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How to Fix Error Code 0x800ccc0f

Error code 0x800ccc0f - What is it?

Error code 0x800ccc0f is an error that occurs when users attempt to send/receive emails in Outlook or Outlook Express. Though information regarding the error is limited and sometimes difficult to decipher to those unfamiliar with error code issues, the following are possible symptoms users can expect when this error occurs:

  • Unexpected termination of the connection
  • Inability to access email messages sent to one’s account
  • Inability to send email messages

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Errors in Outlook or Outlook Express may occur due to a multiplicity of reasons. It may be due to a problem with your network connection or the server. You may also encounter this problem after an extended period of inactivity.

Since the error could be due to one of many issues, several solutions are recommended. However, note that these suggestions require you to make changes that come with various risks. Be sure to implement these instructions correctly to avoid causing more problems to occur.

If you are not confident that you will be able to successfully implement the solutions below, get help from a certified Windows technician or IT professional.

Further Information and Manual Repair

As with other error codes, manual procedures are available which users can take to correct the problem. To implement manual repair, follow the methods suggested below:

Method one: Troubleshoot your Internet Connection

Since error code 0x800ccc0f may manifest itself due to an issue with your network, you can seek to rectify the problem by first checking your connection. To do this, open an Internet browser. Type a valid web address in the address bar and click Enter.

If you are unable to access the website, you may then seek to fix the Internet connectivity issue by using Microsoft Automated Troubleshooting Services. These free tools are available for download on Microsoft’s website.

Not only can these tools fix your Windows Firewall – if this is the cause of your connectivity issues. These automated troubleshooting tools can also resolve other issues related to your Internet browser or network.

However, if after downloading and running these tools error code 0x800ccc0f still persists in Outlook or Outlook Express, implement the solution below.

Method two: Verify your Network Connection

Verifying your network connection is another way you can resolve your Outlook issues, i.e. once the issue is in fact a network-based problem.

To verify your network connection, make sure your computer’s network devices are turned on and fully functioning. Also ensure that the cables that connect your computer to a network are secure. You may also contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to verify your connection.

If there is no issue with your network and error code 0x800ccc0f persists, you will need to implement method three.

Method three: Check your Firewall or Router Settings

Problems with sending or receiving email messages based on the 0x800ccc0f error code could also be due to configuration issues for individuals who connect using a router. If this is a misconfiguration issue, you may be able to resolve the problem by bypassing the router and connecting through your modem.

Before doing this, however, be sure to check if your firewall is turned on as connecting directly can leave your machine vulnerable. Prevent attacks by checking your Windows Firewall setting. After making adjustments where necessary to ensure the firewall is turned on, test your connectivity to ensure you can access a connection. Also, check Outlook to see whether the error message has been resolved. If the error persists, consider the next solution.

Method four: Disable Third-party Security Apps

Third-party apps like anti-virus software can sometimes cause interference, leading to errors. For this reason, check if the antivirus on your device is the source of the issue. Start by disabling the antivirus software. You may also turn off the software’s email scanning feature to verify whether or not that is the cause of the error.

Note that disabling your antivirus is only a temporary solution as it is not recommended that you use your computer without such protection in place. Consider replacing your antivirus or uninstalling and reinstalling for a permanent fix if indeed your issue with error code 0x800ccc0f was caused by interference from third-party apps.

Method five: Automated Tool

Also, consider downloading a powerful automated tool to protect your machine from possible errors in the future.

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Fix Windows Update Error 0xc1900403
Running the Windows Update service does not always go well as from time to time, you could encounter some errors when using it. One of these errors is the Windows Update Error 0xc1900403. In such cases, you will see the following error message under the Windows Update section:
“There were problems installing some updates, but we’ll try again later, If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information, this may help – 0xc1900403”
The log files displayed in the error message may include, “0XC1900403 – MOSETUP_E_UA_CORRUPT_PAYLOAD_FILES”. This indicates that the payload files are corrupted which is why you’re getting the Windows Update Error 0xc1900403 and to fix it, you can try to restart your computer and install the updates again or reset the Windows Update-related folders. You could also run the Windows Update troubleshooter or use either the Standalone Installer or the Media Creation tool. For more details, refer to each one of the options provided below.

Option 1 – Restart your computer and try installing the Updates again

Restarting your computer can also help in fixing the Windows Update failed to install error 0x80240034. There are cases where the issue resolves on its own as it could just be some simple network or PC error.

Option 2 – Delete the contents in the Software Distribution folder and Catroot2 folder

  • Open the WinX Menu.
  • From there, open Command Prompt as admin.
  • Then type in the following command – don’t forget to hit Enter right after typing each one of them.
net stop wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver
  • After entering these commands, it will stop the Windows Update Service, Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Cryptographic, and the MSI Installer
  • Next, go to the C:/Windows/SoftwareDistribution folder and get rid of all the folders and files thereby tapping the Ctrl + A keys to select them all and then click on Delete. Note that if the files are in use, you won’t be able to delete them.
After resetting the SoftwareDistribution folder, you need to reset the Catroot2 folder to restart the services you just stopped. To do that, follow these steps:
  • Type each one of the following commands.
net start wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver
  • After that, exit Command Prompt and restart your computer, and then try to run Windows Update once more.

Option 3 – Try running the Windows Update troubleshooter

You might also want to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter as it could also help in fixing Windows Update Error 0xc1900403. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button. After that, follow the next on-screen instructions and you should be good to go.

Option 4 – Try to use the Media Creation tool

The Media Creation tool in Windows allows you to use the ISO installation file to make a bootable device that you can use to install Windows on your PC. Note that this is kind of different from the usual installation process as it could erase your computer’s current settings and data on the primary drive. Thus, before you proceed, you need to backup all your data into some removable drive and then use the Media Creation Tool to make a bootable drive.
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Best games of 2022

Steam Autumn sale is still raging and other storefronts like EPIC and GOG have also had their go, and as the year slowly closes we reflect on the best games released this year.

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F1 Manager 22

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If you are into formula racing this new manager is something we will wholeheartedly recommend. How it has been a very long time since a good F1 manager has been released this one is breath of fresh air. Masterfully done and fun to play, also licensed with real teams and cars get it here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1708520/F1_Manager_2022/

Stray

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I like cats, but this game is on another level from its competitors. Unique approach, great storyline, and of course orange cat as the main character! Set in a cyberpunk environment following the story of some unfortunate androids you can do most cat things like playing in boxes, etc but essentially the game is a puzzle platformer which in my opinion is a great thing. Meow your things and get the game while it is discounted: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1332010/Stray/

Neon White

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Mirror's Edge was the very unique game when it was released introducing parkour into the gaming world, and Neon white brings it one level up. With competitive parkour FPS gameplay this game is great for killing some time and competing with your friends but most of all it is fun to play experience. Get it here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1533420/Neon_White/

Teenage mutant ninja turtles: Shredder's revenge

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Shredder's revenge is a love letter to classic beat-them-up games found in old dusty arcades back in old times. Fast frenzy action, pixel art graphics, and tons of fun!!! Get it now and start partying like it was 1980: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1361510/Teenage_Mutant_Ninja_Turtles_Shredders_Revenge/

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands

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This game needs to be experienced in order to fully grasp its magnitude and quirkiness. From the creators of borderlands comes a new IP fusion of fantasy, guns, and crazy ideas all wrapped into an action RPG looter shooter with a recognizable borderlands style of graphics. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1286680/Tiny_Tinas_Wonderlands/

Norco

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Winner of multiple awards, Norco is a classic point-and-click adventure game with a great sci-fi story with a lot of environmental focus. Story and atmosphere are the main selling points for the game and if you enjoy good stories with interesting characters give this one a go: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1221250/NORCO/

Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker

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Expansion for Massive multiplayer online roleplaying game brings so much to the table that we just could not oversee it and place it aside. Technically not full standing game since it is the expansion it still delivers on many fronts and since it is supposedly the last expansion now is the best time to pick it up and give a final fantasy 14 a go: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1592500/FINAL_FANTASY_XIV_Endwalker/

Elden Ring

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Of course, the list would not be complete if we did not include Elden ring, a great example of how a difficult but well-executed game can go over and beyond. With a story on par with great epics and compact as in dark souls, this title will provide you with many hours of gameplay and content. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1245620/ELDEN_RING/

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Fix DRIVER_VERIFIER_DMA_VIOLATION Error
In case you don’t know, Driver Verifier is a built-in utility in the Windows 10 operating system. It is the one that ensures the integrity of all the drivers in the system. It can detect any suspicious behaviors of the drivers and if it finds the driver signature of some suspicious activity during runtime, it stops the suspected action by triggering a BSOD or Blue Screen of Death error and one of these Stop errors is the DRIVER_VERIFIER_DMA_VIOLATION error. When you encounter such an error, you will see the following message on your screen:
“Your PC ran into a problem that it couldn’t handle, and now it needs to restart. If you’d like to know more, you can search online later for this error: DRIVER_VERIFIER_DMA_VIOLATION”
There are several ways you can fix this error. You can try to disable the Driver Verifier or run the Hardware troubleshooter. You could also try to update, roll back or uninstall the drivers on your computer. For more details, refer to each one of the options provided below.

Option 1 – Try to disable the Driver Verifier Manager

The Driver Verifier Manager is another tool in Windows that could help you fix driver-related issues.
  • Type in the keyword “Verifier” in the Cortana search box to search for Verifier in Windows 10.
  • After that, select the option “Create custom settings”.
  • Make sure that you have checked everything except the options “DDI compliance checking” and “Randomized low resources simulation”.
  • Next, select the option “Select driver names from a list” option.
  • Afterward, you have to select all the drivers from any unofficial or third-party provider. To simply put it, you have to select all the drivers that are not supplied by Microsoft.
  • Then click on the Finish button.
  • Open Command Prompt as administrator and execute this command – verifier /querysettings
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  • Open the Command Prompt as admin again and run this command – verifier /reset
  • The command will reset the Driver Verifier. Once the process is done, restart your PC and check.

Option 2 – Try to reinstall or update device drivers of recently installed hardware

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.
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  • After that, switch to the Driver tab and click on the Uninstall Device button.
  • Follow the screen option to completely uninstall it.
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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.

Option 3 – Try running the Blue Screen Troubleshooter

The Blue Screen troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that helps users in fixing BSOD errors like DRIVER_VERIFIER_DMA_VIOLATION. It can be found in the Settings Troubleshooters page. To use it, refer to these steps:
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  • 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.
Note: You could also run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter as it could also help in fixing the DRIVER_VERIFIER_DMA_VIOLATION error.

Option 4 – Try running Microsoft’s online Blue Screen Troubleshooter

If running the built-in Blue Screen Troubleshooter didn’t work, you can also try running Microsoft’s online Blue Screen Troubleshooter. All you have to do is go to Microsoft’s website and from there, you will see a simple wizard that will walk you through the troubleshooting process.
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Fix We couldn’t install some updates
If you encounter the “We couldn’t install some updates because the PC was turned off” while trying to run Windows Update on your Windows 10 computer, then read on as this post will give you a couple of suggestions you can use as a reference to fix this error. Make sure to follow the options given below carefully.

Option 1 – Perform basic computer troubleshooting

If you get the “We couldn’t install some updates because the PC was turned off” error on your laptop, then it’s recommended that you connect your laptop to a power source and then try clicking the Update button again. In addition, you also have to make sure that your computer stays awake until the Windows Update process is completed. This will ensure that your computer does not go into an idle state and interfere with the process.

Option 2 – Try deleting the files from the SoftwareDistribution folder and resetting the Catroot2 folder

The downloaded Windows Updates are placed in a folder called “SoftwareDistribution”. The files downloaded in this folder are automatically deleted once the installation is completed. However, if the files are not clean up or if the installation is still pending, you can delete all the files in this folder after you pause the Windows Update service. For complete instructions, refer to the steps below.
  • Open the WinX Menu.
  • From there, open Command Prompt as admin.
  • Then type in the following command – don’t forget to hit Enter right after typing each one of them.
net stop wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver
  • After entering these commands, it will stop the Windows Update Service, Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Cryptographic and the MSI Installer
  • Next, go to the C:/Windows/SoftwareDistribution folder and get rid of all the folders and files thereby tapping the Ctrl + A keys to select them all and then click on Delete. Note that if the files are in use, you won’t be able to delete them.
After resetting the SoftwareDistribution folder, you need to reset the Catroot2 folder to restart the services you just stopped. To do that, follow these steps:
  • Type each one of the following commands.
net start wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver
  • After that, exit Command Prompt and restart your computer and then try to run Windows Update once more.

Option 3 – Try restarting the Windows Update Services

  • Open the Services Manager.
  • From there, make sure that you set the following services and Startup types:
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    • Cryptographic Service: Automatic
    • Windows Update Service: Manual (Triggered)

Option 4 – Try to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Running the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter could also help you resolve the “We couldn’t install some updates because the PC was turned off” error. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button. After that, follow the next on-screen instructions and you should be good to go.

Option 5 – Try to install the Windows Updates manually

As mentioned, the error might be because Windows missed installing a particular update which is why you are not able to proceed with the current update. So to resolve the issue, you need to install the update that wasn’t installed by downloading it from the Microsoft Update Catalog website. You also have to make sure that you didn’t turn off the Windows update or have it delayed.

Option 6 – Run Microsoft’s online troubleshooter

Running Microsoft’s online troubleshooter might also help you fix the Windows update error. This online troubleshooter is known to help in fixing Windows Update errors, it scans your computer for issues that might be causing the problem and then fixes them automatically.
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How to Fix Windows Activation Error Code 0xc004f050

Error Code 0xc004f050 – What is it?

Error code 0xc004f050 refers to a problem with activating the Windows key. The problem appears when you try to activate a copy of Windows by using Windows Activation wizard. This happens when the system becomes unstable and critical system files start missing. Though Windows 10 is a free upgrade for Windows 7/Windows 8/Windows 8.1 users, the activation error is still an issue. If you already had Windows 7/Windows 8/Windows 8.1 activated and did an upgrade successfully, then there should be no problem. This Problem Occurs only when you do a clean install.

Symptoms

When you try to activate a copy of Windows Vista or Windows 7 by using the Windows Activation wizard, you receive an error similar to the one below:
An error has occurred Code: 0xC004F050 Description: The Software Licensing Service reported that the product key is invalid

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

  • This causes due to an invalid product key.
  • This problem may occur if the license validity interval has expired, or if the license is not signed correctly.
  • Error Code 0xc004f050 occurs when the system becomes unstable and critical system files start missing.
  • Improper way of installing, deletion of some very important system files, misconfigured system files, etc. may also cause this error.
  • When you do a clean install, it wipes everything from the Primary Drive and after the install, windows can't find the Hardware ID which is used to verify your license.
  • For Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Vista-based computers, this error may occur if you have entered the key for a beta version of the operating system while using the released version of the operating system.

Further Information and Manual Repair

This error is not something that can be fixed in seconds but will require some time and technical knowledge.

Method 1:

Re-insert the product key by using the Change Product Key tool:
  1. Click Start, click Computer, and then click System properties on the toolbar.
  2. In the Windows activation section, click Change product key.
  3. If you are prompted for an administrator password, type the password or click Continue.
  4. In the Product key box, type the product key, and then click Next.
  5. Follow the steps in the Windows Activation Wizard to complete the activation process.

Method 2:

Activate Windows by using the automated telephone system:
  1. Click Start, and then click Computer.
  2. Click System properties on the toolbar, and then click Click here to activate Windows now in the Windows activation
  3. If you are prompted for an administrative password, type it and click Continue.
  4. Click Show me other ways to Activate.
  5. Click Use the automated phone system and follow the instructions.

Method 3:

  1. Clean install Windows 7/Windows 8/Windows 8.1 using the installation disk and activate your copy.
  2. Now, download all the updates to see the Windows 10 Upgrade notification or download Windows Media Creation Tool and use the option Upgrade this PC to get Windows 10 right away.
  3. Once the upgrade is done, check the Activation Status. It will be fully activated as it should be. The Error code 0xc004f050 should not appear anymore.
If you want to get rid of the old Windows installation folder, then use the Windows Media Creation Tool to create a Flash Drive. Clean Install Windows 10. Now, every time when it asks for a product key, skip it. After installation is complete, Windows will automatically identify and activate your Copy. NOTE: Clean Install will make Sure you cannot roll back to your previous Windows 7 or Windows 8. So do it only if you are confident of using Windows 10 from here on. To verify the Windows activation status, follow these steps:
  • Click the Start button, and then click Computer.
  • Click System properties on the toolbar, and then view the activation status in the Windows activation section.
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Fixing the We can’t find a USB flash drive
One of the preferred ways to upgrade Windows 10 is by creating a bootable USB drive. However, you might change your mind when you encounter an error during the Windows 10 Setup that says, “We can’t find a USB flash drive”. Worry not for this error can be fixed using some suggestions that will be provided in this post. The funning thing about this error in Windows setup is that the computer says it’s not there when it’s clearly there. To fix this problem, you need to check if the USB device is accessible on your computer or you can also try a different USB device. In addition, you could check if there are any issues with both the USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports as it could be the reason why you’re getting the error or fix the bad sectors in the USB drive as well as see if the USB drive is set as the primary drive.

Option 1 – Try to check if the USB is accessible on your PC

The first thing you can do to resolve the problem is to check if you can access your USB device from your computer. All you have to do is open File Explorer and check if the USB device is listed there or not.

Option 2 – Try to connect a different USB device

The next thing you can do to fix the error is to try connecting a different USB device, specifically the one that has more significant storage space. You also have to make sure that it’s working on a different PC.

Option 3 – Fix any issues with the USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports

Although the USB 3.0 ports are compatible with the USB 2.0 ports, it does not necessarily mean that there wouldn’t be any problem when you use them which is why it’s best to fix any issues in them or better yet, use a compatible drive.

Option 4 – Try to fix the bad sectors in the USB drive via CHKDSK

When it comes to some issues concerning the hard drive or removable devices, there is a utility in Windows that might help which is called “chkdsk”. To use it, follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + S keys to open the Search box.
  • Then type “command prompt” in the field and from the search results that appear, right-click on Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator”.
  • After opening an elevated command prompt, copy and paste the following command and hit Enter:
CHKDSK [volume [[path] filename]] [/F] [/V] [/R] [/X] [/C] [: size]]
Note: In the command given above, “[/F]” will try to fix the system errors while “[/R]” will be the one to fix the bad sectors.
  • Now if you are prompted to run CHKDSK after your reboot your PC, just tap Y and reboot your PC.
  • If CHKDSK is not able to find any errors, tap the Win + E keys and navigate the access window. From there, right-click on the concerned drive and click on Properties.
  • After opening Properties, click on the tab Tools and then click on the “Check” button under the Error-checking section.
  • Wait until the process is completed and then restart your computer.

Option 5 – Try checking if the USB is set as the primary drive

You might also want to check if the USB drive is set as the primary drive because if it is, then it won’t appear on the list. It could also be that the USB drive has a primary disk in it. To undo it, you need to use the DISKPART utility.
  • In the Start Search, type “command prompt” and right-click on Command Prompt from the search results, and then select the “Run as administrator” option.
  • Next, execute the “diskpart” command to initiate the DISKPART utility.
  • After that, type the “list disk” command and tap Enter to display the list of disks on the computer. You have to take note of the drive number or letter of the concerned USB drive.
  • Once done, type the “select disk <X>” command where X is the drive letter or number and tap Enter.
  • Then execute the “list partition” command to see the list of all the partitions in your computer. It should be listed as 0, 1, or 2. 0 is the primary partition.
  • Now type the “select partition 0” command and tap Enter and then type “delete partition” to delete the selected partition.
  • You can do the same to the other partitions as well and when you’re done, execute the format command to turn the USB drive into a standard one.
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10 Worst Computer Viruses in history
Computers viruses, worms, ransomware, etc. are kinds of malicious software that no user should take lightly. On several occasions, we have touched upon security steps that each user should take in order to protect its identity and data. Sadly sometimes even when all precautions are taken some malware can still slip through and wreak havoc. Today we are looking at some of the worst or the best, depending on your view that has indeed wreaked plenty of havoc.

viruses10 worst computer viruses in history

In the list of the 10 most famous computer viruses below, we show the costs, dates, reach, and other key facts. First a note about terms: we use the words “virus” and “worm” interchangeably because most readers search for them that way. But there’s a subtle difference that we explain after the list.

1. Mydoom – $38 billion

The worst computer virus outbreak in history, Mydoom caused estimated damage of $38 billion in 2004, but its inflation-adjusted cost is actually $52.2 billion. Also known as Novarg, this malware is technically a “worm,” spread by mass emailing. At one point, the Mydoom virus was responsible for 25% of all emails sent. Mydoom scraped addresses from infected machines, then sent copies of itself to those addresses. It also roped those infected machines into a web of computers called a botnet that performed distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. These attacks were intended to shut down a target website or server. Mydoom is still around today, generating 1% of all phishing emails. That’s no small feat considering the 3.4 billion phishing emails sent each day. By that figure, Mydoom has taken on a life of its own, infecting enough poorly-protected machines to send 1.2 billion copies of itself per year, 16 years after its creation. Though a $250,000 reward was offered, the developer of this dangerous computer worm was never caught. Wondering what makes the world’s most secure computers so safe? See the Tech@Work guide: Upgrade to the World's Most Secure and Manageable PC

2. Sobig – $30 billion

The 2003 Sobig computer virus is actually another worm. It is second only to the Mydoom virus in its scope. The $30 billion figure is a worldwide total, including Canada, the U.K., the U.S., mainland Europe, and Asia. Several versions of the worm were released in quick succession, named Sobig.A through Sobig.F, with Sobig.F being the most damaging. This cybercriminal program masqueraded as legitimate computer software attached to emails. It disrupted ticketing at Air Canada and interfered with countless other businesses. Despite its widespread damage, the creator of the successful bug was never caught.

3. Klez – $19.8 billion

Klez is a close third on the list of the worst computer viruses ever created. With nearly $20 billion in estimated damages, it infected about 7.2% of all computers in 2001, or 7 million PCs. The Klez worm sent fake emails, spoofed recognized senders and, among other things, attempted to deactivate other viruses. As with other viruses and worms, Klez was released in several variants. It infected files, copied itself, and spread throughout each victim’s network. It hung around for years, with each version more destructive than the last. Windows has come a long way since most of the computer viruses on this list hit the web. Thankfully, built-in protection with Microsoft Defender is always on the watch.

4. ILOVEYOU – $15 billion

The year 2000’s ILOVEYOU virus worked by sending a bogus “love letter” that looked like a harmless text file. Like Mydoom, this attacker sent copies of itself to every email address in the infected machine’s contact list. Shortly after its May 4 release, it had spread to more than 10 million PCs. The virus was created by a college student in the Philippines named Onel de Guzman. Lacking funds, he wrote the virus to steal passwords so he could log into online services he wanted to use for free. He reportedly had no idea how far his creation would spread. This virus is also known as Loveletter. Need to up your remote work security game before there’s another entry on the list of most deadly computer viruses? See our guide: How to Work Remotely and Securely

5. WannaCry – $4 billion

The 2017 WannaCry computer virus is ransomware, a virus that takes over your computer (or cloud files) and holds them hostage. The WannaCry ransomware ripped through computers in 150 countries, causing massive productivity losses as businesses, hospitals, and government organizations that didn’t pay were forced to rebuild systems from scratch. The malware raged like wildfire through 200,000 computers worldwide. It stopped when a 22-year-old security researcher in the U.K. found a way to turn it off. Computers with out-of-date operating systems were hit especially hard. That’s why security experts always recommend updating your systems frequently.

Ransomware strikes again

In September 2020, one of the potentially largest computer virus attacks in medical history hit Universal Health Services. The U.S. hospital chain, which has more than 400 locations, was reportedly struck by damaging ransomware. The attack forced the cancellation of surgeries and made healthcare workers switch to paper records.

6. Zeus – $3 billion

The Zeus computer virus is an online theft tool that hit the web in 2007. A whitepaper by Unisys three years later estimated that it was behind 44% of all banking malware attacks. By then, it had breached 88% of all Fortune 500 companies, 2,500 organizations total, and 76,000 computers in 196 countries. The Zeus botnet was a group of programs that worked together to take over machines for a remote “bot master.” It originated in Eastern Europe and was used to transfer money to secret bank accounts. More than 100 members of the crime ring behind the virus, mostly in the U.S., were arrested in 2010. It’s not as prominent today, but some of the virus’ source code lives on in newer botnet viruses and worms. Zeus caused documented damage of $100 million. But the real cost in terms of lost productivity, removal, and undocumented theft is undoubtedly much higher. A $3 billion estimate, adjusted for inflation, puts this virus at a cost of $3.7 billion in today’s dollars.

7. Code Red – $2.4 billion

First observed in 2001, the Code Red computer virus was yet another worm that penetrated 975,000 hosts. It displayed the words “Hacked by Chinese!” across infected web pages, and it ran entirely in each machine’s memory. In most cases it left no trace in hard drives or other storage. Financial costs are pegged at $2.4 billion. The virus attacked websites of infected computers and delivered a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack on the U.S. White House’s website, www.whitehouse.gov. In fact, the White House had to change its IP address to defend against Cod Red. Can your printer get a virus? See our cool infographic: The State of Printer Security

8. Slammer – $1.2 billion

The SQL Slammer worm cost an estimated $750 million across 200,000 computer users in 2003. This computer virus randomly selected IP addresses, exploiting vulnerabilities and sending itself on to other machines. It used these victim machines to launch a DDoS attack on several internet hosts, significantly slowing internet traffic. The Slammer worm hit banks in the U.S. and Canada especially hard, taking ATMs offline in many locations. Customers of Toronto’s Imperial Bank of Commerce found themselves unable to access funds. The attack reared its ugly head again in 2016, launching from IP addresses in Ukraine, China, and Mexico.

9. CryptoLocker – $665 million

Thankfully, ransomware attacks like the 2013 CryptoLocker virus have dipped since their 2017 peak. This malware attacked upwards of 250,000 machines by encrypting their files. It displayed a red ransom note informing users that “your important files encryption produced on this computer.” A payment window accompanied the note. The virus’ creators used a worm called the Gameover Zeus botnet to make and send copies of the CryptoLocker virus. According to a report by security firm Sophos, the average ransomware attack costs a business $133,000. If we estimate that CryptoLocker hit 5,000 companies, that would put its total cost at $665 million. Where will cybersecurity go next? See our guide: The Future of Cybersecurity

10. Sasser – $500 million

The Sasser worm was written by a 17-year-old German computer science student named Sven Jaschan. He was arrested at the age of 18 in 2004 after a $250,000 bounty was posted for the computer virus’ creator. A friend of Jaschan’s tipped authorities that the youth had penned not only the Sasser worm but also the damaging Netsky.AC attack. Jaschan was given a suspended sentence after it was found he was a minor when he wrote the malware. The Sasser worm crashed millions of PCs, and though some reports put damages at $18 billion, the relatively low infection rate suggests a more likely cost of $500 million. Other notable viruses The top 10 worst computer viruses above are just the ugly tip of a gargantuan digital iceberg. With a million new malware programs popping up every 3 years, we may miss the forest for a few outstanding trees. Here are just a few more viruses that have wreaked havoc over the years: Mimail: This worm tried to harvest data from infected machines to launch a string of DDoS attacks, but was relatively easy to remove. Yaha: Yet another worm with several variants, thought to be the result of a cyber-war between Pakistan and India. Swen: Written in C++, the Swen computer worm disguised itself to look like a 2003 OS update. Its financial cost has been pegged at $10.4 billion, but not reliably. Storm Worm: This worm showed up in 2007 and attacked millions of computers with an email about approaching bad weather. Tanatos/Bugbear: A 2002 keylogger virus that targeted financial institutions and spread to 150 countries. Sircam: A computer worm from 2001 that used counterfeit emails with the subject line, “I send you this file in order to have your advice.” Explorezip: This worm used fake emails to spread to every machine on thousands of local networks. Melissa: The most dangerous computer virus in 1999, Melissa sent copies of itself that looked like NSFW pics. The U.S. FBI estimated cleanup and repair costs at $80 million. Flashback: A Mac-only virus, Flashback infected over 600,000 Macs in 2012 and even infected Apple’s home base in Cupertino, Calif. In 2020, there’s now more malware on Macs than on PCs. Conficker: This 2009 virus still infects many legacy systems and could do significant damage if it ever activates. Stuxnet: This worm is reported to have destroyed Iranian nuclear centrifuges by sending damaging instructions.
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How to Fix Stop 0x0000000A Error Code

Stop 0x0000000A - What is it?

Stop 0x000000A is a type of blue screen of death error associated with Windows XP. It occurs either during or after the installation of Windows XP. In other cases, the stop 0x000000A error may occur when the device driver uses an incorrect memory address, causing an IRQ conflict. The Stop 0x000000A error message means that a process or a driver attempted to access a memory section without permission.  The stop error message is displayed in the following format:

Stop: 0x0000000A (parameter1, parameter2, parameter3, parameter4) IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL *** Address x has base at x - filename

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

The stop 0x000000A error is triggered due to multiple reasons. These include:
  • Faulty hardware
  • The poor device driver installation
  • Incompatible device driver
  • Viruses and malware attack
  • Disk fragmentation
Blue screen of death errors like the stop 0x000000A error code is critical. These errors may pose serious PC threats. When this error occurs the computer screen turns blue, the program running on the system stops and if the error is not fixed in time it may also result in a system crash and failure.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To resolve the Stop 0x000000A error on your PC, here are some solutions that you can try:

1. Roll Back Drivers

To do this, click on the start button and go to the control panel. Then double click the system icon and locate the ‘System Properties’ window. After that click on the ‘hardware’ tab and then click the ‘Device Manager’ button. Here locate the device that you recently updated which could be causing the IRQ conflict. Now double click the device recently updated and click the driver tab. Then click on the ‘Roll Back Driver' button. Wait for the process to finish and then simply reboot your system.

2. Specify the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL)

Another method to resolve the Stop 0x000000A error on your system is to specify the hardware abstraction layer (HAL). This can be done during Windows XP installation startup. Simply press the F5 button on your keyboard while the “Setup is inspecting your computer’s hardware configuration’. When prompted, make sure that you specify the correct computer type and HAL (the Hardware Abstraction Layer). Most computers use a single processor, if your computer also has a single processor then simply select ‘Standard PC HAL’ computer type from the menu. Now reboot your PC and then reinstall the Windows XP operating system. If the error is still not resolved then try turning off features in CMOS settings

3. Turn off Features in CMOS Settings

Turn off all the following features in the CMOS settings:
  • All caching, including L2, BIOS, internal/external, and write back caching on disk controllers
  • Plug and Play
  • All shadowing
  • Any BIOS-based virus protection feature
After turning off these features, try reinstalling Windows XP again. If this works, then that’s great! However, if it doesn’t, then try method 4; maybe the cause of the stop 0x000000A is associated with incompatible drivers.

4. Install Windows XP compatible Drivers

Sometimes device driver compatibility can also shoot up the stop 0x000000A error message. First, remove the drivers that are incompatible with Windows XP. Now obtain and install new Windows XP compatible drivers. To do this, go to the start menu and the control panel. Now double click on Add or Remove Programs icon. Select the drivers that are incompatible with Windows XP and click on the remove button. After that restart PC and install Windows XP, compatible drivers, for the hardware devices on your system.

5. Scan for Viruses and Repair the Registry

If all the methods discussed above do not resolve the stop 0x000000A error on your PC, then it means either your computer is affected by an infection virus or the problem is associated with the registry like disk fragmentation and invalid entries. To scan for both viruses and registry issues simultaneously in seconds, it is advisable to download Restoro. Restoro is an advanced and multi-functional PC repair tool integrated with powerful utilities including a registry cleaner, antivirus, and a system optimizer. It also scans for Active X controls and class ID errors. The registry cleaning utility scans your entire PC for all possible registry issues triggering different error codes including the stop 0x000000A error. It wipes out all the unnecessary files cluttering and damaging the registry including cookies, temporary files, junk files, and invalid entries. It repairs the fragmented disk and the registry thereby resolving the stop 0x000000A error on your system. The privacy error utility functions like an antivirus. It detects all kinds of malicious software on your system including malware, adware, spyware, and viruses. These are removed immediately thus making your PC error-free. Restoro is safe, efficient, and user-friendly. It is compatible with all Windows versions including XP.  It has a sophisticated interface and a neat layout which makes it quite easy to operate and workaround. Click here to download Restoro and repair your PC and resolve the stop 0x000000A error code now!
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Expand right-click menu in Windows 11
Windows 11 brought with it a simplified right-click menu that has limited options. If you would like to bring the old Windows 10 right-click menu you will have to do some registry tweaking but it is doable. right click menuSince this requires registry tweak, please follow given solution step by step
  1. Press Start and type RegEdit
  2. Click on Registry Editor
  3. Inside registry editor find next key: Computer\H_KEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\
  4. Right click in the right part of editor window and select New > Key
  5. Type in as a name: {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}
  6. Right click on {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2} key and select New > Key again to create new key inside this one
  7. Name inside key InprocServer32
  8. Double click the “(Default)” key in InprocServer32 to open it
  9. When the Default key opens close it without making any changes by clicking on OK. This will make its value property Blank instead of value not set
  10. Close Registry Editor
  11. Restart your PC
Once the system is up if the followed solution is applied you will now have an old school menu once right-click is used.
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Fix NETWORK_FAILED error in Chrome
Although the Google Chrome browser is one of the most used browsers, a lot of things could still go wrong when browsing the web using it. One of the errors you might encounter is the “ NETWORK_FAILED ” error. This kind of error in Chrome indicates that Chrome wasn’t able to send your request through the network connection. It could be that your computer has trouble connecting to a stable internet connection or there is some plugin in your Chrome browser that is causing the issue. The worst-case would be malware. But worry not for this post will guide you on what you can do when you encounter the NETWORK_FAILED error in Google Chrome. Make sure to follow each one of the options given below and see which one of them worked best for you.

Option 1 – Disable or remove any unwanted extensions in Chrome

As you know, browser extensions help in enhancing the browsing experience but there are also times when it does exactly the opposite, and such is the case with the NETWORK_FAILED error in Chrome. It could be that one of the extensions in your browser is the one that’s causing the trouble. To disable or remove these unwanted extensions, here’s what you have to do:
  • Launch Google Chrome, press Alt + F, move to More tools, and click Extensions.
  • Look for Search.tb.ask.com or any other unwanted add-ons, click the Recycle Bin button, and choose Remove.
  • Restart Google Chrome, then tap Alt + F, and select Settings.
  • Navigate to the On Startup section at the bottom.
  • Select “Open a specific page or set of pages”.
  • Click the More actions button next to the hijacker and click Remove.

Option 2 – Run the Malware Scanner and Cleanup tool in Chrome

If removing or disabling the unwanted extension didn’t help in fixing the error, you can try using the built-in malware scanner and cleanup tool in Google Chrome. These tools help you get rid of any unwanted pop-ups, ads, unusual Startup pages, toolbars, and even malware.

Option 2 – Run the Malware Scanner and Cleanup tool in Chrome

  • Launch Google Chrome and 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 the option and click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” option to reset Google Chrome.
  • Now restart Google Chrome.

Option 3 – Try to disable the Proxy

If you are using a proxy, you might want to consider disabling it as it could have something to do with the NETWORK_FAILED error.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “cpl” and hit Enter or click OK to open the Internet Properties.
  • After that, go to the Connections tab where you should see the LAN settings. Click on it.
  • Next, uncheck the “Use a Proxy Server for your LAN” and ensure that the “Automatically detect settings” option is checked as well.
  • Then click Ok and then Apply to save the changes made.
  • Restart your PC.

Option 4 – Flush DNS and reset TCP/IP

  • Click the Start button and type in “command prompt” in the field.
  • From the search results that appear, right click on Command Prompt and select the “Run as administrator” option.
  • After opening Command Prompt, you have to type each one of the commands listed below. Just make sure that after you type each command, you hit Enter
    • ipconfig /release
    • ipconfig /all
    • ipconfig /flushdns
    • ipconfig /renew
    • netsh int ip set dns
    • netsh winsock reset
After you key in the commands listed above, the DNS cache will be flushed and the Winsock, as well as the TCP/IP, will reset.
  • Now restart your computer and open Google Chrome then try opening the website you were trying to open earlier.

Option 5 – Delete the WLAN Profiles

Deleting the WLAN Profiles might be a good idea if you are not able to connect to the internet on your computer and if you’re using Wi-Fi. It could be that the networks that were connected previously have gone rogue which is why it is not connecting properly. And so deleting the WLAN profiles would be for the best. That should do it.
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