If you are using Windows PowerShell and it suddenly throws an error message saying, “File cannot be loaded because running scripts is disabled on this system”, then read on as this post will guide you on how you can fix this issue your Windows 10 computer. This kind of error in PowerShell is most likely due to the fact that your user account does not have the required permissions to execute the script. Although this does not mean that you need to have administrator-level permissions as it could also indicate that you have to be unrestricted to run these types of PowerShell scripts or cmdlets. Thus, to fix the error and carry out the task, you have to set the execution policy to be unrestricted. And to do that, you need to use the steps provided below as a reference.
Step 1: To get started, you have to check what policies are set for the individual user groups on your computer by tapping the Win + X key combination or by right-clicking on the Start button and clicking on Windows PowerShell (Admin). You can also search for PowerShell in the Start Search and then right-click on Windows PowerShell and select Run as administrator.
Step 2: If a User Account Control or UAC prompt appears, just click Yes to proceed. Once you’ve pulled up Windows PowerShell, type the following command to get the List of Execution Policy for all the scopes on your computer.
Get-ExecutionPolicy –List
Step 3: After you execute the command, it will give you a list of the User Groups as well as their Execution Policy status, and under the Scope column, look for “LocalMachine”. Once you find its Execution Policy you will notice that it’s either set to Undefined or Restricted.
Step 4: Now that you’ve determined the Execution Policy, you need to set it to Unrestricted if it is set to Restricted. To do that, you have to enter the following command in the very same PowerShell window.
Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted
Step 5: After you execute the command, you will see a message that asks for various permissions for which you either have to tap Y to say Yes to each one of the messages individually or tap the A key to say Yes to all the messages to once. However, if the command throws another error, you can just force the Execution Policy to change by executing the following command.
Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Force
Step 6: Once you’re done, it will finally set the Execution Policy for the Windows PowerShell scripts as well as cmdlets to be Unrestricted and fix the “File cannot be loaded because running scripts is disabled on this system” error.
mixGames is an Extension for Google Chrome that adds “Games:” functions to Google Chrome. In our testing, this function did not work and only redirects you back to the extension page. There are two variations of mixGames: mixGames Search, which changes the Chrome homepage to one managed by their own advertising-driven search; and mixGames Start, which changes the homepage in Chrome. These extensions utilize Searchalo to change search engine functions from the default or user-set preferences to Yahoo, injecting additional advertising. Due to the browser function modifications, mixGames is classified as potentially unwanted and is flagged for detection and optional removal by some Antivirus programs.
About Browser Hijackers
Browser hijacking is a common type of online fraud where your web browser configuration settings are altered to allow it to do things you do not intend. They are created to disrupt web browser programs for a variety of reasons. These are typically used to force hits to predetermined sites, manipulating web traffic to generate ad revenue. Nevertheless, it isn’t that innocent. Your internet safety is jeopardized and it is also extremely annoying. What’s more, hijackers can make the entire infected system fragile – other dangerous malware and viruses would use these opportunities to get into your system very easily.
Indications of browser hijack
There are various symptoms that could indicate a browser hijacking:
1. the browser’s home page is modified2. new bookmarks pointing to pornographic websites are added to your favorite pages3. the main web browser settings are modified and unwanted or unsafe resources are added to the trusted websites listing4. you’re getting new toolbars you have never noticed before5. your browser will display constant pop-up windows6. your internet browser starts running sluggishly or exhibits frequent errors7. you cannot go to certain sites like home pages of antivirus software.
Exactly how browser hijacker finds its way onto your computer
Browser hijackers infect computers by numerous means, including through a file-share, a drive-by download, or an infected e-mail attachment. Many internet browser hijackings come from add-on programs, i.e., browser helper objects (BHO), toolbars, or plug-ins added to web browsers to give them extra capabilities. A browser hijacker can be installed as a part of freeware, demoware, shareware, and fake programs. A good example of a well-known browser hijacker is the latest Chinese malicious software known as “Fireball”, which has infected 250 million computer systems globally. It works as a hijacker but can be turned into a full-functioning malware downloader later on.
Browser hijacking can cause severe privacy problems and even identity theft, disrupt your web browsing experience by taking command over outbound traffic, substantially slows down your personal computer by depleting a lot of resources, and result in system instability at the same time.
How you can fix a browser hijack
Some hijackers can be easily removed by uninstalling the free software they were included with or by eliminating any extension you’ve recently added to your browser. But, the majority of hijacking codes aren’t easy to remove manually, since they go deeper into your operating system. Besides, browser hijackers can modify the Windows registry therefore it can be quite hard to restore all of the values manually, especially if you’re not a very tech-savvy individual.
How To Install Safebytes Anti-Malware On An Infected PC
All malware is bad and the consequences of the damage will vary according to the specific kind of malware. Certain malware types modify web browser settings by including a proxy server or change the computer’s DNS settings. In such cases, you will be unable to visit certain or all internet sites, and therefore unable to download or install the required security software to remove the infection. If you are reading this, you may have affected by a virus that stops you from downloading a computer security application like Safebytes Anti-Malware. Do as instructed below to remove malware by alternate methods.
Get rid of viruses in Safe Mode
In Safe Mode, you could modify Windows settings, uninstall or install some applications, and remove hard-to-delete viruses. In the event the malware is blocking internet access and affecting your computer, running it in Safe Mode allows you to download anti-malware and run a diagnostic scan while limiting possible damage. To get into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press the F8 key while the PC is starting up or run MSConfig and find the “Safe Boot” options in the “Boot” tab. Once you are in Safe Mode, you can try to download and install your antivirus software program without the hindrance of the malware. Following installation, run the malware scanner to get rid of standard infections.
Switch over to an alternative browser
Some malware only targets specific internet browsers. If this sounds like your situation, make use of another internet browser as it could circumvent the computer virus. The ideal way to avoid this issue is to pick a web browser that is well known for its security features. Firefox contains built-in Malware and Phishing Protection to keep you secure online.
Create a portable USB antivirus for removing malware
Another option would be to make a portable antivirus program on your USB flash drive. Do these simple steps to clean up your affected computer using a portable antivirus.
1) On a clean computer, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware.2) Plug the USB drive into the uninfected computer.3) Double-click the executable file to open the installation wizard.4) Choose the drive letter of the pen drive as the location when the wizard asks you where you want to install the antivirus. Follow activation instructions.5) Transfer the flash drive from the clean PC to the infected PC.6) Double-click the EXE file to run the Safebytes program from the pen drive.7) Run Full System Scan to detect and get rid of all types of malware.
Protect Your Computer & Privacy With SafeBytes Anti-Malware
These days, an anti-malware tool can protect your computer from different kinds of online threats. But how do choose the best one among several malware protection software that’s available on the market? You may be aware, there are lots of anti-malware companies and tools for you to consider. Some are well worth your money, but most aren’t. You have to be very careful not to choose the wrong application, especially if you purchase a paid software. Among few good applications, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is the highly recommended program for the security-conscious user.
SafeBytes anti-malware is a powerful, very effective protection software intended to assist users of all levels of IT literacy in identifying and removing harmful threats out of their personal computers. Using its outstanding protection system, this software will quickly detect and remove the majority of the security threats, which include browser hijackers, viruses, adware, ransomware, PUPs, and trojans.
SafeBytes anti-malware takes PC protection to a whole new level with its enhanced features. The following are some of the best ones:
World-class AntiMalware Protection: Using its enhanced and sophisticated algorithm, this malware removal tool can identify and eliminate the malware threats hiding in your computer effectively.
Active Protection: SafeBytes delivers complete and real-time security for your PC. It’ll constantly monitor your pc for hacker activity and also provides users with superior firewall protection.
Website Filtering: Through its unique safety rating, SafeBytes alerts 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 web.
Faster Scan: This tool has one of the fastest and most efficient virus scanning engines in the industry. The scans are very accurate and take a short amount of time to complete.
Low Memory/CPU Usage: SafeBytes is really lightweight software. It consumes an extremely small amount of processing power as it works in the background therefore you will not see any computer performance problems.
24/7 Assistance: You can get totally free 24/7 technical support from their computer experts on any product queries or computer security issues.
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
If you do not wish to use malware removal software and like to remove mixGames manually, you may accomplish this by going to the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu in the control panel and removing the offending program; in cases of browser extensions, you could uninstall it by going to the browser’s Add-on/Extension manager. It is also suggested to factory reset your browser settings to their default state.
Lastly, examine your hard disk for all of the following and clean your Windows registry manually to remove leftover application entries following an uninstallation. But bear in mind, this is a complicated task and only computer experts can perform it safely. In addition, certain malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. Completing this task in Safe Mode is recommended.
In recent times, some Windows 10 users have seen an error code BCM20702A0, when using Bluetooth and they are concerned as to what it is all about. We can say for certain that it has something to do with your Bluetooth driver. The error message in question is:
The drivers for this device are not installed. There are no compatible drivers for this device.
The problem here tends to no longer allow specific Bluetooth components to properly communicate with your Windows 10 operating system. It also affects laptops that do not have native Bluetooth support; therefore, the manufacturer installed a dongle on the inside to deliver the service. This is not the best way to do things because native support is always better. On the other hand, maybe you’re using a Broadcom USB Bluetooth dongle that is acting up, and as such, the error is showing.
Below are solutions provided for this particular error and how to eliminate it.
Run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter
Press ⊞ WINDOWS to open the menu and select settings
In settings choose Update & Security
Go to troubleshoot and on the right panel click on additional troubleshooters
Click on Bluetooth
Select Run the troubleshooter, then sit back and allow the tool to do its thing. Once you’ve completed the task, click on Apply this fix if any repairs are needed
Reboot your computer
Install Broadcom driver from official website
Windows drivers for Broadcom Bluetooth devices are no longer posted on their website. They should be available through Microsoft’s Windows Update service. If drivers were not downloaded automatically by Windows Update, use Device Manager to refresh the driver from Windows Update.
However, the Broadcom Bluetooth drivers seem to be available here on the Lenovo website. To fix the BCM20702A0 driver error, you may download and install them.
After downloading it, right-click on the downloaded item, and select Run as administrator. After installation, restart your computer, then check again if it works.
Remove all Bluetooth drivers and USB controllers
If previous solutions did not work, go to device manager and remove all Bluetooth devices along with all USB controllers.
Reboot your computer and Windows will automatically reinstall and set all devices.
In case you don’t know, Windows 10 comes with a native ability to project to another screen, be it wireless or wired. All it takes to do that is by tapping the Win + P key combination to display options to manage the extended display. However, there are times when you might encounter errors when you do that like the “Your PC can’t project to another screen” error. This kind of error stops you from projecting your computer to the other screen. Here’s the full content of the error message:
“Your PC can’t project to another screen, Try reinstalling the driver or using a different video card.”
This error could be due to loosely connected hardware or the display adapter. It is also possible that a recent Windows Update has messed up its settings. To resolve this issue, you can try several suggestions that will be given in this post. You can try to check the hardware cable connections or run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter. You could also update or reinstall the display adapters or replace the graphics card.
Option 1 – Try checking the hardware connections
The first thing you have to do before you further troubleshoot the problem is to check the hardware connections of your computer and see if there are damaged ones, just like with the ports as it would also affect the overall connectivity of the device with the computer. You also have to make sure that no pin is missing from the ports. So if you notice some irregularities in the connecting cable physically, you might have to buy another one and replace it and then see if it fixes the problem or not.
Option 2 – Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooters
The first thing you need to do is click on Start and then on the gear-like icon to pull up the window for Settings.
After opening Settings, look for the Update and Security option and select it.
From there, go to the Troubleshoot option located on the left-hand side of the list.
Next, select Hardware and Devices from the list and open the Troubleshooter and run it. Once it is doing its job, wait for it to complete the process and then restart the system.
After the system restarts, check if the problem’s now fixed. If not, refer to the next option given below.
Option 3 – Try to update or reinstall the display adapters
You might also want to update the drivers for Display adapters and Monitors or you might also have to update or reinstall your NVIDIA driver if you’re using one. To update or reinstall the display adapters, follow these steps:
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and then type in MSC and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
Expand the section for Display Adapters.
And then select the Display Driver and right-click on it.
From the drop-down menu, select the Update Driver option and follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest version of the Display Driver.
Restart your PC after the installation.
If you find that updating the drivers does not help, you can try to reinstall them. How? Simply follow the steps below.
Tap the Win + X keys and select the Device Manager.
After that, look for the affected driver in the Device Manager window. And if you see a yellow exclamation mark beside it, right-click on it and select the option “Rollback” to roll back the driver.
And if the Rollback option is not available, just select Uninstall and then restart your PC.
Finally, open the Devices Manager once again and select the option “Scan for hardware changes” to install the driver.
Option 4 – Consider replacing the graphics card
You might also want to consider replacing the graphics card of your computer to resolve the problem if the options provided above didn’t work.
The 0xc000001d error is a common yet critical error that can occur when Windows is damaged or fails to work as a result of either missing system files or corrupt system components.
This error can be extremely dangerous to Windows as it can inflict major damage to data and component files.
Error Causes
A 0xc000001d error code can occur because of a number of reasons, of which corrupt registry files are the most common, and about 94% of the time, this results in the error. However, virus infection or an adware or spyware invasion can also result in this error.
Outdated drivers and missing DLL files can also be critical and will lead to this error causing major damage to computer files. Contrary to popular belief, incomplete installation and unfinished uninstalls can also because of this error.
Other causes include improper shutting down of computers and improper hardware or software deletion.
Solution
Further Information and Manual Repair
Because of this 0xc000001d error code, Windows can fail in starting some processes and the system’s performance can significantly slow down. In some cases, Windows has problems starting up and the system can freeze.
Lastly, this error code can even result in the Blue screen of death error message, just like other critical Windows errors. If any of the above problems and symptoms occur in your PC, then you should immediately seek to resolve this problem.
In order to resolve this 0xc000001d error code or repair the corrupted and damaged Windows files, you will need a 0xc000001d repair tool. There is more than one method of treating this kind of error code, and here is how you can manually do it:
Start the computer and log in as administrator
Go to the start button and select All Programs. Go to Accessories, System Tools, and then System Restore
Click on System Restore and in a new window, select the ‘Restore my computer to an earlier time’ option and click Next
On the new confirmation window that appears, click Next
Restart your computer after the restoration has been completed
Another way to manually repair this 0xc000001d error code is to:
If you recently upgraded your computer or if you’ve just switched to a new Windows 10 PC, the most common errors you might encounter are the Windows Activation errors. This issue boils down to the Windows Activation server which has either failed to validate or recognize the license tied to the digital account. In this post, you will be guided on how to fix an activation error in an organization with an error code 0x8007007B. It contains this exact error message:
“We can’t activate Windows on this device as we can’t connect to your organization’s activation server. Make sure that you’re connected to your organization’s network and try again. If you continue having problems with activation, contact your organization’s support person. Error code 0x8007007B.”
Various computers are activated via the KMS licensing (Key Management Server) in organizations. Computers that are activated using this process do not get a permanent activation and have to stay connected to the organization instead of for at least 7 months or 180 days. It is common in Pro and Enterprise versions that are deployed in bulk for at least hundreds or thousands of computers. So imagine a user with a personal computer in the office who decided to leave the organization but will still have an activated Windows key. And so to prevent that from happening, organizations use the KMS licensing. Another possible cause of the error is in case some user used an organization key and later on, the PC just got upgraded or downgraded to a version that is not compatible with that copy of Windows.
To fix this Windows Activation error, here are some suggestions that might help.
Option 1 – You can try connecting to the organization’s network and activate the computer. But before that, you need to first check if the computer actually belongs to an organization or not.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Type “cmd” and hit Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt.
After that type the vbs /dlv command and hit Enter to execute it.
Next, check if the Product Key Channel says “GVLK”. If it does, then it means that your computer was activated using volume licensing.
Option 2 – Change Licence Key
If you’ve recently left an organization then it’s best if you buy another copy of Windows 10 and then change the license key. This time, make sure that the license key is for the same version of Windows. However, if it’s different, you need to format your computer.
Option 3 – You can try activating Windows 10 using a mobile phone
Activating Windows 10 can also be done using your phone. Just note that you have to call Microsoft to do so.
In the Start Search box, type in “Slui 4” and tap Enter.
Next, select your country and click on Next.
Keep the window open and call the toll-free number of the country you’re from.
Afterward, a confirmation ID should be given by the automated system which you must take a note of.
Finally, in the box on the window, type in the confirmation ID and click on the Activate button. That should do it.
Option 4 – If you think that the issue is caused by some hardware changes, you can try using the Activation Troubleshooter.
There are times when users already have the license keys and were able to activate Windows. However, it doesn’t last long and only works for a while and it’s suddenly throwing up an activation error like this one. To use the Windows Activation Troubleshooter, just go to Settings and to Activation and then run the troubleshooter from there.
If you've made some modifications to your hardware, you have to click the “I changed hardware on this device recently” option for further suggestions.
Besides Star Trek, Star Wars was one of my favorite movie franchises, as a kid, it was the first movie I have seen in Theatre and over the years I have rewatched and reached each entry in the franchise. It has significantly grown over the years, sometimes for worse, sometimes for better but what it always did is explored and expanded lore, characters and brought stories interesting and original enough.
The Series has always been original and innovative enough with interesting characters and locations and it managed to capture the imagination of many viewers around the globe.
If you or someone else is watching the franchise for the first time it is recommended actually to watch everything how it was released because of some information that is spoiled in prequels that could spoil some interesting revelations later. But if you have already watched everything and would like to follow the story from the beginning to end we are presenting you with the list of all TV series and movies in tar Wars canon in their chronological order so you can enjoy some good character developments and see the whole story unfold how it was meant to be.
In the following list, as told, we are including TV series (both released and currently in production) in the Star Wars canon.
Chronological order of Star Wars franchise:
Star Wars: The Acolyte
Acolyte is upcoming TV series exploring times in the old republic and the rise of the dark side within
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
The first movie entry in the franchise introducing some key characters who will go through various adventures yet to come
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Continuation of story and deepening of the plot laid out in the previous movie
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Animated TV series exploring war in more detail, set in the period between episodes 2 and 3, before series there is clone wars full length animated movie titles simply as Star wars clone wars serving as a pilot to series.
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Last movie in so-called prequel trilogy finishing some stories and finalizing some character arcs
Star Wars: The Bad Batch
Upcoming animated series Bad batch will focus on few troopers find their way in changing the galaxy
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Story of everyone loved Han Solo character, this origin story will introduce you to some key characters in the later entry of series
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Upcoming series that will focus on everyone's favorite JEDI master Obi-Wan
Star Wars Rebels
Animated series exploring first sparks of forming rebel alliance against dreaded empire
Andor
Upcoming series set five years before the events of Rogue One, the series follows rebel spy Cassian Andor during the formative years of the Rebellion.
Star Wars Rogue One
Full feature movie setting up events for episode 4
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
First Star Wars movie, little outdated today with special effects but with a strong story and introducing some new characters which will become main icons of franchise
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Arguably the best movie in the whole series, leaning more to serious note and darker than previous entries. Besides Episode 3 this is the most serious and dark movie of the series.
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Last movie entry in the so-called original trilogy, finishing some stories and wrapping up one era.
Star Wars The Mandalorian
Set after episode 6 show focuses on a Mandalorian bounty hunter character following his adventures in the galaxy.
The Book of Boba Fett
Upcoming Mandalorian spin-off TV series focusing on Bobba Fet, one of most loved bounty hunter characters in the Star Wars universe
Ahsoka
Star Wars: Ahsoka is an upcoming live-action television limited series exploring the character of Ashoka Tano first seen in Clone Wars
Rangers of the New Republic
Set within the timeline of The Mandalorian, Rangers of the New Republic is a new upcoming live-action series.
Star Wars: Resistance
Animated series exploring resistance against first-order setting up events to be followed in the newest trilogy of movies.
Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
First full feature movie set in the post-empire era introducing new characters and bringing back some fan favorites.
Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
The second movie in the last order trilogy, continuing stories of previously establishes characters
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
Last entry in new order trilogy of movies, finishing some open stories and concluding arcs for characters previously introduced in Force Awakens.
That's it, chronological order of canon TV shows and movies of the Star Wars franchise. We are sure there will be more movies and shows in the future and someday we will revisit this list to include them as well. Until then, may the force be with you.
If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit errortools.com daily.
Have you been feeling anxious in the digital space? Feeling like you have a million eyes on you each time you visit a website? It can definitely make you uneasy. Luckily there’s an easy fix, and it’s called a VPN.
In this article we’ll take you through the basics of what a VPN does and some of the biggest benefits you can reap from buying one.
VPN: definition and how it works
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, so its name already says a lot about what it does.
A VPN is specialized software that keeps your browsing private and secure. Essentially it hides your identity, preventing possible cyberattacks and data theft. This is especially important in cases of public network use, where you’re highly exposed to potential threats.
To be more specific, this software encrypts your Internet Protocol (IP) address by filtering it through a server hosted by the VPN provider first. That way, it prevents your Internet service provider, third parties and lurking online thieves from tracking the actual you.
Credit: FLY:D on Unsplash
Some providers, such as Surfshark VPN with its IP Rotator feature, even make it a habit to frequently change your IP address to further protect your identity. With most VPN providers, you can also appear to be in a completely different country, adding to your disguise.
There are tons of advantages you can look forward to if you decide to use a VPN. Take a look at some of the crucial ones.
Benefits of using a VPN
When choosing a VPN, you can find both free and paid options. We recommend you go with the paid ones, since they have stronger security, encryption and data protection, as well as more advanced features. Free VPNs come with limitations and risk of malicious attacks on the software itself.
You can choose to buy a singular VPN service or opt for antivirus software that has a VPN built in, for example Bitdefender’s Ultimate Security plan. That depends on what you use your computer for and how much.
When you pick one, here’s what it can do for you.
1. Access region-specific content
When we said you could change your location, we meant it. Say you’re using a streaming service and a show you desperately want to watch isn’t available in your country. You can use your VPN to make it look like you’re browsing from a country where it’s unlocked.
This option is also convenient for gamers who want to access maps, skins and other in-game items unavailable in their location.
In addition, you can use this powerful feature when you’re traveling to a region where some of your favorite content may not be accessible.
Do keep in mind that you need to read the Terms and Conditions (yeah, we know - who does that?) of your games and services before doing this, since you could end up getting a penalty. It’s also important to remember that there are entire countries that have strict regulations or even bans on VPNs, for example Belarus, Russia and China. So make sure to be very cautious with your VPN use, friends.
2. Browse like no one’s watching
VPNs shield your browsing habits from prying eyes on the web. Those can be malicious hackers or just third-party cookies tracking your every move to later bombard you with targeted ads. For example, Surfshark VPN features a Cookie blocker that blocks all cookie-related pop-ups and lets you browse in peace (and secret). It works even when the VPN is turned off, which is also pretty neat.
In addition, their CleanWeb 2.0 technology makes sure ads and especially malware don’t stand a chance at all, since they’re blocked before they can even load.
The inability of sites to track your browsing means they can’t collect and analyze any of your data. So, your personal information - or your company’s information in case that’s what you’re using your computer for - is entirely hidden and secure.
3. Save money
It’s well-known that the prices of certain items and services vary based on your location, browsing time, age and many other factors. This most commonly goes for airline tickets and hotel stays.
You can use your VPN to avoid high prices and surcharges. Clear all cookies, turn on your VPN and visit an online shopping site to check out their prices. Then compare your findings with the offers you see when your VPN is off, when you spend a long time on the site or have an active account with the company.
Sometimes this can really help you find the best deals and avoid breaking the bank. But again, check the Terms and Conditions before you purchase something using a VPN.
4. Secure your smart home
The more smart devices you have connected to your network, the more exposed you are to potential cyberattacks. Phones and computers are generally designed to be decently secure even without a VPN or antivirus, but smart home devices leave a lot to be desired in that regard.
Protecting your home network with a VPN software means all devices connected to it are secure, be it an air purifier or Alexa.
Credit: Bence Boros on Unsplash
5. Prevent connection slowdown
Your ISP can intentionally slow down your internet speed based on how much data you’ve consumed (data throttling) or your activities online (bandwidth throttling).
But with a VPN, what kind of data you send and receive and how much is entirely hidden. Therefore, if your ISP can’t see you, they can’t control you and they can’t throttle down your speed.
The bottom line
You can never be too safe online. So definitely think about getting yourself a solid VPN to pump up your privacy and security as much as you can. And if you have any questions or need help choosing the perfect software for you, feel free to reach out to us.
22H2 update for Windows 11 will arrive later this year and although Microsoft is not releasing anything big there will be some interesting improvements and fixes. We take a look at some that caught our attention.
Phishing protection
One of the most interesting upcoming features is enhanced phishing protection. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen will be upgraded to alert users when they try to store passwords in plain text files and also if they accidentally type in a Microsoft account password on phishing sites.
"These enhancements will make Windows the world's first operating system with phishing safeguards built directly into the platform and shipped out of the box to help users stay productive and secure without having to learn to be their own IT department,"
Microsoft
File Explorer gets tabs, a modern sidebar, and contextual suggestions
Finally, Windows File explorer is getting tabs that will allow much easier management of folders and files inside it.
It is confirmed that Microsoft is also working on a new 'HOME' sidebar that should be modern in design and in features including OneDrive so you can find everything in one place.
Pinning of favorite files was also mentioned so you can easily pin favorites for quick access.
Full-screen widgets
Windows 11 has brought back widgets in a new way and from all the feedback users are loving them. Currently, you have a widget sidebar on the left part of the screen where you have your chosen store widgets but from the Microsoft teaser, we will have soon the option to have them in full screen.
If you are using a widget for reading news, blogs, etc. this feature will be very good since you will be able to use your whole screen for information and not just a part of it.
Suggested actions
Another new feature is 'suggested actions' which is going to be particularly useful in apps like Microsoft Teams. With this new feature, you can highlight a date in a Teams message and Windows will suggest actions.
For example, if you highlight a date, you'll see a recommendation to create an event in Microsoft Calendar for that day.
If we are to believe news from Intel, new series of processors based on Alder Lake architecture are about to be released somewhere in October. Alder Lake is the 12th Generation Core of Intel processors and it is meant to have all advantages of the current CPU structure.
I9 is aimed to pack a punch against its competitors with technology including eight high-performance Golden Cove cores (P-cores) with Hyper-Threading and eight energy-efficient Goldmont (E-cores) equipped with a 30MB L3 cache and operating at high clock speeds.
During the benchmark test, the new CPU outperformed all of Intel’s previous Rocket Lake structure processors which is logically expected but the big surprise came from results that indicate better performance than Apple’s new M1 processor even in single-threaded performance which is supposed to be best in that field.
Another surprise was really beating AMD Ryzen 9 in each field. If we take into account that i9 has 16 cores in total and can process 24 threads against Ryzen 9 with 16 Cores and 32 threads this is an impressive feature.
Now truth to be told Alder lake has massive L3 cache and microarchitectural advantages and consumes much more power but the results of performance are high. Also, note that this early CPU is not really a mass production one and maybe some things will still change but early results are very satisfactory.
We will see what will price tag be since in this age of shortage and competition that will also play a big role in its overall success. Speaking of competition I eagerly await AMD’s response to this, in any way it seems that the CPU market is for some turbulence which is always a good thing for the final customer and I welcome it.
Developed by Interesting Solutions, Webguard is a tool supposedly used for tracking those online who’ve developed a habit of tracking you. The application would provide logical analysis into a user’s website history, providing insight on what websites you’ve visited and also how persons are able to track your every move while browsing.
While Webguard is unable to dispose of who specifically is tracking your computer usage, they’re able to determine what computer installed tracking codes or cookies on your computer system. In this case, it’s then left up to the user’s discretion to determine who they want to allow or block from tracking their online use. Overall, this application allows the user some measure of freedom and control over their online experience. Like any other application, however, which has landed themselves a spot on Virus Total, Web guard has hidden agendas. At a distance, Webguard installs a service for Windows but later distributes advertisements.
Technical details about Webguard include:
Assessment of Webguard Potentially Unwanted Program
While Webguard claims to track your computer usage, information reported by the application isn’t sufficient for the common computer user. This brings us back to the ulterior motive or principal objective of developing Webguard – to advertise and generate revenue from clicks made by users on Ads displayed on Internet Browsers – namely Chrome, Internet Explorer and Firefox. Why should a computer user remove Webguard? Simply, it compromises one's Internet privacy and security and it keeps abreast of your Internet history.
If you’re online for an extended period, you’ll see what Webguard does. While the publishers behind the application did not alert users to the use of web beacons, cookies for tracking, and other related tracking technology, that’s not why Webguard is considered unwanted. The program is potentially unwanted because of the unpredictable advertisements it displays. Not all sites are trusted and so it’s difficult to determine, in some cases, what websites are legit for business.
Remove Webguard with Spyhunter
In most cases, at least from what I’ve seen, Webguard is installed as a single application. After it was installed for this assessment, it could be found in ‘All Programs”. This meant that one could manually delete the application from their computer system (see manual steps below). However, is that really sufficient to completely rid your PC of Webguard’s blueprints? While you might opt to remove Webguard manually – maybe because it’s more economical – an automated process is able to completely eradicate hidden threats from Webguard.
In comparison to manually removing Webguard, Spyhunter penetrates your computer system for all infections. In most cases, nasty threats are unable to be removed manually. Additionally, Spyhunter not only removes installed threats, but it detects incoming ones – hence, acting as a preventative tool. Furthermore, Spyhunter detects cookies placed on your computer by Webguard. These are all undetectable threats and so an automated tool, as Spyhunter, should be used to remove Spyhunter effectively from your computer.
Manual Steps for Removal of Webguard
I found this removal pretty simple. Depending on your Operating System, there will be slight discrepancies in the manual removal steps. Using the Windows 8 (8.1) OS on your computer:
Step 1: Locate the CONTROL PANEL on your computer using the SEARCH option.
Step 2: Once the search box appears , input 'CONTROL PANEL'.
Step 3: The Control Panel option will then appear. From the menu, choose the "Programs" option.
Step 4: Another menu will appear. Select "All Programs and Features".
Step 5: From the 'Programs list', search for the Webguard application.
Step 6: Right-click on Webguard when it's found.
Step 7: Choose the "Uninstall" option.
Step 8: Follow the uninstall wizard instructions until the Webguard application is fully removed.
To completely remove Bandoo from your computer, click here to download and install Spyhunter