The Tech Corner
The Tech Corner is a technology news and advice column presented each week courtesy of Melvin McCrary at Georgia Computer Depot in Cedartown.
How to change default browser in
Windows 10
Only 20 percent of all Windows 10 users ran Edge as their main browser as of August 2017, down from 24 percent a year earlier, reports Computerworld’s Gregg Keizer.
A lot of people are using the Edge browser, and many of them use it only because Microsoft has made it the Windows 10 default. Even if you’ve previously set up another browser to be your default, it might have been changed since then. When there’s a major Windows 10 upgrade, the upgrade recommends switching to Edge, and you might have inadvertently made the switch.
There are plenty of reasons to change browsers from Edge. Start off with lack of extensions.
Edge was finally given extension support in August 2016, but even now the number of extensions is low — only about 65. (Head to Microsoft’s Extensions for Microsoft Edge page to see the current list.) Chrome and Firefox each have thousands of extensions and add-ons.
So if you want to improve your browser with add-ons and extensions, Edge isn’t the best choice.
If you’re a fan of Gmail, Edge isn’t the browser for you, either. Edge won’t display the Google Inbox, which is a far more efficient way to manage mail than the default interface.
Open a new tab and there’s no address bar on it. To visit or URL or do a search, you have to type them into the search box. But when you’re visiting a site, you use the address bar.
It doesn’t show the protocol being used on a web site, such as http or https. Also, it shows a lock icon for https sites, not the entire address including the protocol.
How to designate another browser as your default:
To switch to another browser as your default, click the Windows 10 Start button after installing the other browser and select the Settings icon that appears on the lefthand side of the screen. (It looks like a little gear.) You can also type “settings” into the search box and click the Settings result that appears at the top of the screen.
Windows 10 settings
app Microsoft
In the Settings app screen, you’ll take one of two actions depending on what version of Windows 10 you’re using. If you’ve upgraded to the Windows 10 Creators Update, which was released in April 2017, select Apps > Default apps. If you haven’t yet upgraded to the Windows 10 Creators Update, you won’t see an Apps icon on the Settings screen. Instead, select Settings > System > Default apps.
On the Default apps screen, you’ll see the default apps for email, maps, playing music, viewing photos and videos, and more. To change t he default browser, scroll down to the bottom of your screen.
Windows 10 settings
– default apps
When you get to the bottom of the screen, you’ll see Microsoft Edge under the “Web browser” list- ing. Click the Microsoft Edge icon and you’ll see a pop-up with a list of your installed browsers.
They’re Windows Store apps, and as a general rule, Windows Store apps are underpowered compared to desktop apps like Chrome, Firefox and Opera.)
Click the browser that you’d like to be your default browser. Microsoft doesn’t want you to switch. A screen appears asking you to stay with Edge.
Click “Switch anyway,” and your new browser will now be the default. No need to restart; your work is done.
Google Redirect Virus Description
Any form of the Google Redirect Virus is dangerous due to the malicious commands it executes and the stealth programming techniques used to hide its files from prying eyes and anti-virus software radars.
Malware such as the Google Redirect Virus may come bundled and cloaked inside a legitimate download of freeware, shareware, or a codec needed to view a movie.
Plug- ins are another form of deceptive transport that exploits PC users’ ignorance to Internet security, since many blindly click without knowing the origin.
Our Avast anti-virus has a rootkit scanner that removes this.
Malware exploits vulnerabilities found in software and takes advantage of human behavior and the ignorance of executing internet security practices.
So if you or someone using your computer indulged in one of the following that could explain how your PC got infected with the Google Redirect Virus:
You took your chances and decided against installing a reputable paid- for anti- malware and anti-virus tool.
You installed an antimalware and anti-virus tool but got comfortable and did not renew it.
You were drawn into clicking on a dubious link.
You were spammed because you didn’t verify the source of that email attachment or link from
You love the word free and pirated music or movies.
You love freeware and shareware and downloaded an infectious codec to view a movie or video.
You visit porn sites, gaming sites or warez sites and got infected.
Don’t waste time and don’t let some hacker steal your personal information.
Fight fire with fire by using a paid-for anti-malware and anti-virus tool that is capable of digging into the root of your system and finding all traces of the Google Redirect Virus.
In the interim, disconnect your internet to stop any new transmissions of data to some remote server.
Get to a malware-free PC and change your logins and security credentials for your online accounts.
Use an alternative browser.
Malware may disable your browser. If you’re using IE, for example, and having problems downloading Spy Hunter, you should open Firefox, Chrome or Safari browser instead.