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USB Security key is not working on Windows

As you know, the USB security keys are a secure medium to validate a lot of components in a computer. They can be used to log in to Windows 10. Now with the advancement of APIs, you can authenticate across the website as well using the same key. However, there are times when it may not work and it could be caused by several factors. It could be due to corrupted or incompatible drivers or it could also be due to compromised integrity of the key, and many more.

So if you happen to encounter an issue with the USB security key on your Windows 10 computer, then there are several potential fixes you can try. You can try toggling the Internet Options settings or reinstall the respective USB drivers. You could also try changing the PIN of the security key or disable the antivirus program on your computer or troubleshoot the web browser. Refer to the potential fixes provided below to fix the problem.

Option 1 – Try to toggle the settings of the Internet Options

  • In the Windows Search box, search for Internet Options to open it.
  • Next, go to the Security tab and drag the security slider to the lowest possible security for all the given zones.
  • After that, click on OK to save the changes made and close the Internet Options.

Note that this option is only a temporary measure as it can make your computer vulnerable. Make sure to press the Reset all zones to default level button.

Option 2 – Try to update or reinstall the respective drivers

If updating the drivers of the device did not fix the problem with the USB security key, you can try to update or reinstall the Universal Serial Bus Controller drivers instead of using the Device Manager. Refer to the following steps:

  • First, click the Start button and type “device manager”.
  • Then click on the “Device Manager” from the search results to open it.
  • From there, look for the “Universal Serial Bus controllers” option and then right-click on each one of the USB drivers and select the Update Driver from the menu.

Note: If it is a regular USB drive, then it will be listed as a USB Mass Storage Device but if you have a USB 3.0 device, then look for a USB 3.0 Extensible Host Controller.

  • Restart your PC and then click the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option.

Note: If updating the USB Controller drivers didn’t work, you can try to reinstall them instead.

Option 3 – Try to change the PIN of the security key

If the first two options didn’t work, you can try changing the PIN of the security key. There are instances when the PIN for the security key might have been corrupted. Thus, resetting it can help you resolve the problem.

Option 4 – Temporarily disable Firewall and third-party antivirus

Firewall and antivirus programs are known to block the proper functioning of the USB security key. Thus, your antivirus or firewall programs might be the reason why you can’t download anything on your Windows 10 computer. To isolate the issue, you need to temporarily disable both the Firewall and antivirus programs and then check if you can now download anything from the internet. Do not forget to enable them again as disabling them can leave your computer vulnerable to cyber threats.

Option 5 – Try to troubleshoot the web browser

Troubleshooting your web browser can also help you fix the USB security key problem. You can do that by checking if your web browser supports the security key and you can do that by checking on the official website of your browser. You can also try to update your web browser to its latest version but if it didn’t help, you can try to reinstall it or switch to another web browser.

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Internet, best or worst thing ever

Started as an internal network and has slowly expanded since 1960 internet has taken over the world. In the beginning, it was a means of information change but in the modern age you can run applications and virtual machines over the internet, you can stream video and audio, and you can communicate in real-time with someone on the other side of Earth.

With the internet growing so fast in such a small amount of time it is only logical and wise to take a step back and take a good look at what it offers now, what are great things about it and what are some of the worst.

internet

Good sides of the internet

Information

There are a lot of advantages of the internet, first and foremost is information. Internet was made as an information exchange service and even today you can find a lot of various information about various topics that interest you. A site like Wikipedia is a completely free online encyclopedia and a lot of news companies have their own internet sites where you can find free information and news.

On the other hand, there are also websites like udemy, edx, Coursera, and many others that will offer you the education, some for free, some for money but you can get a glimpse and part of university quality education for just a fraction of price.

Online shopping

Sites like Amazon have used the internet and launched themselves as today's multi-billion companies. In today's world, there is not a single thing you can not buy online. Many sites today are going from the large online marketplace where you can find everything to small niche specialized ones. Also every major brand in the world today has its own online store.

Other shops will offer you music, movies, games, etc. Services like steam, xbox pass, sony pass etc, will let you buy games online, other music, movies, and many more.

Streaming services

Days, when you had to buy movies in order to watch them at home, are gone, thanks to the internet we have plenty of streaming services for movies and tv shows as well as ones for music. If you do not want to spend money on actually purchasing things then a good idea is to have a streaming plan set up when you want it.

Email and messaging

Communication is a great thing and since the dawn of mankind people have been talking and sharing with each other, the internet has made it possible to send mail electronically and instantly and modern chat communication is everywhere. We can not just talk with our friends and family that can be on the other side of the world, we can also talk in real-time with the sales representative, with technical service, or attend online classes with a group of people.

Cloud storage services

Saving your pictures in this digital media age on the hard drive can be risky but thanks to modern technologies you can save most of your precious files on cloud servers for safekeeping. From pictures to documents and even other files that you need and want to save. There are some of them that will offer you a free amount and some basic free plans as well.

Bad sides of the internet

Malware, viruses, and phishing

We could not talk about the bad side of the internet if we do not mention its greatest threat. Bad sites, infected software, phishing emails, and many more malicious threats. Problem is that these kinds of tricks and attacks have become more and more sophisticated and harder to detect and avoid.

Pornography

Pornography is bad, having it freely available to children is even worse. Sadly the only way to regulate this is on a computer-by-computer basis by turning on parent control on each one. There are many studies that go into detail about why this is bad, sadly currently there are no effective ways to isolate this content.

No privacy

When we say there is no privacy we do not mean by using social media and not setting your privacy settings altho that also fits in this point, what we are talking about is data mining of your habits and things you do. It is well known that today lot of websites are using some form of AI recommender system in order to tailor your internet experience to suit your needs better. Most of these AI systems are trained by mining your data and analyzing your habits.

If you have 2 google accounts there is a high probability chance that for the same query you will get different results, depending on your so far browsing habits. The same goes for other services as well.

Dark webshops

There are some great things in dark and deep WEB-like sites with true news and information. Even some legit libraries where you can find and download rare books. Sadly as goes with the internet dark and deep WEB also has its well, dark sides, from disturbing content to shops that sell stolen items to straight stealing your money by parading as legit shops but only to steal your money.

Dating sites

We all try to find someone that is perfectly matched with us but using the online dating site has many proven bad effects on psychology. It also devaluates interaction between people and can lower self-esteem.

Bad habits

Since the internet has become wildly available and popular on various devices like tablets and mobile phones more and more people are spending an unhealthy amount of time on it. Harvesting the benefits of the internet is great but find some time for other people as well.

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The proxy server is refusing connections
If you receive an error message saying, “The proxy server is refusing connections” while trying to open a website on your Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox browser in Windows 10, then read on as this post will guide you in fixing this error. This kind of error occurs when you have a wrong or dead proxy configuration or when you are using some VPN service. However, this kind of error could also mean that your computer might be infected by malware which caused some changes in the internal settings. Whatever triggered the error, here are some suggestions that could help in fixing it.

Option 1 – Check the proxy settings in your browser

Like other browsers, Firefox allows users to set up proxy in several ways. However, if you’ve made any changes recently which might have caused the error, the first thing you can do is to check the proxy settings in your Firefox browser. Follow the steps below to do so.
    • Open the browser and go to Menu and then click Options.
    • After that, go to the General tab and scroll down and click the Settings button under Network Settings.
  • From there, make sure that the Use system proxy settings option is set. If not, you have to enable No proxy and then save the changes made.
  • Now check if the “The proxy server is refusing connections” error is fixed or not.
Note: If you want to use a proxy in Firefox, you have to select the Manual proxy configuration and set it up properly. And if your network has a proxy setting and you want to grab that, you have to opt for the Auto-detect proxy settings for this network option.

Option 2 – Try disabling the proxy server for your LAN

If your PC was just attacked by some adware or malware as of late, it is possible that it has changed the network settings in the system and might display spam advertisements. Thus, you have to disable the proxy server for your LAN. To do that, refer to these steps:
  • 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 3 – Try disabling the manual proxy setup from Settings

In case you miss it, there is actually an option in the Settings panel that you can use to set up a proxy in your Windows 10 computer. So if you encounter the “The proxy server is refusing connections” error, you should disable manual proxy for the meantime and check if it fixed the error or not.
  • Tap the Win + I keys to open the Windows Settings.
  • Then go to Network & Internet > Proxy.
  • And on your right-hand side, ensure that the Automatically detect settings are enabled and that the Use a proxy server option under the Manual proxy setup is disabled.
  • Now try to open any website again and see if the problem’s fixed.

Option 4 – Check your VPN

If you are using a VPN application, there are times when it causes some issues like this error. If that’s the case, you can try to disable your VPN temporarily and see if the error is resolved or not and if turns out that your VPN is the culprit, you have to uninstall it and install a new one or its latest version. To uninstall it, follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box
  • Then type “appwiz.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to open the Programs and Features in Control Panel.
  • From there, look for the VPN service you are using, select it and then click on Uninstall to remove it.
  • After that, restart your computer and try to install the latest version of the program again. It should work now. If not, proceed to the next available option below.

Option 5 – Clear your browser’s internet cache

You actually have the option to Hard Refresh in order to clear the cache of your browser either pressing key combination Ctrl +F5.

Option 6 – Try scanning your computer using Windows Defender

As mentioned, the “The proxy server is refusing connections” might be caused by some malware in the system and so to eliminate the malware, you have to scan your computer using security programs like Windows Defender.
  • Tap the Win + I keys to open Update & Security.
  • Then click on the Windows Security option and open Windows Defender Security Center.
  • Next, click on Virus & threat protection > Run a new advanced scan.
  • Now make sure that Full Scan is selected from the menu and then click the Scan Now button to get started.
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Disabling Auto Update in Chrome & Firefox
As you know, all the web browsers come with the support of auto-updates which include both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. However, with these updates, the browser comes with the support of a new web APIs and better rendering. Although there could be a lot of problems that may arise due to these updates. These problems consist of depreciation of features, incompatibility with some websites, to name a few. It includes incompatibility with some websites, depreciation of features, and more. This might push someone to stop the auto-updates of these web browsers. So, in this guide, we will be checking out how to stop auto-update in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox on Windows 10. Thus, if you want to be rid of these issues, then you can disable the Chrome & Firefox auto-update and you can do that by either using the Windows Services Manager and the System Configuration utility.

Option 1 – Disable Chrome & Firefox auto-update via Windows Services Manager

The first thing you can do to disable the Chrome auto-update is through the Windows Services Manager. To do so, follow these steps:
  • First, tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Windows Services Manager.
  • After that, you will see a list of services and from there, look for the Google Update Services (gupdate) and Google Update Service (gupdatem).
  • Once you find these services, right-click on each one of them and select Properties and then make sure that the Service Status is set to be Stopped.
  • You should also select the Startup Type to Disabled and click on the Apply and OK buttons.
  • Now restart your computer. This should stop the automatic update of the Chrome browser.

Option 2 – Disable Chrome & Firefox auto-update via System Configuration utility or MSConfig

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility and type “msconfig” in the field and tap Enter to open the System Configuration.
  • After that, go to the Services tab and uncheck the two entries, namely Google Update Service (gupdate) and Google Update Service (gupdatem).
  • Next, click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made.
  • Restart your computer.
Note: Now that you’ve stopped the auto-update in Firefox, it’s time for you to stop the auto-update in Mozilla Firefox. To get started, follow the steps below.
  • Open the Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the hamburger menu located on the top-right portion of the screen.
  • After that, select Options and under the General panel and then go to the Firefox Updates section.
  • Next, click on the radio button for updates but select the option to let you install them.
  • You also have to uncheck the options named “Use a background service to install updates” and “Automatically update search engines”.
  • Once done, restart the Firefox browser. This should stop the automatic update.
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How to Resolve Error Code 0x800704c7 in Windows 8

Error Code 0x800704c7 – What is it?

Error code 0x800704c7 occurs when Windows users attempt but fail to update their system. It affects various Windows users including those using Windows 8 and 8.1. This error code has common symptoms such as the following:

  • Inability to upgrade your Windows operating system
  • Message box that includes error code 0x800704c7 message

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Error code 0x800704c7 in Windows 8 often occurs due to a poorly maintained system. It can occur when system files become corrupted or missing. It may also occur when malware infects your system. To resolve this error code, Windows users will need to select at least one of the manual repair methods listed below and follow the instructions given.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Manual repair methods enable users to address the underlying issues causing error code 0x800704c7. These repair methods are not very technical. However, you may need to get help from an IT professional if you find them to be difficult or if your attempts to implement these instructions fail to fix the error code.

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

The System File Checker Tool (SFC) enables Windows users to check their system for missing or corrupt system files. This utility tool is present on all Windows 8 systems and even other versions of the Windows operating system. Run this tool by following the steps below:

  • Step one: Go to Start and type Command Prompt or CMD.
  • Step two: Run as Administrator
  • Step three: Type sfc /scannow.

After running these procedures, check if the error code has been resolved by reattempting to update your system. If you are unable to complete the process and the error message reoccurs, try the next manual repair method below.

Method two: Use Powerful Antimalware Tool

Various forms of malware, including viruses, can infect your system, causing error codes to occur or even more serious problems. That’s why you’ll need to ensure you have a powerful antimalware program installed on your device. Once this is present on your system, start scanning for viruses, worms, and Trojan horses so as to resolve error code 0x800704c7 in Windows 8.

If the issue causing error code 0x800704c7 on your device is a virus or worm, cleaning your system with a powerful antimalware program will successfully resolve the error code. However, if the error code remains unresolved after completing this manual repair method, proceed to the next method below.

Method three: Restore your System

System Restore is a simple method that users can implement to resolve error code 0x800704c7. This enables users to restore their system to a period of time in which their device was not affected by the error code. If done correctly, it can enable users to successfully complete the update process. Follow the steps below.

  • Step one: Click the Start button and type Control Panel in the search box
  • Step two: Select Control Panel, then Recovery
  • Step three: Select System Restore, then Next
  • Step four: Select a restore point before appeared on your Windows8 system
  • Step five: Select Next, then Finish

Method Four: Use an Automated Tool

If you wish to always have at your disposal a utility tool to fix these Windows 8 and other related issues when they do arise, download and install a powerful automated tool.
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Some Steam tips and tricks for easy life
steamSteam has cemented itself as the largest digital game shop in the World. First, release all the way back on September 12th, 2003, it was meant to be a standalone software client aimed to deliver updates to Valve’s games. It was soon expanded to include titles from third parties. The greatest Steam expansion and its popularity started in 2004 with the release of Half-life 2. Steam allowed prepurchased editions to be downloaded before the official release of the game making it available for play the moment it was officially out. Very soon after Steam gained its popularity, Valve has opened doors to other developers and offered them to use Steam as means for a digital distribution platform. Today it hosts over 30000 different game titles, not including DLC or applications. And how soon Valve’s steam deck is coming out soon we would like to share some great tips and tricks about Steam itself for easy everyday gaming.

Steam guard account security

Security of any of your accounts should be something that you really take seriously. So as always use a strong password for Steam but if you want an extra layer of security for it, and you should, use the Steam built-in feature: Guard Account Security. In order to activate Security Guard go to Steam>Settings>Account>Manage Steam Guard Account Security. Once enabled you will be able to use the Steam mobile application for special code when opening Steam or your email address.

Use Steam beta feature

Once a Steam account is created by default you will download and install the client. In the client, you will have the latest features available but there are more Steam features than default ones, beta features that can offer some improved and new functionality, and do not worry, they are stable and bug-free. I have been in Steam beta for years and not even once have I had any issues with the client itself but I have always had the latest features that will come to regular users later. To enable beta participation to go to Steam>Settings>Account, open the drop-down Beta participation menu, and choose Steam Beta Update. Confirm on OK and restart the Steam client. You will now get all the latest features first.

Manage your library via Collections

The collection is a neat idea for organizing your large game library into different collections or sections easily expanded and contracted for easier navigation and organization. To add the game to a collection just right-click on it and select Add To>New Collection, make a name for a collection like action, RPG, or whatever rocks your boat, and you are done. Once the collection is created other games can be added to it simply just by dragging it into the desired collection.

Make shelves

Shelves are ways to see your collections in the larger areas of the Steam clients. By clicking Add Shelf>Choose a Shelf, you can now add your collection to a shelf on the larger part of the client as a horizontal scrolling container with your chosen games. There are also some predefined shelves like All Games, Recent friend activity, and more.

Hide Game from Library

By right-clicking on a game and selecting Manage>Hide This Game you will remove the game from the active view of your Steam library. Note that the game will still be owned and a part of your library, you will just not be able to see it. This is a great feature when for example you have some things that came as a part of the game pack you are not really interested in when you have 2 different versions of the same game as for example standard and deluxe edition or just by simply not wanting to have game visible in the library. You can find a hidden game by typing its name in the search box and from there you can unhide it.

Play game soundtracks inside Steam

Some games offer you to purchase their soundtracks if you like music from them and some even include OST with a regular purchase. Steam lets you play these soundtracks and even lets you import your own music library folder into it in order to play all of your music inside the client itself. It has even options to automatically stop music playing once the game is run and you can make playlists as well. Your purchased game soundtracks are automatically included, the rest you will need to add by pointing Steam to the folder where you keep music in.

Configure gamepad

Inside Steam, you can configure your gamepad’s general settings, big picture settings, desktop settings, etc. Steam embraced the idea that many OC users these days own and play with gamepads so it has implemented configuration options inside it. To configure your pad go to Steam>Settings>Controller.

Use big picture Steam mode

Big picture mode is Steam's idea of making Steam an entertainment center. Once it is activated it switches from the application into full-screen mode aimed at large TV screens or monitors. You can easily navigate through it via gamepad, mouse, keyboard, or other devices. You have access to the store, your game library, etc. Same as your typical steam app but a little different. You can easily activate it via View> Big Picture Mode and see for yourself is this something you prefer over a standard application layout.

Enable Steam Cloud

Steam Cloud is a great feature that uses cloud storage to save your game progress meaning that you can easily switch to another PC, install games there and continue where you have left off. Many games support this feature instead of keeping saves locally and it is a great feature worth turning it ON. To turn and use Steam Cloud service go to Steam>Settings>Cloud>Enable Steam Cloud Synchronization. Just remember to check does game you are playing supports this option.

Share your Games via Family sharing

Family sharing is a Steam feature allowing you to share your game library with up to 5 accounts on up to 10 different devices. This is a great way to let other members of your family or even close friends enjoy some games you have or vice versa. They will get as well their own save games so you can sleep safe knowing that your progress can not be changed or hindered. Family sharing can be turned ON by logging into PC Steam client where you would like to share your library and navigate to Steam>Settings>Family and then clicking on Authorize Library Sharing On This Computer.

Refund a game

Sometimes the game is not the same as advertised, sometimes it will not work on your PC, sometimes hardware specifications are too high making the game unplayable, etc. For whatever reason, you might have Steam offers you a full game price refund if you wish to do so, you only need to meet 2 criteria, the game must have been purchased within 2 weeks period, older purchases cannot be refunded, and your game playtime must not be over 2 hours of game time. If you fit into this category all you need to do in order to get the full money back is going to Help>Steam Support, pick a recent game from the eligible list, and ask for a refund.

Gift a game

As you can buy gifts for your friends or loved ones in real life, Valve made sure you can do it in digital as well. Gifting game via Steam is simple and straightforward. Choose a game you wish to gift, go to your shopping cart and instead of clicking Purchase for myself, click on Purchase As a Gift, from there you will be taken to your friend list to choose to whom you would like to gift a game along with the option to write a little note to the receiver like happy birthday, enjoy or whatever.

Stream games in Steam itself

Although Steam is not there yet in streaming as Twitch or Facebook gaming is, there is an option to stream your game sessions on it. Click on Steam>Settings>Broadcast to make all adjustments and start streaming. You can also watch streams from your friend list and Steam is now broadcasting popular streams directly to its client if you want to watch it.

Take a game screenshot

By pressing F12, you can take a screenshot from any game and save it inside your Steam cloud library. You can change of course this default screenshot key via Settings>In-Game and if you would like to see your screenshots you can always do it under View Screenshot Library on a game’s page. That’s it, our Steam tips and tricks for easy and good gaming life, I hope to see you soon on errortools.com for your daily articles, tips, and tricks.
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Fix Copy & Paste issue in Windows 10
Copy & Paste function is an essential option in properly working Windows, from copying text to weblinks and many other sources like pictures and files it is one of the crucial features in Windows. When the copy and paste feature is not working we are somewhat left in Windows limbo, essentially Windows itself is working but without this specific feature it is very hard, almost impossible to get any work done, if you are an unfortunate user who has faced this particular issue do not worry, we have solutions for you.
  1. Update Windows

    Glitches come in various forms and sometimes they are introduced in updates, check to see if it is available Windows update and if it, download and install it, there is a very high chance that the next update will bring fixes for known glitches.
  2. Disable antivirus

    A good antivirus is an essential piece of software for any PC, however, sometimes it can interfere with the basic operations of windows itself. Disable it completely to see if copying and pasting will start to work, if this is a case, see can you somehow turn options off in antivirus or switch to another one.
  3. Run Check disc

    Corrupted applications and system files can cause issues with Windows functioning, the easiest way to solve this issue is to run build-in Windows Check disk utility and let it scan and fix potential issues.
  4. Run SFC

    If the check disk failed to fix the issue, run command prompt as administrator and type in sfc /scannow, file checker will go through all files and fix if it finds anything including corrupted system files. Reboot your system after the operation completes. Please note that an SFC scan can take a long time sometimes, do not interrupt the scanning process and leave it to finish.
  5. Restart rdpclip process

    Restarting rdpclip.exe can solve the issue. Open task manager and under process find rdpclip.exe, right-click on it and end it, then go to windows/system32 and search for rdpclip.exe and double click it. Please note that you will be able to find this process only if you are on a remote PC machine, on a local user machine rdpclip is not running.
  6. Rollback to the previous system restore point

    If this particular issue was introduced in the latest update and previous solutions have not worked, roll back to the restore point where everything was working as it should.
  7. Stop virtualization

    if you are using virtual software there is a chance that the shared clipboard feature is interfering with Windows, turn the Virtual machine off and try copy & paste again.
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Premiere Download Manager removal guide for Windows PC

Premiere Download Manager is a Browser Extension that comes bundled with Premiere Download Manager Potentially unwanted program, and other unwanted applications and extensions. This program was developed by Mindspark Interactive and offers users the ability to download files off the internet through the Download Manager provided. It also changes the home page and defaults the search engine to Myway.com.

This bundle monitors the user’s activity, and while the extension has access to your browsing activity, clicked links, visited pages, etc. the application itself has access to all the files that you downloaded, and have on your computer. This gathered data is later sent back to Mindspark’s servers where it is used to better target ads for users.

While installed, you will run into additional, sponsored links, and even pop-up ads while browsing the internet. Though it is not considered malware, it contains many behaviors disliked by users and is labeled as potentially unwanted. This bundle has been marked as a Browser Hijacker by several anti-virus applications and is therefore recommended to remove from your PC.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is actually a form of unwanted software program, commonly a browser add-on or extension, which causes modifications in web browser’s settings. Browser hijacker malware is designed for many different reasons. Often, hijackers will force hits to sites of their preference either to increase web traffic producing higher ad revenue, or to obtain a commission for each and every user visiting there. Although it may seem naive, these tools are made by malicious people who always attempt to take full advantage of you, so that they can earn money from your naivety and distraction. Some browser hijackers are designed to make particular modifications beyond the web browsers, like changing entries in the computer registry and permitting other types of malware to further damage your computer.

Key symptoms that your internet browser has been hijacked

There are numerous symptoms that indicate your web browser is highjacked: the home page of the browser is changed all of a sudden; your browser is constantly being redirected to pornography sites; the default web engine has been changed and the browser security settings have been lowered without your knowledge; you’re getting browser toolbars you have never noticed before; you find lots of pop-up ads on your screen; your browser gets slow, buggy, crashes very often; You can’t access certain sites, in particular anti-virus websites.

Exactly how they get into your computer or laptop

There are several ways your computer or laptop can become infected by a browser hijacker. They generally arrive through spam email, via file-sharing networks, or by a drive-by download. They may also originate from any BHO, extension, toolbar, add-on, or plug-in with malicious purpose. Sometimes you may have mistakenly accepted a browser hijacker as part of an application bundle (usually freeware or shareware). Browser hijackers could affect the user’s web browsing experience significantly, monitor the websites frequented by users and steal financial information, cause difficulty in connecting to the net, and then finally create stability issues, making applications and computers freeze.

Removing browser hijackers

Certain browser hijacking can be quite easily reversed by finding and removing the corresponding malware application through your control panel. However, many hijackers are extremely tenacious and require specialized applications to eradicate them. Also, browser hijackers might modify the Computer registry therefore it could be very hard to restore all of the values manually, especially when you are not a very tech-savvy person. Installing and running antivirus applications on the affected system could automatically delete browser hijackers and also other unwanted applications. SafeBytes Anti-Malware discovers all types of hijackers – including Premier Download Manager – and removes every trace efficiently and quickly.

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

All malware is bad and the degree of the damage will differ greatly with regards to the type of malware. Certain malware variants modify internet browser settings by including a proxy server or modify the computer’s DNS configurations. When this happens, you’ll be unable to visit certain or all of the internet sites, and thus unable to download or install the required security software to get rid of the infection. If you are reading this article now, you have probably realized that virus infection is the cause of your blocked internet connectivity. So what to do when you want to download and install an anti-virus program such as Safebytes? There are some options you could try to get around with this particular issue.

Make use of Safe Mode to resolve the issue

In Safe Mode, you may change Windows settings, uninstall or install some applications, and get rid of hard-to-delete viruses and malware. In case the malware is set to load automatically when the computer starts, shifting into this mode could prevent it from doing so. To boot into Safe Mode, hit the “F8” key on the keyboard right before the Windows boot screen comes up; Or right after normal Windows boot up, run MSConfig, check the Safe Boot under the Boot tab, and click Apply. Once you are in Safe Mode, you can try to install your antivirus program without the hindrance of the malware. At this point, you can actually run the anti-malware scan to get rid of viruses and malware without interference from another application.

Switch to some other web browser

Some malware only targets certain internet browsers. If this sounds like your situation, employ another web browser as it can circumvent the computer virus. If you’re not able to download the anti-malware program using Internet Explorer, it means malware is targeting IE’s vulnerabilities. Here, you should switch over to a different internet browser like Chrome or Firefox to download Safebytes software.

Make a bootable USB anti-virus drive

Another option is to create a portable antivirus program onto your USB stick. To run anti-malware using a pen drive, follow these simple steps: 1) Download the anti-malware on a virus-free computer. 2) Plug the pen drive into the uninfected computer. 3) Double click on the downloaded file to run the installation wizard. 4) When asked, choose the location of the pen drive as the place where you want to store the software files. Do as instructed on the computer screen to finish up the installation process. 5) Transfer the USB drive from the clean computer to the infected PC. 6) Double-click the antivirus software EXE file on the USB flash drive. 7) Hit the “Scan Now” button to start the malware scan.

SafeBytes Anti-Malware: Lightweight Malware Protection for Windows PC

In order to protect your PC from many different internet-based threats, it is important to install anti-malware software on your computer system. But with countless numbers of anti-malware companies out there, nowadays it is hard to decide which one you should buy for your personal computer. Some of them are good and some are scamware applications that pretend as legit anti-malware software waiting around to wreak havoc on your computer. You have to be careful not to pick the wrong application, particularly if you buy a premium application. While considering the highly regarded applications, Safebytes AntiMalware is certainly the highly recommended one. SafeBytes anti-malware is a very effective and user-friendly protection tool that is suitable for end-users of all levels of computer literacy. Through its cutting-edge technology, this software will help you protect your personal computer against infections caused by different types of malware and similar threats, including adware, spyware, trojans, worms, computer viruses, keyloggers, ransomware, and potentially unwanted program (PUPs).

SafeBytes has great features when compared to other anti-malware programs. The following are a few of the great ones:

Active Protection: SafeBytes gives you round-the-clock protection for your personal computer limiting malware intrusions in real-time. It will regularly monitor your pc for hacker activity and also gives users sophisticated firewall protection. Antimalware Protection: With its advanced and sophisticated algorithm, this malware elimination tool can detect and get rid of the malware threats hiding in your computer system effectively. High-Speed Malware Scanning Engine: Safebytes AntiMalware, with its enhanced scanning engine, offers extremely fast scanning which can immediately target any active internet threat. Website Filtering: SafeBytes checks and gives a unique safety ranking to every website you visit and block access to webpages known to be phishing sites, thus protecting you from identity theft, or known to contain malicious software. Low CPU Usage: SafeBytes gives you complete protection from online threats at a fraction of the CPU load due to its advanced detection engine and algorithms. 24/7 Support: You could get high levels of support around the clock if you’re using their paid version. SafeBytes will keep your computer safe from the latest malware threats automatically, thus keeping your online experience safe and secure. Once you’ve downloaded and installed SafeBytes Anti-Malware, you will no longer have to bother about malware or other security concerns. So if you’re looking for the best anti-malware subscription for your Windows-based PC, we highly recommend SafeBytes Anti-Malware software.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to carry out the removal of Premier Download Manager manually instead of employing an automated tool, you may follow these simple steps: Go to the Windows Control Panel, click the “Add or Remove Programs” and there, select the offending program to remove. In cases of suspicious versions of web browser plug-ins, you can easily get rid of it through your web browser’s extension manager. It is also suggested to reset your web browser to its default state to fix corrupt settings. Lastly, examine your hard drive for all of the following and clean your computer registry manually to remove leftover application entries following an uninstallation. Having said that, editing the registry is usually a difficult task that only experienced computer users and professionals should attempt to fix it. Also, certain malware is capable of replicating itself or preventing its deletion. It is advised that you do the removal process in Safe Mode.
Files: C:\Program Files\PremierDownloadManager_agEI\Installr.bin\NPagEISb.dl_ C:\Program Files\PremierDownloadManager_agEI\Installr.bin\NPagEISb.dll C:\Program Files\PremierDownloadManager_agEI\Installr.bin\agEIPlug.dl_ C:\Program Files\PremierDownloadManager_agEI\Installr.bin\agEIPlug.dll C:\Program Files\PremierDownloadManager_agEI\Installr.bin\agEZSETP.dl_ C:\Program Files\PremierDownloadManager_agEI\Installr.bin\agEZSETP.dll %PROGRAM FILES%\PREMIERDOWNLOADMANAGER\PDMANAGER_IE.DLL: %PROGRAM FILES%\PREMIERDOWNLOADMANAGER\PDMANAGER_IE.DLL Malware %PROGRAM FILES%\PREMIERDOWNLOADMANAGER\PDMANAGER_IE.DLL Dangerous %PROGRAM FILES%\PREMIERDOWNLOADMANAGER\PDMANAGER_IE.DLL High Risk %program files%\premierdownloadmanager\pdmanager_ie.dll %PROGRAM FILES%\PREMIERDOWNLOADMANAGER\PDMANAGER_IE.DLL %PROGRAM FILES%\PREMIERDOWNLOADMANAGER\PDM.ICO %PROGRAM FILES%\PREMIERDOWNLOADMANAGER\PDMANAGER.EXE %PROGRAM FILES%\PREMIERDOWNLOADMANAGER\PDMANAGER_IE.DLL %PROGRAM FILES%\PREMIERDOWNLOADMANAGER\PDMANAGER_IE.TLB %PROGRAM FILES%\PREMIERDOWNLOADMANAGER\REGASM.EXE Registry: key HKLM\Software\Classes\CLSID\819D045F-E9A2-39E0-B495-D615AD1A9471\InprocServer32.0.0.1\CodeBase: file:///C:/Program Files/PremierDownloadManager/PDManager_ie.DLL key HKLM\Software\Classes\CLSID\819D045F-E9A2-39E0-B495-D615AD1A9471\InprocServer32\CodeBase: file:///C:/Program Files/PremierDownloadManager/PDManager_ie.DLL key HKLM\Software\Classes\CLSID\87D1BD5F-0174-4AB2-FFC4-9E3A451F17EB\InprocServer32.0.0.1\CodeBase: file:///C:/Program Files/PremierDownloadManager/PDManager_ie.DLL key HKLM\Software\Classes\CLSID\87D1BD5F-0174-4AB2-FFC4-9E3A451F17EB\InprocServer32\CodeBase: file:///C:/Program Files/PremierDownloadManager/pdmanager_ie.dll key HKLM\Software\Classes\Record\EDF1D497-05B5-37F6-AAAC-3EB5E67D4DC2.0.0.1\CodeBase: file:///C:/Program Files/PremierDownloadManager/PDManager_ie.DLL key HKCU\SOFTWARE\PREMIERDOWNLOADMANAGER\INTERNET EXPLORER: %PROGRAM FILES%\PREMIERDOWNLOADMANAGER\PDMANAGER_IE.DLL
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Fix Error Accessing the Registry in Windows
If you encounter an error saying, “error accessing the registry” when you try to merge a registry key on your Windows 10 computer, you’re not alone as some users also experienced the same problem. According to these users, they encounter the error after they’ve re-installed their Windows version and tried to open a .reg file. Based on the reports, this error could occur if the registry file does not have administrative privileges. Meaning to say, the program does not have the necessary permission to merge the .reg file. This is common with fresh installs as well as reinstalls. Moreover, this kind of issue could also occur due to system file corruption. Whichever the case may be, here are some troubleshooting tips you can check out to resolve the error.

Option 1 – Try to import the .reg file with admin privileges

As pointed out, the error may be due to a lack of admin privileges. It could be that the Registry Editor does not have admin privileges to merge the registry file. This is common with new Windows installations especially since the Registry Editor hasn’t been opened before. So you need to import the .reg file again and this time, with admin privileges.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “Regedit” in the field and tap the Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys to open the Registry Editor with admin privileges.
  • A User Account Control or UAC prompt will appear where you have to click Yes to proceed.
  • After opening the Registry Editor, go to File > Import using the ribbon bar at the top.
  • Next, use the import menu to go to the location of the file you were trying to merge. Once you’ve found it, click Open to merge it with your current registry. This should fix the problem. If not, refer to the next options below.

Option 2 – Try performing a System Restore

Running System Restore can also help you fix the error when accessing the Registry. You can do this option either by booting into Safe Mode or in System Restore. If you are already in the Advanced Startup Options, just directly select System Restore and proceed with the next steps. And if you have just booted your PC into Safe Mode, refer to the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • After that, type in “sysdm.cpl” in the field and tap Enter.
  • Next, go to the System Protection tab then click the System Restore button. This will open a new window where you have to select your preferred System Restore point.
  • After that, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process and then restart your computer and check if the problem is fixed or not.
  • Once the next startup is complete, you have to merge or import the file again and see if the error is now fixed or not.

Option 3 – Try to perform repair install by creating a Windows 10 installation media

  • Click this link and then click the Download Tool Now button.
  • 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.
  • Now select the ISO file option in step 5.
  • After that, you should now have an ISO file.
  • Next, go to the location where you’ve downloaded the ISO file.
  • Then right-click on the Windows 10 ISO file and select the Open with option and then select File Explorer.
  • 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.

Option 4 – Try running the System File Checker Scan

As mentioned, the error when accessing the Registry might be caused by file corruption. And that’s where the SFC scan comes in. The SFC or System File Checker scan could detect and automatically repair damaged system files. SFC is a built-in command utility that helps in restoring corrupted files as well as missing files. It replaces bad and corrupted system files with good system files. To run the SFC command, follow the steps given below.
  • Tap Win + R to launch Run.
  • Type in cmd in the field and tap Enter.
  • After opening Command Prompt, type in sfc /scannow
The command will start a system scan which will take a few whiles before it finishes. Once it’s done, you could get the following results:
  1. Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
  2. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
  3. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.
  • Now restart your computer.
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How to Fix Backup Error 0x80070002

What is Backup Error 0x80070002?

Error 0x80070002 shows once you’re done backing up files through the Windows Backup program on a system running Windows 7, you see a notification that pops up with a message that reads something like: “Check your backup results. The backup completed but some files were skipped.” You try finding out the reason and you hover over to the Options button beside the message, then you get to read the following lines: “Check your backup results. The backup completed but some files were skipped. View skipped files.” Upon clicking the “View Skipped Files” option, the backup error 0x80070002 pops up on your screen and you’re left scratching your head, wondering what you’re going to do now.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

There are multiple error logs that you will encounter in backup error 0x80070002 as per different conditions. The two most common cases in which this error shows up are stated below:

Case 1

You will see the following message when you press “View skipped files”: “Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C: Windows/System32/config/systemprofile. Error: (The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))” You will face this case if you have backed up a library that included custom folders that were located in your user profile.

Case 2

Upon pressing “View Skipped files” you will encounter the below-mentioned messages: “Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C:/Users<User>AppDataLocalLow. Error: (The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))” “Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C:/Users<User>Contacts. Error: (The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))” “Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C:/Users<User>Searches. Error:(The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))” You are likely to encounter any of these messages in case:
  • The Windows Backup program is trying to back up your files in either one or all of these folders (LocalLow, Searches, Contacts).
  • All three of these folders don’t exist in your system.
Keep in mind that all three of these folders exist due to the installation of certain programs and applications on your system.

Notes

The backup error 0x80070002 is also found to occur while using USB devices instead of storage devices. Other occurrences include the times when input/output (I/O) operations are performed on the USB device, which results in failure.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To make sure this issue is resolved, you will have to follow either one of the following solutions as appropriate to your situation:

Solution for Case 1

  1. Ignore the error. The store files of the custom library in your user profile will not be created as backups.
  2. Transfer the library folder from where it currently exists to a place outside its current folder (user profile). For instance, you can move the library folder to an entirely new destination such as “C: My Folders”
  3. Remove the library folder from the list of files that you are backing up using the Windows Backup program. Then, add the original place of the library’s content in the list.
  4. Go back and check step two. If carried out successfully then add a link to the folder you moved from the library. Check to see if the backup includes the library folder. To make sure, you have to do as follows:
  • Go to Start and select your username.
  • Hover across to the folder you wish to move, right-click on it and select “Cut”.
  • Head to the navigation pane and search for the area you will store the folder in, right-click and select “Paste” so that the folder is moved to that location.
  • Right-click on the folder that you just moved and select “Copy”.
  • Go back to Start, select your username, right-click any vacant space in your folder and select “Paste Shortcut”.
Note: If you want to store the folder in a different place other than the folder in which it currently exists (user profile), you will need to create a new folder. In order to do so, go to the Windows Explorer menu and look up the root of the drive. Hit “New Folder” and then choose edit to change its name. You can set it as any name for instance, “My Folders”.

Solution for Case 2

You can ignore this error safely. However, if you wish not to see this error in the future during your backup operations then you will need to carry out the following steps:
  1. Create all the folders listed in the error message including LocalLow, Contacts, and Searches.
  2. Remove all of these folders from the Backup settings to make sure they aren’t being backed up then add the folders which are in their original place. To carry out this procedure, you will have to follow the below-mentioned steps:
  • Head over to the Control Panel and open “Backup & Restore”.
  • Go to the Backup section and select “Change Settings”.
  • Click Next in the Setup backup dialog box.
  • Select “Let me choose” in the dialog box termed “What do you want to back up” then proceed by clicking Next.
  • Expand Data Files, expand <user> Libraries, expand Additional Locations then proceed by clearing out the AppData Folder, searches, and Contacts checkboxes.
  • Expand Computer as well as the item for your system drive (expand Local Disk (D:)), expand users, expand <user>, then go to AppData, Searches and Contacts and mark them if they are present.
  • Proceed by clicking next and select “Save Settings” then exit.
  • Back to Backup & Restore, select Back up now and your new backup will begin proceeding. The entire process will be complete without any errors now.
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Android security: 9 apps stealing your data!
Due to the latest android malware security analyst, there are alarmingly 5.8 million downloads of applications that will steal your Facebook data, your Facebook login credentials! Russian anti-malware company Dr.Web has found Trojan apps that steal your Facebook login credentials by tricking users into entering their private information in order to eliminate in-app ads. All of the applications have been removed from the play store and cannot be installed anymore but please do check your phone in order to remove them from your phone as well.

List of malware applications:

If by any chance you have any application from this list, consider uninstalling it from your phone for security reasons.
  • PIP Photo
  • Processing Photo
  • Rubbish Cleaner
  • Inwell Fitness
  • Horoscope Daily
  • App Lock Keep
  • Lockit Master
  • Horoscope Pi
  • App Lock Manager
During the investigation, Dr.Web analysts found an additional Trojan app that had previously made its way onto the Google Play Store. Image editing software app EditorPhotoPip had already been removed but could be downloaded through aggregator websites.
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