Truth about private and incognito browsing

Privacy is a hot topic lately in all circles so naturally themes like private or incognito browsing pop up immediately as discussion topics. Naturally, when discussing private or incognito browsing it is very important to understand what exactly private or incognito browsing is, what does it do and how it works in order to shed some light on is it really private and safe as we are told.

So, when you browse the internet normally websites have tendencies to save your browsing data, save cookies, remember passwords, etc in order to provide you with a better surfing experience next time you visit that same site. Private or incognito browsing treats you as a completely new user which is the first time visiting a given website. It clears all your data, including your browsing history, cookies, etc., on exiting. Every website you visit in private or incognito mode treats you as a new visitor, even if you have visited it before in incognito mode.

And basically, that's it. So is it really private? No, it is just a non-remembering mode of internet browsing where after your browsing session history and other data is cleared from the browser, but while you are on the internet you are pretty visible to all like any other normal user.

There are a lot of misconceptions and wrong thinking about browsing the internet in this mode so let's take a look at some typical ones.

  1. The government and other companies can not track me

    Many people think that the Government cannot trace their identity when they surf privately. This is only a myth. There are many ways by which the Government can reach you if you do something illegal. When you surf online, you are connected with an ISP of your area, which helps the officials track your location.

  2. Virus and other malware can not infect me while in private or incognito mode

    Many people think that private mode protects them from virus and malware attacks. It is not true because malware and viruses can enter your PC through a software download, phishing email, etc. To protect your PC from virus and malware attacks, you should have good security software.

  3. My IP address is hidden when I am in incognito or private browsing mode

    This is not 100% true. If you search “What is my IP” in incognito and standard mode, you will get the same results. This means that websites can view your IP address in private mode also. Using a VPN would be a good option if you want to hide your IP.

  4. I can not be tracked via ads

    Since cookies are deleted after exiting private browsing, many people think that ads cannot track them. When you surf in incognito mode, the browser saves cookies in a temporary mode, allowing ads to track you during your entire private browsing session.

  5. I am not visible when I am in incognito or private

    You may think if you sign in to your Gmail or other social media accounts in private mode, no one will see you online. This is not true. It does not matter whether you have signed into your account in normal mode or incognito mode; others can always spot you online.

In your regular browsing mode, you may have some addons, extensions, themes, etc installed and you can use them. They may track your activities. The data is deleted when you exit the browser.

When you use the private browsing mode, the browser is loaded in its original form, typically without the installed addons, extension, themes, etc. The data gets deleted when you exit the browser. This mode doesn’t save data to disk but keeps it in memory during the current session.

If you are really concerned about your privacy we have articles about using DuckDuckGo and deep web where you can be sure that your browsing sessions are encrypted.

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Screen of death colors in Windows 10
Receiving a screen of death is not a pleasant experience at all and most users would agree that they would very much like not to face one during their work with the computer. Sadly PC is not a perfect machine and it is not working in a perfect environment so errors happen. The most famous and well-known death screen is blue which is also the most common one, my bet would be that there is not a user which has not been faced with this blue error screen. There is no simple explanation why these stop errors occur as several factors can be involved. However, it is known that the malfunctioning of hardware drivers or drivers that are installed by third-party software drive this unwanted change. But did you know that there is more colors for infamous death screens and not just blue one? Microsoft has coded different errors to different colors in the goal for the technical team to be aware right away of what type and kind of error they are dealing with. Color for screen errors are: Blue, Black, Pink, Brown, Yellow, Red, Orange, Green and White If you are interested in what color represents what keep reading.

BLUE

blue screen of deathA stop error or exception error commonly called the blue screen of death (BSoD) or blue screen, is an error screen displayed on Windows computers following a fatal system error. It indicates a system crash, in which the operating system has reached a condition where it can no longer operate safely. This is caused by many different problems, such as a general hardware failure or a crucial process terminating unexpectedly.

BLACK

black screen of deathOn Windows 10 systems, a Black Screen of Death can be caused by an unfinished Windows Update. To resolve this problem, simply hold the power button down on your PC or laptop to switch off the computer. A cold start should result in the system booting properly.

PINK

pink screen of deathIt is a diagnostic screen with a white type on a pink background. Pink Screen is mainly seen when the VMkernel of an ESX/ESXi host experiences a critical error, becomes inoperative, and terminates any virtual machines that are running. It is not fatal and generally considered more of a developer testing issue. When encountered, it can be fixed quickly by following the simple action of pressing and holding your computer’s power button to shut down the device.

BROWN

brown screen of deathThe Microsoft Windows 10 Operating System Brown Screen of Death is an on-screen fatal error notification with bug check codes which is seen when a computer crashes due to graphics hardware or software-related problems (failing graphics drivers).

YELLOW

yellow screen of deathIt affects the functioning of a browser, particularly Mozilla Firefox. The Yellow Screen of Death makes the appearance with a weird buzzing sound in the background when the XML parser refuses to process an XML document causing a parsing error and a weird buzzing sound. The issue persists unless the computer is manually rebooted.

RED

red screen of deathCommonly the Windows 10 red screen is caused due to the hardware error, particularly if you overclock your Windows PC/laptop. Despite this, sometimes the red screen of death is also caused by outdated or incompatible drivers or due to BIOS issues.

ORANGE

orange screen of deathThe Orange Screen of Death on Windows occurs due to fatal hardware errors. Multiple reasons have been reported for the Orange Screen of Death. Some had this issue when watching a YouTube video, some were not able to boot into Windows. It can even occur when waking up from Sleep.

GREEN

green screen of deathThe green screen of death only appears when you're running an Insider Preview version of Windows 10. It's the same as the blue screen of death, and it will show the same error messages. ... If you see a green screen of death (GSOD) on your PC, that's a sign you're using an Insider Preview build of Windows 10.

WHITE

white screen of deathThe White Screen on Windows is also an error where the screen of the computer just turns white and freezes. There can be several things that can cause the white screen to appear on the Windows laptop monitor. But the main issue could be because of malfunctioning of the graphics hardware.
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FreeMaps Removal Tutorial

FreeMaps is a google chrome extension by Mindspark powered by Ask or MyWay. This extension offers users a quick and easy way to find the routes or locations that they desire. While all of this may seem appealing, this extension was classified as a Browser Hijacker by many anti-virus applications and was marked for removal.

When installed FreeMaps will change your home page, new tab and default search engine to MyWay.com, it will monitor your browsing activity and send it back to Mindspark ad servers. This data is later used/sold to better display targeted ads depending on your search queries.

While browsing the internet with this extension active you will see additional pop-up ads, sponsored links, and injected ads displaying throughout your browsing sessions, and even injected into websites that should be ad-free. Due to poor code optimization, these ads can sometimes cover a part of the page, making it unreadable or inaccessible.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a form of unwanted software, commonly a browser add-on or extension, which then causes modifications in the web browser’s settings. Browser hijackers are capable of doing more than simply changing home pages. These are typically used to force hits to a specific site, manipulating web traffic to earn ad revenue. It could seem naive, but most of such websites aren’t legitimate and could present a major threat to your online safety. As soon as the malware attacks your laptop or computer, it begins to mess things up a whole that slows your computer down to a crawl. In the worse case, you will be forced to tackle serious malware threats too.

How you can know whether the browser is hijacked?

Signs that your web browser is hi-jacked include: your browser’s homepage is suddenly different; bookmark and the new tab are likewise modified; default web engine is modified; find new toolbars which you didn’t add; unstoppable flurries of popup adverts show up on your computer screen; your browser has instability issues or exhibits frequent errors; you cannot visit specific websites such as home pages of anti-malware software.

Exactly how browser hijacker finds its way onto your computer

A browser hijacker could be installed on your PC if you check out an infected website, click an e-mail attachment, or download something from a file-sharing website. They can also be deployed via the installation of a web browser toolbar, extension, or add-on. Some browser hijackers spread in user’s computer systems by using a deceptive software distribution method known as “bundling” (usually through freeware and shareware). Typical examples of browser hijackers include Conduit, CoolWebSearch, OneWebSearch, Coupon Server, RocketTab, Searchult.com, Snap.do, and Delta Search. Browser hijackers can record user keystrokes to gather potentially invaluable information that leads to privacy issues, cause instability on systems, drastically disrupt user’s browsing experience, and eventually slow down the system to a point where it becomes unusable.

Tips on how to remove browser hijackers

Some types of browser hijackers can be removed from your PC by deleting malicious software applications or any other recently installed shareware. Having said that, many hijackers are very tenacious and require specialized tools to eliminate them. You should think of carrying out manual repairs only if you are a tech-savvy person since there are dangers associated with messing around with the computer registry and HOSTS file. Professionals always suggest users to remove any malicious software including browser hijacker with an automatic malware removal tool, which is better, safer and faster than the manual removal procedure. One of the best tools for repairing browser hijacker malware is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. It will help you remove any pre-existing malicious software in your pc and provides you real-time monitoring and protection against the latest threats.

How To Install Safebytes Anti-Malware On An Infected Computer

All malware is inherently harmful, but certain kinds of malware do a lot more damage to your computer or laptop than others. Certain malware goes to great lengths to prevent you from downloading or installing anything on your PC, especially antivirus applications. So what should you do if malware prevents you from downloading or installing Safebytes Anti-Malware? Follow the instructions below to get rid of the malware in alternate ways.

Start Windows in Safe Mode

In the event the malware is set to run at Windows start-up, then booting in safe mode should avoid it. Only the bare minimum required programs and services are loaded when you start your PC in Safe Mode. Here are the steps you should follow to start your computer into the Safe Mode of your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computers (visit Microsoft website for directions on Windows 8 and 10 computers). 1) Hit the F8 key repeatedly as soon as your PC boots, however, before the big Windows logo or black screen with white texts comes up. This should bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2) Use the arrow keys to choose Safe Mode with Networking and press ENTER. 3) As soon as this mode loads, you will have an internet connection. Now, obtain the malware removal software you want by utilizing the internet browser. To install the program, follow the directions within the setup wizard. 4) After installation, run a full scan and let the program get rid of the threats it discovers.

Obtain the anti-malware software in a different internet browser

Some malware mainly targets specific browsers. If this sounds like your case, employ another web browser as it could circumvent the virus. If you appear to have malware attached to Internet Explorer, then switch to an alternate internet browser with built-in safety features, such as Chrome or Firefox, to download your preferred antivirus program – Safebytes.

Install antivirus on a flash drive

Here’s yet another solution which is using portable USB anti-malware software that can scan your system for viruses without the need for installation. Abide by these steps to run the anti-virus on the affected computer system. 1) Download Safebytes Anti-Malware or Microsoft Windows Defender Offline onto a virus-free PC. 2) Insert the USB drive into the clean PC. 3) Double click on the exe file to open the installation wizard. 4) Select the flash drive as the location for saving the software file. Follow activation instructions. 5) Transfer the thumb drive from the uninfected computer to the infected PC. 6) Double-click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the pen drive to run the program. 7) Press the “Scan Now” button to start the virus scan.

Protect your PC from Malware With SafeBytes Security Suite

In order to protect your computer from many different internet-based threats, it is important to install an anti-malware application on your laptop. However, with so many anti-malware companies out there, these days it’s tough to decide which one you should purchase for your PC. Some of them are great while some are scamware applications that pretend as legit anti-malware programs waiting around to wreak havoc on your PC. You have to be very careful not to pick the wrong product, especially if you purchase a premium application. When it comes to commercial anti-malware software options, the majority of people go with popular brands, like SafeBytes, and they are very happy with it. SafeBytes anti-malware is a highly effective and user-friendly protection tool that is designed for end-users of all levels of computer literacy. This program could easily detect, remove, and protect your PC from the latest malware intrusions including adware, spyware, trojan horses, ransomware, parasites, worms, PUPs, along with other potentially harmful software applications.

SafeBytes has fantastic features when compared with other anti-malware programs. The following are some of the great features included in the software.

Live Protection: SafeBytes gives real-time active supervision and protection from all known viruses and malware. It’ll continuously monitor your pc for hacker activity and also provides end-users with advanced firewall protection. World-class AntiMalware Protection: Safebytes is built on the best virus engine in the industry. These engines will detect and remove threats even during the initial stages of a malware outbreak. Safe Browsing: SafeBytes inspects the hyperlinks present on a web page for possible threats and tells you whether the website is safe to explore or not, through its unique safety rating system. “Fast Scan” Features: Safebytes AntiMalware, using its advanced scanning engine, gives ultra fast scanning which can quickly target any active online threat. Lowest CPU/Memory Usage: This software is lightweight and can work quietly in the background, and will not impact your computer efficiency. Premium Support: You can get 24/7 technical assistance to immediately resolve any issue with your security application. To conclude, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is really great for securing your laptop or computer against all kinds of malware threats. Now you may realize that this particular software does more than just scan and eliminate threats in your PC. If you’re searching for the best malware removal application out there, and if you don’t mind spending some dollars for it, go for SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you’d like to manually get rid of FreeMaps without the use of an automated tool, it may be actually possible to do so by removing the program from the Microsoft Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser extensions, going to the browser’s AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. It’s also suggested to factory reset your browser settings to their default state. If you opt to manually remove the system files and registry entries, use the following list to ensure that you know precisely what files to remove before executing any actions. Please remember that this is for professional users only and may be challenging, with incorrect file removal resulting in additional PC errors. In addition, certain malware is capable of replicating or preventing removal. Completing this task in Safe Mode is advised.
Files: %LOCALAPPDATA%\FreeMapsTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll %TEMP%\nsf516A.tmp\nsDialogs.dll %TEMP%\nsf516A.tmp\System.dll %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\[email protected][1].txt %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Recovery\High\Active\RecoveryStore.E9B13F93-5957-11E6-93FC-0A00273BA4BE.dat %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\T1CS2ORS\installerParams[1].jhtml %TEMP%\nsf516A.tmp\installerParams
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Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair Vs. ScanPST.Exe

Outlook PST Errors

Problems occur when your PST file becomes corrupted or hits the size limit. Outlook will start to display error messages. These errors include like 0x80040119, 0x80040600, and 0x8004060c.

Error Causes

You might think Outlook problems are just a minor inconvenience. You can’t access your emails and contact information, but that doesn’t actually affect computer security, right? Wrong! Outlook problems can indicate serious corruption issues within your system.

In many cases, your PST file can even be targeted specifically by a virus.

Today, many viruses are specially designed to steal personal information and then sell that information on the online black market. Since so much personal data is stored within Outlook’s PST file, this is often the first place that viruses look.

If you don’t want some hacker in a foreign country to read your emails, steal your contact information, or do all sorts of other dangerous tasks, then we advise you to fix your PST problem as soon as possible.

Other causes include hitting the 2GB memory limit on older versions of Outlook, erroneous SMTP settings, etc,.

Further Information and Manual Repair

PST errors are an incredibly annoying problem. However, thanks to powerful software like Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair, it has never been easier to fix Outlook and recover all of the data inside your PST file. That means that you won’t lose contact information, calendar entries, emails, or any other information stored in Outlook.

ScanPST.exe rarely fixes problems with the PST file. Since the application is only a few megabytes in size, its effectiveness is very limited. Although Microsoft designed ScanPST.exe to be an effective solution to any PST files, it fails miserably.

Better Alternatives to Microsoft's ScanPST.Exe

Ultimately, after downloading ScanPST.exe and running it, your Microsoft Outlook will still be unable to send or receive emails. And, to make matters worse, you might also be unable to access contact data or read your old emails.

Unlike other PST repair solutions, ScanPST.exe will not recover deleted emails or other lost Outlook data. In fact, using ScanPST.exe can sometimes cause your personal data to become even more difficult to recover.

If you do want to try out ScanPST.exe, then go ahead. While it probably won’t make your PST errors worse, it won’t even come close to fixing them. If you’re ready for a more serious solution to PST problems, then keep reading.

Why are Outlook problems dangerous?

You might think Outlook problems are just a minor inconvenience. You can’t access your emails and contact information, but that doesn’t actually affect computer security, right? Wrong!

Outlook problems can indicate serious corruption issues within your system. In many cases, your PST file can even be targeted specifically by a virus.

Today, many viruses are specially designed to steal personal information and then sell that information on the online black market. Since so much personal data is stored within Outlook’s PST file, this is often the first place that viruses look.

If you don’t want some hacker in a foreign country to read your emails, steal your contact information, or do all sorts of other dangerous tasks, then we advise you to fix your PST problem as soon as possible.

How do I actually fix Microsoft Outlook PST errors?

Microsoft’s ScanPST.exe application clearly doesn’t work. So what’s the next best option? Well, a program called Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair has been helping PC users solve Outlook problems for several years. As the world’s leading Outlook solution, Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair will quickly and effectively repair any PST problems you encounter.

So how does Stellar Phoenix Outlook Repair work? Well, it starts by finding your PST file. Once the PST file has been found, Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair determines if the file is corrupt or full. It will then repair your PST file either by removing the size limit or by fixing the corrupt files.

How Does Stellar Phoenix Outlook Repair Work?

Once Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair determines that your calendar appointments, contact data, and emails have all been successfully recovered, it permanently restores access to your PST file.

In fact, Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair can even restore Outlook data that you deleted a long time ago. So, instead of just being a PST error recovery tool, Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair is also a powerful data recovery program.

After letting Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair go to work, open up Outlook and try it out. You’ll have full access to all of your Outlook files and folders, and all of those ScanPST.exe problems will be a thing of the past.

Advantages of Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair Software

Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair comes with many advantages. Here are just a few reasons why it’s such a popular program:

  • Easy-to-use: Don’t worry if you’re not a computer genius. Stellar Phoenix Outlook Repair is incredibly easy to use. Even if you barely know how to send an email over your computer, the program has a straightforward interface that anybody can understand. If you can click the left mouse button, then Stellar Phoenix will be easy to use.
  • Goes to work instantly: It takes only seconds to download and install Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair. Once you’re ready to perform a scan, the program goes to work instantly. It identifies your PST file in an incredibly short amount of time, and before long, you’ll be able to access Outlook once more.
  • Effective: Unlike the infamously useless ScanPST.exe application, Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair actually works like it’s supposed to. It allows users to safely recover all of their most important data. While ScanPST.exe can actually damage your PST file, Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair simply goes to work quickly and effectively.
  • Multiple support packages: Stellar Phoenix Outlook Repair comes with three different pricing plans. One is designed for people who only need to install the program on a single computer. Another is designed for businesses or households that want to install the program on multiple PCs.And with the third option, the technician package, users can install Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair on an unlimited number of computers. One of the biggest advantages of these packages is that you can spread out the cost of the program among multiple users. If several different people at your workplace are having PST error problems, for example, then you can buy a multiple-license package and share the cost.
  • Data recovery: Along with fixing corrupt PST files and removing the size limits from the PST file, Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair can actually recover any Outlook data on your computer. This is useful if you uninstalled Outlook a few months ago but still need to recover that data. In fact, Stellar Phoenix can recover Outlook data even if Outlook is not currently installed on your computer. In that sense, Stellar Phoenix Repair is more than just an Outlook repair program; it’s also a full-service data recovery solution.

Stellar Phoenix PST Repair is superior to ScanPST.exe in every way. But Stellar Phoenix’s most important advantage is that it actually works. If you’re ready to quickly fix your Outlook PST errors, then Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair can help. Download it here today to experience the magic of PST repair for yourself.

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Computer boots to the BIOS when you turn it on
A number of users reported lately that their Windows 10 PCs automatically boots into the BIOS whenever they start their computers. And when they tried to exit the BIOS and restart their computers, it still boots into the BIOS. If you are one of the users who experience the same problem, worry not for this post will walk you through what you can do to resolve the problem. Each time a Windows 10 computer boots, it goes through a lot of processes and one of them is where it checks the computer for any hardware issue such as hard drives, peripherals, as well as external devices. So if it finds some issue, the computer will halt the boot process and will boot into the BIOS. To fix this, there are several suggestions you can try. You have to check if you’ve pressed any key, especially the F2 or F12, or Del keys. You also have to check the peripherals and external devices in your computer or update the BIOS or reset it. For more information, make sure to follow each one of the options laid out below.

Option 1 – Try to check for any pressed key

The first thing you can do is to check for any pressed key. This might not make any sense but a pressed key can actually cause this problem. So you have to check if you have the F2 or F12 or Del buttons pressed since these are hardware keys that are usually set by the OEM to boot into the BIOS.

Option 2 – Try checking the physical device connections

You might also want to try checking if there are other devices that are connected to your PC. This is because the configuration of the BIOS or UEFI might be configured in a way that any external device connected to the computer has a higher boot priority compared to the hard disk.  And if it’s really the case, the externally attached disk might be the drive your computer is trying to boot into and not the hard disk. In such cases, Pen Drives, USB storage devices, CDs, DVDs, and so on, are included in this category of physical device connections.

Option 3 – Try to set a proper boot device

If the Boot Manager wasn’t able to locate a proper boot device, then it could be the reason why your computer boots into the BIOS when you turn it on. Thus, you have to check if there is an available proper boot device. You can usually find it under the Boot priority section. However, if you’re unable to locate your hard drive or SSD under the Boot device, then you have to change the hard drive but you have to check first if it is properly plugged in and that it works on other computers. If it works on other PCs, then the problem lies in the motherboard of your computer, and in that case, you have to consult its manufacturer.

Option 4 – Try to update the BIOS

Updating the BIOS can help you fix the issue but as you know, BIOS is a sensitive part of a computer. Even though it is a software component, the functioning of the hardware depends on it largely. Thus, you must be careful when modifying something in the BIOS. So if you don’t know much about it, it’s best if you skip on this option and try the other ones instead. However, if you are well-versed in navigating the BIOS, then follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type “msinfo32” in the field and press Enter to open System Information.
  • From there, you should find a search field on the bottom where you have to search for the BIOS version and then press Enter.
  • After that, you should see the developer and version of the BIOS installed on your PC.
  • Go to your manufacturer’s website and then download the latest version of BIOS on your computer.
  • If you are using a laptop, make sure that you keep it plugged in until you have updated the BIOS.
  • Now double click on the downloaded file and install the new BIOS version on your computer.
  • Now restart your computer to apply the changes made.
Note: If updating the BIOS didn’t help, you might want to consider resetting it instead.

Option 5 – Try resetting the BIOS/UEFI configuration

You might also want to reset the BIOS configuration which will lead to arranging the boot configuration since it is intended by the manufacturer. Note that this will get rid of any blockage in the boot process. All you have to do is take out the CMOS battery for a couple of seconds and then put it back again. After that restart, your computer and will be booted directly into Windows. Resetting the BIOS would also get rid of any password set for BIOS and you need to change your CMOS battery in case it didn’t work.
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Fix INVALID_POINTER_READ_c0000005 atidxx64.dll
If your Microsoft Edge browser encountered a Stop Error that says, “INVALID_POINTER_READ_c0000005 (atidxx64.dll)” in your Windows 10 computer, then this indicates that your Graphics card driver is outdated. According to security experts, Microsoft has already acknowledged the problem and stated that this issue exists with Windows 10 v1809, Windows Server 2019, and Windows Server version 1809. Although there is no direct way to resolve the problem, there are still some workarounds you can try. If you are using a RadeonHD2000 or HD4000 series video card, the update will be blocked for you. Some users also claim to experience performance issues with the lock screen or the ShellExperienceHost. However, if you are using AMD, the problem is that it no longer supports Radeon HD2000 and HD4000 series graphics processing units or GPUs. Even though Microsoft is already working for a way to resolve the problem, here are some alternative solutions you can check out:

Option 1 – Update your Graphics card drivers

  • First, boot your computer into Safe Mode.
  • After that, tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
  • Type in devmgmt.msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
  • After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. From there, look for the Display Adapters and click on them.
  • After that, right-click on each entry under the Display Adapters and select the “Uninstall Device” option from the menu.
  • Now restart your computer.
  • After restarting your computer, go to the Settings app and Check for Updates in the Windows Update section.
Note: You also have the option to go directly to the website of your graphics card manufacturers like NVIDIA, Intel or AMD and go to the section called Drivers then check if there’s a new available update – if there is, download and install it.

Option 2 – Try removing AMD Radeon HD2000 and HD4000 drivers

Although this is not exactly a perfect solution, removing AMD drivers will make the operating system fall back to the default GPU available on your motherboard. You also have the option to completely disable the hardware.
  • Tap the Win + X + M keys to open the Device Manager.
  • Next, look for your Graphics card drive, and under Display Adapters, right click on them and click Uninstall device or Disable device.
  • After that, restart your computer. This will disable the AMD drivers so you won’t be able to find them. It will also release the Windows 10 v1809 update on your computer and in case your operating system tries to prompt you with the “New Device found” message, simply ignore it.

Option 3 – Try to use another browser

You might want to use another browser especially when you already updated your computer and Microsoft Edge still keeps on crashing. You can use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and other browsers as alternatives until you sort out the problem.

Option 4 – Try to remove the Graphics card physically

You might also want to try removing both AMD Radeon HD2000 and HD4000 as they are very old graphics cards. And since AMD is not going to roll out anything, at least on its own if your motherboard has an onboard GPU, it would be best to get rid of the cards. After that, install the Windows v1809 update and then put them back in. You also have the option to install the driver but just don’t use Microsoft Edge.
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How to Fix Error Code 0x800704c7 in Windows 10

Error Code 0x800704c7 – What is it?

Error code 0x800704c7 occurs when Windows users attempt to update their system. It affects various Windows users including those using Windows 7, Windows 8, and 8.1 and Windows 10. It usually occurs due to poor maintenance of the system and includes common symptoms such as the following:

  • Inability to upgrade your Windows operating system
  • Message box with error code 0x800704c7

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Error code 0x800704c7 in Windows 10 can occur due to several reasons. For instance, it may be due to corrupted or missing system files. It may also result from malicious programs affecting your system or occur when a program or several programs are running in the background of one’s system while the user attempts to run the update.

To correct this issue, Windows users will need to select one or a few methods, depending on the issues affecting their PC.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Some of the best solutions for error code 0x800704c7 available to Windows users including using tools to scan for missing systems files or correct other issues inherent within your system.

These methods may include the use of Command Prompt and the performance of technical repair procedures. If you are uncertain of your skills, avoid compounding the issue or causing further damage to your PC by contacting a skilled Windows repair technician. This IT professional will be best equipped to use Windows tools and other methods to resolve error code 0x800704c7.

Method One: Scan Your System for Missing or Corrupt System Files

Using System File Checker Tool (SFC), Windows users can check their system for missing o corrupt system files. These utility tools within your Windows device will be able to replace missing files and repair corrupted ones, resulting in a more efficient system.  Run this tool by following the steps below:

  • Step One: Go to Start and type Command Prompt or CMD.
  • Step Two: Run as Administrator
  • Step Three: Type sfc /scannow. (Be sure to place a space between “sfc” and “/scannow”).

After running these procedures, check if the error code has been resolved. Go to Settings > Update & security > Windows Update. Update your Windows operating system. If error code 0x800704c7 reoccurs, you will need to try the next method below.

Method Two: Restore your System

System Restore is one of the best manual repair solutions Windows users can apply when they come across error codes like error code 0x800704c7. That’s because this method requires no technical or advanced knowledge and therefore can be performed by anyone. Simply follow the steps below to restore your system to a period of time in the past where the error was not present on your system. If done correctly, this could enable you to resolve the issue with little frustration on your part.

  • Step one: Type Control Panel in the search bar near the Start button
  • Step two: Select Control Panel, then Recovery
  • Step three: Select System Restore then click Next
  • Step four: Select a restore point before appeared on your Windows 10 system
  • Step five: Select Next then Finish

Note that once System Restore is enabled it will remove drivers, apps, and even updates installed after the restore point. For this reason, be careful to choose the most appropriate restore point. Also once you’ve completed this task, check to see if you are able to update your system. If the update stops before the process is complete and a message box occurs with the error code 0x800704c7, proceed to the next manual repair option below.

Method Three: Check for and Remove Malware

Viruses or other forms of malware can adversely affect your system, causing error codes and other issues to take place. To resolve error code 0x800704c7 in Windows 10, check for and remove malware using a reputable anti-malware program.

If no anti-virus software is present on your system or if you scan your device but fail to spot an issue, proceed to method four.

Method Four: Use an Automated Tool

This method involves the use of a powerful automated tool. But why is this important you might ask? A third-party tool is often the best solution when all manual repair efforts fail. Automated tools come equipped to tackle the most serious PC problems including error codes which can cause frustration and result in reduces PC performance.

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Easy Directions Finder Removal Guide for Windows PC

Easy Directions Finder is a browser extension developed by Mindspark Inc. for Google Chrome. This extension offers users quick access to popular websites for navigation and evens. While at first glance this might look useful, keep in mind that this extension has been marked as a Browser Hijacker by several anti-virus applications.

When installed EasyDirectionsFinder will record your browsing history, visited links, clicked URL-s, and viewed products. This data is later forwarded/sold to Mindspark's ad network and used to better target ads to users.

While browsing the internet with this extension installed (it does not have to be enabled) you will see additional injected ads, sponsored links, and pop-up ads throughout your browsing sessions. Due to its information mining behavior and aggressive ad injections, it is recommended to remove this extension from your computer.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a type of unwanted software, often a web browser add-on or extension, which causes modifications in web browser’s settings. Browser hijackers are capable of doing more than just modifying homepages. In general, browser hijacking is utilized for earning advertising revenue from forced ad mouse clicks and site visits. While it may seem naive, all browser hijackers are dangerous and thus always classified as security risks. When the malware attacks your laptop or computer, it starts to mess things up a whole that slows your system down to a crawl. In the worse case, you may be pushed to deal with serious malware threats as well.

How one can know whether the web browser is hijacked?

The common symptoms that suggest having this malicious software on your computer are: the browser’s home page is modified; you find yourself regularly directed to some other webpage than the one you actually intended; the default web browser settings have been modified and/or your default search engine is altered; unsolicited new toolbars are added to your web browser; your internet browser displays endless pop-up ads; web pages load slowly and often incomplete; you can’t navigate to certain webpages, like computer security software related sites.

So how does a browser hijacker infect a computer?

Browser hijackers may use drive-by downloads or file-sharing networks or an e-mail attachment in order to reach a targeted PC. They could also be deployed via the installation of an internet browser toolbar, add-on, or extension. A browser hijacker could also come bundled up with some freeware that you unintentionally download to your PC, compromising your internet security. Some of the most popular hijackers are EasyDirectionsFinder, Babylon Toolbar, Conduit Search, Sweet Page, OneWebSearch, and CoolWebSearch.

Browser hijacker removal tips

Some browser hijacking could be easily reversed by discovering and eliminating the corresponding malware software through your control panel. Sometimes, it can be a tough task to discover and eliminate the malicious component since the associated file will be running as part of the operating system process. Moreover, browser hijackers could modify the Computer registry therefore it can be quite tough to restore all the values manually, especially when you’re not a very tech-savvy individual. Industry experts always suggest users eliminate any malware including browser hijacker with an automatic removal tool, which is better, safer, and quicker than the manual removal solution. SafeBytes Anti-Malware could counter persistent browser hijackers and give you active PC protection against all types of malware. Together with the antivirus tool, a PC optimizer, such as SafeBytes Total System Care, can help you in deleting all related files and modifications in the computer registry automatically.

How To Get Eliminate Malware That Is Preventing Antivirus Downloads?

Malware could cause many different types of damage to computers, networks, and data. Some malware sits in between the computer and the internet connection and blocks a few or all sites that you really want to visit. It will also prevent you from adding anything to your PC, particularly anti-virus applications. So what to do when malicious software prevents you from downloading or installing Safebytes Anti-Malware? There are a few actions you can take to get around this issue.

Boot your computer in Safe Mode

If any malware is set to load immediately when Microsoft Windows starts, getting into Safe Mode could very well block the attempt. Since only the minimal programs and services launch in Safe Mode, there are hardly any reasons for conflicts to happen. Below are the steps you should follow to start into the Safe Mode of your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computers (check out Microsoft site for directions on Windows 8 and 10 computers). 1) At power on, press the F8 key while the Windows splash screen starts to load. This will conjure up the “Advanced Boot Options” menu. 2) Choose Safe Mode with Networking with arrow keys and hit ENTER. 3) Once you get into this mode, you should have an internet connection again. Now, utilize your internet browser normally and go to https://safebytes.com/products/anti-malware/ to download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 4) After the software program is installed, let the diagnostic scan run to remove trojans and other malware automatically.

Switch over to an alternative web browser

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

Install security software on a flash drive

Another option is to create a portable antivirus program onto your USB flash drive. Abide by these steps to run the anti-malware on the infected PC. 1) Download the anti-malware on a virus-free computer. 2) Plug the pen drive into the clean PC. 3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded application, with a .exe file format. 4) Select the USB stick as the location for saving the software file. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process. 5) Now, insert the USB drive into the infected computer. 6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the pen drive by double-clicking the icon. 7) Run Full System Scan to detect and clean-up up all sorts of malware.

SafeBytes AntiMalware Overview

If you’re looking to purchase anti-malware for your laptop or computer, there are plenty of brands and packages for you to consider. A few are very good ones, some are ok types, while some are just fake anti-malware applications that will damage your computer themselves! You need to purchase a product that has obtained a good reputation and detects not just viruses but other sorts of malware too. While thinking about reliable applications, Safebytes AntiMalware is certainly the strongly recommended one. Safebytes is among the well-established computer solutions companies, which provide this complete anti-malware tool. Using its outstanding protection system, this tool will quickly detect and remove most of the security threats, including adware, viruses, browser hijackers, ransomware, PUPs, and trojans.

There are numerous wonderful features you’ll get with this security product. Here are some of the good ones:

Best AntiMalware Protection: With its enhanced and sophisticated algorithm, this malware elimination tool can detect and eliminate the malware threats hiding in the computer system effectively. Live Protection: SafeBytes offers totally hands-free real-time protection and is set to observe, prevent and eliminate all threats at its very first encounter. It’ll regularly monitor your pc for hacker activity and also gives end-users superior firewall protection. SuperSpeed Scanning: Safebytes Anti-Malware, with its enhanced scanning engine, provides extremely fast scanning that can promptly target any active internet threat. Website Filtering: SafeBytes provides an instant safety rating about the pages you’re going to check out, automatically blocking dangerous sites and making sure that you are certain of your online safety while browsing the net. Low CPU Usage: SafeBytes is a lightweight and easy-of-use antivirus and antimalware solution. As it uses low computer resources, this program leaves the computer power exactly where it belongs: with you. 24/7 Live Professional Support: You may get high levels of support 24/7 if you are using their paid version. Overall, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is a solid program since it has plenty of features and can detect and eliminate any potential threats. You can be sure that your computer will be protected in real-time once you put this software to use. So if you’re searching for the absolute best malware removal tool out there, and if you don’t mind paying out a few bucks for it, go for SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you do not wish to use a malware removal software and like to remove EasyDirectionsFinder manually, you could possibly accomplish this by going to the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu in the Control Panel and delete the offending program; in cases of browser plug-ins, you may uninstall it by going to the browser’s Add-on/Extension manager. You’ll likely also want to reset your browser. Finally, examine your hard drive for all of the following and clean your Windows registry manually to remove leftover application entries after uninstallation. But bear in mind, editing the registry is often a hard task that only advanced computer users and professionals should attempt to fix the problem. Moreover, some malicious programs have the capability to defend against its deletion. Completing this task in Safe Mode is advised.
Files: %LOCALAPPDATA%\EasyDirectionsFinderTooltab %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\EasyDirectionsFinderTooltab %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\pjclebnjamlmkpgapopafeniobfnlllf %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\pjclebnjamlmkpgapopafeniobfnlllf %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\pjclebnjamlmkpgapopafeniobfnlllf %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\pjclebnjamlmkpgapopafeniobfnlllf Registry: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\EasyDirectionsFinder HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\EasyDirectionsFinder HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\easydirectionsfinder.com HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Google\Chrome\PreferenceMACs\Default\extensions.settings, value: pjclebnjamlmkpgapopafeniobfnlllf HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\easydirectionsfinder.dl.myway.com HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\easydirectionsfinder.dl.tb.ask.com HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\[APPLICATION]\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall..Uninstaller EasyDirectionsFinderTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
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Change date and time inside Windows 11
date and time windows 11Same as Windows 10, Windows 11 also keeps track of date and time using an internet time server. But in a case that you need to change the date or time for any kind of reason here is a guide for that process:
  1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + I to open settings
  2. Click on Time & Language in Taskbar
  3. Inside Time & Language click on Date & Time
  4. Turn off Set Time Automatically by clicking on the switch next to it
  5. Below find Set the date and time manually and click on Change
  6. Inside, Change Date and Time window use the drop-down menu to set desired date and time
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A Guide to Quickly Fixing Error 103

What Is Error 103?

Error 103 is an error that is usually encountered by those who use Google Chrome. This error is usually generated because of a conflict arising between Google Chrome and the antivirus program running on the user’s computer. Primarily, error 103 is an incompatibility issue. It is not critical in nature. However, since it will disrupt the smooth functioning of the browser, it is strongly advised to rectify this error that is generated due to any temporary conflicts between the logic of the two programs namely Google Chrome and antivirus. In layman's terms, it would be only justified to say that this error has a lot to do with the way programs react to each other in real-time.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

When the error is displayed to the user, it usually states something like ‘chrome error 103 connection aborted’, ‘chrome error 103 err_connection_aborted’ or ‘Error 103 (net: ERR_CONNECTION_ABORTED): Unknown error. This begs the question, what triggers this error? Here it is important to understand that Google Chrome constantly applies to upgrade. In most instances, the upgrades almost go unnoticed. In the meanwhile, there are other programs running on any system such as firewall, Antispyware, or antivirus programs. All such programs govern the functionality of the web browser. Now, when the web browser attempts to update and any programs on the system view the update as a threat, the connection to the internet will be terminated. It is also important to understand that these programs will keep you from upgrading or from doing anything with your browser.

Further Information and Manual Repair

google chrome error 103Before we move on to the discussion of fixing the underlying causes for error 103, it is important to understand all those programs that are most likely to generate this error. A list of all such programs is outlined below as follows.
  • Kaspersky Pure 3.0
  • Kaspersky ONE
  • Kaspersky small office security 2013
  • Kaspersky internet security 2013
  • Kaspersky antivirus 2013
A downside associated with error 103 is that it won’t disappear on its own. That’s why it is important to make some manual changes as there are no tools available online to rectify this error automatically. Follow the steps listed below to easily fix the problem.
  • Click on the Start button.
  • In the search box, enter ‘expand.exe’.
  • Right-click on the file that appears and select the option ‘Open Folder Location’.
  • Now, copy the file and paste it at the destination ‘C:\Windows\System32’.
  • If you are not able to find the file, it is advised you copy it from Windows Installation Disk.
  • Now, click on the ‘Start’ button again.
  • Find and select ‘Run’.
  • Now enter ‘C: ’ in the search box and press Ok.
  • Now right-click anywhere on the screen, select new, and then select folder.
  • Rename this folder. Change the name from ‘New Folder’ to ‘Temp’.
  • Now go to the Start button again.
  • Select ‘Run’ once again.
  • Type ‘cmd.exe’ in the command prompt and press Ok.
  • Now type Command. Press enter.
  • Now type this code as it is: ‘set TMP=C:temp’ and press enter.
  • Now restart the browser.
  • If it fails, install Google Chrome once again.
  • Just make sure everything is in sync to avoid any data loss.
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How to Delete your data from the internet
The Internet has come a long way from its infant stages and has become so large and huge that it has gained the status of basic human rights. There are very useful information and a lot of great content on it and among them, there are social media websites and other types of websites where you have, most likely placed some personal pictures or other information. One day you might want to cancel some of the services or you would like to take a break from it all. In this guide we will show you how to do exactly that, to delete and remove your data from the internet.

How to Delete Your Google Account

Google is arguably one of the most visited places on the Web. It stores a huge amount of data for delivering personalized content. It saves personal information, web searches, watched videos, location data, etc. You can view a summary of the data saved by different Google services by visiting your Google Dashboard.
To delete personal data from Google, go to myactivity.google.com. Select the Delete activity by from the left menu to start deleting activities.
Select All time to delete all of your activities from different Google services. You can also delete files saved to Google services, such as Google Photos, Google Drive, and Keep. Just visit the site, select the files, and delete them. Note that Google retains some information even after you delete all data. They do this to meet business needs and legal requirements. These will be deleted when you delete your Google account altogether.

How to Delete Your Facebook Account

Facebook stores a huge amount of data for each user. Some of the personal information stored in Facebook’s databases includes name and email, check-ins, location, images, videos, events, etc. You can view and download all of your personal data using Facebook’s information download tool. However, you will need to delete your account altogether for removing your personal data from Facebook. Follow the below steps to delete your Facebook account.
  1. Log in to your Facebook account and go to Settings & privacy > Setttings.
  2. Select Your Facebook Information.
  3. Select Deactivation and Deletion.
  4. Select Delete Account.
  5. Select Continue to Account Deletion.
  6. Select Delete Account.
  7. Enter your password and click Continue.
It can take up to 90 days for Facebook to delete your personal data from the Internet. You will not be able to access any of the data once the deletion starts. However, you can cancel this within the first 30 days.

How to Delete Your Twitter Account

Twitter has also followed in the footsteps of Facebook when it comes to harvesting your personal data. It utilizes this information for delivering personalized ads and tweets. You can download an archive of all of your personal data from Twitter. It makes it easy to monitor what information is available to the platform. Click the More button from the left menu and head over to Settings and privacy. Follow the below steps to download your personal information.
  1. Select Download an archive of your data from the Your Account section.
  2. Select Request archive from under the Twitter data section. Enter your password when prompted.
  3. It will take some time for Twitter to make the data available to you. You’ll receive an email once the data is ready to be downloaded.
It would be best if you also restrict data sharing and off-site activities. Head over to Privacy and safety and inspect the options under the Data sharing and off-Twitter activity section.
Look in the Interests and Your advertiser list sections from the Ads preferences tab. You can disable Twitter from tracking you in the Off-Twitter activity tab. Uncheck the options from the Data sharing with business partners and Location information tabs.
Finally, you need to deactivate your account for deleting all personal information from Twitter. You’ll have 30 days to reactivate the account. After that, Twitter will begin erasing your information from its systems. Note that they can still retain some information subjected to platform regulations.

How to Delete Your Instagram Account

Instagram has risen to prominence in the last couple of years. The company collects a huge amount of personal information from its users, including media, name, email, and much more. You’ll need to deactivate your account altogether if you want to delete everything Instagram knows about you.
Head over to the Delete your account page and select the reason you want to delete it. Enter your Instagram password to verify your identity, then click on the Delete button. Instagram will hide your account details for the next 30 days and delete all personal data after the given period.

How to Delete Your TikTok Account

TikTok is another emerging platform that has become quite popular among millennials. Users share a lot of personal information through personalized music videos. You need to delete your TikTok account permanently to remove all personal data from TikTok.
To do this, head over to Me, then tap on the icon in the top-right corner of the window. Select Delete account from under the Manage Account section. Follow the instructions provided there to continue deactivating your account. Like Instagram, TikTok also offers a 30-day time period to allow users to change their minds. It will delete your personal data from the Internet after this period.

How to Delete Your Snapchat Account

  1. Go to Snapchat’s Accounts Portal and log in with your name and password.
  2. Select the Delete My Account option.
  3. You’ll be taken to the Delete Account page directly.
  4. Retype your password once more.
  5. Click on the yellow Continue button.
Do keep in mind that Snapchat will hold on to your data for another 30 days, just in case you change your mind and decide to return. If you do decide to come back, all you need to do is visit the Accounts Portal again and log in to your account. This will reactivate your account. While your account is in this deactivated phase, your friends will not be able to contact you or interact with you in any manner on Snapchat. After the 30-day period has elapsed, your account will be permanently deleted.
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