As you know, Windows PowerShell is a useful command-line utility in Windows 10 that can be used to manage the Local Users and Groups which affirms the multiuser operating system principle of Windows 10. Although there are other GUI-based utilities used to manage the Local Users and Groups, there are some system administrators that would still like to use the command-line utility to manage these Local Users and Groups. So in this post, you will be guided on how exactly you can manage the Local Users and Groups using PowerShell on your Windows 10 computer.
To get started, refer to the options provided below to manage both the Local Users and Groups using Windows PowerShell.
Option 1 – Manage the Local Users via Windows PowerShell
You need to first open Windows PowerShell as an admin. To do that, just tap the Win + X keys and select the Windows PowerShell (Admin) option.
After opening PowerShell, you need to execute the “Get-LocalUser” cmdlet so that you can find all the details about all the local user accounts in your computer which would include the Account Name, Enabled status, as well as description.
Note:On the other hand, you can also get the customized data about several objects that are related to your account. For instance, if you want to check when was the last time the Local account’s password was set, then you need to execute the “Get-LocalUser -Name root | Select-Object PasswordLastSet” cmdlet. Thus, the structure for this cmdlet is “Get-LocalUser -Name root | Select-Object *”.
Here are the objects you can use to get different sorts of data:
AccountExpires
Description
Enabled : True
FullName
PasswordChangeableDate
PasswordExpires
UserMayChangePassword
PasswordRequired
PasswordLastSet
LastLogon
Name
SID
PrincipalSource
ObjectClass
Option 2 – Manage the Local User Groups using Windows PowerShell
Like what you did earlier, open Windows PowerShell as admin and then execute the “Get-LocalGroup” cmdlet so you can get all the information about all the groups of all the local user accounts.
Now if you want to create a new Local User Group, just execute the “New-LocalGroup -Name <NAME OF THE GROUP> -Description '<ENTER THE DESCRIPTION OF THE GROUP HERE>'” cmdlet.
And if you want to add Local User Accounts to a specific group, just execute the “Add-LocalGroupMember -Group '<NAME OF THE GROUP' -Member ('NAME 1','NAME 2','<ROLE>') -Verbose” cmdlet. You could also use the “Get-Localuser -Name john | Add-LocalGroupMember -Group '<NAME OF THE GROUP>'” cmdlet for the same purpose.
If you want to display all the User Accounts of a specific group, just use the “Get-LocalGroupMember –Group ‘ ’” cmdlet.
Now if you want to remove a local user account from a group, all you have to do is use the “Remove-LocalGroupMember -Group '<NAME OF THE GROUP>' –Member <NAME OF THE LOCAL USER ACCOUNT>” cmdlet.
The printer can stop working for many various reasons, some of them are however tied to the printer driver itself. In this guide, we will address issues and provide you with advice on how to get your printer back in working order in no time.
All of that being said let us fix your Printer driver issue.
Check to see if the printer is plugged and that it has toner or colors and paper in the tray
The simplest solutions are the best ones, and most of the time simplest issues are overlooked. To eliminate any basic issues check the printer cable does it has paper in the tray and check the status of toner or colors in it.
Check if Windows troubleshooter will resolve the issue
Bring up settings and choose devices, under devices click on printers and scanners. On the far right top, you have a link to start the troubleshooter, click on it. Windows built-in tools could resolve issues and fix them for you. If by any chance Windows is not able to find or resolve issues move to the next step.
Check if the Device Manager is reporting an error and update the driver
If the hardware is functioning properly then the issue might be in Windows not detecting device or driver malfunction. In any case, the Device Manager will be the one who will report this problem. In order to check to see if the driver is properly working press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the hidden start menu.
Once it opens, click on Device Manager to open it,
If you have a driver device error inside Windows, you should see it immediately when entering the Device Manager, it will have a yellow exclamation mark beside it. Right-click on it and choose update driver.
Reinstall driver
If driver update failed or you already have the latest drivers, reinstalling them could fix the issue since drivers might have corrupted during installation of some update or application. Follow steps from point 3 to get to the driver in Device Manager, then right-click on it but instead of update choose to uninstall. Reboot Windows once the driver is uninstalled and Windows will install a new one automatically. If you do not want to update drivers automatically install the latest driver for your device, then reboot.
Check Windows update
Check to see if the latest Windows update is installed, update your Windows if needed
Fix driver issue with DRIVERFIX
If everything else fails, get DRIVERFIX, a premium solution for your PC issues, and fix driver errors.
As you know, networks that are domain-based are common in organizations and companies. These domain-based networks require multiple computers to be controlled through a single node known as a server. And the one that sets certain policies and restrictions on every system that is joined to the domain is the server administrator.
So if you want to add your computer to a domain, you need to have the following information available:
The domain name
A user account name that’s registered in the active directory associated with the server
Windows Enterprise, Pro, or education version
In this post, you will be guided on how you can join or remove a domain. To get started, follow the given instructions below.
Option 1 – Joining a domain
First, you need to connect your computer to the network associated with the server since your computer and the server have to be on the same network.
Next, click the Start button and then click on the gear-like icon for Settings to open it.
After that, navigate to this path: Accounts > Access work or school.
Then click on Connect. This will open a new dialog box and from there, select the “Join this device to a local Active Directory domain” option.
Afterward, you will be asked to enter the username and password of your domain account.
Now select your Account type and when you proceed, you have to restart your computer. Your domain account should now be created.
Option 2 – Removing a domain
You need to open the Windows 10 Settings app.
And from there, go to this path: Accounts > Access work and school.
Next, select the account you want to remove from the domain and then click on Disconnect.
A prompt will then appear that says, “Are you sure you want to remove this account? This will remove your access to resources like email, apps, network, and all content associated with it. Your organization might also remove some data stored on this device”. Just click on Yes.
This will give you a Disconnect from the organization prompt.
Now click on Disconnect and select Restart now to restart your computer. This will complete the removal process of the domain.
If you were trying to print some documents but encounter the HIDCLASS.SYS Blue Screen error instead, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you in fixing any Blue Screen errors related to the HIDCLASS.SYS file. HIDCLASS.SYS is a Windows operating system driver file. HID or Human Interface Device includes Keyboards, mice, and other input devices.
HIDCLASS.SYS is a critical system driver file that is responsible for connecting different kinds of devices all over the system, including the functionality where a Word Processor can access the printer to print documents. This file comes under the category of kernel-mode device drivers and if the driver fails, it can result in a Stop Error. There are a lot of Stop errors related to the HIDCLASS.SYS file, such as:
KMODE EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED
SYSTEM SERVICE EXCEPTION
DRIVER POWER STATE FAILURE
PAGE FAULT IN A NONPAGED AREA
SYSTEM THREAD EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED
DRIVER VERIFIER IOMANAGER VIOLATION
IRQL NOT LESS EQUAL
The fixes for the Blue Screen errors related to the HIDCLASS.SYS files are pretty simple but before you troubleshoot the problem using these fixes, make sure that you boot your computer into Safe Mode with Networking first. After that, get started on these tips:
Option 1 – Update or rollback or disable concerned device drivers
To fix the HIDCLASS.SYS error, you can also try to roll back, or update, or disable the concerned device drivers.
Open the Devices Manager from the Win X Menu.
Then locate the device drivers particularly the ones that are under the sections of Keyboard, Mouse, USB, and HID Drivers.
Next, right-click on them to open the Properties.
After that, switch to the Driver tab and click on the Uninstall Device button.
Follow the screen option to completely uninstall it.
Finally, restart your computer. It will just reinstall the device drivers automatically.
Note: You can install a dedicated driver on your computer in case you have it or you could also look for it directly from the website of the manufacturer. On the other hand, if you have just updated your device drivers then you need to roll back the drivers to their previous versions or disable them.
Option 2 – Check for any incompatible devices
The next thing you can do to troubleshoot the HIDCLASS.SYS Stop error is to plug in and out each one of the different hardware that is connected to your computer. Doing so will help you determine which one of the hardware is the one that’s triggering the error to pop up. You will also know what hardware drivers or anything else that could be causing this error which includes external devices like mouse, keyboard, printer, as well as internally attached components like the Graphics card and so on.
Option 3 – Try running the ChkDsk utility
Running the ChkDsk utility can also help you resolve any Blue Screen errors related to the HIDCLASS.SYS file. To run this tool, refer to these steps:
First, open This PC and right-click on your operating system partition for Windows.
Next, click on Properties and navigate to the Tools tab.
Then click on Check under the Error Checking section.
After that, a new mini window will be opened and from there click on Scan drive and let it scan your disk drive partition for any errors and then restart your computer.
Option 4 – Try checking the Memory for any errors
Tap the Win + R keys to open Run and type exe and hit Enter to open the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool.
After that, it will give two options such as:
Restart now and check for problems (Recommended)
Check for problems the next time I start my computer
Once your computer has restarted, perform a basic scan or you could also go for the “Advanced” options such as “Test mix” or “Pass count”. Simply tap the F10 key to start the test.
Note: After you select the option, your PC will restart and check for memory-based issues. If it finds any issues, it will automatically fix them.
Option 5 – Run the System File Checker
System File Checker or SFC is a built-in command utility that helps in restoring corrupted files as well as missing files. It replaces bad and corrupted system files with good system files. To run the SFC command, follow the steps given below.
Type “cmd” in the Start search and then right-click on the appropriate search result.
Next, select “Run as administrator” to open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
After opening Command Prompt, type in sfc /scannow
The command will start a system scan which will take a few whiles before it finishes. Once it’s done, you could get the following results:
Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.
Now restart your computer and see if the Blue Screen error is fixed or not.
Error code 652 is a runtime error. It hampers you from accessing and running your program on your system. If not resolved, it can also lead to program corruption.
Solution
Error Causes
Runtime Error 652 can occur due to several causes. These include:
Conflict of color depth within icons, the desktop, or a particular application in the Visual Basic environment. This happens when the Image
List control consists of more colors than the depth of what Windows can support.
Other causes include:
Malicious software and malware attack
Conflict with Terminate
Invalid or corrupt registry
Further Information and Manual Repair
If you are not a computer programmer and don’t have any sound technical expertise, then you might think of hiring a professional to resolve the error on your PC. But this can be costly as you may have to pay hundreds of dollars to the technician.
However, an alternative way to resolve the error code 652 is to download the Total System Care. This PC repair tool is integrated with an intuitive registry cleaner and a powerful anti-virus. It is safe, efficient, user-friendly, and available for free.
Restoro is a multi-functional error tool and a one-stop solution to resolve practically all kinds of PC-related problems. By running this repair tool, you can fix runtime error code 652 on your system in seconds.
Restoro
What makes Restoro a hot favorite among PC users is that it is simple and easy to use.
To operate this PC fixer, you don’t need to have the sound technical knowledge or be adept at computer programming. It can be used by all levels of PC users including beginners and intermediates.
It has a neat and clean layout with simple instructions and navigation making it easy for users to resolve even the mightiest errors in just a few clicks.
Restoro features
Whether the underlying reason for the error code 652 is malicious software or registry corruption, Restoro takes care of all. Registry corruption occurs due to unnecessary files and data overload in the hard disk. This includes junk files, internet history, invalid registry entries, and bad registry keys.
The registry cleaner embedded in Restoro intuitively detects and scans all registry issues.
It wipes and clears the hard disk from all the unnecessary and obsolete files and thus cleans up your disk space. It repairs the corrupt registry and also boosts your PC’s performance.
Thus it not only repairs the error code 652 but also resolves system slowdown issues by optimizing your system’s speed.
With the help of its in-built anti-virus, it removes all the malicious software on your system that could be triggering the error code 652.
Data security threats such as malicious software are detected and scanned and listed under the privacy error utility.
It is compatible with all Windows versions including both the latest and old versions. You can run it to scan error code 652 on any Windows version you have installed on your computer.
Restoro for error Code 652
Furthermore, as mentioned above Error Code 652 is safe to use. It is bug-free and besides, it offers users outstanding data safety. It has a backup file feature that helps you save and create backup copies of all the data you have on your system. This is carried for safety purposes.
It enables users to retrieve and recover data in case the data and files are lost during the repair thus sparing you from a big loss.
The error code 652 may be critical but it can be resolved in seconds with Restoro. Here’s how:
To get started click here to download and install Restoro on your system
Once installed, run it to scan for errors. It will take only a few seconds to scan your entire PC.
Then simply create a backup and click on repair to resolve and resume your desired program.
For best results, it is advised to run Restoro on the computer often. This will help you detect PC errors and repair them timely. It will help you ensure proper PC maintenance, health, and performance.
One of the worst Blue Screen of Death errors you can encounter is the UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME BSOD on Windows 10. In this BSOD error, your computer won’t be able to properly boot. Meaning to say, even if you want to reinstall Windows, you won’t be able to back up your important files. Thus, it wouldn’t be really feasible to fix the system files, and besides, reinstalling Windows 10 would take a lot of time, not to mention resources.
The UNMOUNTABLE BOOT VOLUME error is the kind of BSOD error that occurs if Windows is not able to access the volume that contains the boot files. Resolving this BSOD error won’t be easy but you will surely manage by following the suggestions laid out below but before you go on, make sure to create a System Restore Point.
Option 1 – Try checking the hardware
If you got the UNMOUNTABLE BOOT VOLUME BSOD error while trying to update your computer to a higher version of Windows, then you need to check if you have the compatible drivers for the disk controller as well as re-check the drive cabling and make sure that it is properly configured. And if you’re reusing either ATA-100 or ATA-66 drivers, ensure that you have an 80-connector cable and not the standard 40-connector IDE cable.
Option 2 – Try using Automatic Repair
You might also want to use Automatic Repair in fixing the BSOD error. To do so, follow the steps below.
You can start by creating and booting from a bootable Windows 10 USB Stick.
After that, click on Repair your computer located in the bottom left corner when you are on the initial Windows Startup screen.
Next, click on Troubleshoot, and then on the other screen, click the Startup Repair option.
Now select the operating system you want to repair. Once you do that, it will start to repair your operating system. Wait until the process is completed and then check if the problem’s now fixed.
Option 3 – Try fixing the Master Boot Record or MBR
The MBR or Master Boot Record is the location and is where the architecture of the operating system is installed. Thus, if either the location or the architecture has tampered with, it can cause lots of BSOD errors like the UNMOUNTABLE BOOT VOLUME error.
Boot your computer into Safe mode with Networking using the Advanced startup options which you can access by tapping the F2 or F8 key. Once you’ve accessed the Advanced startup options.
After you access the Advanced Startup options, select Command Prompt by using the arrow keys on your keyboard.
After opening Command Prompt, execute the following command and hit Enter:
bootrec /fixboot
After entering the command, wait until the process is completed and then restart your computer to apply the changes made successfully.
Option 4 – Run the CHKDSK command to repair hard disk errors
Running the Chkdsk utility could help you fix the UNMOUNTABLE BOOT VOLUME error. If your hard drive has issues with integrity, the update will really fail as the system will think that it’s not healthy and that’s where the Chkdsk utility comes in. The Chkdsk utility repairs hard drive errors that might be causing the problem.
After you access the Advanced Startup options, select Command Prompt by using the arrow keys on your keyboard.
After opening Command Prompt, execute the following command and hit Enter:
chkdsk /f /r
The command you entered will scan the hard disk for any errors and will automatically fix it if it finds some issues. Wait for the process to be completed and then reboot your PC.
Microsoft sent an email to users on the Dev build channel saying that the company intends to push some builds that don’t represent what consumers will receive with Windows 11 when it officially releases. In other words, these are going to be some rather buggy builds that won’t be too enjoyable to use.
The company recommends users switch from the Dev to the beta channel if they aren’t prepared to deal with the instability.
We’ll have to wait and see just how buggy these builds are, but if Microsoft is actually sending out a warning about them it is very likely that builds will be plagued with issues and maybe even stability problems.
Back to Windows 10
How we can expect some buggy build of Windows 11 if you prefer a stable system over new features maybe best decision would be to switch back to Windows 10 until the new OS hits official release.
Switching from dev build channel to beta channel
Another solution, if you do not want to deal with too many issues, is to switch from Dev build channel to beta where things will be more stable. Follow the guide below in order to quickly switch to the beta channel.
Following instructions only apply to Windows 11 installations that are linked up to the Windows Insider program, not clean installation of OS.
Press ⊞ WINDOWS + I to open settings
Inside settings click on Windows update
In Windows Update click on Windows Insider Program
Inside click on Choose your Insider Settings
Click on the button next to Beta Channel to select it (you can switch back to the Dev channel here if you change your mind)
The setting will be saved automatically and from now on you will only receive beta channel updates.
Microsoft has started to use group along with every open window in the Taskbar ever since the release of Windows 10. Early on, they used to show an individual entry for each one of the windows after grouping them which makes the taskbar look cleaner and organized. However, the main issue lies in the fact that you have to hover on your desired window to get on to them. At the time of writing, you need to tap the Ctrl key and click on the taskbar icon to open the last active window but you have to only click on the program’s taskbar icon after you apply the tweak given in this post for the last active window to open. Take note that the “Last Active” windows feature will only work if the taskbar buttons are combined.
Before you get started doing the instructions given below, you need to create a System Restore Point first since you will be dealing with registry files and modifying some of the critical settings in Windows 10. Once you’ve done this, proceed to the given steps below.
Step 1: Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and then type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Step 2: If a User Account Control or UAC prompt appears, just click on Yes to proceed to open the Registry Editor.
Step 3: Next, navigate to the following registry path:
Step 4: From there, right-click on the right side of the panel and select New > DWORD (32-bit) and then name it “LastActiveClick”.
Step 5: After that, double click on the newly created DWORd to modify its value. Put “1” as its value data.
Step 6: Then click OK and close the Registry Editor.
Step 7: Now restart your computer to successfully apply the changes made.
Note: In case you want to revert back to the default configuration, all you have to do is set the value data of LastActiveClick to “0” or simply delete that DWORD and restart your computer to successfully apply the changes made.
In today's world any professional, whatever be design, print, web design or similar is using one or more Adobe programs. Adobe has cemented itself as a must-have software for any kind of serious and even amateur work. Sadly in the latest Windows 11 adobe software in some instances can slow down your computer and put some hard load on the CPU. If you are one of these unfortunate users, keep reading because we have a few things you can do to solve this.
1. Run SFC scan
SFC scan is a built-in Windows tool aimed at diagnosing and repairing system files inside Windows itself. Running an SFC scan usually solves most issues of these kinds so we will try that one first.
Press ⊞ WINDOWS + S to open the Search bar and type in cmd
Select command prompt and on the right side click on Run as administrator
Inside command prompt type in: sfc /scannow and press ENTER
Wait for the whole process to finish and reboot your system
2. Update Windows
Windows updates are designed to fix issues and solve problems, check to see if a new update is available to install.
Press ⊞ WINDOWS + I to open the Settings app
Click on Windows Update in the bottom left pane
On the right check visually if there is an update pending and if there is, install it
3. Temporary turn off antivirus and firewall
Antivirus and firewall can interfere with adobe applications and background services, try turning your preferred protection software temporarily off and check if your CPU is still under high load.
4. Reinstall Adobe suite
Uninstall and install a clean version of the adobe creative suite or individual applications that you are using. Check your CPU load after reinstallation.
5. Uninstall Adobe CEF Helper
This is not a really advisable course of action but if non of the previous solutions have produced results then this might be the only option if you would like to keep using the software. Open File Explorer and paste the following line in the path box on top: C\:Program Files>Adobe Systems>Adobe CEF Helper or Adobe Creative Cloud >Adobe CEF Helper_uninstall.exe. Double click on the file and uninstall the CFT helper.
In today's modern world many households have internet access, most of the connection nowadays is done via Wi-Fi or wireless but there is a high probability that you have also a few devices connected via cable. There are of course many disadvantages and advantages between cable connection and wireless connection.
The main advantages of a hard cable connection are of course faster speed and stability compared to Wi-Fi. But if we look into the cables themselves there is also a big difference between them. Not all cables are the same and quality as well as speed vary a lot between them. Choosing the right cable is essential in order to make a maximum of your internet and we have some great tips and explanations of what cables do so you can make the right choice and enjoy your full internet potential.
Not all cables are the same
Cheap cables and expensive ones are not the same no matter what everyone tells you. The old proverb you get what you pay is true and more expensive cables will be made from better materials and will have a higher transfer rate.
Quality network cables are separated into different categories with proper markings and when buying one you should always look for these markings on the cables themselves, do not buy cables that do not have markings since they will often provide lower transfer rates or will not be shielded from outside influences resulting in packet drops and instability in a network.
Categories and what they mean are:
Cat-5 with a maximum speed of 100Mbps, typically unshielded.
Cat-5e with a maximum speed of 1Gbps, available in both shielded and unshielded varieties.
Cat-6 with a maximum speed of 10Gbps for runs under 55 meters (around 180ft), available in both shielded and unshielded varieties.
Cat-6a with a maximum speed of 10Gbps, shielded.
Cat-7 uses a proprietary GG45 connector rather than the standard RJ-45 connector seen on other cables for speeds of 10Gbps, shielded.
Cat-8 with a maximum speed of 25Gbps (Cat-8.1) or 40Gbps (Cat-8.2) at a distance of around 30 meters (around 100ft), shielded.
Unless stated, these standards are typically rated at their quoted speeds for a run of around 100 meters (around 330 ft) and use a standard RJ-45 Ethernet connector. Each generation of cable is designed to be compatible with the generations that came before it, so it’s possible (for example) to use a Cat-6a cable with a router that only supports speeds of 1Gbps.
Shielded cables
When purchasing higher quality cable you might not be able to choose if you have shielding or not since some standards like Cat-6a, Cat-7, and Cat-8 are always shielded. But if you do not have the need for these and you are satisfied with Cat-5e for example you can choose.
Shielded cables are a little more expensive but they will provide you with a coating that will eliminate interference from outside waves making cables more reliable. Of course, if the cable will go through a room that does not have many radio waves or some other interferences then buying a shielded cable is a waste of money.
Cable platings
Usually, there are two types of connector platings on connectors, silver, and gold, and people usually think that gold is much better but there are major differences between silver and gold platings and truth to be told there is no better one, both are different and should be considered depending on your need.
Silver plating will provide you with faster speed since its conductivity is larger than gold, but gold is slower on the oxidation front so its life span is longer. On the other hand, if your cables are always connecting and disconnecting gold will be first to be scrubbed off from the surface since the gold coating is much thinner.
Overall if you would only connect cable once and have slower internet than cable capacity gold is the way to go, in another case if you would use the cable as always connecting and switching and your internet plan is the same as cable transfer capacity you might want to go with silver one.
Cable material quality
Network cables are made from copper, your standard conduction material but even here there are differences in quality and therefore the chance of pocket losses over it. More quality less loss and more stable connection and this will depend on the purity of copper that is used in the cable itself. More purity in copper, more stability, simple as that.
Conclusion
So as you can see, there are a lot of different things that will influence your pick of proper network cable but the overall best advice is to get one that will fit well into your needs and setup. pair it up with your router and your internet plan since just simply buying something that you can not use is really a waste of money.
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.