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Useful tutorials on various PC troubleshooting topics. Video tutorials.

How to recover deleted WhatsApp messages/photos/videos in Android

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WhatsApp has become one of the most reliant means of communication these days. It is not only a way of exchanging keyboard-written messages but also a bridge for sharing photos and videos of different sizes. It may feel terrible when some important piece of information, be it a video, image, or simply text, gets accidentally deleted and lost, therefore. Luckily, deleting some data in WhatsApp does not mean you are destined to lose it forever. This is what we are going to discuss below - 3 easy ways to help you recover your files deleted from WhatsApp on Android for free.

How to remove Axxes Ransomware and decrypt .axxes files

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Axxes is a ransomware virus. Infections of this type are designed to prevent users from accessing their personal data. This is done through the so-called encryption process usually followed by attempts to blackmail victims into paying money for data return. After successfully attacking a system, Axxes enciphers targeted files and renames them using the .axxes extension. To illustrate, a regular file like 1.png will change to 1.png.axxes and reset its icon as well. The rest of the data will be renamed based on the same pattern as well. Next, the virus creates two files containing decryption instructions (RESTORE_FILES_INFO.hta and RESTORE_FILES_INFO.txt). Cybercriminals say all business- and employee-related data has been both encrypted and uploaded to external servers. Should victims refuse to collaborate with the developers, the latter claim they hold their right to publish victims' data on specialized resources. To avoid this, victims are guided to open Tor Browser at the attached website address and contact swindlers to pay for decryption. The onion page also displays a number of tabs including what other companies have been compromised by the virus already. It is unfortunate, but for now, there are no free means to decrypt Axxes files completely. Furthermore, cutting all the ends with cybercriminals will definitely motivate them to leak your collected data.

How to remove GonnaCope Ransomware and decrypt .cope files

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Recently discovered by a malware researcher named Petrovic, GonnaCope is a ransomware infection able to encrypt system-stored data. Research showed that it also deletes and replaces some data with random and pointless files, which appear with the .cope extension. On the other hand, files encrypted by GonnaCope do not change in their appearance and remain exactly the same yet no longer accessible. To get access back to encrypted files, swindlers behind the virus guide victims to complete a 100$ transfer (in Bitcoin) to the crypto-address attached in the ReadMe.txt note. In addition, it also displays a cmd window with almost identical information. After sending the money, ransomware developers promise to provide their victims with a decryption key to return the data. Whether cybercriminals can be trusted or not is never without uncertainty. In general, frauds have a bad reputation since they are able to fool you and not send any promised decryption tools at the end. Either way, they are the only figures who have the ability to decrypt your data at this moment. Victims can avoid paying the ransom only if there are backup copies available on external devices. This way, they can be used to recover encrypted and no longer usable files. If you are not in favor of paying the required ransom and you do not have backups to use, you can still put your hand to using third-party tools - there is a chance they will be able to help under some circumstances.

How to remove PARKER Ransomware and decrypt .PARKER files

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PARKER is the name of a ransomware program designed to encrypt users' data and extort money from victims. It is likely to be a product of cybercriminals who developed two other devastating file-encryptors named ZORN and MATILAN. Just like them, PARKER creates the same RESTORE_FILES_INFO.txt text note on how to recover encrypted data. During encryption, the virus changes various types of potentially important files in the following pattern - from 1.pdf to 1.pdf.PARKER and so forth with other files stored on a system. As a result, this change will make files no longer usable without a special decryption tool, which has to be purchased from cybercriminals. Unless victims contact threat actors via written contact addresses and pay the required monetary ransom within 3 given days, the latter threatens to leak the collected data to public resources. This will carry a risk of debunking private company information, which can be abused by competitors or other fraudulent figures. Although it is always advised against collaborating with cybercriminals, they might be the only figures able to provide full data decryption and somewhat guarantee to not publish sensitive information. Unfortunately, there are no third-party tools that could at least decrypt your data for free. The best feasible option available is to recover encrypted files through backups stored on uninfected devices (e.g. USB flashcards, other PCs, Cloud, etc.).

How to fix “Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed)” error in Windows 11...

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Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed) is a popular error that can be encountered on both Windows 10 and 11 operating systems. In the majority of cases, it indicates that Windows could not detect and recognize the connected USB device. To get more information on the appeared error, users can enter the Device Manager and see a device named Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed). If you open this device, you might see the device status saying "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems (Code 43). A request for the USB device descriptor failed.". This, therefore, prevents users from using their USB devices for transferring or reviewing files. The reason why such errors occur is not binary, however, it is more likely to merge due to an outdated or corrupted driver, missing system components, or hardware malfunction. Below, we have compiled a list of solutions potentially able to address the issue. Note that all solutions presented are compatible with both Windows 10 and 11 and even older versions of the OS.

How to remove ZORN Ransomware and decrypt .ZORN files

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Ransomware is a type of malicious software used to encrypt system-stored data and aid developers in extorting money from victims. ZORN Ransomware does the same trick and locks down all valuable data using the .ZORN extension. This extension is added to all files that ended up being affected by ransomware. For instance, a file named 1.pdf will change to 1.pdf.ZORN and lose its original icon. The virus also creates a text note (RESTORE_FILES_INFO.txt) and displays a black screen with text before logging into the Windows system. After spending some time on investigation, it turned out ZORN shares almost the same traits as MATILAN - another ransomware variant discussed on our website. Thus, it is reasonable to conclude that ZORN is its successor.

How to remove HOUSELOCKER Ransomware and decrypt your files

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HOUSELOCKER is a recent ransomware infection that started its aggressive circulation around the web. Alike other malware of this type, it encrypts important system-stored data and then demands victims to pay the so-called ransom for its return. HOUSELOCKER also breaks the default operation of Master Boot Record (MBR) - this is done to prevent victims from booting up to their desktop. As a result, it is not even possible to view what files have been encrypted. To help users restore access to their data, HOUSELOCKER displays a pink-text message on a black screen. The ransom note says victims should purchase a decryption key. The cost is 130,000 Rosecoins to be sent using the attached crypto address. After this, cybercriminals promise to send the necessary key that activates file decryption. Developers behind HOUSELOCKER Ransomware do not provide any contact information to maintain communication with them. This is already suspicious and raises a lot of questions about how they are going to send you the key. Thus, we have reasonable grounds to assume that HOUSELOCKER is likely to scam its victims and not recover the data as promised. This is why we would advise you to deal with the infection and try to recover the files yourself.

How to fix ERR_NETWORK_ACCESS_DENIED error in Google Chrome

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ERR_NETWORK_ACCESS_DENIED is a Google Chrome error sharing almost identical symptoms with other issues like ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED and ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED. All of them reflect the disability to open certain pages while surfing the web. In essence, such problems are network-driven meaning there are certain internet frictions restricting due access to websites. Unfortunately, trying what the error page offers does not work out in all the cases. Some users might require other solutions as well. Although there is no panacea fix to errors like this, one of the solutions presented in our guide below is likely to sort out the problem eventually. Try out each method until one of them resolves the ERR_NETWORK_ACCESS_DENIED error.