskbjlipmgfoamgjaogmbihaffnpkpjajp
Key: HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects23AF19F7-1D5B-442c-B14C-3D1081953C94
Key: HKLMSOFTWAREClassesNosibay.SurfMatch
Key: HKLMSOFTWAREClassesAppIDIESurfMatch.DLL

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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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Android malware spies while posing as a Update
New malware with extensive spyware capabilities steals data from infected Android devices and is designed to automatically trigger whenever new info is read to be exfiltrated. The spyware can only be installed as a 'System Update' app available via third-party Android app stores as it was never available on Google's Play Store. This drastically limits the number of devices it can infect, given that most experienced users will most likely avoid installing it in the first place. The malware also lacks a method to infect other Android devices on its own, adding to its limited spreading capabilities. However, when it comes to stealing your data, this remote access trojan (RAT) can collect and exfiltrate an extensive array of information to its command-and-control server. Zimperium researchers who spotted it observed it while "stealing data, messages, images and taking control of Android phones."

What happens when malicious software is installed

"Once in control, hackers can record audio and phone calls, take photos, review browser history, access WhatsApp messages, and more," they added. Zimperium said its extensive range of data theft capabilities includes:
  • Stealing instant messenger messages;
  • Stealing instant messenger database files (if the root is available);
  • Inspecting the default browser's bookmarks and searches;
  • Inspecting the bookmark and search history from Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Samsung Internet Browser;
  • Searching for files with specific extensions (including .pdf, .doc, .docx, and .xls, .xlsx);
  • Inspecting the clipboard data;
  • Inspecting the content of the notifications;
  • Recording audio;
  • Recording phone calls;
  • Periodically take pictures (either through the front or back cameras);
  • Listing of the installed applications;
  • Stealing images and videos;
  • Monitoring the GPS location;
  • Stealing SMS messages;
  • Stealing phone contacts;
  • Stealing call logs;
  • Exfiltrating device information (e.g., installed applications, device name, storage stats).

How does it work?

Once installed on an Android device, the malware will send several pieces of info to its Firebase command-and-control (C2) server, including storage stats, the internet connection type, and the presence of various apps such as WhatsApp. The spyware harvests data directly if it has root access or will use Accessibility Services after tricking the victims into enabling the feature on the compromised device. It will also scan the external storage for any stored or cached data, harvest it, and deliver it to the C2 servers when the user connects to a Wi-Fi network. Unlike other malware designed to steal data, this one will get triggered using Android's contentObserver and Broadcast receivers only when some conditions are met, like the addition of a new contact, new text messages, or new apps being installed. "Commands received through the Firebase messaging service initiate actions such as recording of audio from the microphone and exfiltration of data such as SMS messages," Zimperium said. "The Firebase communication is only used to issue the commands, and a dedicated C&C server is used to collect the stolen data by using a POST request."

Camouflage

The malware will also display fake "Searching for the update.." system update notifications when it receives new commands from its masters to camouflage its malicious activity. The spyware also conceals its presence on infected Android devices by hiding the icon from the drawer/menu. To further evade detection, it will only steal thumbnails of videos and images it finds, thus reducing the victims' bandwidth consumption to avoid drawing their attention to the background data exfiltration activity. Unlike other malware that harvests data in bulk, this one will also make sure that it exfiltrates only the most recent data, collecting location data created and photos taken within the last few minutes. If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit errortools.com daily.
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UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME
One of the worst Blue Screen of Death errors you can encounter is the UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME BSOD on Windows 10. In this BSOD error, your computer won’t be able to properly boot. Meaning to say, even if you want to reinstall Windows, you won’t be able to back up your important files. Thus, it wouldn’t be really feasible to fix the system files, and besides, reinstalling Windows 10 would take a lot of time, not to mention resources. The UNMOUNTABLE BOOT VOLUME error is the kind of BSOD error that occurs if Windows is not able to access the volume that contains the boot files. Resolving this BSOD error won’t be easy but you will surely manage by following the suggestions laid out below but before you go on, make sure to create a System Restore Point.

Option 1 – Try checking the hardware

If you got the UNMOUNTABLE BOOT VOLUME BSOD error while trying to update your computer to a higher version of Windows, then you need to check if you have the compatible drivers for the disk controller as well as re-check the drive cabling and make sure that it is properly configured. And if you’re reusing either ATA-100 or ATA-66 drivers, ensure that you have an 80-connector cable and not the standard 40-connector IDE cable.

Option 2 – Try using Automatic Repair

You might also want to use Automatic Repair in fixing the BSOD error. To do so, follow the steps below.
  • You can start by creating and booting from a bootable Windows 10 USB Stick.
  • After that, click on Repair your computer located in the bottom left corner when you are on the initial Windows Startup screen.
  • Next, click on Troubleshoot, and then on the other screen, click the Startup Repair option.
  • Now select the operating system you want to repair. Once you do that, it will start to repair your operating system. Wait until the process is completed and then check if the problem’s now fixed.

Option 3 – Try fixing the Master Boot Record or MBR

The MBR or Master Boot Record is the location and is where the architecture of the operating system is installed. Thus, if either the location or the architecture has tampered with, it can cause lots of BSOD errors like the UNMOUNTABLE BOOT VOLUME error.
  • Boot your computer into Safe mode with Networking using the Advanced startup options which you can access by tapping the F2 or F8 key. Once you’ve accessed the Advanced startup options.
  • After you access the Advanced Startup options, select Command Prompt by using the arrow keys on your keyboard.
  • After opening Command Prompt, execute the following command and hit Enter:
bootrec /fixboot
  • After entering the command, wait until the process is completed and then restart your computer to apply the changes made successfully.

Option 4 – Run the CHKDSK command to repair hard disk errors

Running the Chkdsk utility could help you fix the UNMOUNTABLE BOOT VOLUME error. If your hard drive has issues with integrity, the update will really fail as the system will think that it’s not healthy and that’s where the Chkdsk utility comes in. The Chkdsk utility repairs hard drive errors that might be causing the problem.
  • After you access the Advanced Startup options, select Command Prompt by using the arrow keys on your keyboard.
  • After opening Command Prompt, execute the following command and hit Enter:
chkdsk /f /r
  • The command you entered will scan the hard disk for any errors and will automatically fix it if it finds some issues. Wait for the process to be completed and then reboot your PC.
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Fix 0x00000016 Blue Screen Error
If you are a gamer, you might have encountered either the CID HANDLE CREATION or VIDEO TDR ERROR errors with an error code of 0x00000016 as you play a game. These kinds of Stop errors have something to do with the Graphics card driver. It could be that your Graphics card driver needs to be updated or it may be corrupted. Whichever the case is, you can try fixing this error using the given solutions below but before you proceed, make sure to create a System Restore Point first so that you can easily roll back to the previous state of your computer in case something does not go as expected.

Option 1 – Try checking if your graphics card is enabled and update it as well

Although the problem is quite massive, the fix could be as simple as enabling the graphics card if it turns out to be disabled. There might be some strange reason why your graphics card disables itself. Thus, the best and first option you can try is to check if the graphics card is enabled or not. To do so, follow these steps:
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “devmgmt.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Device Manager.
  • After opening the Device Manager, look for your graphics card option among the list of device drivers. Once you found it, check if it is enabled or not. If it’s not enabled, you should see a gray arrow pointing downwards. Right-click on the card and select Enabled.
  • Next, right-click on the graphics card once more and click on the Update Driver Software option and then click on the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option.

Option 2 – Reinstall the Graphics card drivers

  • Tap Win + R to open Run then type “devmgmt.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Device Manager.
  • From there, look for the Display adapters and uninstall each one of the graphics card drivers by right-clicking on them and selecting the Uninstall device option.
  • After uninstalling the graphics card drivers, close the Device Manager and tap Win + R to open Run once again.
  • After that, type “appwiz.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to open Programs & Features in the Control Panel.
  • Next, look for any program that’s related to your GPU manufacturers like Nvidia, AMD, or Intel. Right-click on any GPU-related entry and click on Uninstall to uninstall them and then follow the next on-screen instructions that appear afterward.
  • Now restart your computer.
  • Once your computer has restarted, go to the GPU manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver version for your graphics card model and then install it.
  • Restart your computer once again. That should fix the problem.

Option 3 – Try reinstalling the game

If updating and reinstalling your Graphics card driver didn’t help, then you can try to reinstall the game where you’re getting the CID HANDLE CREATION or VIDEO TDR ERRORS.

Option 4 – Uninstall the programs you installed recently

Chances are, some programs that you just installed might be the one that’s causing the BSOD error. Thus, you need to uninstall the program to resolve the problem.
  • In the search box, type in “control” and then click on Control Panel (desktop app) among the search results.
  • After that, select Programs and Features from the list which will give you a list of all the programs installed on your computer.
  • From there, look for the concerned program and select it and then uninstall it.
Note: If you have downloaded the app from the Windows Store, you can simply right-click on it from the application list and then uninstall it. In addition, you might also want to check the hardware components of your computer that might not support the operating system itself. You can disconnect all the external devices like USB drives, scanners, printers, etc., and then reboot your PC. After that, add the devices again one after the other and check if the BSOD error is now fixed or not.

Option 5 – Try disabling your monitor’s Sleep functionality

There are times when the Sleep functionality of your monitor can also cause BSOD errors like CID HANDLE CREATION or VIDEO TDR errors. There are also times when the graphics card is running in the background and the display goes to sleep and then it’s turned back on but you encounter this kind of Blue Screen error. This is why you can try to disable your computer monitor’s Sleep mode.

Option 6 – Run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter

The Blue Screen troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that helps users in fixing BSOD errors like CID HANDLE CREATION or VIDEO TDR errors. It can be found on the Settings Troubleshooters page. To use it, refer to these steps:
  • Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings panel.
  • Then go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
  • From there, look for the option called “Blue Screen” on your right-hand side and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button to run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter and then follow the next on-screen options. Note that you might have to boot your PC into Safe Mode.

Option 7 – Try to run the Chkdsk utility

Running the CHKDSK utility might also help you resolve the CID HANDLE CREATION or VIDEO TDR errors. If your hard drive has issues with integrity, the update will really fail as the system will think that it’s not healthy and that’s where the CHKDSK utility comes in. The CHKDSK utility repairs hard drive errors that might be causing the problem.
  • Open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
  • After opening Command Prompt, execute the following command and hit Enter:
chkdsk /f /r
  • Wait for the process to be completed and then restart your computer.
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Fix CompareExchange128 error
During Windows 10 installation, you will see all the beautiful user interfaces, however, what’s more, important are the drivers, your processor, and free storage disk in order for the installation to be successfully completed. So if you are getting the CompareExchange128 error during the installation of Windows 10, this means that the CPU lacks a very important instruction known as “CMPXCHG16B”. Thus, if you don’t have CMPXCHG16B, then it will result in the CompareExchange128 error when you install Windows 10. In fact, CMPXCHG16B, PrefetchW as well as LAHF/SAHF is a criterion for you to be able to use Windows 10 64-bit version when upgrading from an earlier version of Windows. So what exactly is the CMPXCHG16B instruction? The CMPXCHG16B instruction is the one that performs an atomic compare-and-exchange on 16-byte values. This instruction can also be referred to as “CompareExchange128”. The atomic compare-and-exchange means that the CPU compares the contents of a memory location with a given value. So if the values are the same, it modifies the contents of that memory location to a new given value. Note that this kind of issue only happens to the 64-bit Windows 10 version and the only way to resolve it is by getting an update on the hardware level from the OEM. On the other hand, if nothing really works, it’s maybe time for you to get a new CPU but before you resort to that, in the meantime, you can try following the options given below to fix the CompareExchange128 error during the installation of Windows 10.

Option 1 – Try to update the BIOS and Chipset Drivers

One of the best things you can do to fix the CompareExchange128 error is by updating the BIOS and chipset drivers which is why you need to check if your OEM has an update available for your computer’s BIOS as well as the related chipset drivers. But before that, you need to first check the BIOS version. To do so, follow these steps:
  • Type “msinfo32” in the search bar and hit Enter to open the System Information Tools.
  • After opening the System Information Tools, check the BIOS version.
  • Then take note of that BIOS version. You also need to use the BIOS utility that came with your computer and use it for the upgrade. Note that it is different for every computer and if you don’t have it, you can just go to the OEM website and see if there is an option to download it there.

Option 2 – Try to downgrade to the 32-bit Windows 10 version

If option 1 didn’t work as the BIOS update is not available, you can also try downgrading to the 32-bit version of Windows 10. Keep in mind that this will bring restrictions on the amount of RAM installed and other places but that won’t be a problem as you can still switch.

Option 3 – Try buying a new hardware

If none of the first two options didn’t work for some reason then maybe it’s time for you to purchase new hardware especially if your computer is way too old. In such cases, it’s better to buy new hardware or better yet, a new computer that can keep up for the next couple of years.
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USB Security key is not working on Windows
As you know, the USB security keys are a secure medium to validate a lot of components in a computer. They can be used to log in to Windows 10. Now with the advancement of APIs, you can authenticate across the website as well using the same key. However, there are times when it may not work and it could be caused by several factors. It could be due to corrupted or incompatible drivers or it could also be due to compromised integrity of the key, and many more. So if you happen to encounter an issue with the USB security key on your Windows 10 computer, then there are several potential fixes you can try. You can try toggling the Internet Options settings or reinstall the respective USB drivers. You could also try changing the PIN of the security key or disable the antivirus program on your computer or troubleshoot the web browser. Refer to the potential fixes provided below to fix the problem.

Option 1 – Try to toggle the settings of the Internet Options

  • In the Windows Search box, search for Internet Options to open it.
  • Next, go to the Security tab and drag the security slider to the lowest possible security for all the given zones.
  • After that, click on OK to save the changes made and close the Internet Options.
Note that this option is only a temporary measure as it can make your computer vulnerable. Make sure to press the Reset all zones to default level button.

Option 2 – Try to update or reinstall the respective drivers

If updating the drivers of the device did not fix the problem with the USB security key, 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 3 – Try to change the PIN of the security key

If the first two options didn’t work, you can try changing the PIN of the security key. There are instances when the PIN for the security key might have been corrupted. Thus, resetting it can help you resolve the problem.

Option 4 – Temporarily disable Firewall and third-party antivirus

Firewall and antivirus programs are known to block the proper functioning of the USB security key. Thus, your antivirus or firewall programs might be the reason why you can’t download anything on your Windows 10 computer. To isolate the issue, you need to temporarily disable both the Firewall and antivirus programs and then check if you can now download anything from the internet. Do not forget to enable them again as disabling them can leave your computer vulnerable to cyber threats.

Option 5 – Try to troubleshoot the web browser

Troubleshooting your web browser can also help you fix the USB security key problem. You can do that by checking if your web browser supports the security key and you can do that by checking on the official website of your browser. You can also try to update your web browser to its latest version but if it didn’t help, you can try to reinstall it or switch to another web browser.
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How to paste just plain text anywhere

Taking information from the internet or from other sources usually involves selecting the text, copying it into the clipboard, and then pasting it into your file. In today's modern applications pasting text will most of the time take its formating with it.

keyboard shortcut paste

By formatting what I am talking about are parameters like font size, line breaks, hyperlinks, font styles, etc. and sometimes you do not want any of these in your file, you would like and prefer to have just plain text so you can format it as you wish.

In order to paste just plain text instead of using the CTRL + V keyboard shortcut, press CTRL + SHIFT + V instead. This shortcut will paste the only text into your file.

Shortcut and Microsoft Word

Leave it to Microsoft to make its shortcut not work in their application. In Microsoft Word, you can only use the standard CTRL + V shortcut, if you press CTRL + SHIFT + V nothing will happen. So in order to paste the only text into a word document, choose to paste special > text only

Other applications

I have tried CTRL + SHIFT + V in various applications like photoshop, illustrator, InDesign, visual studio code, slack, discord, WordPress installations, etc and only one that has not worked for me was Word and office in general so you are safe to use this trick and have desired results.

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Diablo 2 is trending after launch looking good
Finally, some good news for Blizzard entertainment after tons of bad stuff happening around it regarding lawsuits and people layoffs. Diablo 2 has become the most-watched game on Twitch after its official release and sold copies are on a satisfactory level. Diablo 2 resurrectedFor people not familiar with recent events, the state of California has sued Blizzard for various things including discrimination and offensive behavior. Later Blizzard executives were caught shredding some evidence and things just started to go to worse from there. After much drama, many people believed that this is the end for Blizzard entertainment and that they would not be able to recover from this since the community has sided with California and Blizzard has received a large punch as many subscribed WOW players have left the game. Things are not so grim as they were looking as their Diablo 2 remake has made moderate success despite being released in these troubling times and there are rumors of Overwatch 2 planned release date as of the first quarter of 2022. overwatch 2
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Fix Memory error 0x0000001A on Windows
One of the hardest issues you can encounter on your Windows computer is the Blue Screen of Death error. There are various kinds of BSOD or Stop errors and one of them is the “Memory Management Error 0x0000001A” error. This kind of Stop error might signify a hardware problem in your computer and is most likely caused by an issue with RAM or hard disk or even malware that takes up all your computer’s memory, thus, making it crash and display a BSOD error like the Memory Management Error 0x0000001A. Moreover, this kind of Stop error can also occur during the Windows upgrading process. So in this post, we’ll show you what you can do to fix the Memory Management error on your Windows 10 PC.

Option 1 – Run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter

The Blue Screen troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that can be found on the Settings Troubleshooters page. To use it, refer to these steps:
  • Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings panel.
  • Then go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
  • From there, look for the option called “Blue Screen” on your right-hand side and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button to run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter and then follow the next on-screen options. Note that you might have to boot your PC into Safe Mode.

Option 2 – Update the device drivers

  • Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
  • Type in devmgmt.msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
  • After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. Look for the device driver you and then select either “Update driver” or “Uninstall device”. And if you find any “Unknown device”, you need to update it as well.
  • Select the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option and then follow the instructions to complete the process.
  • If you have chosen to uninstall the driver, follow the screen options to complete the process and then restart your PC.
  • Connect the device and Scan for hardware changes – you can see this option under Device Manager > Action.

Option 3 – Run the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool to test RAM

Since the issue concerns the memory of your computer, you can also try running the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool to find out if the RAM module of your computer has become corrupted. To run this tool, follow these steps:
  • Tap the Win + S keys to open Search.
  • Then type “Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool” in the field and hit Enter to open the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool.
  • After that select any of the following option from the prompt that appears:
    • “Restart now and check for problems (recommended)”
    • “Check for problems the next time I start my computer”
  • After that, if you find that your RAM is corrupted, you might have to purchase a new one or change the motherboard of your computer.

Option 4 – Run the DISM tool

There are cases when the Memory Management Error 0x0000001A error is caused by the Windows System Image so you need to repair it using the DISM or Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management tool. The DISM tool is another command-line tool in the Windows operating system that could help users fix various corrupted system files. To use it, follow these steps:
  • Open the Command Prompt as admin.
  • Then type in this command: Dism /Online /CheckHealth
  • Do not close the window if the process takes a while as it will probably take a few minutes to finish.

Option 5 – Run the SFC scan

  • 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 6 – Try using System Restore

You can also try to perform a System Restore as it can also help you fix the BSOD error. You can do this option either by booting into Safe Mode or in System Restore. If you are already in the Advanced Startup Options, just directly select System Restore and proceed with the next steps. And if you have just booted your PC into Safe Mode, refer to the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • After that, type in “sysdm.cpl” in the field and tap Enter.
  • Next, go to the System Protection tab then click the System Restore button. This will open a new window where you have to select your preferred System Restore point.
  • After that, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process and then restart your computer and check if the problem is fixed or not.
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Troubleshooting Error 106

What Is Error 106?

Error 106 is a common error experienced by Windows 7 users. Generating as a result of Misconfigured, damaged or corrupt system files on the computer, this is not a critical error. However, troubleshooting this error is important to keep any undesired inconvenience at bay. Essentially, error 106 is one of the error codes employed by Windows and other compatible driver and software vendors. The 106 in this error is essentially the memory address or location where the instructions reside when the error was generated.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Primarily, error 106 is caused by the damaged, Misconfigured or corrupt system files. The error may appear harmless at first. However, if allowed to persist, it can lead to grave consequences. Allowing an error to thrive on your system is synonymous with putting the well-being of your system at risk. As far as the events, conditions, or scenarios are concerned that lead to the generation of error 106, they are listed below as follows. It is important to understand that these conditions lead to the corruption of system files in most cases.
  • An improper or incomplete installation or uninstallations
  • Improper or incomplete deletion of hardware or applications
  • Improper, unintentional or sudden system shutdown
  • Existence of adware, spyware, malware, or virus on your computer
It is worth mentioning that any of the conditions listed above can lead to the corruption of system files or registry entries in the system. Since the system needs correct and complete files for proper functioning which the system will be unable to find, it will result in unexplained behavior. This also happens because the system will be lead to wrongly linked or missing information.

Further Information and Manual Repair

There are different ways to rectify this error but two of the most useful ones are briefly listed below as follows.
  • This solution is for the advanced user. First and foremost, turn on your system. Log on to it as the Administrator. Now click on the start button and follow this sequence: All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore.A new window will appear in front of you. On this window, choose the option, ‘Restore my computer to an earlier time’. Now click Next.A list of restore points will appear in front of you. From this list, choose the most recent Restore Point and click Next. Click Next on the confirmation windows. Restart the computer when the restoration is complete.
  • This solution for the novice user. Download an error 106 windows repair utility. Now install this program on your computer and use it to scan your computer. Try to locate the option for fixing errors as soon as the scan complete. Make use of this option. Once all the errors have been fixed, restart your computer once again. You will now realize that the error has vanished and your computer is now free of error 106.
Use any of the solutions listed above according to your skill level.
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