1. Gather Information: Before you report a false positive detection to Gridinsoft, you should gather some important information about the file that was flagged as malware. This includes the name and location of the file, as well as any other relevant details such as the size, date modified, and the software that the file is associated with.
2. Verify the False Positive Detection: It is important to verify that the detection is indeed a false positive before reporting it to Gridinsoft. You can do this by submitting the file to an online malware analysis tool or by scanning it with other antivirus software.
3. Contact Gridinsoft: Once you have confirmed that the detection is a false positive, you can contact Gridinsoft to report the issue. The easiest way to do this is by using their online contact form. In your message, be sure to include the following information:
   • The name of the detected file
   • The name and version of the Gridinsoft software you are using
   • The reason why you believe the detection is a false positive
   • Any other relevant details about the file and your system
4. Provide Supporting Evidence: To help Gridinsoft investigate the issue, you may also want to provide supporting evidence such as a screenshot of the detection or a log file generated by the antivirus software. This will help us to understand the issue better and determine the cause of the false positive detection.
5. Follow Up: After you have reported the false positive detection, it is important to follow up with Gridinsoft to ensure that the issue is resolved. They may ask for additional information or request that you submit the file for further analysis. Be sure to respond promptly to any requests and provide any additional information that may be needed.

In conclusion, if you believe that Gridinsoft has generated a false positive detection, it is important to report the issue to us. By following the steps outlined above, you can help to ensure that legitimate files are not incorrectly flagged as malware and that Gridinsoft remains accurate and effective.

The post How to Report a False Positive Detection? appeared first on Gridinsoft Blog.

Is password stealers worth being afraid of?

Imagine that one day all passwords you typed to log into your account became compromised. It is likely an unwanted occasion for an ordinary user and a complete doom for large corporations, top management, and celebrities who keep many important details in their accounts. Although cybercriminals use these credentials to log in, they can do it as a reason to worry.

People often underestimate the danger of such situations. Some password stealer attacks are targeted at a specific person, intending to get his sensitive credentials. Meanwhile, your account may be involved in a spamming campaign after the login and password-stealing with the help of this virus.

Besides the identity loss and possible leakage of some essential data, you may also suffer reputation problems. No one can restrict cyber burglars from posting fake information or false claims that will tarnish your reputation. You could spectate such a situation a year ago. A group of cybercriminals accessed the Twitter employee account with the password stealer. Then, crooks wrote a message from a chain of celebrities’ accounts. In those messages, fraudsters offered to take part in cryptocurrency giveaways, hiding under the names of Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and other well-known personalities. That employee whose account was used to commit a 100k+ fraud was fired less than a week later. Still thinking it is not dangerous?

How it works?

The common details of the stealer virus are quite easy to explain even to a non-technical person. After being delivered to your PC, this malware first changes the security settings and networking configurations. Microsoft Defender is the first item under attack since any malware can easily disable it through the Group Policies. Then, viruses may stop the UAC notifications from allowing the operations without your additional approval. People often disable that function themselves since it often annoys instead of securing.

This virus changes to establish the connection with the command server in networking settings. The efficiency of the PWS virus depends on the number of credentials it uploads on that server. So there is no reason to inject it without ensuring that service is available to connect. Primarily, the malware uses console commands to establish these connections.

The action starts

The password stealer virus is ready to do its job after the system changes. It logs all your keystrokes done in the specific fields on the websites. Hence, all passwords you type after the virus injection will be compromised. It is hard to prevent it since the virus can log your keystrokes on the hardware level. Any kind of password security on the web page is useless.

Some examples of password stealers can break into the so-called “keychains” and steal the passwords from there. Those “keychains” usually use the encryption mechanisms, but some of them, especially in amateur browsers on Chromium or so, may have weak or no encryption. A virus can easily brute force those password-keeping mechanisms and get your credentials even if you did not type them.

In contrast to its “brother” – spyware – password stealers are usually used for targeted attacks. As I have mentioned, there are many examples of successful PWS virus attacks on the accounts of various celebrities and media persons. Targeted attacks always carry more danger than massive, even if it looks like vice versa. Of course, committing a massive attack is no problem, but the questionable efficiency stops the crooks. If not targeted, PWS malware is spread to small groups of people, like Discord servers or subreddit threads.

How can this virus get on my PC?

Cybercriminals are very inventive when it comes to malware distribution. Usually, the majority of password stealer injections are done through email spamming. A rare case is when you get this virus inside the app. In such a case, the virus is called trojan-stealer since it is disguised as a legitimate program.

Email spamming has been a real scourge of the last two years. Cyber burglars attach the infected files to a legitimately-looking email and bait the victim to open the file. Usually, a password stealer hides inside of a macros – a specific add-on for a Microsoft Office document. That add-on is based on Visual Basic and passes all possible security layers because MS Office is above it. By default, macros are disabled for any document, but when Office detects one in the opened file, it offers the user to enable macroses. Inattentive or naive people may click “Allow” and only think about what they did. However, it is already too late to change anything.

Distribution as a trojan virus also requires thinking on new ideas. You may scroll the discussion in Discord, for example, and see how someone asks to test a new utility they programmed. A virus will wait for you right inside of this “program”. Sometimes, you can see a download link (or the same file) promoted as a special tool for system optimization or bug fixing. As you can read earlier, all such offers are usually done in a closed community interested in such tools. The attack efficiency is extremely high.

Is it real to protect my computer from the password stealer virus?

Of course. It is much harder to conceal than adware or browser hijackers. The problem is that antivirus programs without proactive protection cannot spot the threat if they do not match the antivirus database’s signature. Proactive protection, driven by the heuristic engine, can detect malware even if nothing is similar in the detection databases. This system monitors each app’s activity and will notify you if it sees something suspicious. GridinSoft Anti-Malware can offer you the On-Run protection – the mechanism based on the heuristic engine, developed and set up by a team of professionals. Choose your security tool wisely!

The post What Is Password Stealer And How Dangerous Is It? appeared first on Gridinsoft Blog.

Coin miners: essence, spreading and reasons for appearing

The first trojan virus that could use the infected machine for cryptocurrency mining appeared in 2016. But their appearance was not explosive: there was no reason for their massive distribution. Cryptocurrencies were still unpopular, and their prices were low, so the cyber burglars saw no potential in such a type of malware.

The things changed in 2017 when the first cryptocurrency rush occurred². Bitcoin reached the $60000 price tag for a single coin, and other crypto coins, like Ethereum, Litecoin, or Ripple, were also at their highs. This type of equity has attracted (and still attracts) the big money, and where big money is, the people who want to have an illegal bite of this money appear.

Peak of trojan-miner activity was reached in March 2018. When the price of Bitcoin shed back to $5000, coin miners’ activity dropped, too. The graphic below can easily prove the strict correlation between miners’ activity and the prices of cryptocurrencies.

In the summer of 2021, when the cryptocurrency price began pumping again, trojan miners quickly rose to the peak of 2018 and kept going as the Bitcoin price rose to $40000. Nowadays, coin-mining trojans are as active as they have ever been.

How can I detect that my PC is infected with coin miner trojan?

Have you ever tried to use an old computer with fresh Windows? The system freezes on every operation because of the lack of RAM and the slow reading speed of the HDD, so the operating system is forced to load the files from RAM out to the swap file. Coin miners can force you to remember these feelings. Your CPU and GPU are loaded to 100%, regardless of the number of launched programs. Google Chrome opens for more than one minute; attempting to open Photoshop may lead to its crash, and you can do nothing to deal with this problem. And it doesn’t matter if your computer is a high-end PC – even systems with Core i9-12900KF/Ryzen 7 6800H and RTX 3090 will suffer.

If you have the described symptoms, you have the coin miner in your system. The last thing that can ensure this decision is a strange process in the Task Manager. Sometimes, coin miner developers do not try to hide it, naming the process created as “miner” or “trainer”. Whatever it was, this process will consume an enormous amount of your CPU/GPU capacities, so you will easily distinguish it from other processes.

Are coin miners dangerous?

There is a widespread misconception that coin miners carry no danger to your computer because they load your hardware to the max values. Such a conception may be true for users who regularly check their PC to detect hardware issues, such as dust in the coolers or breaking in the moving parts. But what about the average user who cleans the dust from the cooling fan only after it whines loudly after the PC launch? Or individuals who have a bad/weak power supply, so it generates the pulsating current?³

In the mentioned cases, a long overload with a high chance may lead to the components breaking. The CPU is sensitive to overheating, and it is quite simple to make it boil with a malfunctioning cooling system. Pulsating current is even more dangerous: such voltage volatility can easily break some components and kill the whole motherboard, so you will need to buy a new one besides the broken hardware.

The danger of hardware damage is not the single thing you need to be afraid of. Due to the modern trend of making the virus complex, your PC will likely be infected with numerous other viruses. Choose what you like: spyware, keyloggers, adware, backdoors, and even ransomware. The possible danger that this malware may carry is enormous – data/credentials stealing, file encryption, including your PC to the botnet, remote controlling – that is not a full list of the consequences. It is recommended to scan your computer as soon as possible and remove all malicious items in your system.

The post Coin Miner – What is it? appeared first on Gridinsoft Blog.

Technology is at a low start

5G and IoT

The Internet of Things (IoT) develops amazingly. Many more devices for smart houses/offices appear year-to-year, big companies like Xiaomi and Apple, creating a closed IoT ecosystem for their devices. And it is easy to create such a network at home or in a small office – the connection speed of Wi-Fi/LTE is enough to provide a sustainable operating of IoT. But when we talk about hotels, offices of large companies, or home systems with big Internet traffic consumption, mentioned ways of Internet connection are not enough. 5G solves this problem, providing the connection speed up to 10 times faster than present methods. After the 5G implementation, the Internet of Things will get an enormous popularity boost.

5G and virtual reality (VR)

Virtual reality content services are struggling to develop because of low connection speed. And we are talking about live streaming services, which require a stable and fast Internet connection. Adventure games through VR are exciting. However, they are hard to play in multiplayer mode: significant ping and unsatisfactory connection speed, crops can have fun on quarantine. Greenland VR tours through the island are trendy, but many people who tried this awesome tour noted that the lag between the command and action is considerable. The main 5G implementation effect allows users to have slightly above zero pings, so their in-game actions feel live and real.

Network of new era and cloud services

Cloud computing and cloud gaming, in particular, are two sectors that are waiting for 5G networks implementation with the same impatience as man is waiting for a taxi on a rainy day. And while such cloud gaming services as Google Stadia can operate with the current Internet speed rate, cloud computing is barely able to show the full potential with an average connection speed of about 100 Mbps. Computer manufacturers are making prognoses about a new model of personal computer usage. Just imagine: you are purchasing only the monitor, which has a 5G chip, keyboard, and mouse, then connecting to the cloud computing service and choosing the fitting computer parameters – CPU/GPU/RAM amount, as well as the operating system. Then, you can use your PC as usual, with the only difference that all computing will be performed on the server. Isn’t that amazing?

Fears and gossips around 5G

People showed a completely different reaction on 5G appearance. Someone was happy to see that such a progressive technology is available for the public, but a massive number of people seriously think that 5G can harm their health; a small group of people stated that the coronavirus pandemic is caused by 5G towers. But such people have completely forgotten about the Wi-Fi, 3G/4G, radio- and television waves, which cause no fears or disputes. 5G is as safe as any other type of radio waves¹, and even more : nowadays 5G waves have an extremely low penetrating power, so it’s very easy to “hide” from “harmful” 5G inside of any building.

The post 5G and it’s possible effect on our lives appeared first on Gridinsoft Blog.

Many people don’t realize it but using public Wi-Fi puts you at a great risk of losing confidentiality of your data and many other unpleasant consequences of poor cyber hygiene. A wireless access point (WAP) or just access point (AP) allows you to connect as many as possible wifi devices to a wired network.

The danger comes from within. In all public places like hotel rooms, public transport, libraries, coffee shops, restaurants, airports, shopping malls, etc. often lack some important security measures. And we are not talking here only about passwords. 

Why is Public Wi-Fi Insecure?

The public Wi-Fi network can be considered insecure for several reasons that can lead to further compromise of your device and data. Any public wifi will surely have some of them that you should be aware of in order to have some countermeasures already prepared in case you would need to use a public wifi network. You also would not necessarily have some of them immediately but rather when there’s one then here comes the another. Using tips and tricks you will be able to protect yourself and use public Wi-Fi safely. To be short, here are the reasons why it is important to secure your Wi-Fi network:

1. Theft of personal information. If you get hacked on any public wifi network the most serious loss could be of your personal info including banking logins, social security number, etc. Once a threat actor manages to obtain some of them they can infer further damage to you.
2. Potential cyberattacks. We mean here the risk of getting malware that depending on the nature of it can also bring no less “pleasant” consequences. It can be something like an infostealer or trojan but sometimes other interesting representatives of this specific fauna.
3. Unencrypted connection. Some websites have unencrypted connections that puts a user on the public wifi to significant risk.
4. You don’t control network network security settings. You have not set up passwords and also don`t know if there`s encryption in place.
5. Outdated router software. If it’s outdated then there’s a huge amount of exploits for anyone willing to go after your device and data.
6. Misconfigured Wi-Fi routers. Configuration means setting general wifi router settings like LAN (Local Area Network) Setting, DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) Setting, WAN (Wide Area Network) Setting, etc. For those threat actors who would know how to exploit any of the security breaches in one of these elements, misconfiguration of them gives an excellent try.

IMPORTANT: The Emotet Trojan tries to spread through available Wi-Fi networks¹. Once it finds an available network, Emotet tries to guess the credentials to access it. If the attempt is successful, the malware searches the new network for all Windows machines that might also be infected.

Hackers Can Use Public Wi-Fi

How to use Wi-Fi for free and keep your data private² is a very important topic to research. If you are intrested how exactly you can get hacked while using public wifi then it`s the next “challenge” for threat actors:

• You can get your session hijacked. During a session between your computer and some website an attacker can intercept the connection and pretend to be on the backend of the website you were connecting to. Because you’ve already logged in the attacker can have all the access, for example, to your banking account.
• You can get infected with a malware³. If you use public wifi you put yourself at a risk of a malware infection. It can be ads on the websites you visit that usually don’t have ads or it can be a much more serious threat like some info stealer.
• You can have your packet sniffed. It may sound funny but actually it’s not as funny as you’d think. In simple words anyone that is on the same connection as you can view what you are transmitting over the wifi network. Of course it’s possible if the connection is unencrypted, which in most cases is true for the public wifis.
• You can become victim of a Man-In-The-Middle Attack. When conducting this type of an attack the threat actor will set their own hotspot similar to the one, for example, of a hotel you`re currently staying in. The hotel named their wifi WellSleep but the attacker`s could be named WellSleap. Everything you will do while connecting to this fake public wifi will be on the attacker`s computer like login information,personal info, passwords, etc. Pay attention to this so that you can use public Wi-Fi safely and without threats.

Protect Your Information: Use Public Wi-Fi Safely

We’d say it’s better to use your own smartphone as a hotspot but if it can`t  be an option then a user should stick to some security measures to have safe and secure usage of public wifi. In all their bad light public wifis can sometimes really help you when you urgently need to connect to some website or just check the currently needed information. Don`t forget to use them every time you decide to connect to any public Wi-fi in a hotel or airport:

1) Use Antivirus. The most basic thing of today`s cyber hygiene. Use a special antivirus solution to protect your device in case of a malware cyber attack. Also don’t forget to check if you will be running the latest version of an antivirus solution. Set an alert for any future malware encroaching on your device`s safety and security. One of the profitable and working methods is Gridinsoft Anti-malware.

2) Also use a firewall. Firewall doesn’t allow any external threats to come to your system. It can be considered a complete protection but having one on the security guard of your device won’t be a waste of time and effort. You already have the inbuilt firewall in your system just go to check if it’s enabled or not. This is one of the recommendations that will help you use public Wi-Fi safely.  

3) Use HTTPS.  If you don’t use VPN then it’s very important for you to look only for those sites that have the encryption in place. The encryption means that the connection between the web server and browser is secured and no one except you can access the shared data. Most browsers will have a padlock to show that the connection on this website is secured.

4) Use  Virtual Private Network.  A VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows you anonymously to surf through the internet without anyone knowing your actual location. The tool also helps you to encrypt your data traffic so when you are using an unencrypted connection on some website your data will be secured. It creates a protected tunnel that your data will be passing through making it unobtainable by threat actors. Using a VPN will help you use public Wi-Fi safely and without threats to your personal data. 

5) Verify public wifi network,  configure it and turn off sharing option. Before you connect to any public wifi network go and ask for the right name for it. Check with an employee if that is the right wifi hotspot you are looking for. If you have this set then put the important for your safety security settings like disable sharing file option, right after you are done working with the public wifi network put the optin forget it so you won’t be automatically connecting to it once you will come to the place again. 

6) Don’t access or send any sensitive data. To be hundred percent sure your highly sensitive data won’t get exposed while you are using a public wifi network it will be better not to work with it at all. Simply because you don`t know for sure if the apps you are using don’t have any flaws themselves that will allow threat actors to access your sensitive data. 

7) Use 2-Factor Authentication. In case a threat actor will manage somehow to obtain your login information they still could not use it. Because in this security method apart from entering your login information you will also have to enter a code sent to your phone to additionally check your identity. Any website that deals with highly sensitive information will have this one that works as a secondary authentication method.

8) Pay attention to any warnings arisen. Always attend to any notifications that will appear on your phone as they might indicate the compromise of your device, let it be fake notifications created by malware or the actual system alert. The same goes for the websites because most browsers will warn before you proceed to the website you want to visit. Don’t just be careless and instead be your own first security guard. 

8) Install browser add-ons or plug-ins that will help you to boost the security. You can use special add-ons in your browser to help you with the encryption of website connection. For example in the Firefox browser you can install HTTPS-Everywhere and Force-TLS that makes the browser apply the encryption on popular websites that don’t have it. But they do not work on every website so you still have to look for the padlock in the address bar. 

The post How To Use Public Wi-Fi Safely: Risks To Watch Out For appeared first on Gridinsoft Blog.

So, who initiates cyber-attacks? Cybercriminals, alternatively known as, cyber hackers, are responsible for hacking into your computer systems for the purpose of stealing or destroying information, which could benefit them. They latch onto vulnerable web applications, which makes it easy for them to install a malware virus to your computer system. Committing a cyber-crime is a federal offense, which warrants the arrest of the cyber-criminal by the authorities.

The occurrence of cyber-attacks has provoked the data security professionals to take initiatives to trace the location of the cyber-attacker, and they work with a team of security to warrant the arrest of the cyber-criminal. A cyber-attacker could be responsible for navigating high-classified or regular data; however, a number of proactive measurements should be taken against the cyber-attacker to reduce the probability of a cybercrime. We have compiled a list of the top five types of attackers, who are responsible for hacking your computer’s systems and database for stealing data and classified information:

Scammers:

Scammers are the most common type of cybercriminals. They are responsible for sending discount codes and lucrative offers to your email box, which sets as a trap to hack your network system. You will often find a banner claiming to earn you a million dollars overnight, and a number of people are naïve enough to click on, which alleviates the strength of their security networks to help the hacker maneuver into your computer systems.

Script Kiddie:

As depicted by its name, script kiddies are juvenile cyber-criminals, and they use an alternative approach to hack your computer systems. They generally copy a code, which is later converted into a SQL virus. In other terms, a script kiddie is not vastly familiar with using malware to hack into your computer system; instead, they resort to using existing codes to hack into your computers. If a script kiddie hacker was familiar with the tools to hack into computer systems, it would categorize him as a ‘Green Hat’ hacker.

White Hat

The white hat hackers are alternatively known as ethical hackers, and they are more focused on benefiting the user of a networking system. They play a contributing role in helping you remove viruses and perform pen tests to help people understand the vulnerabilities in their computer systems. A majority of the white hat hackers are responsible for asking security-related questions, and they are required to pursue a qualification in CREST Certified Infrastructure Tester, CREST Certified Application Security Tester, and Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) to become white hat hackers.

Pishers:

Pishers are more likely to trick you into submitting your personal information to hack your computer systems. They often send you a link to fraudulent websites, which makes it easier for them to hack into your computer and networking systems. You should refrain from opening such scam links, and you should instantly report the incident to a cyber-security authority to avoid the occurrence of any illicit activity.

Insiders:

Insiders are considered to be the most dangerous types of hackers as they are responsible for facilitating 20% of the threat, which results in nearly 80% of the damage. As suggested by their name, they often work within an organization, and they use their expertise in hacking to hack the systems of the organization to acquire classified and financial information about the business. The insiders are also responsible for hacking into the classified information of a business’s competitors.

The post Who stands behind cyberattacks? Top 5 types of attackers appeared first on Gridinsoft Blog.

What is a Botnet?

Botnet is a program installed on a computer that then, being controlled remotely, uses the host device to perform certain actions on the Internet. Of course, such a program is malicious. It is introduced into the device unbeknownst to the user, acts in secret, and the work it performs is illegal.

A botnet is a network of devices on which a botnet is installed and running. Such a network is constantly growing but continues to be controlled from one center, like a flock of sheep. It’s no wonder the command and control center of such a network is called a “herder.” A botnet is a growing controllable crowd that can be given different tasks and provided with the necessary software to complete them.

Botnets are a new word in hacking since one hacker with a botnet is already an army that makes it possible to take advantage of those system vulnerabilities that appear only under a large number of requests from different sources.

How Botnets Work: Algorithms

• Email spam. Spam can have different purposes. It can be real advertising or fraud messages, and it can also be the distribution of malware. A properly configured botnet can send tens of billions of messages per day. In addition, email spam is a way for new machines to join the botnet.
• Comments – a botnet can be used to rain down comments to keep a post trending or to support one or another political opinion in society. Such bots can track, for example, YouTube videos with certain names and leave pre-written comments under them.
• DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks are massive raids by bots with requests to the server, which crashes due to overload and cannot respond to requests. Such an attack is impossible for a single hacker but possible for a botnet. DDoS attacks are usually carried out against government systems and economic or political competitors.

For example, from the latest news, Ukraine was hit by DDoS attacks from hacked WordPress sites.

• Hacking² and stealing money from accounts can also be carried out using vulnerabilities exploited by botnets. Certain financial breach mechanisms allow bot-driven thefts on a huge scale. Also, targeted hacking can be carried out with the help of a powerful influx of requests, exposing the flaws in the defenses of the attacked systems.

How do Botnets Infect a Computer?

A botnet penetrates a computer according to a scenario familiar from examples of other malicious programs. Most likely, the user inadvertently opens a file attached to a spam email or clicks on that can be received both by email and in any messenger app. If so, the botnet will most likely be downloaded and installed via scripts embedded in a file or website. 

Once the botnet is deployed, it establishes contact with the control and command center and waits for the task. What is especially interesting about bots is that they are universal in their functions. As far as their permission allows, they can perform completely different actions. The botnet can be reprogrammed Signs Your Computer Is Part Of A Botnet

Signs of becoming a part of a botnet may be the consequences of other malware’s presence, hardware problems, lack of free memory, and whatnot. However, pay attention to these occurrences, especially if you register more than one of them:<

• Your computer struggles when it should idle. You can hear its fans rotate intensely, and the processor sounds like it is busy. You might want to check the Task Manager for strange processes. 
• Internet connection might seem to worsen. Nothing is wrong with the bandwidth, but the botnet might be generating dense traffic that interferes with what you are trying to do.
• The shutdown of your device might become considerably longer than usual. As if during the system update. 
• Crashes and freezings of the programs that previously worked fine can signify malicious botnet activity. Check the process that consumes a lot of your RAM. 
• Other people may complain that your mailbox or social media account distributes suspicious messages. That would be a certain hint that you are in a botnet. 

How Can a Computer be Protected from Botnet?

• First, you should have a good antivirus program. We recommend GridinSoft Anti-Malware. It is cost-effective, quick, and highly efficient. It protects you from suspicious and dangerous sites while you surf, and it also instantly removes malware if it has somehow penetrated your computer. If you have already managed to infect your computer with a bot, perform a deep scan using Anti-Malware. The bot will be found and removed.
• Take care of your passwords. On all devices where they can be set up – choose strong passwords. Pay special attention to routers and use public Wi-Fi. Remember to change your password from time to time. The password must include uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
• And, of course, be extremely careful when it comes to unexpected emails and messages on social networks or instant messengers. Do not download attachments or click on links contained in these messages. If you do not know the author and do not understand why the letter came to you, delete it immediately. Spam of this kind is the most common way to distribute malware.

The post What is a Botnet: Signs Your Computer Is Part Of A Botnet appeared first on Gridinsoft Blog.

1: You might have to check your Recycle Bin

The first thing you should do is check the Recycle Bin of your laptop. Everyone who knows how to use a laptop knows that when you delete items, they automatically get stored in the Recycle Bin. That does not mean that they are not taking up space on your laptop. So, just click on the Recycle Bin icon and empty it to free up some space. However, even if you do not do this yourself, your laptop will do it for you because Windows automatically deletes items in the Recycle Bin after a lapse of 30 days.

2: You can use the “Disk Clean up” utility

This built-in space-cleaning tool or utility helps you delete useless files to make space for useful ones. This clean-up tool comes in handy when you want to delete the files that belong to a previous Windows update. It includes various delivery optimization files, temporary internet files, etc. To accomplish the task of effectively using this tool simply click the Start button and go to “All Apps”.

When you open it, you will find “Windows Administrative Tool”, click it and then click on the “Disk Clean up” option. Hence, your mission is accomplished. But, there is more; after you click on the disk clean-up option, you will be asked to choose the target drive.

Then you will have to wait for a few minutes until your computer carries out some calculations. You will be presented with various file groups on your laptop screen from which you will have to choose the ones that you want to erase. Do not worry, there is no chance of getting the wrong file deleted because, your Windows will also provide you with a set of explanations consisting of what each file group means and contains.

3: Are you sure that you use every software installed on your laptop?

People install various apps and software that they only use once and then they forget about it. Even if they do not forget about them, they keep them in case they might need them again when they know that it is highly unlikely. So, instead of deleting your music, or your precious pictures which consist of priceless memories, just uninstall that useless software.

You can install them again if you might need them. These unwanted and unused software not only take up space themselves but, they also take up extra space every time they update. Needless to say, during those background updates, you will likely experience unpleasant performance depletion.

To uninstall this useless software, follow the steps given below:

1. Go to Control Panel
2. Open All Control Panel Items
3. Open Programs and Features

The “Programs and Features” option will provide you with the amount of space that certain software has been using on your laptop and will also allow you to uninstall that program.

4: Windows 10 allows your PC to hibernate. Disable that feature

Another tip for hard drive cleaning is to disable the hibernation feature on Windows 10. At this point, you must be wondering how disabling the hibernation feature helps in cleaning the hard drive. Well, the hibernation feature allows you to save data in the hard drive which allows your PC to shut down completely without losing any of your unsaved data. Although, that is a plus point if you are running too low on memory then you should try this tip since, the hibernation feature takes quite an amount of gigabytes on your laptop or PC.

To disable this feature, search “Command Prompt” and then right-click on it to “run as administrator”. Follow below:

Start > Command Prompt > Run as administrator

A window will appear on your screen. Now, all you have to do is to type the command given below:

powercfg /hibernate off

This way you will be able to successfully apply this tip and free some gigabytes on your hard drive.

5: Try using an external hard drive

If you do not want to lose your pictures, project, or other files and you have tried every method given above and still you are short on space then you must transfer your less immediate files to an external hard drive. The method is very simple, either cut and paste those files on the external hard drive or use the “Move to” feature to do so. These external hard drives include:

• Microsoft OneDrive
• Google Drive
• USB Device
• Detachable Memory Cards
• Drop Box etc.

6: Declutter and make space

Most of us get lazy and keep cluttering our PC or laptop with unimportant files which take up a lot of extra space. So, take some time out of your day and go through every file of yours to delete the unimportant ones completely. Do not forget to empty your recycle bin after doing so.

7: Check for any duplicate files

Over time as our laptop or PC clutters with various files, we tend to own or accumulate some copies or duplicate files. To free space on your Windows, you need to get rid of those duplicate files. Unfortunately, Windows does not provide its users with an easy way to get rid of such files so, for this purpose you will need to install third-party software.

Now, this is the only tip where you have to install software but, it can also be done without installing one. However, without the software, this task will not be very time-efficient and will turn out to be quite tedious. The name of the required software is “Duplicate Sweeper” and it allows you to get rid of duplicate files without any hassle.

8: Clear your browsing history

Yes, we talked about cleaning the temporary internet files in tip number 2 but, that did not include cookies, cache, and the data being saved due to your browsing history. So, remember to clear it out by going to the settings menu of your internet browser.

By using these eight hard drive cleaning tips, you will surely be able to earn a lot of free space on your Windows and will not be bothered by any of those full memory notifications. However, if none of these tips work for you then you also have the option to transfer your important files to a USB device and reset your PC or Laptop which will make it as good as new.

These simple tips will help you to clean the space on your computer in a few minutes. Be mindful online!

The post How to clean space on your Windows computer? appeared first on Gridinsoft Blog.

Five years back a poll was carried out and results shows security-conscious browser users overwhelmingly voted Firefox as the most secure. But during the annual Pwn2own hacking contest in March 2014, Firefox was exploited four times with zero-day attacks, making it one of the least secure browsers.

To complicate matters further, a 2013 comparative analysis of five popular Web browsers by NSS Labs found that Internet Explorer outperformed its competitors. Even so, the NSS Labs research showed that no single browser uniformly protected users against the majority of security threats and privacy risks.

If no single browser is bulletproof, the next best thing is to make sure your favorite browser is as secure as possible. Here are some ways you can enhance the security of your browser and be hackproof:

1. Configure your browser’s security and privacy settings

Review your browser’s privacy and security settings to make sure you’re comfortable with what’s checked or unchecked. For example, look to see if your browser is blocking third-party cookies, which can enable advertisers to track your online activities.

For specific browser security and privacy settings, read the recommendations and steps outlined in the Department of Homeland Security’s “Securing Your Web Browser”. The guide also explains browser features and their associated risks, such as ActiveX, Java, certain plug-ins, cookies, and JavaScript.



2. Keep your browser updated

Frequently, browser updates are released to plug recently discovered security holes. So it’s important to always keep any browsers you use updated.

3. Sign up for alerts

Consider setting up Google alerts for your browser to stay current on any emerging security issues. If you use Internet Explorer, for example, create a Google Alert using the keywords Internet Explorer security, or something similar. You can opt to receive instant, daily or weekly alerts whenever news articles or other content relevant to that topic hits the Web.



4. Be cautious when installing plug-ins

Plug-ins and extensions can sometimes put you at risk. For instance, earlier this year, it was discovered that some Chrome extensions can change service or ownership without notification to users. As a result, Chrome’s regulations for extensions is changing this June to keep extensions from becoming anything other than “simple and single-purpose in nature,” according to Google.

5. Make sure you have an AV installed

Potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) can slip past when you install any sort of software. These little buggers can switch browsers on you without warning and you might never even notice. Keeping a reputable antivirus program like GridinSoft Anti-Malware installed is one of the best ways to keep PUP from hijacking your browser and ruining your day.



6. Install security plug-ins

The majority of plug-ins and extensions are safe, however, and some can help bolster your browser’s security. Here are three suggested—and free—browser extensions for added security.

• HTTPS Everywhere

The Electronic Frontier Foundation and The Tor Project jointly developed this Firefox, Chrome, and Opera extension. HTTPS is a communications protocol for securing communications over a computer network, vs. the standard HTTP protocol, which is more widely used but less secure. (The ‘S’ in HTTPS stands for ‘secure.’) HTTPS Everywhere encrypts communication with many major websites to help secure your browsing experience.

• LongURL.org

If you’re on Twitter or Facebook and you see a shortened link embedded in an interesting post, you might click it without a second thought. But shortened links have been known to mask malicious links. If you’re unsure of a shortened link, copy and paste it into the search box at LongURL.org. You’ll see where the link would take you, without having to actually click through to the site. LongURL.org is also available as a Firefox browser extension.

• Use Internet Protection from GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Internet Protection feature blocks all suspicious sites in your browser. Also, it’s prevents downloading of dangerous applications.

The post How can you enhance the security of your browser? appeared first on Gridinsoft Blog.

Why do PCs reboot without any reason?

There are plenty of reasons for PC unpredictable restarting. All of them are pretty serious, so solving them is likely essential to save your computer and your data. To understand which problem is yours, you need to check each possible case until you find one that is yours. To make the process structured, we will divide it into two parts – hardware and software-related checks.

Hardware-related problems

These things are the most dangerous. While software issues usually do not affect file safety, hardware ones do. It is essential to figure out the problem properly and deal with it as soon as possible.

Power issues

One of the most widespread reasons for the sudden PC rebooting is power supply problems. It may be damaged, worn, or overloaded, but the effect is simple: some of your hardware parts do not receive enough power and then shut down, causing the PC to reboot. To figure out if that is the case, use online services that allow you to calculate the power your computer consumes¹. Then, you can compare the number with your power supply max power emitted. If the power supply can emit less power than your PC can consume, the problem is right there.

Damage or wear of the power supply is harder to detect. Only the serious damage to this PC part can be seen: an outbalanced cooling fan, damaged cables, and so on. It may be even worse, but in worse cases, you will not be able to start your computer. Bring your power supply to the service if you managed to do all the next checkups and did not fix the problem.

Overheating

The era of “cold” CPUs passed long ago. Now, only ARM-based chips used in smartphones and some other mobile devices can be cooled passively – without fans, heat sinks, etc. Computer hardware, on the other hand, can heat up significantly. Problems appear when you use a compact system unit or a laptop. Both of them tend to have problems with heat sinking, especially when the hardware is working at high temperatures. You may check the current temperature of your hardware elements in Task Manager and third-party apps that can check the data hardware sensors. Normal temperature for CPU/GPU while running something heavy is ~70-80°C². Lower is better. Higher is not.

The reasons for overheating are different. Generally, if you did not install any new hardware but discovered that your computer is overheating, it is a good idea to open the system unit and clean the detail up from the dust. It is a perfect habit to clean your computer at least once a quarter – just like washing your car. If you have changed your hardware, and the problem appeared, you will need to update your heat sinks. In some cases, you may even need a water cooling system.

Overclocking

That is a case that touches on both overheating and power issues. Overclocking is a process of increasing the CPU clock rate by increasing the bus multiplier. Most modern Intel processors do not offer such an ability – only ones with K/KF letters in their index. On the other hand, AMD CPUs can easily be clocked regardless of the model (at least, the vast majority of them). Not only may the processor be overclocked – but GPU power can also be increased in such a way. But the negative effects are pretty much the same

Overclocking causes an increased power consumption and increased heating. The correlation between power use and clock rates is not linear: it is rather similar to parabolic graphs. Generated heat, however, is strictly related to power usage. Nevertheless, an overclocked PC may suffer from both power issues and overheating. Try to decrease the clock rate – it will likely help you.

Disk issues

It is a rare source of a problem, but it still can appear, especially if you use HDD. In contrast to SSD, HDD can die slowly, getting one bad sector after another. One time, the bad sector can appear in the cell where some crucial system info is stored. When the system tries to get this info and fails, it may trigger rebooting. However, a much more common case in that situation for modern computers is BSOD.

To prevent any issues with your HDD, check it with disk scanning tools. The scanning process takes about 1.5-2 hours, and it is recommended not to use your computer during the scan. You will be able to see the problematic sectors on your disk, along with ones already bad or inaccessible.

Software-related reasons for PC rebooting

In a positive case, the reason for constantly rebooting a PC is related to the software you have on your computer. Most of these reasons cannot even be called a problem – it is just an unregulated need. However, there is still a way to fix that.

System updates

Operating systems nowadays receive weekly updates. Windows has a regular updating schedule: at least 2 minor updates during the month and a cumulative update every quarter. Moreover, half-yearly patches may bring new functionality to the OS. Sometimes, when you do not update your PC for a long time or have reinstalled Windows from an old image, you may get into a situation where the system tries to install all possible updates. And most of these patches require rebooting.

It is recommended to wait until the system receives all the required updates. They are released not just to annoy you. Important bug fixes, closing security breaches, new functions – all these things are vital. But when you need to access your PC here and now and have no time to wait – schedule the installation of the update or temporarily disable them.

Third-party software updates or other actions

Same as the OS, third-party programs may also require the reboot of your PC. Oftentimes, they offer the user the choice – to reboot now or later. But there are rare cases when they have a timer on rebooting or do not give you a choice. In that case, try to install all updates and control the installation manually – to be sure that you don’t miss any windows³.

Malware-related issues

Rarely, malicious programs may cause your computer to reboot. In some cases, these reboots are caused by the extremely high CPU/GPU load. Such a load may happen when you are infected with coin miner viruses. But most of the viruses spread nowadays do not have such side effects. They are concentrating on making money on you, this or another way. And making such disruptions in this “farming” is not the best solution.

I hope that this guide will help you to resolve the problem you have. For sure, I cannot describe all the particular cases that may cause the PC rebooting problem. But this guide represents all common cases that will likely solve the problem you have.

The post How To Fix a Computer That Randomly Restarts appeared first on Gridinsoft Blog.