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Renaming items in the Win+X menu

As you know, the Win + X menu, which is the shortcut context menu, is a useful way to launch several utilizes in Windows such as Power Options, Windows PowerShell, Event Viewer, Device Manager, and so on. However, there are times when you might experience difficulty in identifying the required utility. This is actually a part of the Windows 10 shell that goes out of scope in the customization of Windows 10. However, there is an easy trick you can use to do that. So in this post, you will be guided on how you can rename the options in the Win + X menu in Windows 10.

In case you don’t know, the context menu is divided into three groups. Microsoft has categorized the bottom-most part as Group 1, while the middle part is categorized as Group 2 and the first part as Group 3. To rename these options, you need to use File Explorer and follow the instructions laid out below.

Step 1: First, tap the Win + E keys to open File Explorer.

Step 2: Next, navigate to this path: %LocalAppdata%MicrosoftWindowsWinX

Step 3: From there, you should see three folders as Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3. Open the appropriate folder of your choice.

Step 4: After that, right-click on the shortcut option you want to rename and then select Properties.

Step 5: Next, navigate to the Shortcut tab under the Properties window.

Step 6: Now in the text field of Comment, enter the new name of the option you selected.

Step 7: Click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made.

Note: You can now either Sign back in or sign out of your Windows 10 User Account to see the result of the changes you’ve made. You could also restart the process of File Explorer via Task Manager. This will close the File Explorer as well as the shell components and then only launch the shell components again. In addition, you can check the Win + X menu to see the customized name that you’ve just set for a particular option. As you can see, even though it does not add anything extra, it is still a lot better in knowing how you can customize it.

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Disable non MS store apps in Windows 11
Disable non MS store apps in Windows 11 post pictureYou can prevent starting of app installations files if they have not come from the MS store inside Windows 11. This can make your PC more secure because all apps in the store will have to be digitally signed and overall it can provide you with more control over what will be installed. Follow the guide below to find out how can you easily turn this feature ON.
  1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + I to open Windows settings
  2. Select Apps and then choose Apps & Features
  3. Click on Choose where to get apps to bring a drop-down menu
  4. Select The Microsoft Store only (Recommended)
  5. Close settings
Settings will apply changes immediately and you continue using Windows right away. With these settings turned ON if you want to install a downloaded application or run the installer you will not be able to, and message The app you’re trying to install isn’t a Microsoft-verified app will show on your screen. You can always reverse this setting by choosing Anywhere in settings instead of Microsoft store only.
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How to Fix Error Code 0xc0000001 on Windows 10

Error Code 0xc0000001 – What Is It?

Error code 0xc0000001 on Windows 10 has been reported by some users when attempting to install Windows 10. When you encounter this error, the setup will be in a loop and the error message will keep popping up.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

If you encounter the error code 0xc0000001 while trying to install Windows 10, it most probably be due to corrupted installation file. However, it can also be caused by any of the following:”

  • Damaged SAM file
  • Damaged system files
  • File system integrity compromised
  • Damaged RAM

Further Information and Manual Repair

Here are some methods that will help you fix the error code 0xc0000001 while trying to install Windows 10. Do not perform these methods unless you’re absolutely confident you can do it properly. Otherwise, you might make things worse.

If you’re not that confident, consider seeking advice from a technical expert. If you can’t afford one, you may want to consider getting an automated software to fix the job.

Method 1: Convert drive/partition to GPT

If you need to manually wipe the drive and then convert it to GPT, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Power down your computer and put your Windows 10 installation DVD or USB drive
  • Step 2: Boot your computer to the USB or DVD key in UEFI mode.
  • Step 3: Once you’re at the Windows 10 Setup, press the Shift+F10 keys. This will open the command prompt window.
  • Step 4: Open diskpart tool from CMD. Just type diskpart and enter.
  • Step 5: Then, type the list disk on CMD again. Press enter. This will allow you to identify your computer’s drive that you want to reformat.
  • Step 6: Choose the drive and reformat it by typing the following on the command prompt:

select disk <disk number> (press enter)

clean (press enter)

convert gpt (press enter)

exit (press enter)

  • Step 7: Proceed with the Windows 10 Setup installation.

Note: when you’re prompted to choose the installation type, make sure to choose Custom. Then, choose unallocated space and click Next. This will automatically start the installation of Windows 10.

Method 2: Use Media Creation Tool to Perform Automatic Repair

Automatic Repair is a Windows feature/utility that allows you to fix certain system problems preventing you from installing or starting Windows. It works by scanning your computer system for any potential problem and tries to fix it.

  • Step 1: Download the Media Creation Tool
  • Step 2: Boot your computer using the Windows 10 DVD, or the System Repair disc. When you’re asked to press any key to boot, just press any key on your keyboard.
  • Step 3: Choose the right time and the keyboard type.
  • Step 4: Click Repair your computer. You’ll see this in the lower-left corner of your screen.
  • Step 5: Choose Troubleshoot from Choose an option screen
  • Step 6: Click Advanced options
  • Step 7: Choose an automatic repair

This will automatically run the utility.

Method 3: Check Hardware Devices

Another possible reason why you are getting this error while installing Windows 10 is due to the connected external hard drives. To fix this, power down your computer. Afterward, unplug and remove all connected external hard drives. If you’re using USB device to install Windows 10, ensure your BIOS is set to boot your computer from the USB.

Method 4: Create New Copy of Windows 10 Installer

Another possible reason why you experience this error is that your copy of the Windows 10 installer is corrupted. To fix this, it’s better to create a new copy of the Windows 10 installer.

  • Step 1: Go to this link
  • Step 2: Click the Download tool now. Choose Run with admin privileges
  • Step 3: On What do you want to do? section, choose installation media for another PC. Click Next.
  • Step 4: Select edition, language, and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit).
  • Step 5: Choose the media you want to use. If you want to use a USB flash drive, make sure the device at least has 5GB of free space. If you’re using an ISO file, you need to save the file first on your computer and then burn the file to a DVD.

Method 5: Use a Powerful Automated Tool

If you still encounter these errors after performing the above methods, find a trustworthy automated tool. As long as the automated tool is powerful and reliable, it will help you fix this error.

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Airplane Mode turns on by itself in Windows
As you know, Airplane mode is the one that gets devices in such a state where all the wireless connections are turned off. However, recently, there are some reports from users claiming that the Airplane Mode turns on by itself in their Windows 10 computers. This kind of problem could be due to an error with the Network driver, third-party applications, and many other factors. Other users also reported that the Airplane Mode automatically flickers, while some stated that they aren’t able to toggle the option for Airplane mode. There are several options you can try to resolve this problem. You can try to configure the Power Management settings for the driver or run the Network troubleshooter. You could also roll back, reinstall or update the Network driver, as well as troubleshoot the problem in a Clean Boot State. For more details, follow each one of the given options below.

Option 1 – Try configuring the Power Management settings for the driver

The first thing you can do to fix the problem is to try configuring the Power Management settings for the driver. How? Refer to these steps:
  • Tap the Win + X keys to open the WinX menu and from there, select the Device Manager to open it.
  • Next, expand the Network adapters and select the entry for your Wi-Fi hardware.
  • After that, right-click on it and select Properties.
  • From there, go to the Power Management tab and uncheck the “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” option.
  • Once done, restart your computer and see if it has fixed the problem.

Option 2 – Try to run the Network troubleshooter

To run the Network Troubleshooter, refer to these steps:
  • Open the Search bar on your computer and type in “troubleshoot” to open the Troubleshoot settings.
  • Next, scroll down and select the “Network Adapter” option from the right pane.
  • Then click on the Run Troubleshooter” button.
  • After that, your computer will check for any possible errors and will pinpoint the root cause of the problem if possible.
  • Restart your computer.

Option 3 – Try to update, rollback or reinstall the Network adapter drivers

The next thing you can do to resolve the problem is to update the Network Adapter drivers by following these steps:
  • Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run window and then type in the “devmgmt.msc” command and hit Enter to open the Device Manager window.
  • Under the Device Manager, you will see a list of drivers. From there, look for the Network Adapters and expand them.
  • Look for the Broadcom Network Adapter and right-click on it, as well as other network adapters that have an exclamation icon, and update them all.
  • Restart your PC and see if it helped in fixing the problem.
Note: If updating the network drivers didn’t help in fixing the problem, you can also try to roll back the very same drivers from their previous versions and restart your Windows 10 PC. After that, the system itself will reinstall the drivers you just uninstalled. Alternatively, you can also download and install the drivers from the manufacturer’s website directly. To reinstall the network adapter drivers, refer to these steps:
  • Open the Devices Manager from the Win X Menu.
  • Then locate the device drivers and 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.

Option 4 – Try to reset the Network Adapter

You can also try to perform a Network Reset to resolve the problem. This will reset the entire network configuration including your IP address. To perform Network Reset, follow these steps:
  • Tap the Win + I keys to open Settings.
  • From there, go to the Network and Internet section.
  • Next, scroll down and look for “Network Reset” under the status pane.
  • After that, click on Network Reset and then on Reset now to start resetting the network configuration. Once done, check if it is able to fix the error or not.

Option 5 – Try putting your computer in a Clean Boot State

You can also troubleshoot the problem in a Clean Boot state. It could be that there are some third-party applications in your computer that are causing the Airplane Mode to behave in a strange way. So, to isolate this possibility, you need to boot your computer in a Clean Boot State be using these steps:
  • Log onto your PC as an administrator.
  • Type in MSConfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
  • From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
  • Clear the “Load Startup items” check box and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
  • Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” check box.
  • Click Disable all.
  • Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)
  • After you’ve set your computer into a Clean Boot State, try to observe if the Airplane mode is now back to normal or not.
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Deleting a User Account in Windows
There are instances when there are multiple accounts which is the result when there are a lot of users who use the computer. Some may use it more often, while others may seldom use it. Having multiple accounts can be quite confusing and inconvenient especially if it takes a lot of space. Thus, in this post, you will be guided on how you can delete a User Account on your Windows 10 computer, as well as how you can create a backup of the existing profile data and files. All the data of user accounts can be found at C:/Users, where its folder name will be exactly the same as the name of the user. You can check the exact user’s name by simply using the “net user” command either via Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell. Once you delete a user account, its folder, along with its files, will also be deleted. You can also create a backup for user files and the best way to do that is by copying the folder to other partitions or to an external drive. Here are two methods you can check out to delete a user account in Windows 10 – you can do it via Windows Account settings or via the command line. For more details, follow each one of the options provided below.

Option 1 – Delete the user account using Windows Account settings

  • First, go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
  • Next, select the account you want to delete and click on the Remove button. This will open a confirmation window along with a warning message and two buttons that say, “Delete account & data” and “Cancel”.
  • Click on the Delete account & data button to delete the user account.
Note: Once you remove a user account, it will also remove all its corresponding data such as items like Documents, Photos, Music, Desktop, and other related folders. Thus, if you have not created a backup, then you won’t be able to recover those files.

Option 2 – Delete the user account using the command line

If you want to delete several user accounts, then doing it via Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell is a lot quicker. To get started, follow these steps:
  • In the Start Search, type “command prompt” and from the search results that appear, right-click on Command Prompt and select the “Run as administrator” option.
  • Next, type the “net user” command and hit Enter to execute it. This will show you the exact usernames on the computer.
  • After that, type the “net user <username> /delete” command and hit Enter to execute it. This will delete the account and all of its data without any warning. You have to replace “<username>” with the name of the user account.
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Upcoming Windows 11 features

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.

windows 11 new fetures full screen widgets

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.

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Change default audio output for Narrator
For PC users that are blind or have low vision, the Narrator accessibility feature in Windows 10, lets you use your PC without a display or mouse to complete common tasks – it reads and interacts with things on the screen, like text and buttons. The narrator can be used to read and write an email, browse the internet, and work with documents. In Windows 10, there are a lot of options for Narrator that you can customize. You can change its keyboard shortcuts, personalize Narrator’s voice, enable Caps Lock warnings, and more. You can choose the voice for the Narrator, adjust the speaking rate, pitch, and volume. To change the default audio output device used to play the voice of the Narrator in Windows 10:
  • Press the ⊞ WINDOWS + I
  • From the Settings menu, click Ease of Access.
  • Click Narrator on the left pane.
  • In the Narrator window, on the right pane, toggle the button to On to enable Narrator if required.
  • Scroll down to the Personalize Narrator’s voice section.
  • For the Select where you hear Narrator’s voice option, click the drop-down and select the audio output device you want from the list. Please know that you will not be able to choose if you do not have multiple audio output devices connected to your Windows 10 computer.
  • Exit Settings when done.
If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit errortools.com daily.
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NewTabAid Malware Removal Guide

New Tab Aid is an extension for Google Chrome. It is published by Spigot Inc. It is classified as a potentially unwanted browser hijacker as it injects Yahoo search into your new tab windows. This extension also adds recently viewed tabs under the search bar. It also redirects all your searches to Yahoo instead of your default browser search engine. It is often found bundled with other software found on the internet and not installed directly by the user. For these reasons, numerous anti-malware utilities flag New Tab Aid as potentially unwanted or malicious.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijackers (sometimes called hijackware) are a kind of malicious software that changes internet browser configurations without the user’s knowledge or permission. These types of hijacks appear to be increasing at an alarming rate around the world, and they could be actually nefarious and often harmful too. Browser hijackers could do more than just modifying homepages. The idea is to force users to visit specific websites that are looking to improve their website visitor traffic and produce higher ad earnings. Even though it may seem naive, all browser hijackers are damaging and therefore always regarded as security risks. Browser hijackers can even allow other vicious programs without your knowledge to further damage your personal computer.

Major signs that your web browser has been hijacked

There are numerous signs of browser hijacking: 1. the home page of your respective web browser is changed all of a sudden 2. you see new unwanted bookmarks or favorites added, typically directed to advertisement-filled or pornography sites 3. the default web browser settings are changed and/or your default web engine is altered 4. unwanted new toolbars are added to your browser 5. you observe numerous ads show up on your browsers or computer screen 6. your web browser gets sluggish, buggy crashes regularly 7. Inability to navigate to particular websites, particularly anti-malware and other security software sites.

How does a browser hijacker infect a computer?

Browser hijackers might use drive-by downloads or file-sharing networks or even an email attachment in order to reach a targeted computer. Many web browser hijackings come from add-on applications, i.e., toolbars, browser helper objects (BHO), or plug-ins added to browsers to provide them additional features. Browser hijackers sneak into your computer in addition to free software application downloads also that you unintentionally install alongside the original. Popular examples of browser hijackers include Conduit, CoolWebSearch, Coupon Server, OneWebSearch, RocketTab, Searchult.com, Snap.do, and Delta Search. Browser hijacking can result in severe privacy issues and also identity theft, affect your browsing experience by taking control of outgoing traffic, substantially slows down your personal computer by consuming a lot of resources, and cause system instability also.

How to fix a browser hijack

Certain browser hijacking could be quite easily stopped by discovering and eliminating the corresponding malware software through your control panel. However, most hijackers are hard to get rid of manually. No matter how much you attempt to remove it, it may come back again and again. Moreover, browser hijackers could modify the Windows registry therefore it can be very hard to repair manually, particularly when you’re not a very tech-savvy individual.

Virus Blocking Access To Safebytes Site And Preventing Anti-Malware Downloads - What To Do?

Malware can cause all kinds of damage if they invade your computer, from stealing sensitive information to deleting files on your computer system. Certain malware goes to great lengths to stop you from installing anything on your computer system, especially anti-malware software programs. If you’re reading this, you probably have affected by malware that prevents you from installing a computer security application like Safebytes Anti-Malware. Although this sort of issue will be tougher to get around, there are a few actions you can take.

Eliminate malware in Safe Mode

If any malware is set to load immediately when Microsoft Windows starts, getting into Safe Mode could block this attempt. Just minimal required applications and services are loaded whenever you start your personal computer into Safe Mode. The following are the steps you need to follow to take out viruses in Safemode. 1) Tap the F8 key repeatedly as soon as your PC boots, however, before the large Windows logo shows up. This should bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2) Select Safe Mode with Networking with arrow keys and hit ENTER. 3) When this mode loads, you should have the internet. Now, obtain the malware removal application you want by using the web browser. To install the software, follow the directions within the installation wizard. 4) Once the application is installed, let the diagnostic scan run to eliminate viruses and other threats automatically.

Switch over to an alternate browser

Malicious program code may exploit vulnerabilities on a particular browser and block access to all anti-malware software sites. The most effective solution to avoid this issue is to choose a browser that is well known for its security measures. Firefox contains built-in Malware and Phishing Protection to keep you safe online.

Install and run antivirus from your USB drive

Another way is to download and transfer an antivirus application from a clean computer to run a scan on the affected system. Do these simple measures to clean up your affected computer using a portable antivirus. 1) Download the anti-malware program on a virus-free computer. 2) Insert the USB drive on the same system. 3) Double-click the exe file to open the installation wizard. 4) When asked, select the location of the pen drive as the place in which you want to put the software files. Follow the instructions on the computer screen to finish off the installation process. 5) Now, transfer the USB drive to the infected computer. 6) Double-click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the pen drive to run the software. 7) Run Full System Scan to detect and get rid of all sorts of malware.

Ensure the Safety of Your PC by Installing SafeBytes Anti-Malware

These days, anti-malware software can protect your computer from various types of internet threats. But exactly how to decide on the best one among many malware protection application that is available on the market? As you might be aware, there are several anti-malware companies and products for you to consider. Some of them are good, some are ok types, and some will destroy your computer themselves! When searching for antimalware software, pick one that provides reliable, efficient, and full protection against all known viruses and malware. One of the highly recommended software by industry experts is SafeBytes Anti-Malware, the most dependable program for Microsoft Windows. SafeBytes anti-malware is a powerful, very effective protection tool designed to assist end-users of all levels of computer literacy in detecting and eliminating malicious threats out of their computer. This program could easily detect, remove, and protect your computer from the most advanced malware attacks including spyware, adware, trojan horses, ransomware, parasites, worms, PUPs, along with other possibly damaging software programs. SafeBytes has excellent features when compared to various other anti-malware programs. Let’s look into some of them below: Active Protection: Malware programs trying to get into the computer are discovered and stopped as and when detected by the SafeBytes real-time protection shields. This tool will constantly monitor your computer for any suspicious activity and updates itself continuously to keep current with the latest threats. Antimalware Protection: With its enhanced and sophisticated algorithm, this malware removal tool can identify and remove the malware threats hiding in your PC effectively. Web Security: Safebytes allots all websites a unique safety rating that helps you to get an idea of whether the webpage you’re about to visit is safe to browse or known to be a phishing site. Lightweight: SafeBytes is well known for its minimal impact on computer resources and great detection rate of diverse threats. It operates quietly and efficiently in the background so you are free to utilize your personal computer at full power all of the time. 24/7 Customer Service: For any technical concerns or product assistance, you can get 24/7 professional assistance through chat and email.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove NewTabAid 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 NewTabAid

Files: C:windowssystem32services.exe C:Windowswinsxsamd64_microsoft-windows-s..s-servicecontroller_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_2b54b20ee6fa07b1services.exe C:WindowsInstallerbbee3ba2-89af-930c-bb78-1fb4e17db3cc C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsw1.tmp C:c0b5e060b7e0becc89a6b6111a8644db7612072dc9a02f5bd32dc25dc459d7 C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsw2.tmp C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsg3.tmp C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsg3.tmpSM.dll C:WINDOWSRegistrationR000000000007.clb C:WINDOWSsystem32rsaenh.dll C:c0b5e060b7e0becc89a6b6111a8644db7612072dc9a02f5bd32dc25dc459d7 C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsw2.tmp C:WINDOWSRegistrationR000000000007.clb C:WINDOWSsystem32rsaenh.dll c:autoexec.bat C:WINDOWSsystem32cmd.exe C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Temp~sp4.tmp.exe C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsb6.tmp C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsw2.tmp C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsg3.tmpSM.dll C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsg3.tmpSystem.dll C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsg3.tmp.dll C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsg3.tmpNSISdl.dll C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsg3.tmppixel C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Temp~sp4.tmp.exe C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsb6.tmp C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsb7.tmpSystem.dll C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsb7.tmpSM.dll C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsw1.tmp C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsg3.tmp C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsg3.tmpNSISdl.dll C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsg3.tmppixel C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsg3.tmpSM.dll C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsg3.tmpSystem.dll C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Temp~sp4.tmp C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsr5.tmp C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsb7.tmp C:DOCUME~1USER~1LOCALS~1Tempnsb7.tmpSM.dll Registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREWow6432NodeMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunRandom.exe HKCUSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunRandom.exe HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEsoftwaremicrosoftwindowscurrentversionpoliciesexplorerEnableShellExecuteHooks= 1 (0x1) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionpoliciesExplorerrunRandom.exe
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New focus sessions in Windows 11
focus sessionWindows and Devices chief Panos Panay has revealed new focus sessions feature that will be in Windows 11 on his Twitter account today. He himself is referring to it as a game-changer especially with Spotify integration.

So what is a focus session?

From the video clip provided on Twitter, we can see that focus session users will be able to choose a specific task from the previously made task list, choose songs that will play in the background while the task is active, and set a timer for the chosen task with breaks. Maybe the best comparison and explanation would be a desktop google calendar task with music, basically, that’s it. A neat and good organizer inside your Windows 11 operating system. I think that this is generally a good idea and for sure it will find its audience.
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What Is Phishing And How Can You Protect Yourself From It?

Ever gotten an e-mail offer that seemed just a little bit too good to be true? Might’ve been a phishing attempt! These are everywhere and can come in many different forms. 

So what’s phishing exactly, how can you detect it and how can you keep safe?

What is phishing?

Phishing (pronounced like fishing) is a type of cyberattack that tricks the user into trusting the source and revealing sensitive information. Fishing being the perfect analogy, the bait is a legitimate-looking site, e-mail or file and when you take a bite, your identity, banking information and much more can be revealed and stolen.

Phishing Illustration
Credit: Anne Nygård on Unsplash

Some phishing attempts are incredibly obvious, others are super elaborate. Like with most types of malware, cybercriminals have become extremely well-versed in phishing and anyone can fall for it. To help you recognize and avoid it, we’ll take you through a couple of phishing types and give you tips on what to do if faced with them.

Phishing techniques

E-mail phishing

This is actually the most common type of phishing. A cybercriminal creates an e-mail containing stuff like attractive offers, legitimate-looking attachments or links and makes it appear as though it’s coming from a trusted source.

Illustration of Email Phishing
Credit: Justin Morgan on Unsplash

For example, it looks like it’s coming from your bank or your favorite retailer. The logo looks legit and the structure of the e-mail seems familiar, so you might get tricked into clicking on whatever clickable content is in it.

Unfortunately this exposes your device to malware that hands your data off to the hacker, who can decide what to do with it further.

SMS and social media phishing

Like the above example, you could be approached with lucrative offers or links via text messages or social media messages. Typically, the messages seem relevant to the user as they will be made to look like they’re related to apps or services you’re using.

Voice phishing

Voice phishing attacks are schemes that appear as though they’re coming from a credible number. Normally, you’ll get a call about something related to credit cards or taxes to get you into a state of worry, leading you to disclose personal information on the phone.

Spear phishing, whaling and BEC

Spear phishing normally targets specific individuals within a company who are likely to have access to sensitive data. Spear phishers spend time collecting information they can use to reach out to the individual looking as trustworthy as possible. They’ll typically lead with something relevant, for example mentioning an upcoming company event, and make a seemingly legitimate request.

Whaling is a more elaborate form of spear phishing, which targets people in even stronger positions such as executives or high-value individuals. The ultimate goal is to get them to transfer financial or other sensitive information that can be used to compromise the entire business.

Spear Phishing Illustration
Credit: Azamat E on Unsplash

BEC, or Business e-mail compromise, is a specific spear phishing technique carried out via e-mail. While there are many ways this is done, most commonly you’ll see instances where the phisher poses as a CEO or similar executive, or as a lower-level employee in specific positions (e.g. sales managers or financial controllers).

In the first situation, the impersonator reaches out to employees requesting them to transfer certain files or pay invoices. In the second situation, the phisher takes control of the employee’s e-mail account and sends false instructions to other employees in order to obtain data and information from them.

What can you do?

There are many ways you can be aware and spot a phishing attempt. Here are some tips:

  • Always check the sender’s address in your e-mails, even when they seem to come from a familiar source.
  • In any instance where payment information is requested, be very, very careful.
  • If you are receiving attachments you never asked for and definitely didn’t expect, better not click on them. 
  • Beware of content that transmits a sense of urgency (sales deals, urgent updates to login credentials, etc.).
  • Bad spelling and grammar are usually a telltale sign of phishing.
  • Links that look shortened (e.g. Bit.ly) or just suspicious in general - if you have a bad feeling, do not click on them.
  • If you are receiving threats, you probably shouldn’t be clicking on anything in that message.
  • Always examine first-time senders in detail.
  • Block suspicious e-mail addresses, numbers and social media accounts.
  • If you are receiving a coupon for free stuff… You aren’t.
  • If you’re being asked to update your payment details by a service you use, such as Netflix, chances are it’s an impersonator.

Those are some of the ways to identify and prevent phishing attacks. However, sometimes phishers disguise themselves a little too well or a misclick happens and there you go - you’ve been exposed to malware.

Illustration of a Lock on Keyboard Keys
Credit: FLY:D on Unsplash

This won’t happen if you invest in powerful protection software from the get-go, though. A good antivirus program like Bitdefender will keep you safe from becoming a victim of phishing scams. In fact, it will protect you from malicious attacks overall.

Be it your household or your business you’re concerned about, there are a bunch of different packages and options available, providing different kinds of cybersecurity services. That’s the only way you can ever really be sure you aren’t at risk of a digital attack.

Summary

Have you ever been targeted by phishers and didn’t know that’s what it was until you read this article? Many can relate. Protect yourself before it’s too late!

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Fix No Internet, Secured in Windows 10
Strange and anxious message no internet, secured can happen even during when everything is ok and you do indeed have internet. So in order to fix this issue please keep on reading.

Reset Router

Most a simple and most straightforward solution and 80% of the time it works like a charm. Before trying other solutions, try this simple one.

Run the Networking Troubleshooter

  1. Run the build-in Windows 10 troubleshooter for networking.
  2. To do this, right-click Start then select Settings
  3. In the Settings window, click Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Internet Connections > Run the troubleshooter then follow the instructions

Device Manager solution

The Windows device manager is the place where you can update, disable and re-enable, and reinstall your devices, including the network adapter which is most likely the cause of this issue. In Device Manager, click Network adapters then locate your network adapter and right-click on it
Do the following things in order presented:
  1. Update driver.
  2. Disable device, enable Flight mode in the taskbar, reboot PC, then Enable device and turn off Flight mode.
  3. Uninstall device, reboot PC, reinstall the device if it was not installed automatically

Refresh IP Configuration

Refreshing your IP configuration reassigns your IP address, which will fix the problem if it was down to your IP allocation issues Open the Command Prompt, then enter the following commands:

Reset Winsock

There are a couple of other things you can try in the command prompt. The Winsock protocol controls a big chunk of your computer’s communication with network services and resetting it will reset many of those under-the-hood elements to their default settings. Enter the following into the command prompt:

Fix Connection’s Properties

Click the Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) connection icon in the taskbar, then Network & Internet Settings. In the new window, click Change adapter options then right-click the affected connection and click Properties.
In the Properties window, make sure all the following boxes are ticked:
  • Client for Microsoft Networks
  • File and Printer Sharing
  • Internet Protocol Version 4
  • Internet Protocol Version 6
  • Link-layer Topology Discovery Responder
Click OK and restart PC.

Disable iPv6

IPv6 is the relatively new Internet protocol that more and more PCs are using due to the fact that the number of available IPv4 addresses is simply running out. Not all networking equipment and ISPs play nice with iPv6, however, so if you have this switched on, then it could be interfering with your connection. If you suspect this might be the issue, uncheck the IPv6 box under your connection’s Properties.
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