Edge and Store apps are not connecting

SweetIM Toolbar for Internet Explorer is a browser add-on which adds various shortcuts to your browsers for easy access. This toolbar also changes your homepage to home.sweetim.com. The toolbar is typically bundled with the free Sweet Instant Messenger program and does not necessarily get uninstalled when Instant Messenger is removed from the user’s PC. Additionally, if the home page and search settings were modified by this toolbar, they need to be manually reverted back by the user.

This extension injects various ads into your browser search results and changes your default search engine. While you are browsing the internet, this software records your website surfing data, clicks, and possibly private information. Several Anti-virus programs have classified SweetIM Toolbar as a potentially unwanted application and are not recommended to keep.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking means that a malicious program code has power over and modified the settings of your web browser, without your approval. They are made to disrupt browser functions for many different reasons. Generally, the idea would be to force users to visit particular sites that are looking to increase their visitor traffic and produce higher ad revenue. Most people assume that such websites are legitimate and harmless but that is incorrect. Nearly every browser hijacker poses an actual threat to your online safety and it is vital to categorize them under privacy dangers. On top of that, hijackers can make the whole infected system vulnerable – other harmful malware and viruses would grab these opportunities to intrude into your system effortlessly.

Major signs that an internet browser has been highjacked

The common signs that indicate having this malicious software on your PC are: the home page of your respective browser is changed unexpectedly; bookmark and the new tab are also modified; the default search engine and the default web browser settings are altered; discover new toolbars that you didn’t add; you find lots of pop-up ads on your computer screen; web pages load very slowly and sometimes incomplete; Inability to navigate to particular sites, particularly antivirus and also other computer security software websites.

Exactly how they get into your computer or laptop

There are several ways your computer can get infected with a browser hijacker. They usually arrive by way of spam e-mail, via file sharing websites, or by a drive-by download. Many browser hijackings originate from add-on software, i.e., toolbars, browser helper objects (BHO), or extensions added to browsers to give them additional features. A browser hijacker may also come bundled up with some freeware that you unwittingly download to your computer system, compromising your internet security. A good example of some notorious browser hijackers includes Anyprotect, Conduit, Babylon, SweetPage, DefaultTab, RocketTab, and Delta Search, but the names are continually changing. Browser hijackers can record user keystrokes to gather potentially invaluable information that leads to privacy concerns, cause instability on systems, severely disrupt the user experience, and eventually slow down the PC to a stage where it becomes unusable.

Removal

Some browser hijacking could be quite easily corrected by identifying and removing the corresponding malware application through your control panel. But, many browser hijackers are hard to eliminate manually. Regardless of how much you attempt to remove it, it may keep returning over and over. You should consider doing manual repairs only if you are a tech-savvy person, as there are risks associated with tinkering around with the computer registry and HOSTS file. Browser hijackers could be effectively removed by installing the anti-malware application on the affected computer. One of the finest tools for repairing browser hijacker malware is Safebytes Anti-Malware. It will help you get rid of any pre-existing malware on your computer and gives you real-time monitoring and protection from new internet threats. Along with the antivirus tool, a PC optimizer will help you in getting rid of all related files and modifications in the registry automatically.

Can't Install Safebytes Anti-malware because of Malware? Do This!

Viruses could potentially cause a great deal of damage to your personal computer. Certain malware variants alter browser settings by including a proxy server or change the computer’s DNS settings. In such cases, you will be unable to visit certain or all internet sites, and thus unable to download or install the necessary security software to remove the infection. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re stuck with a virus infection that is preventing you to download or install Safebytes Anti-Malware software on your system. Although this kind of issue will be difficult to get around, there are some actions you can take.

Eliminate malware in Safe Mode

The Windows-based PC has got a special mode referred to as “Safe Mode” in which only the minimum required programs and services are loaded. If the malware is blocking access to the internet and affecting your computer, launching it in Safe Mode enables you to download anti-virus and run a diagnostic scan while limiting potential damage. To boot into Safe Mode, hit the “F8” key on the keyboard just before the Windows logo screen shows up; Or after normal Windows boot up, run MSCONFIG, check the Safe Boot under the Boot tab, and then click Apply. As soon as you restart the PC into Safe Mode with Networking, you can download, install, and update the anti-malware program from there. At this point, you can actually run the anti-virus scan to remove computer viruses and malware without any hindrance from another malicious application.

Switch over to an alternate browser

Malicious code could exploit vulnerabilities on a specific internet browser and block access to all antivirus software sites. If you appear to have malware attached to Internet Explorer, then switch over to an alternate internet browser with built-in safety features, such as Firefox or Chrome, to download your preferred antivirus program – Safebytes.

Make a bootable USB anti-virus drive

Another solution is to create a portable antivirus program onto your USB thumb drive. Follow these steps to run the anti-virus on the affected PC. 1) On a clean computer, install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Mount the USB drive onto the same computer. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the anti-malware software to run the Installation Wizard. 4) Pick a USB flash drive as the place when the wizard asks you exactly where you want to install the application. Follow activation instructions. 5) Disconnect the USB drive. You may now utilize this portable antivirus on the infected computer. 6) Double-click the EXE file to open the Safebytes program from the thumb drive. 7) Click “Scan Now” to run a complete scan on the infected computer for viruses.

Overview of SafeBytes Anti-Malware

Nowadays, an anti-malware program can protect your laptop or computer from different forms of online threats. But wait, how do choose the best one amongst plenty of malware protection applications that’s available on the market? You may be aware, there are numerous anti-malware companies and tools for you to consider. A few of them are good, some are ok types, and some will affect your computer themselves! You should go with a product that has gained a strong reputation and detects not just viruses but other kinds of malware as well. On the list of highly recommended applications by industry, analysts are SafeBytes Anti-Malware, a well-known security application for Windows computers. SafeBytes anti-malware is a trusted software that not only protects your system completely but is also very user-friendly for people of all ability levels. Once you’ve got installed this application, SafeBytes advanced protection system will ensure that absolutely no viruses or malicious software can seep through your PC. There are many great features you’ll get with this security product. Listed below are some of the great ones: Active Protection: SafeBytes offers complete and real-time security for your laptop or computer. This tool will constantly monitor your PC for suspicious activity and updates itself regularly to keep current with the latest threats. Antimalware Protection: With its advanced and sophisticated algorithm, this malware elimination tool can identify and remove the malware threats hiding within your computer system effectively. Web protection: Through its unique safety score, SafeBytes informs you whether a site is safe or not to visit it. This will make sure that you’re always certain of your safety when browsing the net. Lightweight Tool: This program is not “heavy” on the computer’s resources, so you’ll not see any overall performance difficulties when SafeBytes is operating in the background. 24/7 Live Expert Support: Support service is available 24 x 7 x 365 days via chat and email to answer your concerns.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove SweetIM 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 SweetIM

SafeSearch is an ad-supported, cross web browser plugin for Internet Explorer and Firefox/Chrome. The browser extension will modify the default or custom settings of the browser including the home page, search settings, and in some cases will modify Internet Explorer’s load time threshold, place a lock file within Firefox to prevent changing settings as well as disable the browser’s Content Security Policy in order to allow for cross-site scripting of the plugin. For these reasons, it has been classified as a browser hijacker.

From the publisher: SafeSearch created by AVSoftware is the unique search engine that filters malicious sites or sites with bad reputations. Every website is weighted on several critical factors – vendor reliability, child safety, privacy issues, user opinions, and ratings.

SafeSearch has been found to be bundled with 3rd party software and malware and therefore is not recommended to keep on your computer.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is amongst the internet’s constant problems that target browsers. It’s a kind of malware program that directs web browser requests to some other malicious sites. They’re created to disrupt browser functions for several purposes. Typically, the idea is to force users to visit certain websites that are trying to improve their visitor traffic and produce higher ad revenue. Even though it might seem naive, all browser hijackers are damaging and therefore always regarded as security risks. Furthermore, hijackers can make the entire infected system vulnerable – other dangerous malware and viruses will take hold of these opportunities to intrude into your PC effortlessly. Browser hijacking symptoms There are several signs of web browser hijacking: home-page is changed; you see new unwanted bookmarks or favorites added, usually directed to advertisement-filled or pornography websites; the main web browser settings are altered and undesirable or insecure sites are added to the trusted websites list; you notice many toolbars on your internet browser; unstoppable flurries of pop-up advertisements show up on your PC screen; web pages load very slowly and at times incomplete; you cannot visit specific sites like homepages of security software.

So how does a PC get infected with a browser hijacker?

Browser hijackers infect computers in numerous ways, including via a drive-by download, a file-share, or an infected e-mail. They could be included with toolbars, add-ons, BHO, plugins, or browser extensions. Also, some shareware and freeware can put the hijacker within your computer through “bundling”. An example of some notorious browser hijacker includes Conduit, Anyprotect, Babylon, SweetPage, DefaultTab, Delta Search, and RocketTab, but the names are continually changing.

Browser Hijacker Malware – Removal

Certain hijackers could be removed simply by uninstalling the related freeware or add-ons through the Add or Remove Programs in the Microsoft Windows control panel. However, the majority of hijacking codes are certainly not simple to remove manually, as they go much deeper into the operating system. Moreover, manual removal expects you to perform several time-consuming and intricate procedures that are tough to conduct for novice computer users.

What you can do if Virus Stops You From Downloading Anything?

Malware can cause all kinds of damage once they invade your PC, from stealing your personal information to erasing data files on your PC. Certain malware variants alter internet browser settings by adding a proxy server or modify the computer’s DNS settings. In these instances, you will be unable to visit certain or all of the websites, and thus not able to download or install the necessary security software to eliminate the malware. If you are reading this, you may have got infected by malware that stops you from downloading a computer security program like Safebytes Anti-Malware. Even though this type of issue will be tougher to get around, there are a few actions you can take.

Install antivirus in Safe Mode with Networking

Safe Mode is actually a unique, basic version of Windows where only minimal services are loaded to counteract malware and other troublesome applications from loading. In case the malware is set to load automatically when PC boots, switching into this particular mode may well prevent it from doing so. In order to get into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press F8 while the system is booting up or run MSCONFIG and locate the “Safe Boot” options under the “Boot” tab. Once you reboot into Safe Mode with Networking, you can download, install, as well as update anti-malware software from there. At this point, you could run the antivirus scan to remove computer viruses and malware without hindrance from another application.

Switch over to an alternate browser

Malicious program code might exploit vulnerabilities in a particular browser and block access to all anti-malware software websites. If you suspect that your Internet Explorer has been hijacked by a computer virus or otherwise compromised by hackers, the most effective approach is to switch over to an alternate web browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari to download your favorite security program – Safebytes Anti-Malware.

Install security software on a flash drive

To successfully eliminate the malware, you might want to approach the issue of installing an antivirus software program on the affected PC from a different perspective. Do these simple measures to clean up your infected computer using a portable antivirus. 1) Use another virus-free PC to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Mount the pen-drive onto the same system. 3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded application, which has a .exe file extension. 4) Select the USB drive as the location when the wizard asks you exactly where you would like to install the application. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation. 5) Transfer the flash drive from the uninfected PC to the infected computer. 6) Double-click the antivirus software EXE file on the thumb drive. 7) Click on the “Scan Now” button to start the virus scan.

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

If you’re looking to install an anti-malware application for your computer, there are numerous tools in the market to consider but you just cannot trust blindly anyone, irrespective of whether it is a free or paid program. Some of them are good but there are several scamware applications that pretend as authentic anti-malware software waiting to wreak havoc on the computer. When searching for an anti-malware program, choose one that provides solid, efficient, and full protection against all known computer viruses and malware. When considering the dependable software programs, Safebytes AntiMalware is certainly the strongly recommended one. SafeBytes can be described as a powerful, real-time anti-spyware application that is made to assist regular computer users in safeguarding their PC from malicious threats. This tool can easily identify, remove, and protect your computer from the latest malware intrusions such as spyware, adware, trojan horses, ransomware, parasites, worms, PUPs, along with other potentially harmful software applications. SafeBytes anti-malware comes with a myriad of enhanced features that sets it aside from all others. Here are a few popular features present in this software: Anti-Malware Protection: By using a critically acclaimed malware engine, SafeBytes gives multi-layered protection which is designed to catch and eliminate threats that are hidden deep inside your computer system. Real-time Active Protection: Malware programs trying to get into the computer are identified and stopped as and when detected by the SafeBytes active protection shields. They’re highly efficient in screening and getting rid of various threats because they are continuously revised with the latest updates and safety measures. Safe Web Browsing: SafeBytes provides an instant safety rating on the web pages you are about to visit, automatically blocking risky sites and ensure that you’re certain of your safety while browsing the net. Low CPU and Memory Usage: This software is lightweight and will work quietly in the background, and will not have an effect on your computer efficiency. 24/7 Customer Service: SafeBytes provides 24/7 technical support, automatic maintenance, and updates for the best user experience.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove SafeSearch 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 SafeSearch

There are cases when you encounter some issues while updating your Windows 10 computer. One of these issues is the error 0x80240034. This particular error is a Windows Update Error that appears on the Windows Update pane every time an update fails to install. When this happens, your Windows Update will only get stuck at 1% and nothing happens afterward and eventually fails. If you click on the View Installed Update History, you will see the error code 0x80240034 for the failed updates. You will see this error each time you try to update your Windows PC. Take note that this issue doesn’t only happen to a specific version of the Windows Update but on various different Windows builds based on many users. What’s more, is that some users are also seeing a different error code when their Windows Update fails but they still end up seeing the error code 0x80240034 when they check the Windows Update history. At the time of writing, it isn’t determined yet what really causes this error but it’s most likely due to some corrupted files in the computer which is why the most common solution you can try is resetting the Windows Update cache. On the other hand, other users also resolved the issue by using the ISO and selecting the “Do not keep previous settings” option during the Windows Update so it might be something to do with transferring the previous settings through the update client. For clear instructions in fixing this issue, refer to the two options provided below.

Option 1 – Try to clear the Windows Update Cache/Distribution Folder

As mentioned earlier, a lot of users tried clearing the Windows Update cache to fix the problem and so far it has worked. Like them, you can try clearing the Windows Update cache by simply deleting the contents of the folder named “SoftwareDistribution” since Windows apparently can’t clear and re-download the update contents once they are corrupted. Thus, deleting the contents of this folder will make Windows download the contents again which will fix the problem. To do that, follow the steps below.

• Step 1: Tap the Windows key once.
• Step 2: Next, type in “command prompt” in the Windows Start Search, and from the search results that appear, right-click on Command Prompt and select the “Run as administrator” option from the context menu.
• Step 3: After opening Command Prompt, type in “net start wuauserv” and hit Enter.
• Step 4: Then type in “rmdir %windir%SoftwareDistribution /S /Q” and hit Enter.
• Step 5: Now type in “net start wuauserv” and hit Enter. Once it’s done, try updating your Windows PC again, it should now work just fine.

Option 2 – Update Windows via ISO file

If option 1 didn’t work for you, you can try this second option of updating your Windows 10 computer using an ISO file which means that you will have to create a Windows 10 bootable media and use it to install the latest Windows 10 version. The most user reported that this option works and the reason why it does have something to do with the Windows Update client since the Windows Updates downloaded from the regular Windows Update client seems to create issues such as the error 0x80240034. However, issues like this one don’t occur when the very same Windows Updates are downloaded and installed via an ISO file. Take note that when using a Windows ISO file, you will be asked to choose what you want to do with the previous settings and apps. A lot of users opted for the “Not to keep the old Windows settings” option which has resolved the issue. So if you want to keep the previous settings then you must try to update Windows first while keeping the old settings. However, if it doesn’t work, you have to try installing the latest version of Windows without keeping the previous settings.

• Step 1: Click this link and then click the Download Tool Now button.
• Step 2: Next, click the “Use the tool to create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file)…” option and follow the next given instructions on the screen.
• Step 3: Now select the ISO file option in step 5.
• Step 4: After that, you should now have an ISO file.
• Step 5: Next, go to the location where you’ve downloaded the ISO file.
• Step 6: Then right-click on the Windows 10 ISO file and select the Open with an option and then select File Explorer.
• Step 7: Now click on “setup.exe” and follow the next instructions that appear on the screen. When asked, you have to select either: Nothing (clean install) or Keep personal files only option. Take note that you must not select the “Keep personal files, apps, and Windows settings since it doesn’t really work.

Installing a Windows 10 upgrade is definitely not an easy task since the process is not always smooth sailing and you could encounter some errors when doing so. This isn’t unusual since there are various software configurations and hardware configurations as well as services it depends on in order to properly work. So if any of them malfunctions or becomes corrupted, it will affect the process which will result in errors like the error code 0x80300002. When you encounter this kind of Windows Update error, you will see the following error message on your screen:

“We couldn’t install Windows in the location you choose. Please check your media drive. Here’s more info about what happened: 0x80300002”

You can encounter this kind of error if there is corruption in the partition table of the drive where the installation is in progress. In addition, corruption on the Media device could also cause this problem. So if you encounter this error when running Windows Setup, read on as this post will guide you in fixing it. There are several ways to resolve this issue. The first thing you can do is to verify the compatibility between the BIOS and the installation media. You could also try recreating all the partitions as well as recreating the bootable USB drive. For more detailed information, follow the given options below.

Option 1 – Check if the BIOS is compatible with the installation media

The first thing you can do to fix the error is to check if there are any compatibility issues between the BIOS and the installation media you’re using. This is actually one of the most likely reasons why you’re getting the error since this is a complicated point for the Windows installation process. If the installation media is based on GPT, then your BIOS must be based on UEFI. So if you have your bootable media with the MBR partitioning, you need to set your BIOS to Legacy.

• In the Windows Search box, type “command prompt” and from the search results that appear, right-click on Command Prompt and select the “Run as administrator” option.
• After that, execute this command: exe /convert /allowfullOS
• Now, wait until the process is completed since you can track its process on your screen.
• Once it’s done, go to Settings > Update & Security > Advanced Startup options and from there, click on Restart Now. This will restart your computer and give you advanced options.
• Next, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options where you will see further options including System Restore, Startup Repair, Go back to the previous version, Command Prompt, System Image Recovery, and UEFI Firmware Settings.
• Now select the “Legacy” option. This will take you to the BIOS. Boot Mode is typically available under Boot > Boot Configuration. Once you’re there, set it to Legacy and then save the changes you’ve made. After that, your computer will restart.

Option 2 – Try recreating a new bootable drive

• Insert your USB drive into your PC.
• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and type in “cmd” and tap Enter to open the Command Prompt. Alternatively, you can also search for “cmd” in the Cortana search box to open Command Prompt.
• Once you’ve opened CMD, type in this command to open the DISPART utility – diskpart
• After that, you should see a new black and white window that would say, “DISKPART>”.
• Next, type in “list disk” in the command line and tap Enter to see the list of all the Storage devices as well as your hard disk connected to your PC. Here, you have to identify your disk’s number.
• Type in this command where “X” is the disk number you have identified and then tap Enter – disk X
• Type in this command and hit Enter to clear the table records and all the visible data on the drive – clean
• Now you have to recreate a new primary partition of the drive so you’ll have to type in this command and tap Enter right after – create part pri
• A new primary partition has been created so you have to select it by typing this command and tapping Enter – select part 1
• Now you have to format it to make it visible to normal users by typing – format fs=ntfs quick

Note: If your platform supports the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface or UEFI, replace the “NTFS” with “FAT32” in the command on Step 10.

• After that, type in this command and tap Enter after – active
• Finally, type this command and hit Enter to exit the utility – exit
• After you prepare the image for the operating system, save it to the root of your USB Storage device.

Option 3 – Try to recreate all the partitions

If none of the first two options given above worked, then you can try to recreate all the partitions instead. All you have to do is restart the Windows installation process and wait until you get to the part that says, “Where do you want to install Windows?”. From there, you will see options like delete, format, extend, create new partitions, and many more. Now you have to select the Delete all the partitions options and then use the “New” button to create new partitions. Just make sure that you have one primary partition at least where you can install Windows 10. After that, continue the installation of Windows on the new partition. Keep in mind that when you create a new partition, it also recreates the partition table configuration which means that the chances of getting an error are very unlikely.

Socket Error 10013 - What is it?

Socket error 10013 is an error code that often pops on the screen when you try to access the server. This error code restricts your permission to access. It shows that your permission request was denied. The error message is displayed in the following format:

“Socket.error: [Errno 10013] an attempt was made to access a socket in a way forbidden by its access permissions”

Solution

Error Causes

Narrowing down a particular reason for the cause of socket error 10013 is difficult, typically because this error code can be generated due to several reasons. Here are some of the common reasons for its occurrence on your PC:

• High-security set up- Firewall or an antivirus program
• Too many functions tied to the same driver confuses the socket
• Outdated drivers
• Malware

The good news is that the socket error 10013 is not fatal. However, it is advisable to fix and resolve the issue to avoid inconvenience.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Here are some of the best, quickest and easiest methods to work around the problem and resolve socket error 10013 without any hassle or delay.

Method 1 - Turn off Firewall

Believe it or not, a high level of internet security measures like Firewalls and anti-virus programs are a common cause of socket error 10013. Firewalls are made to protect a computer from harmful connections but sometimes it may also restrict server connections, considering them as a threat to your system security. Due to this, permission access is adamantly denied. To resolve this issue on your PC, the best way to go about is to turn off your Firewall or any other anti-virus programs installed on your system. Once you turn off these programs, try accessing the server again. The majority of the time the issue is resolved by carrying this step. Nonetheless, if the error still persists, try the methods given below.

Method 2 - Check the Permissions section of the Firewall Program

Another way to resolve this is to check the permission section of the Firewall program and check for the server. If the server is not listed, contact the Internet Service Provider (ISP) and ask for help in adding the server to the list.

Method 3 - Update Drivers

The outdated driver may sometimes be the reason for the socket error 10013.  The socket may no longer use the drivers installed on your PC which is why permission to access the server is not granted. When this is the reason, try updating the drivers to resolve. For new drivers, visit the software manufacturers’ website, download, and install.

Method 4 - Scan for Viruses and Malware

Another alternative is to scan for viruses and malware. Sometimes the cause for the error is a viral infection. Therefore, remove them to resolve. The best way is to download Restoro. This is a user-friendly and next-generation PC Fixer embedded with 6 scanners including a powerful anti-virus. It scans your entire PC and removes all types of viruses including malware, adware, spyware, and Trojans in seconds. Click here to download Restoro.

PriceGong is a browser add-in for Internet Explorer, Chrome and Firefox that analyzes web sites your browser visits and attempts to find coupons and other deals associated with the merchant’s product offerings or services. If PriceGoing sees a corresponding deal, it will attempt to inject an affiliate ‘code’ in order to collect various affiliate based commissions if a purchase is made while trying to offer you the best price of that particular product, or, in many cases try and show you an alternative product that is similar even if it is sold by a different merchant. Upon further inspection it was found that PriceGong failed to function in our testing.

While installed, this extension might display additional ads, inject sponsored content into webpages, even if the sponsored content is of lower quality than the original ones.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijackers (sometimes known as hijackware) are a kind of malicious software that alters web browser settings without the computer owner’s knowledge or consent. These types of hijacks are increasing at an alarming rate around the globe, and it could be really nefarious and often dangerous too. They’re created to disrupt browser programs for various purposes. In most cases, hijackers are designed for the benefit of online hackers usually through income generation from forced advert mouse clicks and site visits. Though it might seem naive, all browser hijackers are damaging and thus always regarded as security risks. In a much worst case, your browser could be hi-jacked to download malware that will do a great deal of damage to your computer or laptop. Major symptoms that an internet browser has been hijacked Signs that an internet browser is hijacked include: 1. home page is changed 2. bookmark and the new tab are also modified 3. the essential web browser settings are modified and unwanted or insecure sites are put into the trusted websites list 4. discover new toolbars that you didn’t add 5. never-ending pop-up ads appear and/or your web browser popup blocker is disabled 6. your web browser has become unstable or starts running sluggishly 7. you’re disallowed access to specific web pages, for example, the website of an antivirus software manufacturer like SafeBytes.

Precisely how browser hijacker infects computers

A browser hijacker can be installed on your computer if you visit an infected website, click an email attachment, or download something from a file-sharing site. They are usually included with toolbars, add-ons, BHO, plug-ins or browser extensions. Other times you may have accidentally accepted a browser hijacker as part of a software program bundle (usually freeware or shareware). An example of some well-known browser hijacker includes Anyprotect, Conduit, Babylon, SweetPage, DefaultTab, RocketTab, and Delta Search, but the names are regularly changing. The existence of any browser hijacker on your computer can substantially diminish the web browsing experience, record your internet activities that result in troublesome privacy issues, create system stability problems and finally cause your computer to slow down or to a practically unusable state.

Browser Hijacker Malware – Removal

Some hijackers can be removed by uninstalling the freeware they were included with or by removing any extension you have recently added to your system. However, most browser hijackers are hard to get rid of manually. No matter how much you try to eliminate it, it might come back over and over. You should think about performing manual repairs only if you are a tech-savvy individual, as there are potential risks associated with messing around with the system registry and HOSTS file. Installing and running antivirus application on the affected computer could automatically erase browser hijackers and other malicious programs. SafeBytes Anti-Malware discovers all kinds of hijackers – including PriceGong – and eliminates every trace quickly and efficiently. Use a system optimizer along with your antivirus software to solve various computer registry issues, remove system vulnerabilities, and improve your computer's overall performance.

Tips on How to Remove Malware that is Blocking Websites or Preventing Downloads

Practically all malware is bad, but certain kinds of malware do much more damage to your PC than others. Some malware variants alter browser settings by including a proxy server or modify the PC’s DNS configuration settings. In these cases, you’ll be unable to visit some or all of the websites, and therefore unable to download or install the required security software to eliminate the infection. If you are reading this now, you may have perhaps recognized that a virus infection is the real cause of your blocked web traffic. So how to proceed if you want to install an anti-malware application like Safebytes? There are a few fixes you can attempt to get around with this particular issue.

Use Safe Mode to resolve the problem

Safe Mode is actually a unique, simplified version of Windows where just bare minimum services are loaded to counteract viruses as well as other troublesome programs from loading. In case the malware is set to load automatically when computer boots, switching into this particular mode could prevent it from doing so. To boot into Safe Mode, hit “F8” key on the keyboard right before Windows boot screen shows up; Or after normal Windows boot up, run MSCONFIG, look over “Safe Boot” under Boot tab, and click Apply. Once you’re in Safe Mode, you can attempt to download and install your antivirus program without the hindrance of the virus. At this point, you could run the antivirus scan to eliminate viruses and malware without any hindrance from another malicious application.

Download the anti-malware program in an alternate web browser

Malicious program code may exploit vulnerabilities in a specific internet browser and block access to all anti-malware software websites. If you appear to have a virus attached to Internet Explorer, then switch to an alternate web browser with built-in security features, such as Firefox or Chrome, to download your favorite anti-malware program – Safebytes. Create a bootable USB antivirus drive Another option is to save and operate an anti-malware software program entirely from a Flash drive. Follow these steps to use a flash drive to clean your infected PC. 1) On a virus-free computer, install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug in the USB drive to a USB port on the uninfected computer. 3) Double-click on the downloaded file to open the installation wizard. 4) Choose the flash drive as the location for saving the software file. Follow activation instructions. 5) Transfer the flash drive from the clean computer to the infected PC. 6) Double-click the anti-malware software EXE file on the pen drive. 7) Run Full System Scan to detect and clean-up up all sorts of malware.

SafeBytes Anti-Malware: Light-weight Malware Protection for Windows Computer

If you’re looking to buy anti-malware for your laptop or computer, there are lots of brands and packages for you to consider. A few of them do a great job in eliminating threats while some will harm your computer by themselves. You should select a company that builds industry-best anti-malware and has earned a reputation as trustworthy. On the list of highly recommended application by industry analysts is SafeBytes Anti-Malware, a popular security application for Microsoft Windows. SafeBytes antimalware is a very effective and easy to use protection tool which is ideal for users of all levels of IT literacy. This software could easily detect, eliminate, and protect your computer from the most advanced malware intrusions such as spyware, adware, trojan horses, ransomware, PUPs, worms, parasites as well as other potentially harmful software applications.

SafeBytes possesses a plethora of wonderful features that can help you protect your computer from malware attack and damage. Let’s check out some of them below:

Robust, Anti-malware Protection: Using a critically acclaimed malware engine, SafeBytes provides multilayered protection which is designed to find and remove threats which are hidden deep inside your computer’s operating system. Real-time Threat Response: SafeBytes provides a totally hands-free live protection that is set to observe, block, and remove all threats at its very first encounter. It will constantly monitor your laptop or computer for hacker activity and also provides users with advanced firewall protection. Web Filtering: SafeBytes inspects the hyperlinks present on a webpage for possible threats and notifies you if the website is safe to browse or not, through its unique safety ranking system. Fast Scan: Safebytes Anti-Malware, with its enhanced scanning engine, offers ultra-fast scanning which will immediately target any active on-line threat. Lightweight: SafeBytes is a light-weight and user friendly anti-virus and antimalware solution. Since it utilizes very little computer resources, this application leaves the computer’s power exactly where it belongs: with you. 24/7 Guidance: Support service is readily available for 24 x 7 x 365 days through chat and email to answer your queries. SafeBytes can keep your PC protected from most advanced malware threats automatically, thus keeping your internet experience secure and safe. You can rest assured that your computer will be protected in real-time as soon as you put this software to use. So if you are looking for the best anti-malware subscription for your Windows-based PC, we highly recommend SafeBytes Anti-Malware program.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

To eliminate PriceGong manually, navigate to the Add/Remove programs list in the Control Panel and choose the offending program you want to remove. For web browser extensions, go to your web browser’s Addon/Extension manager and choose the add-on you want to disable or remove. You might even want to reset your home page and search engine providers, and also clear your web browser cache and cookies. Finally, check your hard disk for all of the following and clean your registry manually to remove leftover application entries following uninstalls. However, editing the Windows registry is actually a complicated job that only advanced computer users and professionals should attempt to fix the problem. In addition to that, certain malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. You’re advised to do this procedure in Windows Safe Mode.

TranslationBuddy is a browser extension developed by MindSpark Inc. for Google Chrome. This extension allegedly offers users the ability to translate any text to any language. From the Author: Now enjoy immediate access to the FREE web, email, and text translations, Multilanguage Virtual Keyboards, words of the day, and more! This extension configures your New Tab page to TranslationBuddy™ to provide these features.

Get FREE translations instantly. An easy way to translate web pages, texts, and emails.

Unfortunately, this extension hijacks your browser's new tab page, and default search engine, changing it to MyWay. While installed, it monitors browser activity such as visited websites, clicked links, downloaded information, and sometimes even personal information that it later uses to display additional unwanted ads in your browser.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a type of unwanted program, usually a web browser add-on or extension, which then causes modifications in the web browser’s settings. Browser hijackers are capable of doing a number of things on your PC. Generally, browser hijacking is used for earning advertising revenue from forced advert clicks and site visits. Though it might appear harmless, these tools are made by vicious people who always try to take advantage of you, so that hackers can earn money from your naivety and distraction. Some browser hijackers are designed to make particular modifications beyond the browsers, like altering entries in the system registry and letting other malware further damage your machine.

Indications of browser hijack

There are several symptoms that point to a browser hijacking: you see unauthorized modifications to your Internet browser’s home page; bookmark and the new tab are likewise modified; The default search page of browser is modified; unwanted new toolbars are added to your web browser; unstoppable flurries of popup advertisements appear on your computer screen; your web browser gets sluggish, buggy, crashes very often; you’re blocked to access the websites of computer security solution providers.

Exactly how they invade computer systems

Browser hijackers can enter a PC by some means or other, for example via file sharing, downloads, and email also. They may also come from any BHO, browser extension, toolbar, add-on or plug-in with malicious intent. Some internet browser hijackers spread in user’s computers using a deceptive software distribution strategy called “bundling” (commonly through shareware and freeware). Browser hijacking may lead to severe privacy problems and even identity theft, affect your web browsing experience by taking control over outbound traffic, substantially slows down your computer or laptop by deleting lots of resources, and cause system instability at the same time.

Removing browser hijackers

Some hijackers could be removed by deleting the free software they came with or by deleting any add-ons you’ve recently added to your computer system. Having said that, many hijackers are extremely tenacious and require specialized applications to remove them. Inexperienced PC users shouldn’t ever attempt the manual form of removal, as it demands thorough system knowledge to perform fixes on the system registry and HOSTS file. You might opt for automatic browser hijacker removal methods by simply installing and running an efficient anti-malware program. One of the recommended tools for fixing browser hijacker infections is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. It will help you remove any pre-existing malicious software in your system and provides you real-time monitoring and protection from the latest internet threats. Together with the anti-malware tool, a system optimizer could help you in deleting all associated files and modifications in the registry automatically.

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

Malware can cause all kinds of damage when they invade your system, from stealing sensitive details to deleting data files on your PC. Certain malware variants modify browser settings by adding a proxy server or modify the computer’s DNS configurations. In these cases, you’ll be unable to visit certain or all websites, and thus unable to download or install the required security software to eliminate the malware. If you are reading this article now, you might have perhaps realized that virus infection is the reason behind your blocked net connectivity. So how to proceed if you want to download and install an antivirus program such as Safebytes? Refer to the instructions below to remove malware through alternative ways.

Install the antivirus in Safe Mode

In Safe Mode, you are able to modify Windows settings, uninstall or install some programs, and eliminate hard-to-delete viruses. In the event, the malicious software is set to load automatically when the PC starts, switching to this mode may prevent it from doing so. In order to get into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press F8 while the system is booting up or run MSConfig and look for the “Safe Boot” options under the “Boot” tab. Once you’re in safe mode, you can try to install your anti-malware software application without the hindrance of the malware. After installation, run the malware scanner to eliminate most standard infections.

Switch to an alternate internet browser

Malicious code may exploit vulnerabilities on a particular internet browser and block access to all antivirus software sites. If you seem to have a virus attached to Internet Explorer, then switch over to an alternate browser with built-in safety features, such as Firefox or Chrome, to download your preferred anti-malware program – Safebytes.

Make a bootable USB anti-virus drive

Another approach is to download and transfer an anti-malware application from a clean PC to run a scan on the infected computer. Adopt these measures to run the antivirus on the affected computer system. 1) On a virus-free PC, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug the Flash drive into the clean computer. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the antivirus software to run the Installation Wizard. 4) Select the USB flash drive as the location for saving the file. Follow the directions to complete the installation process. 5) Disconnect the pen drive. Now you can use this portable anti-malware on the infected computer system. 6) Double-click the EXE file to run the Safebytes tool from the pen drive. 7) Hit the “Scan” button to run a full system scan and remove malware automatically.

Let's Talk About SafeBytes Security Suite!

Today an anti-malware program can protect your computer from various kinds of internet threats. But wait, how to choose the right one amongst the many malware protection software that’s available out there? As you might be aware, there are numerous anti-malware companies and tools for you to consider. A few of them do a good job in getting rid of malware threats while some will damage your PC themselves. You need to be careful not to choose the wrong product, especially if you purchase a premium program. Among few good programs, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is the highly recommended software program for the security-conscious individual. SafeBytes anti-malware is really a powerful, very effective protection application made to assist users of all levels of computer literacy in finding and removing malicious threats out of their PC. Using its cutting-edge technology, this application can assist you to eliminate several types of malware which include viruses, worms, PUPs, trojans, adware, ransomware, and browser hijackers. SafeBytes anti-malware takes computer protection to a totally new level with its enhanced features. Below are some typical features found in this software: Real-time Threat Response: SafeBytes provides complete and real-time security for your laptop or computer. This utility will constantly monitor your computer for any suspicious activity and updates itself continuously to keep abreast of the newest threats. Anti-Malware Protection: This deep-cleaning anti-malware program goes much deeper than most antivirus tools to clean out your personal computer. Its critically acclaimed virus engine finds and disables hard to remove malware that hides deep inside your computer. “Fast Scan” Features: SafeBytes Anti-Malware has a multi-thread scan algorithm that works up to 5 times faster than any other protection software. Web Protection: Safebytes allots all websites a unique safety ranking that helps you to have an idea of whether the website you are about to visit is safe to browse or known to be a phishing site. Light-weight: SafeBytes provides total protection from online threats at a fraction of the CPU load because of its enhanced detection engine and algorithms. 24/7 Online Support: You could get high levels of support around the clock if you’re using their paid software. To sum it up, SafeBytes Anti-Malware offers great protection combined with very low system resource usage with both great malware prevention and detection. Now you may know that this tool does more than just scan and remove threats from your PC. So if you are looking for the best anti-malware subscription for your Windows-based PC, we suggest SafeBytes Anti-Malware software.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to carry out the removal of TranslationBuddy manually rather than using an automated software tool, you may follow these steps: Proceed to the Windows Control Panel, click on the “Add/Remove Programs” and there, select the offending application to uninstall. In case of suspicious versions of web browser plugins, you can easily get rid of them via your web browser’s extension manager. Additionally, it is recommended to factory reset your browser to its default condition to fix corrupt settings. To ensure the complete removal, manually examine your hard drive and registry for all of the following and eliminate or reset the values accordingly. But bear in mind, this is often a challenging task and only computer professionals could carry it out safely. Furthermore, certain malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. It is recommended that you carry out the removal process in Windows Safe Mode.

Error Code 49 – What is it?

Error Code 49 is a common device driver error that users encounter on any Windows 2000 and later operating system versions. The error occurs when the connected peripheral devices fail to function properly due to an overload of the system hive’s size. The error when prompted pops up on your screen with the following message:

"Windows cannot start new hardware devices because the system hive is too large (exceeds the Registry Size Limit). (Code 49)”

The error causes unattached devices to be displayed on the system hive list.

Solution

Error Causes

Error Code 49 mainly results from problems in Windows registry system files; the system hive in the Windows registry exceeds its size limit. The system hive is part of the Windows registry and it is where files regarding devices are contained along with user preferences and applications. The devices will not work until the system hive size is brought back to normal levels.

Further Information and Manual Repair

There are several ways you can use to fix your error code. Here are the following.

Method 1 – Uninstall unused devices

One of the best ways to address the error code is to uninstall the unused devices which are listed on your computer’s system hive. To do this:

• Log in using an Administrator account
• Click the Start button and then click ‘Run’
• In the box, enter the command:
• "set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1 cd%SystemRoot%System32 exit" and click enter
• Open Device Manager, click ‘View’, and then choose ‘Show hidden devices’ to see unused devices.
• When you can see the list, click on the device you want to uninstall by selecting the ‘Driver’ tab and then select ‘Uninstall’.
• After uninstall is complete, restart your computer.

Method 2 – Use System Restore

If the error still persists, you can use system restore to eliminate the problem. Here is how you can do so:

1. Log in using an Administrator account
2. Click ‘Start’ button and select All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore
3. Click ‘Restore my computer to an earlier time’ and click ‘Next’
4. Select the last Windows restore point from the ‘On this list, click a restore point’ list, and click ‘Next’
5. Click ‘Next’ on the confirmation window to proceed
6. Restart your PC after restoration is complete

By restoring the system via a last saved system checkpoint, you can obtain undamaged Windows system files that can help avert the error code.

Method 3 – Manually uninstall and reinstall the device driver

If using system restore does not work in resolving the error code either, you may have to resort to manually uninstalling and then reinstalling the device driver causing the problem. This would be necessary since the remaining incomplete files due to a partial removal or installation of programs is what results in the error code. By uninstall and reinstalling the device driver program, it would lead to the completion of the files. You can do this by firstly logging in as Administrator and open Device Manager. Select the device that is causing the problem and double click it and make sure that the peripheral is connected properly to the PC. Upon opening, click on the ‘Driver’ tab and then select ‘Update Driver’. Make sure to refer to the system documentation that you received with your PC or computer to check for the motherboard details and driver specifics.

Method 4 – Use software to automatically download the driver

Manually uninstalling and reinstalling the driver will do the trick; however, it may be time-consuming, especially when you would have to resort to your hardware user manual. Therefore, using a program such as DriverFIX can save you a lot of time and frustration in having your device work properly on your computer. DriverFIX, with its user-friendly approach to help you fix your PC issues, comes with an integrated database that detects which drivers you need to reconfigure within just a few seconds and downloads it automatically. It further ensures that your drivers are installed in their entirety leaving no room for any incomplete files to remain that create Error Code 49. It also has the added advantage of being able to backup and restore your files should there be the slightest possibility of system file damage. DriverFIX is the answer to fixing your PC error codes accurately and quickly. Click here to download DriverFIX to fix Error Code 49 quickly and effectively!

nVIDIA is one of the behemoths of the GPU world, but that not means that they are perfect and that they do not make mistakes, throw WIndows in the mix, and sometimes you have issues with your nVIDIA display drivers for various reasons which could get very unpleasant. But do not worry, we have your back and in this article, we will focus and help you to resolve common nVIDIA driver issues. So sit back and let's start with the repairs.

1. Rollback to the previous driver and stop automatic updates.

   nVIDIA sometimes publishes really messy drivers which can really cause some serious issues, if by any chance you managed to be unlucky enough to get this kind of driver, do not despair, roll back to the previous working version and wait for the fix. To stop Windows from doing automatic driver updates, navigate to Control Panel > System & Security > System > Advanced System Settings > Hardware > Device Installation Settings. Then choose "No (your device might not work as expected)". Once you have turned off automatic driver updates, uninstall your current driver and install the previous version from the official nVIDIA website. Reboot your system

2. Reinstall nVIDIA driver

   Reinstalling the driver might fix the issue if by any chance driver files got corrupted during download for example. First, you will need to delete some files in order to perform a clean installation. Log in as administrator if you are not one and delete following files and folders: C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nvdsp.inf fileC:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_lh fileC:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nvoclock fileC:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\Reboot your system Start driver installation again, choose custom installation, then clean install.

3. Update driver in the Device Manager

   If driver updates for any reason can not work via the official install package from nVDIDA, try updating the driver in the Device Manager Navigate to Device Manager, expand graphic adapters, right-click on your nVIDIA device and click on update driver. Reboot your system

That's it, 3 solutions on how to remove, reinstall and update your nVIDIA driver, thank you for reading and I hope to see you again.

Error Code 0xc004f050 – What is it?

Error code 0xc004f050 refers to a problem with activating the Windows key. The problem appears when you try to activate a copy of Windows by using Windows Activation wizard. This happens when the system becomes unstable and critical system files start missing. Though Windows 10 is a free upgrade for Windows 7/Windows 8/Windows 8.1 users, the activation error is still an issue. If you already had Windows 7/Windows 8/Windows 8.1 activated and did an upgrade successfully, then there should be no problem. This Problem Occurs only when you do a clean install.

Symptoms

When you try to activate a copy of Windows Vista or Windows 7 by using the Windows Activation wizard, you receive an error similar to the one below:

An error has occurred Code: 0xC004F050 Description: The Software Licensing Service reported that the product key is invalid

Solution

Error Causes

• This causes due to an invalid product key.
• This problem may occur if the license validity interval has expired, or if the license is not signed correctly.
• Error Code 0xc004f050 occurs when the system becomes unstable and critical system files start missing.
• Improper way of installing, deletion of some very important system files, misconfigured system files, etc. may also cause this error.
• When you do a clean install, it wipes everything from the Primary Drive and after the install, windows can't find the Hardware ID which is used to verify your license.
• For Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Vista-based computers, this error may occur if you have entered the key for a beta version of the operating system while using the released version of the operating system.

Further Information and Manual Repair

This error is not something that can be fixed in seconds but will require some time and technical knowledge.

Method 1:

Re-insert the product key by using the Change Product Key tool:

1. Click Start, click Computer, and then click System properties on the toolbar.
2. In the Windows activation section, click Change product key.
3. If you are prompted for an administrator password, type the password or click Continue.
4. In the Product key box, type the product key, and then click Next.
5. Follow the steps in the Windows Activation Wizard to complete the activation process.

Method 2:

Activate Windows by using the automated telephone system:

1. Click Start, and then click Computer.
2. Click System properties on the toolbar, and then click Click here to activate Windows now in the Windows activation
3. If you are prompted for an administrative password, type it and click Continue.
4. Click Show me other ways to Activate.
5. Click Use the automated phone system and follow the instructions.

Method 3:

1. Clean install Windows 7/Windows 8/Windows 8.1 using the installation disk and activate your copy.
2. Now, download all the updates to see the Windows 10 Upgrade notification or download Windows Media Creation Tool and use the option Upgrade this PC to get Windows 10 right away.
3. Once the upgrade is done, check the Activation Status. It will be fully activated as it should be. The Error code 0xc004f050 should not appear anymore.

If you want to get rid of the old Windows installation folder, then use the Windows Media Creation Tool to create a Flash Drive. Clean Install Windows 10. Now, every time when it asks for a product key, skip it. After installation is complete, Windows will automatically identify and activate your Copy. NOTE: Clean Install will make Sure you cannot roll back to your previous Windows 7 or Windows 8. So do it only if you are confident of using Windows 10 from here on. To verify the Windows activation status, follow these steps:

• Click the Start button, and then click Computer.
• Click System properties on the toolbar, and then view the activation status in the Windows activation section.