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Tutorials

Useful tutorials on various PC troubleshooting topics. Video tutorials.

How to remove Pandora Ransomware and decrypt .pandora files

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Pandora is a ransomware infection previously known under the name of Rook Ransomware. The virus uses RSA-2048 algorithms to encrypt system-stored data and demand money for its decryption. In order to show that access to files has been restricted, cybercriminals assign the .pandora extension to each affected sample. For instance, a file named 1.pdf will change to 1.pdf.pandora and reset its original icon. Following this, the ransomware creates a text file (Restore_My_Files.txt) with instructions on how to recover the data. It says victims should contact developers (via contact@pandoraxyz.xyz) and pay for special decryption software. The price depends on how fast you write, as cybercriminals say. In case of refusal to buy the decryption, frauds behind Pandora Ransomware warn they will publish collected data on dark web markets. Victims can view what data has been collected in TOR Browser via a link provided in the note. While contacting cybercriminals, victims are also allowed to attach 3 encrypted files before paying the ransom. Pandora developers promise they will decrypt them for free to prove capabilities of their decoder. The ransom note is concluded with warnings against trying third-party means of decryption as it may cause permanent damage to data. In general, decrypting files without initial developers is almost impossible indeed.

How to remove TargetCompany Ransomware and decrypt .devicZz, .consultransom, or .avast files

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TargetCompany is a new ransomware virus that made its presence known in January 2022. During system infection, the virus terminates a lot of essential Windows processes to prepare the soil for easier encryption of data. The research team made an analysis and concluded that TargetCompany Ransomware uses a combination of Chacha20 and AES-128 algorithms to write strong ciphers over the stored data. It also appends one of 3 different file extensions to each encrypted sample - .devicZz, .consultransom, or .avast. This means a file named 1.pdf can change to 1.pdf.devicZz, 1.pdf.consultransom, or 1.pdf.avast depending on individual cases. TargetCompany also populates each encrypted folder with a text note called RECOVERY INFORMATION.txt (How to decrypt files.txt for previous versions). A copy of the ransom note is also placed into this path C:\HOW TO RECOVER !!.TXT. As said in the note, users should buy a special decryption tool to return their data. To do this, victims are asked to send their personal ID to one of the e-mail addresses (recohelper@cock.li or mallox@tutanota.com). It is also allowed to send a couple of files for free test decryption of them. After this, cybercriminals promise to announce the price for the entire decryption and provide instructions on how to buy the decoder. As a rule, files affected by ransomware infections are almost impossible to be decrypted for free without the help of cybercriminals.

How to fix Windows Update error 0x80071ab1

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0x80071ab1 (ERROR_LOG_GROWTH_FAILED) is a Windows error that makes its presence known after trying to install updates related to .NET Framework 3.5. It is known to occur on Windows 11 - a new OS edition released by Microsoft quite recently. Users may see this error abruptly at any point of update installation. Retrying to perform the process again is likely to keep resulting in exactly the same error with no further development. Alike many other issues of such nature, the 0x80071ab1 code can be caused by corrupted or missing system files, glitched or damaged Windows update components, and other system issues as well. Below, we shed some light on all potential reasons along with solutions for them. Follow carefully as some methods will require extra attention and dedication as well.

How to remove Anime Ransomware and decrypt .anime files

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Anime is the name of a cryptovirus. It is designed to render system-stored data inaccessible and no longer operatable. Users infected with ransomware can see the encryption process by looking at the restricted files - all of them end up changed with the .anime extension. For instance, a file like 1.pdf will be altered to 1.pdf.anime and reset its original icon as well. After getting things done with encryption, the virus pitches ransom instructions on how to recover the data. They can be found inside of a text file called I_LOVE_ANIME.txt. As stated in the note, victims have 2 days to contact cybercriminals at zdarovachel@gmx.at and pay for the decryption of files. Should victims fail to meet the allocated deadline, all the encrypted data will be published on dark web resources for future abuse. In addition, ransomware developers also advise against modifying the files or trying to decrypt them without cybercriminals. At the moment of writing this article, there is no guaranteed way to decrypt data for free without the help of initial developers.

How to fix iPhone (iTunes) error 14

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If you see this kind of message while trying to update or restore your IOS device through iTunes, "The iPhone [device name] could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (14)." or "The iPhone [device name] could not be updated. An unknown error occurred (14).", then you have arrived at the right guide that will show you how to deal with this issue and manage to update or restore the device eventually. In general, there is no single reason entitled to its appearance. The error may pop due to a number of reasons different in each individual case - badly connected USB cable, outdated software, system glitch, insufficient memory, compatibility issues, and other possible causes as well. Now, let's hop into the guidelines below. We encourage you to try each step in the sequence offered below until the issue gets finally resolved.

How to remove Kashima Ransomware and decrypt .KASHIMA files

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Kashima (KashimaWare) is a ransomware program - the type of malicious software designed to encrypt data and demand money for its return. Unlike other infections of this kind, the virus targets specific and quite unusual file formats - .config, .cfg, .js, .NOOB, .lua, .lw, and .tryme as well. It therefore modifies them with the .KASHIMA extension. For instance, a file like 1.js will change to 1.js.KASHIMA, 1.cfg to 1.cfg.KASHIMA and so forth with other affected data. As soon as this process gets done, Kashima displays a pop-up message (KashimaWare WARNING!) accross the whole screen.

How to fix Windows 10/11 Update error 0xc1900101

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0xc1900101 is a Windows error that pops while trying to install new updates or upgrade to Windows 11 using Installation Assistant. Failed installation is sometimes followed by messages like "Attempting to recover installation" and "Undoing changes made to your computer". It is also worth mentioning that 0xc1900101 may be presented with different suffixes when using Installation Assistant. This issue has no single reason for its occurrence. A broad spectrum of reasons has been involved in causing 0xc1900101 to pop - old drivers, insufficient disk space for OS upgrade, third-party conflicts, corrupted system elements, disk errors, and even outdated BIOS firmware. All of these causes are quite individualistic having a different impact on each person facing the error. In most cases, the error has been successfully solved using basic and non-complicated methods. We hope it will be no different for you. Follow our guidelines below to try each available method until it resolves the 0xc1900101 error.

How to fix iPhone (iTunes) error 9006

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Error 9006 is very similar to other iPhone issues (2015, 1110, 3194) we have discussed in previous troubleshooting articles so far. It appears when trying to update or restore an IOS device using the iTunes service. This is the message users receive while facing the error - ”There was a problem downloading the software for the iPhone ”iPhone”. An unknown error occurred (9006)”. It, therefore, stops users from successfully reaching the desired action, be it an update or reset from scratch. Error 9006 was examined to occur due to various reasons. Some of them are Connection issues, Outdated software, System bug, Third-party incompatibilities, and other causes as well. Below, we dedicated separate steps to all of these reasons that should potentially resolve the issue. Make sure you try each of the written methods to not miss a working solution.