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Gigabit internet showing as 100MB in Windows

In today's world setting up a LAN network or internet connection is no longer a daunting task that will require having a bachelor's degree in computer science nor a specialized technician. But even in the present-day environment issues and problems can occur. One of these problems is detecting or running a network at a slower 100MB speed instead of 1GB.

Troubleshooting of this nature is somewhat more complex than your typical troubleshooting issue because several things including hardware could be involved in this particular problem but do not worry, we are here to back you up and guide you

Setting up a home or small office network no longer requires a specialist technician to constantly monitor and optimize the LAN routers and connected PCs. As Windows networking has improved and new features have become available on the hardware, configuring a 1GB network should be as simple as connecting the LAN to a router that came with this capability. If however the network’s rated speed only gives 100MB, troubleshooting the issue is more complex. To find the problem, you’ll need to check the hardware devices, cable connections, and the software you are using to connect and manage the network.

Hardware checks

If you are using the switch in your LAN configuration check its hardware details as well to see if it can handle 1GB speeds.
The next step is network cables, some cables are not designed and their copper can not transfer 1GB of flow, check to see if your cable is classified for the desired speed. To visually check cables do the following
  1. Check both connection jacks to see if it has any loose or frayed wires. If any of the wires are loose, it can be the cause of the performance issue. You should replace the cable if you discover damage to the connectors.
  2. Inspect the entire length of the cable and check if the harness shows any clear signs of damage. A bent or damaged cable can reduce the amount of information it’s capable of transferring between the PC and LAN router. If you find any damage to the cable, replace it to restore your network speed.
  3. Is the cable capable of transferring 1GB speeds? Different network cables support different network speeds. A Cat-5 cable will only provide 100MB transfers, while a Cat-5e or Cat-6 can support up to 10GB transfers. Check the cable’s labels to make sure you are using a Cat-5e or higher-rated data cable.

Now when the hardware issue is out of the way we can focus a little more on the software part.

Let's try the first easy solution, run Windows built-in troubleshooter

  1. Click the Windows button and type Control Panel. Then select the top result.
  2. If your Control Panel shows the Category View, change it to display Small Icons instead.
  3. From the list of available applications, select Network and Sharing Center.
  4. In your Network and Sharing Center, you can see the active network, set up a new network connection, troubleshoot problems, or change your adapter settings. Before making changes to your device properties, you can let Windows run a troubleshooter on your adapters to see if it can automatically fix your connection issues.
  5. Click on Troubleshoot Problems from the Change Your Network Settings section.
  6. In the Troubleshooter Application, scroll down and find the Network Adapter option.
  7. Click on Run Troubleshooter to let Windows check your network adapter’s configuration for any issues.
  8. Select the Ethernet Adapter you’re currently using from the list and click Next to proceed.
  9. Wait for the process to complete and check the results. If Windows detects any issues, it will recommend a fix. However, if the configuration of your network adapters does not have any problems, you’ll see a message that Windows couldn’t detect any problems.
  10. If there are any issues with the cable, the troubleshooter will detect the connection issue and request you replace the cable and connect it to your PC.
  11. It can occur that even after inspecting the cable and you didn’t find any visible damage on the housing or connectors, it could still be faulty. Replace the cable with a new one and rerun the troubleshooter to see if the cable is working as required.

If the troubleshooter finished and you received a Windows Couldn’t Detect Any Issues result, you’ll need to verify your adapter’s speed settings.

  1. In your Network and Sharing Center, select the Change Adapter Settings option from the left menu.
  2. On the list of adapters, choose the one you’re using and click the Right Mouse Button to open the context menu.
  3. Select Properties from the Context Menu to access your adapter’s settings.
  4. On the Ethernet Properties window, you can enable or disable different features and install additional protocols. To change the device settings, click on Configure to continue.
  5. This will open the Device Controller Properties window where you can check the status, make changes to the settings, find out information about the driver, or check historical events on the device. Select the Advanced tab to access the device settings.
  6. On the Advanced tab, locate the Speed and Duplex setting.
  7. The Auto-Negotiation option may cause network performance issues on certain Ethernet adapters and routers. The setting allows your adapter to change the speed settings according to the LAN configuration you connect to your PC. If you connect to different LAN networks regularly with different speeds, it can occur that the setting doesn’t update from 100MB to 1GB while switching.
  8. Change the Value to match the network speed of the LAN you’re connecting to your PC and use the manual speed setting.
  9. Click OK to apply the setting and test your network performance. If your adapter doesn’t have the 1GB setting available but you know the rating should go up to that speed, it could indicate that you aren’t using the right driver for the device.

If you don’t have the setting available or the device still only provides 100MB speeds after changing the Speed setting to a manual value, you may have to update the driver for the device.

  1. On the Ethernet Properties Window, once again click on Configure to access the Device Properties Window. Then select the Driver Tab to access your driver details.
  2. Select Update Driver from the available options.
  3. On the Update Driver window, select the option to let Windows Search Automatically for Updated Driver Software.
  4. Windows will connect to the internet and search for the latest drivers online. If a newer driver exists, Windows will download and install the driver for you. If you’re using the latest driver, Windows will inform you that no updated drivers are available.

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Fix Windows Update Install Error 0x80070005
If you are checking for an update on your Windows 10 PC and you got the error 0x80070005 due to some ACCESS DENIED permissions issue, then read on as this post will show you what you can do to fix the problem. For some reason, the Windows Update does not have enough rights or permissions to continue further which is why you’re getting an error instead. Thus, the first thing you can do before you troubleshoot further is to make sure that you’re logged in as admin. However, if you’re already logged in as one, then here are some suggestions that might help you fix the Windows Update Install Error 0x80070005.

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

You can restart your computer and then try installing the updates once again. There are instances when a simple restart resolves Windows Update errors. Thus, after you restart your computer, check for updates once again and see if you’re still getting the error or not.

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

Running the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter is one of the things you can first check out as it is known to automatically resolve any Windows Update errors like error 0x80070005. 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 – Take control of the User App Data

There are times when permission to access the files is not configured correctly. As a result, it blocks the downloading of the updates. Thus, you have to take full control of the User App Data which is placed at C:/Users/USERNAME/AppData.
  • First, go to C:/Users/USERNAME/AppData and right-click on it then select Properties.
  • Next, click on the Edit button in the Properties window and click OK to confirm if you got a User Account Control elevation request.
  • After that, select user/group from the permission windows or click on the Add button to add another user or group. It would be best if you add “Everyone” to give permission.
  • Then check “Full Control” under the “Allow” column to assign full access rights control permissions.
  • Now edit the permission to Full Control for “Everyone”.
  • Click OK to save the changes made and then exit.

Option 5 – Try to update Windows after a couple of minutes or an hour

There are times when the issue is from Microsoft’s end. It could be that there’s some issue with Microsoft’s server so it would be better if you give it a couple of minutes or an hour or so before trying to run Windows Update again.
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Remove HowToSimplified PUP Removal Tutorial

HowToSimplified is a browser extension developed by MindSpark inc. This extension offers users easy access to DIY tutorials, guides, and websites just a few clicks away. There is also a top video selection with the most popular DIY videos at the moment.

This extension, though it may look useful in the beginning, hijacks your browser's default search provider, it changes your default home page to HowToSimplified, powered by the MyWay search engine. During your browsing sessions, it will record your website visits, collect information, clicks, and sometimes even personal data. This information is later used to deliver ads that are injected into your browser search results. Aside from sponsored links, and additional unwanted ads that this extension displays, it also may from time to time display pop-up ads during your browsing sessions.

Multiple anti-virus scanners have detected HowToSimplified as a Browser Hijacker and are therefore not recommended to keep on your computer for security and privacy reasons.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking means that a malicious program code has control over and altered the settings of your internet browser, without your approval. Almost all browser hijackers are made for marketing or advertising purposes. In most cases, browser hijacking is used for earning ad revenue that comes from forced advert clicks and site visits. It could seem naive, but most of such sites aren’t legitimate and could pose a severe threat to your online safety. In a much worst case, your browser can be hijacked to download malware that can do a lot of damage to your computer system.

How you can recognize a browser hijack

There are many symptoms that indicate your browser has been highjacked: home page is changed; bookmark and the new tab are also changed; the default web engine is changed and your browser security settings have been cut down without your knowledge; find new toolbars that you simply didn’t add; unstoppable flurries of popup advertisements show up on your personal computer screen; your internet browser has become unstable or starts running sluggishly; you can’t navigate to certain internet pages, like computer security software related websites.

How they invade PCs

Browser hijackers infect computer systems through malicious email attachments, downloaded infected documents, or by visiting infected websites. They can also be deployed via the installation of a web browser toolbar, add-on, or extension. Other times you may have accidentally accepted a browser hijacker as part of an application bundle (generally freeware or shareware). An example of some notorious browser hijacker includes Babylon, Anyprotect, Conduit, DefaultTab, SweetPage, Delta Search, and RocketTab, but the names are regularly changing. Browser hijacking can lead to severe privacy issues and even identity theft, disrupt your browsing experience by taking command over outbound traffic, drastically slows down your personal computer by consuming a lot of resources, and cause system instability as well.

Browser Hijacker Malware – Removal

The one thing you can try to get rid of a browser hijacker is to find the malware inside the “Add or Remove Programs” list of the Windows Control Panel. It might or might not be there. When it is, uninstall it. However, many hijackers are harder to track down or remove since they might get themselves associated with some critical computer files that enable it to operate as a necessary operating-system process. Amateur computer users shouldn’t ever attempt the manual form of removal methods, since it requires detailed system knowledge to carry out repairs on the computer registry and HOSTS file.

How One Can Eliminate a Virus that is Blocking Websites or Preventing Downloads

Practically all malware is detrimental and the extent of the damage will vary greatly depending on the type of malware. Some malware is meant to hinder or block things that you want to do on your computer. It may well not let you download anything from the web or it will prevent you from accessing a few or all internet sites, especially the anti-malware websites. If you are reading this article right now, you may have perhaps realized that a malware infection is the cause of your blocked internet connectivity. So how to proceed if you need to install an anti-malware program like Safebytes? There are a few actions you can take to get around this problem.

Install the anti-malware in Safe Mode

The Windows operating system comes with a special mode referred to as “Safe Mode” where just the minimum required applications and services are loaded. If the malware is obstructing the internet connection and affecting your PC, starting it in Safe Mode allows you to download anti-malware and run a diagnostic scan while limiting potential damage. To enter into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press the F8 key while the PC is starting up or run MSCONFIG and look for the “Safe Boot” options under the “Boot” tab. Once you’re in Safe Mode, you can attempt to install your anti-malware software application without the hindrance of the malicious software. At this point, you can actually run the antivirus scan to get rid of viruses and malware without interference from another malicious application.

Obtain the anti-malware program using an alternate web browser

Web-based viruses can be environment-specific, targeting a particular internet browser or attacking specific versions of the web browser. If you seem to have a trojan attached to Internet Explorer, then switch to a different browser with built-in security features, such as Firefox or Chrome, to download your favorite anti-malware program – Safebytes.

Install and run anti-malware from the USB drive

Another solution is to create a portable anti-malware program on your USB thumb drive. Try these simple measures to clear up your infected PC using portable anti-malware. 1) Download the anti-malware on a virus-free computer. 2) Plug the Thumb drive into the uninfected computer. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the antivirus program to run the Installation Wizard. 4) Choose a thumb drive as the place when the wizard asks you where you want to install the application. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. 5) Transfer the USB drive from the uninfected PC to the infected PC. 6) Double-click the EXE file to run the Safebytes software right from the thumb drive. 7) Click on “Scan Now” to run a complete scan on the affected computer for viruses. If, after all of these methods, you are still having troubles with the possible infection, feel free to write to us with your question, through chat or email. If you are unsure which method to employ, simply call our toll-free number 1-844-377-4107 to speak to our technical support team. Our experts can walk you through the virus removal process on the phone and fix the computer remotely.

Protect Your Personal Computer From Viruses and Malware With SafeBytes Security Suite

Nowadays, an anti-malware tool can protect your laptop or computer from various kinds of internet threats. But exactly how to choose the best one amongst the many malware protection software that is available on the market? Perhaps you might be aware, there are several anti-malware companies and products for you to consider. A few of them are great but there are lots of scamware applications that pretend as authentic anti-malware software waiting to wreak havoc on the computer. You must be careful not to choose the wrong product, especially if you purchase a paid application. When thinking about trustworthy programs, Safebytes AntiMalware is certainly the highly recommended one. SafeBytes anti-malware is a powerful, highly effective protection tool designed to assist users of all levels of IT literacy in detecting and eliminating malicious threats from their PC. This tool can easily detect, eliminate, and protect your PC from the most advanced malware intrusions including spyware, adware, trojan horses, ransomware, parasites, worms, PUPs, as well as other possibly damaging software programs. SafeBytes has great features when compared to other anti-malware programs. A few of them are listed as below: Best AntiMalware Protection: Built on a highly acclaimed anti-virus engine, this malware removal application has the capacity to identify and remove various obstinate malware threats such as browser hijackers, potentially unwanted programs, and ransomware that other common anti-virus software will miss. Live Protection: SafeBytes provides real-time active monitoring service and protection against all known computer viruses and malware. It’ll constantly monitor your computer for hacker activity and also gives users superior firewall protection. Web Protection: Safebytes allots all websites a unique safety score that helps you to have an idea of whether the webpage you’re about to visit is safe to view or known to be a phishing site. “Fast Scan” Features: SafeBytes Anti-Malware possesses a multi-thread scan algorithm that works up to five times faster than any other protection software. Very Low CPU and RAM Usage: SafeBytes is a lightweight application. It uses up a really small amount of processing power as it works in the background therefore you won’t notice any computer performance difficulties. 24/7 Customer Support: You will get 24/7 technical support to quickly resolve any concern with your security tool.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove HowToSimplified without the use of an automated tool, it may be possible to do so by removing the program from the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser extensions, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You will likely also want to reset your browser. To ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard drive and registry for all of the following and remove or reset the values accordingly. Please note that this is for advanced users only and may be difficult, with incorrect file removal causing additional PC errors. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. Doing this in Safe Mode is advised.

The following files, folders, and registry entries are created or modified by HowToSimplified

Files: C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempnsu1.tmp C:76681c9c0f70e45328483cc27310678c28751a66f9849aa13f34d2e7f8c650 C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempnsf2.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempnsf2.tmpnsDialogs.dll C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempnsf2.tmpSystem.dll C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempnsf2.tmpnsDialogs.dll C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempnsf2.tmpSystem.dll C:Program FilesHowToSimplified_8e Registry: Key: HKCUSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper ObjectsValue: Verizon Broadband Toolbar Data: A057A204-BACC-4D26-8398-26FADCF27386 Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun Value: Hoolapp Android Data: C:usersuserappdataRoamingHOOLAP~1Hoolapp.exe Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun Value: ctfmon.exe Data: C:Program Files3rundll32.exe C:Program Files3lni28.dat,FG00
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How to Fix 0x80040154 Error Code

What is 0x80040154 Error Code?

0x80040154 is a typical ‘class not registered’ error message. It occurs when PC users try to register and Run a 32-bit DLL (dynamic link library) Windows programs on a 64-bit version of Windows.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

  • The 0x80040154 error causes include:
  • Incompatible software
  • Invalid entry command path
  • Damaged and corrupt DLL files
  • COM components not properly registered
  • Active X control and class issues
To avoid the inconvenience of running programs on your Windows PC, it is advisable to resolve the 0x80040154 error.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Here are some of the best methods that you can try to resolve the 0x80040154 error code on your PC:

# 1. Use Regsvr32.exe to Re-register the Failing COM Component

This is one way to resolve the 0x80040154 error code. Regsvr32.exe is a program that you can use to register DLLs (Dynamic Link Libraries) and ActiveX controls in the registry. To use this file to re-register the failing COM components, simply open an elevated command prompt. If the 32-bit DLL is in the %systemroot%System32 folder, then move it to the %systemroot%SysWoW64 folder. After that run the following command: %systemroot%SysWoW64regsvr32 <full path of the DLL>. This will help resolve the issue.

# 2. Install and Run Restoro PC Fixer.

Another alternative is to download Restoro. This is a new, advanced, and innovative PC repair tool deployed with multiple utilities like Active X control and class fixer, system optimizer, an antivirus, and a registry cleaner. It has a user-friendly interface with simple navigation. This makes it quite easy to use for all levels of users. It is safe, fast, and compatible on all Windows versions. The Active X control and class utility scans your entire PC, detects and resolves all errors like 0x80040154 triggering ActiveX and class ID issues in seconds. Besides this, Restoro also offers other benefits. By running this software on your system you can also ensure good PC health and performance as it also removes anti-viruses, repairs registry issues, fixes damaged DLL files, and also boosts the speed of your PC. DLL files often can get damaged and corrupt due to data overload. This is associated with the registry. If you don’t clean the registry frequently, it overloads with data and damages the DLL files. However, with the help of the registry cleaner utility embedded inside this software, you can repair these files easily. The registry cleaner wipes out all the unnecessary files from your system occupying your disk space and simultaneously fixes the damaged DLL files and restores the registry. However, if the DLL files are damaged due to a malware attack, the antivirus module takes care of them. It removes all the malicious software like adware, spyware, viruses, and Trojans and restores your files. Click here to download Restoro on your PC and resolve the error 0x80040154 on your PC now!
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How to Manually Fix 0x8004210A Error Code on Your System

Error 0x8004210A - What is it?

0x8004210A is a typical POP3 email error message. This error may sometimes occur when you try to check your Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3) email account. 0x8004210A error code hampers your ability to both send and receive e-mails on your Outlook account. Error 0x8004210A is displayed in any one of the following formats on your PC:
The operation timed out waiting for a response from the receiving (POP) server 0x8004210a Task 'SMTP server name - Sending and Receiving reported error' (0x8004210A): 'The operation timed out waiting for a response from the receiving (POP) server. If you continue to receive this message, contact your server administrator or Internet service provider (ISP).'

Error Causes

Error 0x8004210A occurs due to several reasons. However, some of the most common reasons include:
  • Wrong port number for the POP incoming server
  • Your connection to the mail server is too slow
  • Incoming and outgoing emails are being scanned and stopped by an antivirus installed on your system
  • The Outlook send and receive job is being blocked by Firewall
  • You are sending and receiving large series of emails or large email attachments
  • Registry issues
No matter what the cause of this error is, to resume email communication via Outlook and to ensure your work productivity is not affected, it is recommended that you resolve this 0x8004210A error code on your PC immediately.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To fix error 0x8004210A, here are some of the most efficient and easy manual methods that you can try:

Method 1

If the cause of the error is related to the internet connection then here’s what you need to do. Try freeing up your internet connection by closing any other online activities in progress or downloads being carried on your system.

Method 2

Try to increase your server time-out periods. To do this, go to the Outlook File menu and choose account settings. Now double click on your email account and more settings. Now click advanced and increase your server timeout period to resolve.

Method 3

If you are trying to send or receive large and heavy emails on your Outlook account, the error 0x8004210A may pop up. This happens because when transferring heavy files the email account automatically locks until the task is complete, however, if it takes more time the next Send and Receive job starts while the first one is still not complete. In such an event, the email server then times out and shows you the error. Therefore to resolve, you will have to show patience. Simply wait for the large email to be sent or received before you start sending another email.

Method 4

If the antivirus installed on your system is the reason for the error pop up, then disable it for a while until the operation is complete. Then enable it once the task is performed successfully.

Method 5

Similarly, if the Firewall installed on your system is preventing Outlook from reaching your mail server, then simply disable the Firewall to resolve.
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How to Fix Error 118

Error 118 - What is it?

Error 118 is a typical Google Chrome error. It pops up when Google Chrome fails to load websites like Facebook. It is usually displayed in the following format:
‘Error Message: Error 118 (net::ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT): The operation timed out.’

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Error 118 may be triggered due to several reasons. This includes:
  • Problems with DNS setting
  • IP Address is filtering websites
  • Cookies and invalid registry entries

Further Information and Manual Repair

To ensure smooth internet browsing on Google Chrome, it is advisable to repair the error 118. If error 118 is not resolved you will be unable to load and access your desired websites. To avoid inconvenience and resolve the issue immediately, try the methods suggested below. These are easy and effective do-it-yourself methods that require no technical skills.

Method 1 - Change Proxy Settings

If your IP address is filtering websites, then you might experience error 118 while using Google Chrome. When this is the error cause, then it is advisable to add a proxy for your PC. To change proxy settings and add a new proxy, simply click on Customize and Control Google Chrome menu. Now click the options button. Under the Google Chrome Options window select the Under the Hood tab. After that in the Network, section click the change proxy settings button. Check Show Suggestions for navigation errors and Use DNS pre-fetching to improve page load performance boxes. Now under Internet Properties, click LAN Settings. Under LAN settings you will see the Proxy Server box, check it, and enter your new proxy settings. Click OK to confirm and save settings. This will hopefully resolve the issue.

Method 2 - Change to Google DNS

When the error is related to DNS settings then try this method to resolve it. Simply set DNS to use Google DNS. Here’s how it’s done:
  1. Go to the start menu, click Windows Control Panel, Network and Internet, and change adapter settings. Here you will see Local Area Connection.
  2. Right click to select properties at the bottom.
  3. Check Internet Protocol Version 4 and click properties.
  4. Now check the ‘Obtain an IP address automatically’ box and also select the option that says ‘Use the following DNS server addresses’.
  5. Change Preferred DNS to 8.8.4.4 and Alternate DNS server to 8.8.8.8 now click OK to confirm.

Method 3 - Remove the Bad Entries and Cookies Damaging the Registry

Bad entries and cookies saved in the registry can also trigger error 118. To fix the issue immediately download Restoro. This is PC Fixer with multiple utilities including a registry cleaner. The registry cleaner removes all bad entries and cookies in seconds and repairs the damaged registry. Click here to download Restoro and resolve error 118.
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Diablo 2 is trending after launch looking good
Finally, some good news for Blizzard entertainment after tons of bad stuff happening around it regarding lawsuits and people layoffs. Diablo 2 has become the most-watched game on Twitch after its official release and sold copies are on a satisfactory level. Diablo 2 resurrectedFor people not familiar with recent events, the state of California has sued Blizzard for various things including discrimination and offensive behavior. Later Blizzard executives were caught shredding some evidence and things just started to go to worse from there. After much drama, many people believed that this is the end for Blizzard entertainment and that they would not be able to recover from this since the community has sided with California and Blizzard has received a large punch as many subscribed WOW players have left the game. Things are not so grim as they were looking as their Diablo 2 remake has made moderate success despite being released in these troubling times and there are rumors of Overwatch 2 planned release date as of the first quarter of 2022. overwatch 2
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How to fix windows 10 error code 0x80073712
Windows 10 has displayed one of the most efficient and user-friendly interfaces. However there have been many issues on the backend of this commonly praised operating system: For example, Windows Update is still a wonky and error-laded system application. One example of this error is Windows Update Error 0x80073712 which stands in the way of users just wanting to keep their PCs updated hassle-free. The error code 0x80073712 signifies that a file needed by Windows Update to function is either damaged, missing, or corrupted. However, this does not mean that your Windows version will forever stay as-is with no mode to update it. Windows Update Error 0x80073712 is perfectly fixable with the set of provided steps below and some of Windows’ built-in troubleshooting steps:

Solution 1: Open Windows Update Troubleshooter

  1. Open the Windows Update Troubleshooter by pressing the Windows and S keys simultaneously.
  2. Enter the word “Troubleshoot” in the search box and select the Troubleshoot result
  3. On the new window, select “Windows Update” to troubleshoot.
  4. Run the troubleshooter, then open Windows Update and try to install the update again.

Solution 2: Run the DISM tool

  1. Open the command prompt by pressing Windows and S keys simultaneously
  2. Enter “cmd” in the search box. Right Click command prompt among the results and select “Run as administrator”
  3. In the Command Prompt window type the following and press the Enter key after every command
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
  1. To close the Administrator: Command prompt window, type Exit, and then press Enter.
  2. Run Windows Update again.

Solution 3: Rename the Software Distribution folder

  1. Open the command prompt as previously mentioned
  2. Input the following command pressing Enter after every line net stop wuauserv net stop cryptSvc net stop bits net stop msiserver rename c:/windows/SoftwareDistribution/softwaredistribution.old net start wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver exit
  3. Restart the PC and run the updater if it works again.

Solution 4: Restart Windows Update Services

  1. Press the Windows logo key and R together to open Run -> Input services.msc -> and press Enter
  2. Search for the Windows Update service -> Check its status
  3. If it is not indicated, right-click on the service and select Start to force start your Windows Update
  4. If you see an error, locate the Startup Type option and set it to Automatic
  5. Now you should reboot your computer and see if your Windows Update is OK

Solution 5: Fix Registry Issues

If after all the aforementioned solutions, you still experience problems with Windows Update, the problem may lie in the registry that is either damaged or corrupted. You may choose to do manual editing of your Windows registry by opening your Windows registry editor. But doing so is risky as one wrong letter may do incalculable damage to your system. To do so safely for more inexperienced users we recommend using a third-party registry cleaner/tools, many of which can be found online.
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How to remove Homework Simplified from your Computer

HomeworkSimplified is a Browser Hijacking extension for Google Chrome developed by Mindspark. This extension will set your home page and new tab to MyWay.com.

From the Terms of Use: As part of the download process for the Toolbar, you may be given the option to reset your Internet browser’s homepage to an Ask homepage product and/or reset your new tab page to an Ask new tab product. If you do not wish to reset your homepage and/or new tab page to the Ask homepage and/or Ask new tab product(s), you can decline/opt-out of these features by checking or unchecking the appropriate box(es) during the download process for the Toolbar. While installing this extension monitors user browsing activity and sends it back to Mindspark servers, where they are later used/sold to better target and inject unwanted ads and sponsored content into your browsing sessions.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is regarded as the web’s constant danger that targets web browsers. It is a kind of malware program that redirects the web browser requests to some other suspicious websites. Browser hijacker malware is developed for numerous reasons. Typically, browser hijacking is used for earning advertising revenue that comes from forced ad clicks and website visits. It may appear harmless, but the majority of such websites are not legitimate and will pose a major threat to your online safety. Additionally, hijackers will make the whole infected system vulnerable – other harmful malware and viruses will take hold of these opportunities to get into your computer effortlessly.

Indications of browser hijack

The typical signs that signify having this malicious software on your computer are: 1. your homepage is reset to some mysterious website 2. you observe new unwanted bookmarks or favorites added, usually directed to advertisement-filled or pornography sites 3. the default search engine is changed and the web browser security settings have been brought down without your knowledge 4. you’re getting new toolbars you have never seen before 5. you may notice numerous pop-up adverts on your computer screen 6. your browser has instability problems or exhibits frequent errors 7. you’ve prohibited entry to certain web pages, including the website of an anti-malware software developer like SafeBytes.

How they get into your computer or laptop

There are several ways your computer can become infected by a browser hijacker. They usually arrive through spam e-mail, via file-sharing networks, or by a drive-by download. They are generally included with toolbars, add-ons, BHO, plug-ins, or browser extensions. Browser hijackers sneak into your pc along with free software application downloads also that you unwittingly install alongside the original. Typical examples of browser hijackers include CoolWebSearch, Conduit, OneWebSearch, Coupon Server, RocketTab, Snap.do, Delta Search, and Searchult.com. Browser hijacking may lead to serious privacy issues and also identity theft, disrupt your browsing experience by taking control of outbound traffic, considerably slows down your computer or laptop by depleting a lot of system resources and result in system instability as well.

How you can get rid of a browser hijacker

Some kinds of browser hijackers can be removed from the computer by uninstalling malicious software programs or any other recently added shareware. But, certain hijackers are very hard to identify or remove since they might get themselves connected with certain crucial system files which allow it to operate as a necessary operating system process. You should think about undertaking manual repairs only if you happen to be a tech-savvy individual, as potential risks are associated with tinkering with the system registry and HOSTS file. You might opt for automatic browser hijacker removal by just installing and running an efficient anti-malware application. To eradicate any browser hijacker from your computer, you should download this certified malware removal application – SafeBytes Anti-Malware. Employ a system optimizer (like Total System Care) together with your anti-malware software to correct various computer registry issues, eliminate system vulnerabilities, and boost your computer overall performance

How To Get Eliminate Virus That Is Preventing Anti-Malware Downloads?

All malware is inherently harmful, but certain kinds of malware do a lot more damage to your computer than others. Some malware variants modify web browser settings by adding a proxy server or change the PC’s DNS configurations. In these instances, you will be unable to visit some or all of the websites, and thus not able to download or install the necessary security software to remove the malware. If you’re reading this article, you may have got affected by malware that prevents you from downloading a security application like Safebytes Antimalware on your PC. Do as instructed below to eliminate malware in alternate ways.

Get rid of viruses in Safe Mode

The Windows-based PC includes a special mode known as “Safe Mode” where only the bare minimum required applications and services are loaded. In the event the malware is blocking access to the internet and affecting your PC, launching it in Safe Mode enables you to download anti-virus and run a diagnostic scan whilst limiting possible damage. In order to get into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press the F8 key while the system is booting up or run MSCONFIG and locate the “Safe Boot” options under the “Boot” tab. Once you are in Safe Mode, you can attempt to install your antivirus application without the hindrance of the malware. At this point, you can run the antivirus scan to remove viruses and malware without any hindrance from another application.

Switch over to an alternative browser

Certain viruses might target vulnerabilities of a particular web browser that obstruct the downloading process. If you are not able to download the security application using Internet Explorer, this means the virus may be targeting IE’s vulnerabilities. Here, you must switch over to another browser such as Chrome or Firefox to download the Safebytes Anti-malware program.

Install anti-malware on a USB drive

Another option is to store and run an anti-malware software program entirely from a Pen drive. Adopt these measures to use a USB drive to fix your infected computer system. 1) Make use of another virus-free computer to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Mount the pen drive on the same computer. 3) Double click on the exe file to run the installation wizard. 4) Select the flash drive as the destination for saving the file. Follow the activation instructions. 5) Now, transfer the pen drive to the infected computer. 6) Double-click the EXE file to open the Safebytes tool right from the thumb drive. 7) Click on the “Scan” button to run a full system scan and remove malware automatically.

SafeBytes Anti-Malware - More Protection For You Personally

If you’re looking to install anti-malware software for your PC, there are plenty of tools on the market to consider but you cannot trust blindly anyone, regardless of whether it is free or paid software. A few of them are good, some are ok types, while some will harm your computer themselves! You need to be careful not to select the wrong product, particularly if you purchase a premium application. While considering the dependable programs, Safebytes AntiMalware is certainly the strongly recommended one. SafeBytes anti-malware is a highly effective and user-friendly protection tool that is made for end-users of all levels of computer literacy. With its outstanding protection system, this software will easily detect and remove most of the security threats, including adware, viruses, browser hijackers, ransomware, PUPs, and trojans.

SafeBytes possesses a plethora of wonderful features that can help you protect your PC from malware attack and damage. Listed below are some of the best ones:

Real-time Active Protection: SafeBytes provides an entirely hands-free live protection and is set to check, prevent and remove all computer threats at its first encounter. It’ll regularly monitor your computer for hacker activity and also provides users with superior firewall protection. Anti-Malware Protection: This deep-cleaning antimalware application goes much deeper than most anti-virus tools to clean out your PC. Its critically acclaimed virus engine detects and disables hard-to-remove malware that conceals deep inside your PC. Website Filtering: SafeBytes gives an instant safety rating to the web pages you are going to visit, automatically blocking harmful sites and ensuring that you’re certain of your safety while browsing the world wide web. Light-weight: SafeBytes is a lightweight and easy-to-use antivirus and antimalware solution. Since it utilizes low computer resources, this application leaves the computer’s power exactly where it belongs to: with you actually. Premium Support: You will get 24/7 technical support to quickly resolve any issue with your security application. On the whole, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is a solid program since it has lots of features and can identify and eliminate any potential threats. You can be sure that your PC will be protected in real-time once you put this tool to use. For the best protection and the best value for your money, you can’t get better than SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you’d like to manually get rid of Homework Simplified without using an automated tool, it might be possible to do so by removing the application from the Microsoft Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of web browser extensions, going to the browser’s AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You’ll likely also want to reset your web browser. To ensure the complete removal, find the following Windows registry entries on your computer and eliminate them or reset the values accordingly. Please note that this is for experienced users only and could be difficult, with wrong file removal causing additional PC errors. Furthermore, some malware keeps replicating which makes it tough to eliminate. Carrying out this malware-removal process in Safe Mode is suggested.
Files: %USERPROFILE%\Application Data\HomeworkSimplified_db %LOCALAPPDATA%\HomeworkSimplified_db %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\HomeworkSimplified_db %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cdbpjflelnapbhcfafncmhkhihdibegl %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cdbpjflelnapbhcfafncmhkhihdibegl %PROGRAMFILES%\HomeworkSimplified_db %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lfnojckbabpgnjgcnglpacnmcpnbpfdb %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lfnojckbabpgnjgcnglpacnmcpnbpfdb %PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\HomeworkSimplified_db %LOCALAPPDATA%\HomeworkSimplifiedTooltab %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\HomeworkSimplifiedTooltab Registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Browser Helper Objects\ff57b31a-0257-40cb-9c5e-6aec88bcf9de HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Browser Helper Objects\ff57b31a-0257-40cb-9c5e-6aec88bcf9de HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\d4c69a1b-c048-4976-bf25-48a4675a4b46 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\d4c69a1b-c048-4976-bf25-48a4675a4b46 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\HomeworkSimplified.dl.tb.ask.com HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Approved Extensions, value: FF57B31A-0257-40CB-9C5E-6AEC88BCF9DE HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Approved Extensions, value: F18926CE-BA1D-4467-8EBD-5BA4C0D0D4AE HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\Software\HomeworkSimplified_db HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\HomeworkSimplified HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Wow6432Node\HomeworkSimplified HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\LowRegistry\DOMStorage\HomeworkSimplified.dl.myway.com HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\HomeworkSimplified.dl.myway.com
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The quick demise of the BRAVE browser
Brave browser has gained popularity very rapidly and many websites have gone into the territory of recommending it. Sadly although the browser kind of offered better performance, it seems that so much advertised privacy and security was a lie. Several months ago, Brave was involved in a “scandal”. Unfortunately, this incident did not get much media attention, and it’s hard to search for and discover as of today. There is an article on the Android police website explaining this issue in detail, you can check it here: https://www.androidpolice.com/2020/06/07/brave-browser-caught-adding-its-own-referral-codes-to-some-cryptcurrency-trading-sites/ But to sum things up and keep them short if you do not want to go through the full article, Brave had been injecting their affiliate codes into popular crypto-currency websites. This means that they had been intercepting your traffic, which they promised was secure by the way, and modifying it. This means Brave Software has access to all of your information on those crypto-currency sites as well. They can see your payments/purchases, and your activity on the websites (through affiliate statistics). Now some people might point out that they are not interested in crypto or have been visiting some of the sites but the issue still remains and that is they did all of this, without telling the user. They intentionally didn’t tell the user because they knew it would cause backlash and disruption. They knew one hundred percent what they were doing, and they knew it was unethical. And the point remains if something like this was already done, who knows what will come up in the future. Personal recommendation is to avoid Brave and go back to other browsers.
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Windows requires a digitally signed driver
Device drivers are needed in order for the hardware and software to communicate in an operating system. Some of these drivers are digitally signed. These kinds of drivers are drivers that are signed by their issuing authority in a way that the end-user or any third party won’t be able to modify them. And there are times when you encounter an error that says, “Windows requires a digitally signed driver” when you try to install or update device drivers. Driver Signing is the process of associating a digital signature with a driver package. Digital signatures are used in Windows device installations to verify the identity of the vendor providing the driver packages as well as to verify the integrity of the driver packages. All the drivers you usually install on your PC from Windows Update, Original Equipment Manufacturers, or some other third-party driver download software and so on must be verified digitally by Microsoft through the digital signature. A digital signature is an electronic security mark that verifies the publisher for the driver and all the relevant information related to it. That’s why Windows won’t run a driver if it isn’t certified by Microsoft, be it a 32-bit or 64-bit system – this is called the Driver Signature Enforcement. The only Kernel-mode drivers that Windows 10 will load are the ones that are digitally signed by the Dev Portal. However, the changes only affect the new installations of the operating system with Secure Boot on while the non-upgraded fresh installations would require drivers that are signed by Microsoft. The “Windows requires a digitally signed driver” error indicates that the driver you are trying to update or install hasn’t been signed digitally by the issuing authority, preventing you from installing or updating it. To resolve this issue, you can try to update the drivers directly from the manufacturer’s site. You could also disable driver signing via Group Policy Editor.

Option 1 – Update the device drivers directly from the manufacturer’s site

The reason why you’re getting the “Windows requires a digitally signed driver” error in the first place is that you might have downloaded the drivers from external media. It could also be that the drivers didn’t update for some time now and the issuing authority changed its policies. Thus, you can try to update the drivers straight from the manufacturer’s website and install them. If this option didn’t work, then you’ll have to disable the driver signing or its recognition in Windows 10. Keep in mind that doing so is not advisable if you have to use the concerned driver.

Option 2 – Disable driver signing via Group Policy Editor

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility and type “gpedit.msc” in the field and tap Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
  • After that, navigate to this policy setting: User configuration > Administrative templates > System > Driver installation
  • Next, double click on the “Code signing for device drivers” entry located on the right pane to open its properties where you’ll see the following description:
“This setting determines how the system responds when a user tries to install device driver files that are not digitally signed. It establishes the least secure response permitted on the systems of users in the group. Users can use the System in Control Panel to select a more secure setting, but when this setting is enabled, the system does not implement any setting less secure than the one the setting established. When you enable this setting, use the drop-down box to specify the desired response. “Ignore” directs the system to proceed with the installation even if it includes unsigned files. “Warn” notifies the user that files are not digitally signed and lets the user decide whether to stop or to proceed with the installation and whether to permit unsigned files to be installed. “Warn” is the default. “Block” directs the system to refuse to install unsigned files. As a result, the installation stops, and none of the files in the driver package are installed. To change driver file security without specifying a setting, use System in Control Panel. Right-click My Computer, click Properties, click the Hardware tab, and then click the Driver Signing button.”
  • Now select the radio button for “Enabled” and select Ignore from the drop-down menu under “When Windows detects a driver file without a digital signature”.
  • Then click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made. This will get rid of the “Windows requires a digitally signed driver” error but take note that this will also make your system less secure.
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