UEFI Firmware settings goes missing

What is 0x0000007B Error?

0x0000007B is the most common Windows stop error. The error is displayed on the blue-colored screen which is also called the blue screen of death. You may receive a 0x0000007B error message during Windows XP setup or while running the setup program. The message is often displayed as ‘a problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damages’ or ‘inaccessible boot device error’.

Solution

Error Causes

The 0x0000007B error code is usually triggered by:

• Poor Window XP installation
• Registry corruption
• Device Drivers Issues
• Boot sector viruses

Further Information and Manual Repair

The 0x0000007B error makes your system vulnerable and reduces its speed significantly. And besides, you can’t run the programs smoothly on your PC either. Therefore, it’s advisable to fix the error right away. To fix and repair the 0x0000007B error successfully, you must first understand the cause of the error. Let’s take a look at all the solutions available to fix the 0x0000007B error.

Cause: Boot Sector Viruses

Solution: If your computer is infected with boot sector viruses, then you will first have to download a powerful antivirus. After downloading the antivirus program, run it on your PC to check your computer for viruses. Delete the viruses found and click the repair option. Sometimes even an antivirus program may fail to remove the virus and repair the system. In such cases, you must repartition and format your hard disk and also reinstall Windows XP.

Cause: Device Driver Issues

Solution: Device driver issues may occur if the boot controller is not properly configured or the driver is not up to date. If device driver configuration is the cause of the 0x0000007B error on your PC, then all you need to do is restart your PC, and while restarting press F8 to go to the advanced boot options. Now choose the ‘Last Known Good Configuration’ option. After selecting it, boot into windows and then perform a system restore. Now go to Device Manager and perform a driver rollback to reinstall the drivers. This will resolve the configuration issues. However, if you need an updated driver, all you need to do go on the web and download software to update the driver. It is advisable to download software from the manufacturer’s website in order to successfully update the device driver.

Cause: Poor Windows Installation

Solution: In this case, you will have to perform a Windows start-up repair. To do this: boot Windows XP from CD. Press ‘enter’ at setup Windows Screen when prompted. Then press R to repair Windows Installation. This procedure will not delete any user data and files. In fact, it will copy only the original Windows files over the bad or existing ones. Some of the best ways to avoid Ox0000007B blue screen errors are

• To scan for viruses every time you use your PC
• Never open web pages, emails, or download content that you think looks suspicious because that’s probably a virus.
• Always keep your computer updated.

Windows has tendencies to remember WIFI passwords so it can reconnect automatically to them. But from time to time we change passwords and Windows does not let us change it since he has network remembered. In this case, we will not be able to connect to the internet. In this helpful guide, we will let you know which steps you will need to take in order to solve this issue and to be able to connect to the internet again.

1. Restart Modem

   First thing first, restart your modem. Windows might see it as a new network and offer you to type in the password for it.

2. Update driver

   Sometimes the issue could be due to driver problems, open device manager and update WIFI driver or reinstall it.

3. Reset WIFI password

   Press ⊞ Windows + R type “Control” > hit Enter. Now click Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings. Right-click on the connected Wifi and select Status. Click Wireless Properties, change the password from the Network security key section, and then click OK to reset your WiFi password.

4. Forget the network

   Click on Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi. Click the Manage known networks link Select the network you are looking for Select Forget.

5. Delete your WIFI profile

   Press ⊞ Windows + X to open the secret menu and click on Command prompt (admin) In command prompt windows type: netsh wlan show profile netsh wlan delete profile name=<profile name> Reboot

Often when we connect to the internet were browsing indexed pages through some well-known search engine, usually Google. But beneath the so-called normal internet lurks deep and dark web. You might have heard of the deep web and dark web if you have some geeky friends and we are here to explain what exactly is the deep and dark web. The first thing to know is that the deep and dark web is not the same thing and they coexist separately from one another, you could say that beneath the deep web lies the dark web, yet another layer of the internet. So let us explore first the deep web. What is exactly a deep web?

Deep web, hidden web, or invisible web

as sometimes referenced are part of worldwide web not indexed by search engines, meaning that engines do not basically see and index content of deep web sites. The content of the deep web is hidden behind HTTP forms and includes many very common uses such as webmail, online banking, private or otherwise restricted access social-media pages and profiles, some web forums that require registration for viewing content, and services that users must pay for, and which are protected by paywalls, such as video on demand and some online magazines and newspapers. The content of the deep web can be located and accessed by a direct URL or IP address but may require a password or other security access to get past public website pages. While it is not always possible to directly discover a specific web server's content so that it may be indexed, a site potentially can be accessed indirectly (due to computer vulnerabilities). To discover content on the web, search engines use web crawlers that follow hyperlinks through known protocol virtual port numbers. This technique is ideal for discovering content on the surface web but is often ineffective at finding deep web content. For example, these crawlers do not attempt to find dynamic pages that are the result of database queries due to the indeterminate number of queries that are possible. It has been noted that this can be (partially) overcome by providing links to query results, but this could unintentionally inflate the popularity of a member of the deep web.

Dark WEB

The dark web is the World Wide Web content that exists on darknets: overlay networks that use the Internet but require specific software, configurations, or authorization to access. Through the dark web, private computer networks can communicate and conduct business anonymously without divulging identifying information, such as a user's location. The dark web forms a small part of the deep web, the part of the Web not indexed by web search engines, although sometimes the term deep web is mistakenly used to refer specifically to the dark web. The darknets which constitute the dark web include small, friend-to-friend peer-to-peer networks, as well as large, popular networks such as Tor, Freenet, I2P, and Riffle operated by public organizations and individuals. Users of the dark web refer to the regular web as Clearnet due to its unencrypted nature. The Tor dark web or Onionland uses the traffic anonymization technique of onion routing under the network's top-level domain suffix .onion.

Dark & Deep WEB difference

The dark web has often been conflated with the deep web, the parts of the web not indexed (searchable) by search engines. The dark web forms a small part of the deep web but requires custom software in order to access its content. This confusion dates back to at least 2009. Since then, especially in reporting on Silk Road, the two terms have often been conflated, despite recommendations that they should be distinguished. Darknet websites are accessible only through networks such as Tor ("The Onion Routing" project) and I2P ("Invisible Internet Project"). Tor browser and Tor-accessible sites are widely used among darknet users and can be identified by the domain ".onion". While Tor focuses on providing anonymous access to the Internet, I2P specializes in allowing anonymous hosting of websites. Identities and locations of darknet users stay anonymous and cannot be tracked due to the layered encryption system. The darknet encryption technology routes users' data through a large number of intermediate servers, which protects the users' identity and guarantees anonymity. The transmitted information can be decrypted only by a subsequent node in the scheme, which leads to the exit node. The complicated system makes it almost impossible to reproduce the node path and decrypt the information layer by layer. Due to the high level of encryption, websites are not able to track the geolocation and IP of their users, and users are not able to get this information about the host. Thus, communication between darknet users is highly encrypted allowing users to talk, blog, and share files confidentially.

Darknet

The darknet is also used for illegal activity such as illegal trade, forums, and media exchange for pedophiles and terrorists. At the same time, traditional websites have created alternative accessibility for the Tor browser in an effort to connect with their users. ProPublica, for example, launched a new version of its website available exclusively to Tor users.

If there are any third-party add-ons or proxy settings that interfere with your Windows 10 computer’s internet connection, then you will most likely encounter a problem where you see an error message saying, “Website is online but isn’t responding to connection attempts” when you try to run the Network Adapter troubleshooter. Like pointed out, this kind of error can be caused by some proxy settings that prevent the connection. On the other hand, it could also be caused by some third-party add-ons. To fix this error, read on as this post will guide you on what you can do to fix it. You can try to turn off the proxy settings or disable the add-ons on your browser. You can also try resetting both the TCP/IP and DNS as well as reset the network. For more details, refer to the options provided below.

Option 1 – Try to turn off the proxy settings

There are some users who reported that they’ve fixed the problem after they’ve disabled the use of a proxy server using the built-in way. Follow the steps below to disable the proxy server.

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Then type “inetcpl.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to pull up the Internet Properties.
• After that, go to the Connections tab and select the LAN settings.
• From there. Uncheck the “Use a Proxy Server” option for your LAN and then make sure that the “Automatically detect settings” option is checked.
• Now click the OK and the Apply buttons.
• Restart your PC.

Note: If you are using a third-party proxy service, you have to disable it.

Option 2 – Try disabling the add-ons or browser extensions

The next thing you can do to fix the problem is to disable any extensions or add-ons on your browser. For instance, if you are using Chrome, here’s what you have to do:

• Open Chrome and press Alt + F keys.
• Go to More tools and click Extensions to look for any suspicious browser extensions or toolbars.
• Click the Recycle bin and select Remove.
• Restart Chrome and press Alt + F keys again.
• Proceed to On Startup and mark Open a specific page or set of pages.
• To check if the browser hijacker is still active, click Set pages, if it is active, overwrite the URL.

Option 3 – Try to update the Network Adapter Driver

Follow the steps below to update your Network Adapter Driver:

• Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run window and then type in the “MSC” command and hit Enter to open the Device Manager window.
• From there, expand the list of all the network drives and update each one of them.

Note: If updating the network drivers didn’t help in fixing the problem, you can also try to uninstall the very same drivers and restart your Windows 10 PC. After that, the system itself will reinstall the drivers you just uninstalled. Alternatively, you can also download and install the drivers from the manufacturer’s website directly.

Option 4 – Try to reset the TCP/IP and the DNS cache

As you know, the TCP/IP or the Internet Protocol is the most important thing if you want to use the internet on your computer. That’s why if it ends up getting corrupted, you need to reset the TCP/IP to fix the problem. To reset TCP/IP, refer to these steps:

• In the Windows start to search, type “command prompt” and right-click on Command Prompt from the search results.
• Then select the “Run as administrator” option to open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
• After that, execute this command: netsh int ip reset resettcpip.txt
• Next, execute this second command: ipconfig /flushdns
• Once it’s done, exit Command Prompt and restart your computer and then check if the error is now fixed.

Option 5 – Try to reset the Network

You can also try to perform a Network Reset to resolve the problem. This will reset the entire network configuration including your IP address. To perform Network Reset, follow these steps:

• Tap the Win + I keys to open Settings.
• From there, go to the Network and Internet section.
• Next, scroll down and look for “Network Reset” under the status pane.
• After that, click on Network Reset and then on Reset now to start resetting the network configuration. Once done, check if it is able to fix the error or not.

After you fresh install Windows 10 on your computer, it allows you to set up a PIN just before you can start using it. However, a number of users reported that the Windows 10 installation gets stuck on the “Set up a Pin” phase. If you are one of the users who experience the same thing, then read on as this post will walk you through fixing the problem. As users start to use their newly installed Windows 10 computer, they reported that the screen is still stuck even after they enter the correct PIN twice and there is no way for them to go forward or backward. Note that this is a part of the account setup and that your computer must stay connected to your internet connection before you finalize everything. And even though the PIN works when the computer is offline, the account setup still needs an internet connection, at least for a fresh installation. The solution for this kind of issue is quite easy and there won’t be any problem even if your computer shuts down or restarts since the installation is already complete and all that’s left is the account setup. To fix this problem, follow the steps given below. Step 1: The first thing you have to do is to turn off your internet connection or disable all connectivity from your computer. Note: If you are using either an Ethernet cable or a Wi-Fi switch to connect to the internet, you have to disable or remove them. But if you don’t have any options, just completely turn off your internet connection. Step 2: The next thing you have to do is to force your computer to shut down and then restart your computer. The setup process will eventually pick up exactly where it left off. The only difference is that there is no connection to the internet and your screen will no longer be stuck on the PIN setup screen so you now have the option to skip it and wait until you’re logged in for the first time. Step 3: Once you’re done, you can then you can choose to Setup Pin later on and turn your internet connection back on or connect your computer with an internet connection.

In 27 European countries for some time it has been considered for introducing a law that would force phones, tablets, laptops, and other mobile devices to use a single USB Type-C connector.

The European Parlament announced that a provisional agreement has been reached and that it was voted that a single charging solution is USB Type-C. The current agreement applies and covers the next devices: phones, tablets, Readers, earbuds, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, handheld consoles, and portable speakers. All currently existing devices can still be sold without issues but starting in the fall of 2024 all-new products must support USB Type-C charging.

The agreement will also hit Laptops but not on the same date, How is USB Type-C currently not enough for charging laptops, all new laptops that will have to use it are scheduled for fall of 2025.

Although the agreement is reached the EU Parliament and Council still have to formally approve everything.

Apple targeted the most

Apple has been targeted as the main target for rules since their iPhones are still using Apple's proprietary Lightning charging port. Apple sells a lot of iPhones in Europe and even though iPad Pro and iPad Air along with all MacBooks have moved to USB Type-C, iPhones are still struggling with the Lightning port.

Apple criticized the EU’s charger rules when they were first proposed in 2021, telling the BBC, “We remain concerned that strict regulation mandating just one type of connector stifles innovation rather than encouraging it, which in turn will harm consumers in Europe and around the world.” The European Union has said in response that it will update its rules as new technology arrives.

Why was this proposed?

The main problem in Europe that led to this proposition was electronic waste which reached 11 000 metric tons in 2018. European union is afraid that this will keep rising as chargers become larger and heavier in order to accommodate faster-charging speeds. More electronic waste means more hardware slowly decomposing in landfills that will contribute to climate change affecting everyone on the planet, not just the people living in Europe.

CinematicFanatic (by MyWay) is a browser extension for Google Chrome that may come bundled with other free software that you download off of the Internet. When installed CinematicFanatic will set the homepage and search engine for your web browser to http://search.myway.com

While browsing the internet with this extension installed, you will see additional ads, sponsored content, and even pop-up ads throughout your browsing sessions. While CinematicFanatic is active, it will log user information, visited websites, product categories. This information is later used/sold to better display targeted ads through your web pages as sponsored content and banner ads.

CinematicFanatic has been marked as a Browser Extension by several popular anti-malware scanners, and due to its information-gathering behavior, it is recommended to remove it from your computer.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijack is a very common type of internet fraud where your web browser configurations are modified to allow it to do things you never intend. Browser hijacker malware is developed for many different reasons. These are typically used to force visitors to predetermined sites, manipulating web traffic to generate ad revenue. Even though it may seem naive, all browser hijackers are dangerous and thus always regarded as security risks. They not only screw up your web browsers, but browser hijackers can even modify the computer registry to make your PC susceptible to other forms of hacking.

How to know if your internet browser is hijacked

There are several symptoms of browser hijacking. Here are a few of them: 1. home-page is modified 2. bookmark and the new tab are likewise changed 3. The default search page of your browser is altered 4. you’ll see multiple toolbars in your internet browser 5. you will find random pop-ups start showing regularly 6. websites load slowly and often incomplete 7. You simply can’t access particular sites, particularly anti-malware websites.

How they get into your computer or laptop

Browser hijackers could use drive-by downloads or file-sharing websites or perhaps an e-mail attachment in order to reach a targeted computer. Many web browser hijackings originate from add-on programs, i.e., browser helper objects (BHO), toolbars, or plug-ins added to browsers to provide them additional functionality. A browser hijacker could also come bundled up with some freeware which you unintentionally download to your PC, compromising your internet security. Some of the well-known hijackers are CinematicFanatic, Babylon Toolbar, Conduit Search, Sweet Page, OneWebSearch, and CoolWebSearch. Browser hijackers could disrupt the user’s web surfing experience greatly, keep track of the websites visited by users and steal financial information, cause difficulty in connecting to the net, and ultimately create stability issues, making applications and systems crash.

Browser hijacker removal

Certain browser hijacking could be easily reversed by discovering and removing the corresponding malware software through your control panel. Having said that, many hijackers are really tenacious and need specialized tools to eliminate them. Additionally, manual removals demand deep system understanding and thus can be a very difficult job for inexperienced computer users. You might opt for automatic browser hijacker removal by simply installing and running an efficient anti-malware program. One of the top tools for fixing browser hijacker infections is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. It assists you to get rid of any pre-existing malware on your system and gives you real-time monitoring and protection from new threats. Together with the antivirus tool, a system optimizer, such as SafeBytes’s Total System Care, will help you in removing all related files and modifications in the computer registry automatically.

What To Do When You Cannot Download Safebytes Anti-Malware?

Viruses could cause a lot of damage to your PC. Some malware is designed to interfere with or block things that you’d like to do on your personal computer. It may not allow you to download anything from the net or it will stop you from accessing a few or all of the sites, especially the antivirus sites. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re stuck with a malware infection that is preventing you to download and/or install the Safebytes Anti-Malware program on your PC. Refer to the instructions below to remove malware in alternate ways.

Install in Safe Mode

In Safe Mode, you can change Windows settings, uninstall or install some applications, and get rid of hard-to-delete viruses and malware. In case the malicious software is set to load automatically when the PC starts, shifting into this particular mode may prevent it from doing so. In order to get into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press the F8 key while the computer is starting 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 program without the hindrance of the virus. Now, you can run the anti-malware scan to remove viruses and malware without hindrance from another application.

Switch to an alternate browser

Web-based malware could be environment-specific, targeting a particular browser or attacking specific versions of the browser. If you appear to have a virus attached to Internet Explorer, then switch to a different browser with built-in safety features, such as Firefox or Chrome, to download your preferred antivirus program – Safebytes.

Install and run anti-virus from the USB drive

Another solution is to store and operate an antivirus software program entirely from a Thumb drive. Adopt these measures to use a USB drive to clean your corrupted PC. 1) Download the anti-malware on a virus-free PC. 2) Plug the Flash drive into the uninfected computer. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the anti-malware software to run the Installation Wizard. 4) When asked, select the location of the pen drive as the place where you would like to put the software files. Follow the instructions on the computer screen to finish off the installation process. 5) Transfer the USB drive from the uninfected computer to the infected computer. 6) Double-click the EXE file to run the Safebytes program right from the pen drive. 7) Hit the “Scan Now” button to start the malware scan.

SafeBytes Anti-Malware - More Protection For You

If you’re looking to purchase anti-malware for your computer, there are various brands and utilities for you to consider. A few of them are excellent, some are ok types, and some will damage your computer themselves! While looking for antivirus software, choose one that provides reliable, efficient, and complete protection against all known viruses and malware. Amongst few good applications, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is the highly recommended software for the security-conscious user. SafeBytes can be described as a highly effective, real-time antivirus application that is created to assist the regular computer end user in protecting their computer from malicious threats. This tool can easily identify, remove, and protect your PC from the most advanced malware intrusions including spyware, adware, trojan horses, ransomware, worms, PUPs, parasites along other potentially harmful software applications.

SafeBytes carries a variety of features that can help you protect your PC from malware attacks and damage. A few of them are given as below:

Best AntiMalware Protection: By using a critically acclaimed malware engine, SafeBytes offers multilayered protection that is designed to catch and remove viruses and malware that are concealed deep inside your computer system. Real-Time Protection: SafeBytes gives round-the-clock protection for your computer limiting malware attacks instantly. This utility will always monitor your PC for suspicious activity and updates itself regularly to keep abreast of the latest threats. Safe Browsing: Safebytes allots all websites a unique safety score that helps you to get an idea of whether the website you’re about to visit is safe to view or known to be a phishing site. Fast Multi-threaded Scanning: SafeBytes’s virus scan engine is one of the fastest and most efficient within the industry. It's targeted scanning tremendously increases the catch rate for viruses that are embedded in various computer files. Light-weight Tool: SafeBytes is a lightweight and easy-of-use antivirus and anti-malware solution. As it uses minimal computer resources, this application leaves the computer’s power exactly where it belongs to: with you. Premium Support: You will get 24/7 technical support to quickly resolve any issue with your security tool. SafeBytes will keep your computer safe from most advanced malware threats automatically with hardly any input needed from you again. Now you may understand that this software does more than just scan and remove threats on your PC. If you’re trying to find a comprehensive anti-malware program that’s still simple enough to use, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is exactly what you will need!

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you don’t want to use a malware removal software and prefer to get rid of CinematicFanatic manually, you may do so by going to the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu in the Control Panel and delete the offending program; in cases of web browser plug-ins, you could remove it by going to the browser’s Add-on/Extension manager. It is also recommended to factory reset your web browser settings to their default state. Lastly, check your hard drive for all of the following and clean your registry manually to get rid of leftover application entries after uninstallation. Please note that only professional users should try to manually edit the registry because removing any single critical system file leads to a serious problem or even a system crash. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating itself or preventing its deletion. It is advised that you do the removal process in Windows Safe Mode.

Screen flickering in Windows 10 - What Is It?

Screen flickering when you’re using Windows 10 is quite a common problem. It is often caused by apps that are not compatible with the operating system, or faulty display drivers.

There are a lot of possibilities for why this issue occurs. If you are one of the many users that encounter this kind of problem, you might want to check on your task manager to see if everything is working fine. One common sign that something wrong has happened is if the task manager flickers, as well. To fix this, you will need to update an app, uninstall an app, or update your display driver.

Solution

Error Causes

Common causes of the screen flickering when running on Windows 10 are software issues. This is most likely caused by the following:

• Faulty display driver
• You have an application installed that is not compatible with your operating system

Further Information and Manual Repair

In order to fix the issue of your screen flickering when you have Windows 10 as your operating system, follow these simple steps.

Note: It is very important to consult with an authorized computer technician if you are not highly confident in solving this issue by yourself. Furthermore, you can also use software to fix this problem.

• The first method is by checking if your task manager is flickering. To open the task manager, all you have to do is right-click or press and hold the start button, then select task manager.

If you have confirmed that the task manager is the one causing the screen flickers, the display driver can possibly be your problem. To fix it, all you have to do is update your display driver.

How to update the display driver

1. You have to reset your computer and boot it on Safe Mode.

      -In order to do this, you have to hold the Shift key while selecting Power>Restart. When your computer boots up, you will be greeted by a Choose an option screen. From there, you have to select Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options, then Startup Settings, and then Restart. When your computer restarts, select 4 or hit the F4 key to enter into Safe Mode.

2. When your computer finally boots up in Safe Mode, right-click or press and hold the Start button. From there, click Device Manager.

3. From the Device Manager screen, you have to expand the Display Drivers section, right-click on the driver that might be causing the problem then select Uninstall. Don’t forget to tick the Delete the driver software for this device box, press the OK button, and then restart your computer.

            - When you have two, or more, drivers installed on your computer, all you have to do is disable the other drivers. You can do this by right-clicking on the driver in the Device Manager and click the Yes box next to disable. Shut down your PC after this, disconnect the installation, and boot your computer back on.

4. When your PC boots up after the restart, click on the Start button then click on Settings.

5. You need to go to Update & Security, then Windows Update, and then check for updates.

            - If you are using multiple drivers and this technique doesn’t work, repeat the process in Step 3 and try to disable a different driver.

Remove an incompatible app

There are two ways to remove an incompatible app to fix the issue of a screen flicker on Windows 10. Apps like Norton AV, iCloud, and IDT Audio are usually the ones causing the problem. Uninstalling these apps could solve the problem. Uninstall the apps by using the methods below:

First Solution: Uninstall an app in Settings

1. Click Start, and then click Settings.
2. Click on System, and then click on Apps & Features.
3. A window will pop up and from there you will need to select the application you wish to uninstall. Click the app, and then click uninstall. Follow the screen prompt to fully uninstall the program.

Second Solution: Uninstall an app in the Start Menu

1. Click Start, and then click All Apps.
2. Look for the application you will need to uninstall, right-click the said app, and then click Uninstall. Follow the screen prompt to fully uninstall the program.

[/section]

What software are you using to keep your information and all your files and memories safe? 

None? Yikes. Let’s hope no damage has been done to your data yet then. Because with how the digital world has evolved, your data might be getting leaked and you have no idea.

Why do you need to invest in security software?

There’s really no good excuse not to purchase a quality platform for PC protection. Especially since top security solutions are available at such affordable prices nowadays, your wallet would barely even notice it.

At this point, only people who barely use their PCs and have zero sensitive information on them can get away with simply using the built-in Windows 10/11 security software. But we guarantee that those people are extremely hard to find and that you’re not one of them, and here’s why.

Even if you don’t use your computer for things that are very obviously sensitive, such as internet banking, you still have some personal data at risk of being stolen. How so? Well, think about the data you enter into your social media profiles, for example. How devastating would it be if somebody got a hold of any of it? Yep, that’s what we thought.

In the hands of a skilled cybercriminal, your phone number alone could put you at risk of scams, ransomware, identity theft and more. Also think about the stuff you share in texts and social media chats. Think about the websites you visit and how many times you may have accidentally clicked on an ad, which could very well contain malicious software. Those all seem harmless until someone’s actually used them against you. 

Now imagine the dangers involved when you actually store truly confidential data on your PC and browsers. Sends shivers down your spine, doesn’t it?

In the case of a successful cyberattack of whatever type (virus, phishing, worms, etc.), there’s so much that is at stake. Businesses/legal persons will suffer from financial loss and damaged reputation, at the very least. Natural persons may be threatened or exploited, get their banking or medical information and even their identity stolen, etc. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

These are our biggest reasons for investing in Windows PC protection software:

• Cyberthreats are constantly evolving to the point where built-in or free software won’t cut it anymore.

• Those working remotely can have peace of mind knowing both personal and business data is completely secure.

• Businesses using top security solutions ensure their customers trust them. 

• Data breaches are a pain in the you-know-what to handle. Fighting a cyberattack and going back to normal is a demanding process, and not to mention the stress it’ll cause. We’d rather prevent all that by using trustworthy security products!

• It helps parents worry a little less about their children’s safety in the online world. 

• Added bonus: with most products, you get an ad-free browsing experience!

Obviously, there are a lot more reasons to get your PC secured. But we think you get it. So let’s cut to the chase and take a look at our 6 favorite protection solutions and the wonders they can do for you.

*Note that in this article we’re looking at products primarily suited for households and home offices, some for small businesses. No enterprise solutions will make the list today, but stay tuned for a future article on those.

Top 6 best PC protection solutions

1. Bitdefender Total & Internet Security\

One of the biggest security product vendors out there, Bitdefender offers several awesome solutions. We want to introduce two of our favorites, Bitdefender Total Security and Bitdefender Internet Security.

Bitdefender Total Security is great for both households and smaller offices. You can choose to protect 5 or 10 devices, and not necessarily just Windows devices. It also works for macOS, Android and iOS. It offers a range of powerful features, such as:

• Real-time data protection
• Webcam and microphone protection
• Device optimization options
• Anti-phishing/-fraud/-spam technology
• Ransomware protection
• Anti-loss and anti-theft tools
• VPN and privacy firewall 
• Anti-tracking technology
• Parental controls
• 24/7 support

Bitdefender Internet Security shares almost all of these features, but there are a few important differences to note. Unlike Total Security, Internet Security has more options in terms of the number of protected devices: 1, 3, 5 or 10. However it’s only compatible with the Windows platform and it doesn’t offer device optimization tools or anti-theft options. Whether or not this is a deal-breaker depends on your needs alone - we still find it a great security tool.

2. ESET Internet Security

An award-winning Windows security product, ESET Internet Security is essential on this list. It has an outstanding protection rate of 99.9% and a range of amazing options you’ll definitely want to make use of. It can be installed on up to 10 devices, making it an awesome tool for your household, home office or a small business. It’s also compatible with macOS and Android.

These are ESET Internet Security’s best features:

• Protection against ransomware and spyware
• Protection against malware specifically designed to avoid detection
• In-depth scans when the computer is not in use
• Firewall to prevent unauthorized access to your PC
• Anti-spam tool
• Anti-phishing and botnet protection technologies
• Tool to scan your router and smart devices for vulnerabilities
• Special browser for secure internet banking 
• Parental controls
• Prevention of unauthorized webcam access 

If you ask us, ESET has it all!

3. Kaspersky Total & Internet Security

Having a deja vu? Didn’t you just read Total Security and Internet Security somewhere? Oh, that’s right - the first entry on our list! But here we’re talking about Kaspersky, a vendor you’ve also definitely heard about before.

Just like Bitdefender, Kaspersky is another one of those renowned names in the cybersecurity world that always make it to every ‘best of’ list. And for good reason - its products really fulfill their purpose. So let’s take a closer look at the two we chose.

These are the features both Kaspersky Total Security and Kaspersky Internet Security have in common:

• Real-time virus and spyware blocking
• Webcam protection
• Wi-Fi security notifications
• Advanced identity theft protection
• Free technical support on several channels
• Remote security management
• Multiple devices (up to 10)

The main difference between Kaspersky Total Security and Internet Security is that the former offers more capabilities. These are the features KTS offers that KIS does not:

• System cleanup
• File shredding
• Password management
• Data backup and encryption

Both are excellent security tools, though we do prefer KTS a little more because of these additional options.

4. Norton 360 Deluxe

Of course one of the industry-leading solutions makes the list. Norton 360 Deluxe can protect up to 5 devices, be it Windows, iOS, macOS or Android. It’s worth noting that its features are best developed for Windows. Here’s what you get with Norton 360 Deluxe:

• Protection against viruses, hackers, malware
• 100% virus protection promise
• VPN included for all devices
• Unlimited VPN on Windows
• Password manager
• Parental controls

So is there anything aside from these standard protection features that makes it such a favorite among us techies? Let us tell you! Norton added a little bit of spice here with two really powerful capabilities. The Deluxe product offers 50GB of cloud backup and dark web monitoring. The latter means the software notifies you if any of your personal information is found on the dark web, which helps protect you against identity theft.

5. McAfee Antivirus

Don’t be misled by the name of this product. Antivirus software may have started as protection against viruses only, but it’s developed quite a lot. The name simply stuck. All that to say that McAfee Antivirus - another award-winning security solution - protects you against several different threats.

The basic and essential plan allow 1 and 5 devices respectively, while McAfee+ Premium and Advanced work on an unlimited number of devices. The latter two also offer more capabilities, as you can imagine. Here’s what you can expect from all of them:

• Secure unlimited VPN
• File shredder to delete sensitive files completely
• Ultimate safety while browsing
• Protection against hackers
• 100% virus protection promise
• Advanced firewall to block dangerous traffic
• Online support from specialists
• Protection score (shows how safe you are and detects vulnerabilities)
• Identity monitoring (notifies you if any of your information is on the dark web)
• Password management

Unlike the previous products, McAfee Antivirus does not offer parental controls. Otherwise it’s a pretty strong and comprehensive protection tool and might just be the right choice for you!

6. Trend Micro Maximum Security

Last but definitely not least, we’ve got Maximum Security by Trend Micro. And yes, you guessed it, Trend Micro is also an award winner in terms of cybersecurity. Its products have been recognized as industry-leading security solutions by AV-Test since 2003. Among all its fantastic solutions, our favorite for households or small offices is Maximum Security.

You can use Trend Micro Maximum Security to protect 3-5 devices for a year or two years before needing to renew your license. Aside from Windows, it’s compatible with iOS, Android, Mac and Chromebook devices. Here’s what you can expect from this protection software:

• Powerful malware protection
• Phishing detection and prevention (email)
• Password management and protection
• Maximum security for online banking and shopping
• System optimization
• Social media privacy protection
• Parental controls 
• 24/7 technical support
• No notifications during gaming

It’s truly one of the most effective platforms out there dedicated to protecting your digital life. Using this product, ransomware, identity thieves and malicious websites don’t stand a chance.

The bottom line

If you’ve made it all the way here, congratulations, you’ve made the right choice: to invest in securing your valuable data! Now the question is: which one of these 6 awesome antivirus/antimalware products to select?

The paradox of choice is a very real thing - we feel you. As mentioned, it comes down to what your specific needs are. So before you go ahead and purchase your security software, make sure to explore all options.

And if you really can’t handle the decision-making anxiety, feel free to reach out. We’ll happily assist you in finding the right product to keep your digital life secure!

As you know, Bluetooth headphones allow users to connect to their mobile devices wirelessly. This allows you to talk on your mobile device or listen to music without having to connect any cords or wires. Additionally, it even allows you to adjust the volume of a left or right speaker. However, Bluetooth headphones in Windows 10 are another story as their scope is limited. For instance, the left and right pieces can’t have different volume levels. But if you still want to change the dual control of the volume of headphones separately in Windows 10. And in this post, you will be guided on how exactly you can do that. In addition, in this post, you will also be guided on what you can do if the Windows Update messed with the Bluetooth volume control and what you can do to disable the absolute volume in Windows 10. In case you don’t know, the Absolute Volume feature is actually incompatible with a number of Bluetooth devices which can result in the inability of the Bluetooth device to adjust its volume. Thus, if you experience this kind of issue, you’ll notice that the volume slider in the taskbar and the device volume control neither have any effect in adjusting the volume. And each time you try to adjust the volume level for one speaker, the volume of another speaker also automatically changes. In such a case, it would be difficult for you to separately change the dual volume control headphones. Worry not for there is an easy registry tweak you can try to make this possible to do. But before you proceed with the instructions provided below, make sure that you create a System Restore first. Once you have that covered, follow the steps below carefully. Step_1: Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor. Step_2: Next, navigate to this registry path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMControlSet001ControlBluetoothAudioAVRCPCT Step_3: After that, look for the entry named “DisableAbsoluteVolume” which should be located in the right pane. But if you’re unable to find this entry, you can just create it by right-clicking on the CT key and selecting New > DWORD (32-bit) value, and then assign “DisableAbsoluteVolume” as its name. Step_4: Once done, double click on the “DisableAbsoluteVolume” DWORD and set its value from 0 to 1. Step_5: Now exit the Registry Editor and restart your computer. On the other hand, you can also disable or enable the Absolute Volume feature by executing a command in the Command Prompt.

• If you want to disable the Absolute Volume feature, just execute this command: reg add HKLMSYSTEMControlSet001ControlBluetoothAudioAVRCPCT /v DisableAbsoluteVolume /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
• If you want to enable the Absolute Volume feature, just execute this command: reg add HKLMSYSTEMControlSet001ControlBluetoothAudioAVRCPCT /v DisableAbsoluteVolume /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

After you execute the command, just restart your computer.

After your computer restarts.

Once you’re done executing the given instructions above, you have to right-click on the speaker icon located in the system tray and select Open Sound Settings and click on Manage device settings – the same controls will be visible to you like earlier. Now when you change the volume level for one speaker, the other speaker should now remain as it is and won’t change alongside the speaker.