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

Malware definition

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

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

What kinds of malware are there?

1. Virus

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

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

2. Adware

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

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

3. Ransomware

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

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

4. Trojans

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

5. Worms

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

6. Spyware

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

7. Rootkits

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

8. Botnets

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

What can you do about it?

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

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

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

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

The bottom line

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

What is Mastodon? Mastodon is an open-source microblogging network very similar to Twitter. You can make 500 characters post messages called toot (tweet), share videos or images, and follow other people. But unlike Twitter, Mastodon is decentralized, meaning the entire Mastodon is not run by a single company pulling all strings.

Mastodon can be used directly in your web browser or through a mobile client on a smartphone or tablet. It includes features that seem copied from Twitter-like replies, boosts (retweets), favorites (loves), a timeline view, blocking, and voluntary content warnings that hide sensitive content.

Mastodon also has some great features that Twitter does not have like automated post deletion for the older post of a certain age, requiring approval for follows without restricting your account, and opting out of search engine indexing.

Currently, there are also no ads on Mastodon meaning no ad tracking or ad network surveillance.

How Does Mastodon Work?

Mastodon is a social media network made of nodes called servers or instances each running special software meaning anyone can run their own Mastodon instance (if they have a proper dedicated server). When you have your own instance it can be linked in the federation or remain private, so individuals or companies can have control over individual Mastodon servers.

The software itself is open source based on the social networking protocol ActivityPub which was developed by WWW Consortium.

While using Mastodon, people sign up for accounts with specific instances. Once logged in, you can view a local timeline (of posts from that instance only) or, if the instance is federated with others, see a federated timeline comprised of toots from people in other instances. Mastodon users can send messages to each other using their Mastodon account names that are similar to email addresses in that they feature the server address as well as the user name.

In the Windows ecosystem, MS Surface laptops are among the best laptops on the market, they are regarded as equivalent to Apple MAC laptops but for Windows. Microsoft Fall 2022 Event will be held on October 12th at 10 AM. The event itself will be held right before it kicks off its annual, developer-focused Ignite event in Seattle from that same day through October 14.

This event is the first in-person event that Microsoft has held since the beginning of the pandemic. We expect the launch of the Surface Pro 9 and the Surface Laptop 5, and maybe Surface Studio 3 as well. There are also some rumors about products themselves like choices between an ARM or x86 CPU but nothing is confirmed so far, we can just wait and see.

Action Classic Games Toolbar is another product from Mindspark Interactive Network, Inc. that may claim to relieve users of their boredom with more than 500 online games. The Action Classic Games toolbar is available for download from its official web page and Google Web Store, though it is normally distributed via advertising directly from its website. When installed, it will change your home page and new tab to MyWay.com and start gathering user browsing information while active.

Browsing the internet with Action Classic Games enabled will result in the additional ad and sponsored content placement throughout the browsing sessions. This extension has been flagged as a Browser Hijacker by several top anti-virus applications and is therefore not recommended to keep on your computer.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a type of unwanted program, usually a browser add-on or extension, which causes modifications in web browser’s settings. There are plenty of reasons why you might experience an internet browser hijack; however commercial, marketing, and advertising are definitely the key reasons for their creation. The idea is to force users to visit particular websites which are looking to increase their website visitor traffic and produce higher advertisement revenue. While it might appear naive, these tools were created by vicious people who always look to take full advantage of you, so that they could make money from your naive and distraction. In a much worst case, your internet browser could be hi-jacked to download malicious software that will do a lot of damage to your computer or laptop.

Key signs that your web browser has been highjacked

Symptoms that a web browser is a hi-jacked include: 1. home-page is changed 2. your internet browser is constantly being redirected to pornography sites 3. default search engine is changed 4. you’ll see multiple toolbars in your browser 5. you find numerous ads appear on your browsers or computer screen 6. your browser has instability issues or exhibits frequent errors 7. you’ve disallowed entry to particular websites, including the website of an anti-malware software developer like SafeBytes.

How does a PC get infected with a browser hijacker

Browser hijackers infect computers via malicious email attachments, downloaded infected documents or by checking out infected internet sites. They also come from add-on software, also called browser helper objects (BHO), browser plug-ins or toolbars. Other times you might have accidentally accepted a browser hijacker as part of an application package (usually freeware or shareware). A good example of a well-known browser hijacker is the latest Chinese malware known as “Fireball”, which has attacked 250 million computer systems around the world. It works as a hijacker but can be changed into a full-functioning malware downloader afterward. The presence of any browser hijacker malware on your computer might considerably diminish the web browsing experience, monitor your online activities that result in major privacy issues, create system stability issues and eventually cause your computer to slow down or to a practically unusable condition.

Browser hijacker removal

The one thing you can try to get rid of a browser hijacker is to find the malicious software inside the “Add or Remove Programs” list in the Microsoft Windows Control Panel. It may or may not be there. If it is, try and uninstall it. However, many browser hijackers are hard to get rid of manually. No matter how much you attempt to remove it, it may keep coming back again and again. Besides, browser hijackers could modify Windows registry so it could be very difficult to restore all the values manually, particularly when you’re not very tech-savvy individual. You might opt for automatic browser hijacker removal by just installing and running a reliable anti-malware application. To eradicate any type of browser hijacker from your personal computer, you should download the following professional malware removal tool – SafeBytes Anti-Malware. Together with the anti-malware tool, a PC optimizer, such as SafeBytes Total System Care, will help you in removing all related files and modifications in the Windows registry automatically.

Learn How to Remove a Virus that is Blocking Websites or Preventing Downloads

Malware could potentially cause all sorts of damage after they invade your computer, from stealing your personal information to deleting data files on your PC. Certain malware types modify web browser settings by adding a proxy server or modify the PC’s DNS configurations. In these instances, you will be unable to visit some or all of the sites, and therefore unable to download or install the necessary security software to remove the computer virus. If you are reading this article right now, you might have probably recognized that a malware infection is a reason behind your blocked web traffic. So what to do if you need to download and install an anti-malware application like Safebytes? There are a few steps you can take to circumvent this issue.

Boot your PC in Safe Mode

If the virus is set to run automatically when Microsoft Windows starts, stepping into Safe Mode may block the attempt. Just bare minimum required applications and services are loaded when you boot your computer into Safe Mode. To launch your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computers in Safe Mode with Networking, follow the instructions below. 1) At power on, hit the F8 key before the Windows splash screen starts to load. This should bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2) Make use of the arrow keys to choose Safe Mode with Networking and hit ENTER. 3) When you are into this mode, you should have online access once again. Now, utilize your browser normally and navigate to https://safebytes.com/products/anti-malware/ to download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 4) After installation, do a full scan and let the software program delete the threats it discovers.

Download the security program using an alternate browser

Some malware may target vulnerabilities of a specific browser that block the downloading process. If you are not able to download the anti-malware software program using Internet Explorer, this means the virus may be targeting IE’s vulnerabilities. Here, you should switch over to an alternative internet browser such as Chrome or Firefox to download the Safebytes program.

Make a bootable USB antivirus drive

Another option would be to make a portable antivirus program on your USB stick. Try these simple actions to clean up your affected PC using portable anti-malware. 1) On a virus-free PC, install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Put the pen drive into the clean computer. 3) Double-click on the downloaded file to run the installation wizard. 4) When asked, choose the location of the pen drive as the place where you want to store the software files. Follow the instructions on the computer screen to finish up the installation process. 5) Now, plug the pen drive into the corrupted PC. 6) Double-click the EXE file to open the Safebytes tool right from the thumb drive. 7) Hit the “Scan Now” button to begin the malware scan.

Features and Benefits of SafeBytes Anti-Malware

Would you like to install the very best anti-malware program for your computer? There are various applications in the market that comes in paid and free versions for Windows computers. A few of them are good but there are numerous scamware applications that pretend as genuine anti-malware software waiting to wreak havoc on your computer. You should pick a product that has gained a strong reputation and detects not just computer viruses but other kinds of malware too. While thinking about reliable programs, Safebytes Anti-Malware is certainly the highly recommended one. SafeBytes anti-malware is a trusted software that not only protects your computer completely but is also very easy to use for people of all ability levels. Using its outstanding protection system, this utility will instantly detect and remove the majority of the security threats, including browser hijackers, viruses, adware, ransomware, trojans, worms, and PUPs.

There are numerous amazing features you’ll get with this security product. Listed below are some of the highlighted features included in the application.

Active Protection: SafeBytes gives real-time active checking and protection against all known viruses and malware. They’re highly efficient in screening and eliminating various threats because they’re regularly revised with the latest updates and safety measures. Best AntiMalware Protection: Safebytes is made on the best virus engine within the industry. These engines will detect and remove threats even during the early stages of a malware outbreak. Safe Web Browsing: Safebytes allots all sites a unique safety ranking that helps you to have an idea of whether the webpage you’re going to visit is safe to browse or known to be a phishing site. Light-weight: SafeBytes is renowned for its minimal influence on computer resources and great detection rate of various threats. It works silently and efficiently in the background so you are free to utilize your computer at full power all of the time. 24/7 Customer Support: Support service is accessible 24 x 7 x 365 days via email and chats to answer your questions. To sum it up, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is really great for securing your laptop or computer against all sorts of malware threats. There is no doubt that your PC will be protected in real-time once you put this software program to use. So if you’re searching for the very best malware removal tool out there, and when you don’t mind shelling out some dollars for it, opt for SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

To remove Action Classic Games manually, go to the Add or Remove programs list in the Windows Control Panel and select the program you want to get rid of. For web browser plug-ins, go to your web browser’s Addon/Extension manager and select the plug-in you intend to disable or remove. Additionally, it is advised to factory reset your web browser settings to their default state. To be certain of complete removal, find the following Windows registry entries on your system and remove it or reset the values accordingly. Please keep in mind that only advanced users should try to manually edit the registry because removing any single vital system file results in a major problem or even a system crash. Moreover, some malware keeps replicating which makes it tough to get rid of. Doing this malware-removal process in Safe Mode is suggested.

As you know, Windows programs depend on several operations to get executed and at the same time, there are also numerous parameters that have to be fulfilled for a program to get executed. However, based on some reports, there was an error when some users tried to run a program. This error says, “The application was unable to start correctly (0xc00007b)”. There could be various reasons why this error occurs but the main one is most likely due to an x86 application that is not compatible with the x64-based operating system. To fix this problem, you can run the Check Disk utility or reinstall the application or the Microsoft .NET Framework. You can also try reinstalling DirectX or replace the corrupted DLL file(s). For more details, refer to the given options below.

Option 1 – Try running the Check Disk utility

• In the Windows Search box, type “command prompt” and from the search results, right-click on Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator”.
• After opening Command Prompt, type this command and tap Enter: chkdsk <Partition Letter>: /f
• The command you entered will start to check for errors and fix them automatically. Else, it will throw an error message saying, “Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Would you like the schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system restarts? (Y/N)”.
• Tap the Y key to schedule Disk Check the next time your computer restarts.

Option 2 – Re-enable the Microsoft .NET Framework

You could also try to disable the Microsoft .NET Framework then enable the latest version of the .NET Framework on your PC and check if the error is fixed

Option 3 – Try to reinstall the program

There are times when some supporting module for your application under the hood could have messed up the application where you get the error. To fix this, you have to uninstall the program and then download its latest version from its official site and then install it again. Once you’re done, run the application and see if the error is fixed.

Option 4 – Run System File Checker scan

If reinstalling the program didn’t work, you can also try running the System File Checker or SFC scan to fix the error. System File Checker is a command utility built into your computer that helps restore corrupted files and missing files. Refer to the following steps to run it:

• Hit the Win + R keys 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.

• Reboot your computer.

Option 5 – Try running the DirectX Diagnostic Tool

Since the error has something to do with the DirectX Graphics APIs, you can run the DirectX Diagnostic tool to resolve the problem.

Option 6 – Try updating or re-installing DirectX

If the DirectX Diagnostic tool didn’t work, you can try to update or reinstall DirectX instead. This can help in fixing the problem because when you reinstall or update DirectX, it will replace the incompatible or corrupted components of DirectX from your computer.

MyWebFace is a browser extension developed by Mindspark. This extension claims to allow users to easily access websites that allow them to make a cartoon portrait of themselves. While this may seem interesting in the beginning, all this extension does is to add links to already popular websites that are easy to find.

When installed MyWebFace changes your default search engine and your home page to MyWay.com.

While the extension is running it gathers user browsing information, allowing it to mine data and better server unwanted ads throughout your browsing sessions. MyWebFace has been marked as a Browser Hijacker by many anti-virus programs, and while not considered malware, it is not recommended to keep it on your computer.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijackers (sometimes referred to as hijackware) are a type of malicious software that alters web-browser configurations without the user’s knowledge or consent. These hijacks happen to be rising at a worrying rate worldwide, and it could be really nefarious and sometimes harmful too. Browser hijackers are capable of doing a variety of things on your PC. In general, hijackers are made for the benefit of online hackers often through revenue generation that comes from forced ad clicks and website visits. Although it may seem naive, all browser hijackers are harmful and thus always classified as security risks. Browser hijackers could also let other destructive programs without your knowledge further damage the computer.

Indications of browser hijack

There are numerous signs that indicate the browser is highjacked: 1. the browser’s home page is changed 2. if you enter a URL, you find yourself constantly directed to a different web page than the one you intended 3. the default web engine has been changed and your web browser security settings have been lowered without your knowledge 4. unsolicited new toolbars are added to your web browser 5. you observe numerous ads pop up on the web browsers or computer screen 6. your browser gets sluggish, buggy crashes often 7. you can’t go to certain websites like home pages of anti-malware software.

How does a browser hijacker infect a PC

Browser hijackers can get into a PC in some way or other, for instance via downloads, file sharing, and e-mail also. They also come from add-on applications, also known as browser helper objects (BHO), web browser extensions, or toolbars. Also, some shareware and freeware can put the hijacker within your computer through “bundling”. Typical examples of browser hijackers include Conduit, CoolWebSearch, OneWebSearch, Coupon Server, RocketTab, Snap.do, Delta Search, and Searchult.com. Browser hijacking can cause severe privacy problems and even identity theft, disrupt your browsing experience by taking control over outgoing traffic, substantially slows down your PC by deleting lots of system resources, and lead to system instability at the same time.

Browser Hijacker Malware – Removal

Certain hijackers can be removed simply by uninstalling the corresponding freeware or add-ons from the Add or Remove Programs in the Windows control panel. In some cases, it can be a difficult task to discover and get rid of the malicious piece because the associated file will be running as part of the operating system process. Moreover, manual removal requires you to execute several time-consuming and complex procedures that are tough to conduct for inexperienced computer users. Browser hijackers could be effectively removed by installing the anti-malware application on the affected system. To get rid of any type of browser hijacker from your computer, you could download this particular top-notch malware removal program – SafeBytes Anti-Malware. And use a system optimizer, such as Total System Care, to eliminate all related files from the registry and repair browser issues.

Tips on How to Eliminate a Virus that is Blocking Websites or Preventing Downloads

Malware may cause several different types of damage to PCs, networks, and data. Some malware is meant to restrict or block things that you wish to do on your personal computer. It may well not permit you to download anything from the internet or stop you from accessing some or all sites, in particular the anti-virus sites. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re stuck with a malware infection that is preventing you to download or install the Safebytes Anti-Malware program on your system. Even though this type of problem can be tougher to get around, there are a few actions you can take.

Start Windows in Safe Mode

The Windows OS includes a special mode known as “Safe Mode” where just the bare minimum required programs and services are loaded. In case the virus is set to load immediately when the PC starts, switching to this mode may prevent it from doing so. To start the computer into Safe Mode, press the “F8” key on the keyboard right before the Windows boot screen appears; Or after normal Windows boot up, run MSCONFIG, look over “Safe Boot” under the Boot tab, and click Apply. Once you’re in safe mode, you can attempt to install your antivirus software application without the hindrance of the malicious software. Following installation, run the malware scanner to eliminate standard infections.

Switch over to an alternate internet browser

Some malware only targets certain internet browsers. If this is your case, utilize another web browser as it might circumvent the computer virus. If you suspect that your Internet Explorer has been hijacked by malware or otherwise compromised by hackers, the best course of action is to switch to an alternate browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari to download your favorite computer security software – Safebytes Anti-Malware.

Install and run anti-virus from a USB drive

To effectively get rid of the malware, you should approach the problem of running an anti-malware software program on the affected computer from a different angle. To run anti-virus using a USB flash drive, follow these simple steps: 1) Use another virus-free computer system to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Insert the USB drive into the uninfected PC. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the anti-malware software package to run the Installation Wizard. 4) When asked, select the location of the USB drive as the place in which you would like to store the software files. Do as instructed on the screen to complete the installation process. 5) Transfer the thumb drive from the clean computer to the infected computer. 6) Double-click the anti-malware software EXE file on the USB flash drive. 7) Click the “Scan Now” button to start the virus scan.

Highlights of SafeBytes Anti-Malware

If you are looking to install an anti-malware program for your PC, there are numerous tools on the market to consider nonetheless, you just cannot trust blindly anyone, irrespective of whether it is a free or paid program. A few of them do a good job in removing threats while some will harm your computer by themselves. You should choose one that is efficient, practical, and has a strong reputation for its malware source protection. On the list of strongly recommended software is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. SafeBytes has a superb history of top-quality service, and customers appear to be very happy with it. SafeBytes anti-malware is a reliable tool that not only secures your PC permanently but is also quite easy to use for people of all ability levels. With its outstanding protection system, this utility will quickly detect and remove the majority of the security threats, including browser hijackers, viruses, adware, ransomware, trojans, worms, and PUPs.

There are many amazing features you will get with this particular security product. Listed below are a few of the great ones:

Antimalware Protection: Using its enhanced and sophisticated algorithm, this malware elimination tool can identify and remove the malware threats hiding in your PC effectively. Real-time Threat Response: Malware programs looking to enter the computer are discovered and stopped as and when detected by the SafeBytes real-time protection shields. This tool will continuously monitor your PC for any suspicious activity and updates itself continuously to keep abreast of the constantly changing threat scenarios. Faster Scanning: This software has one of the fastest and most powerful virus scanning engines in the industry. The scans are extremely accurate and take a little time to complete. Safe Web Browsing: Through its unique safety ranking, SafeBytes notifies you whether a site is safe or not to visit it. This will assure that you’re always certain of your online safety when browsing the net. Minimal CPU Usage: SafeBytes is a lightweight and user-friendly anti-virus and anti-malware solution. As it uses very low computer resources, this program leaves the computer’s power exactly where it belongs: with you actually. 24/7 Guidance: You can obtain absolutely free 24/7 technical assistance from their computer experts on any product queries or PC security issues. To conclude, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is really great for securing your computer against all kinds of malware threats. You now may understand that this particular software does more than just scan and eliminate threats in your PC. You will get the best all-around protection for the money you spend on SafeBytes Anti-Malware subscription, there isn’t any doubt about it.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove MyWebFace without the use of an automated tool, it might be actually possible to do so by removing the program from the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser plug-ins, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You will likely also want to reset your browser. Lastly, check your hard disk for all of the following and clean your computer registry manually to remove leftover application entries after uninstallation. However, editing the registry can be a difficult job that only advanced users and professionals should try to fix it. Moreover, certain malicious programs are capable to defend against its deletion. You’re advised to do this process in Safe Mode.

The Windows Defender program can both scan and monitor almost the entire folder on a Windows 10 computer. So if you have a folder that may have files that could trigger an alarm to Windows Security, then it would be better if you add an exclusion to Windows Security. Note that it is okay to do this as long as you’re certain that the contents of the folder you want to exclude are safe and that Windows Defender is only throwing out warnings for nothing. This way, Windows Defender won’t scan those folders in the future. And besides, there are also some Windows folders and files that you may exclude from the Antivirus scans, especially if you want to save your scan time. This kind of feature also comes in handy when you trust a file type or folder or any process that you believe is safe but the Windows Security considers as malicious. To exclude a folder or a file or process or a file type from the Windows Security scan, here are some steps you can follow. Make sure to do them carefully. Step 1: Search for “Windows Security” in the Search box and then click on it from the search results to open it. Step 2: Next, click on Virus & threat protection > Manage settings > Add or remove exclusions. Step 3: After that, on the next screen, click on Add an exclusion > Folder. It will show you a list that includes File, Folder, File Type, and Process. Step 4: Now click on “+Add and exclusion” on the next window and then select a folder you want to exclude and click OK to add it in the Exclusions list. Step 5: Click on the down arrow button to remove it and then click on the Remove button. Note: If you want to only ignore a few file types, it’s better if you configure your antivirus program to ignore these files with a specific extension. This way, it will ignore all of them no matter what their location is. Also keep in mind that when you select a folder, all the subfolders in it will also be excluded from the scan. Thus, you need to understand what you’re about to do. Once you’re done excluding the folder, it is recommended that you protect the folder using the Controlled Folder Access since this folder is not monitored for threat. The Controlled Folder Access will ensure that an external program does not alter it. This way, you can be sure that even though this folder is not included in the scan, it is still secure.

The dialog boxes that you see on your Windows computer exist to send you a message or to notify you. However, you can also encounter issues with them. Recently, some users reported that they’re getting empty or blank dialog boxes. It’s definitely hard to choose between Yes or No or to click OK when you don’t know the context of the dialog box. If the same thing happened to you, worry not for there are some possible solutions that can help you fix the problem. This kind of problem usually happens when there are some issues with the graphics driver or when there is some corrupted software. Whichever the case is, here are some fixes you can check out to fix the empty or blank dialog boxes on your Windows 10 computer.

Option 1 – Run the System File Checker

System File Checker or SFC is a built-in command utility that helps in restoring corrupted files as well as missing files. It replaces bad and corrupted system files with good system files that might be the cause why you’re getting the errors 0x8024a11a and 0x8024a112. To run the SFC command, follow the steps given below.

• Type “cmd” in the Start search and then right-click on the appropriate search result.
• Next, select “Run as administrator” to open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
• 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.

 Now restart your computer and see if the problem is fixed or not.

Option 2 – Try to update or rollback the Graphics driver

You can try to update your Graphics card driver using the Device Manager in your computer to resolve the blank dialog boxes problem or you can also go directly to the website of your graphics card manufacturers like NVIDIA, Intel, or AMD and go to the section called Drivers then check if there’s a new available update – if there is, download and install it. To update your Graphics driver via Device Manager, refer to these steps:

• First, boot your computer into Safe Mode.
• After that, 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. From there, look for the Display Adapters and click on them.
• After that, right-click on each entry under the Display Adapters and select the “Uninstall Device” option from the menu.
• Now restart your computer.
• After restarting your computer, go to the Settings app and Check for Updates in the Windows Update section.

Note: If updating the Graphics driver didn’t fix the problem, you can also try to roll back to its previous version and see if that helps.

Option 3 – Run the DISM tool

The next thing you can do is run the DISM tool. This tool is known to repair potentially corrupted files in your system as having them could also system issues like the blank dialog boxes. To repair these corrupted system files, you can run the DISM commands:

• Tap the Win + X keys and click on the “Command Prompt (Admin)” option.
• After that, input each one of the commands listed below sequentially to execute them:
  • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
  • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
  • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

• Once you’ve executed the commands given above, restart your computer and check if the problem is now fixed.

Option 4 – Try to repair or reinstall the software

If the issue with the empty dialog boxes only occurs in a specific program, you can either try to repair the program or reinstall it. You can find the Repair option in the Add/Remove program section when you select the concerned program. If repairing the program didn’t work, you might have to uninstall it and then reinstall it.

Option 5 – Try troubleshooting the problem in a Clean Boot State

You might also want to troubleshoot the problem in a Clean Boot State. Doing so will help you isolate the problem. Refer to the steps below to do so:

• Log onto your PC as an administrator.
• Type in MSConfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
• From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
• Clear the “Load Startup items” check box and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
• Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” check box.
• Click Disable all.
• Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)

Internal Error 2503 - What is it?

Internal Error 2503 mostly pops up on Windows 8. It occurs when you try to uninstall or install software on Windows 8. The error code message may vary and displayed in different formats such as:

The installer has encountered an unexpected error installing this package. This may indicate a problem with this package. The error code is 2503. Called RunScript when not marked in progress The installer has encountered an unexpected error installing this package. This may indicate a problem with this package. The error code is 2503. Called Install Finalize when no installation is in progress

Solution

Error Causes

Some of the most common causes for internal error 2503 are:

• Permission not granted to access the Windows Installer Folder
• Viruses
• Problems with Windows Installer

Further Information and Manual Repair

To repair this issue on your PC without any professional assistance, try the DIY methods given below:

Method 1

Internal error 2503 may occur when your account has limited privileges. You don’t have the privilege to use or access the Windows Installer folder. Your inability to access this folder hampers you from successfully install or uninstall the desired program on your PC. To gain access, you need to ensure you have permission.

• For this navigate to the C:\windows folder. Here find the installer folder and then right-click and choose properties.
• After that click on the security tab and check if the System and Administrator account has Full access permission.
• For that make sure the system group option has ‘all’ selected to allow you full permission.

Method 2 - Re-register Windows Installer

Another alternative to resolve internal error 2503 is to re-register Windows Installer.

• To do this, go to Start and click Run. Now type ‘msiexec /unreg’ in the Run box and then press enter.
• Follow the same steps and now type ‘msiexec /regserver’ in the box and then press enter. This will resolve the issue.

Method 3 - Remove Viruses

If internal error 2503 is triggered by a viral infection on your PC, then it is advisable to download an antivirus and scan your entire system. Viruses are notorious for system failures and pose data security threats. If not removed timely, these malicious programs can damage your PC. To remove all viruses on your system, run an antivirus. An antivirus detects all malicious software programs including viruses, malware, adware, and spyware. Delete all the malicious files found right away. This will help resolve internal error 2503.

I must admit that I am a big Western Digital fan, I have been using their hard drives really long time and I must admit that I am very happy with their products. Sometimes they could be a little more expensive than other drives on market but security and performance are on their side. If you ever wanted to purchase Western Digital or WD hard drives or you are considering getting one, no doubt that you have come across their color cryptic line of products. 1TB Hard drive can come in 6 different colors in your search products query and if you are not familiar with the WD color coding of hard drives you might be a little lost as to which one is right for you and what are the differences. This article is made to explain exactly that, what are WD colors representing so you can choose the right one for your needs. Western Digital has decided to use color codes in order to mark their series of disks which means that each color represents different hard drive series and it is made and aimed for different use, we are going to explore in detail each series below:

WD BLUE

Blue series is all around typical hard drive made and meant for daily use in desktop computers for all kinds of tasks. You can use it in casual gaming or for storage, its purpose is tailored for all-around casual daily users.

WD RED

WD Red HDD is designed for NAS and RAID systems. Its purpose is to be turned 24/7 who ever need access to it. Get this series if you need to have constant access to files or if you need a reliable RAID hard drive.

WD GREEN

Green series of the hard drive is manufactured for low power consumption and for storage, they are meant to be used for storage and not accessed regularly.

WD PURPLE

Purple line of hard drive products is designed solely for video surveillance systems. Instead of having a preference on reading data like WD RED, the PURPLE series is given preference on writing, constant writing to be more precise.

WD BLACK

The black series is made for an external storage medium with high performance. Due to the high performance, WD Black hard drives are much popular among photo editors and high-end gamers.

WD GOLD

WD Gold HDD provides a long-term cold storage medium. Therefore, this series of Western Digital hard drives are suitable for data centers. These hard drives can handle many sophisticated systems simultaneously and work well with different servers That's it, I hope that you have now a more clear understanding of the WD color-coding of its hard drive series. As always thank you for reading and I hope you will have a great day. If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit errortools.com daily.