By Paul Lilly on Feb 07, 2018 11:57 pm
The anti-malware guide
It was around this time a year ago that we posted several tips for removing viruses, along with preventative measures for avoiding future infections. All of that still applies, but what happens when you have a particularly nasty malware infection that manages to evade your best efforts to eradicate it from your PC?That's when you need to kick your efforts up a notch. If things get really bad, the only recourse is a full-blown reinstallation of Windows, but that should be reserved for a last ditch effort. Before you consider the nuclear option, try these next-level tactics we put together to remove even the most stubborn malware.
Restoring Order
Depending on the type of infection, you might get away with restoring your system to a previous state. A stubborn malware infection is not necessarily sophisticated, and if that's what ails your PC, reverting back to a previous restore point (if one exists) can take your system back in time before things went south. In Windows 10, navigate to Control Panel > System and Security > System Protection and click the System Restore button. You will see a list of any restore points that exist, and if you click on one, there will be an option to scan for affected programs before going through with a restore. In Windows 7, click on Start > All Programs > Accessories > Systems Tools, then click the System Restore program icon.
Shock and Awe
If you're at your wits end trying to remove malware, then it's a safe assumption you already tried scanning your PC with an antivirus program, whether it is the one that Microsoft provides (Windows Defender) or a third-party solution such as Kaspersky. If not, start there, then move on to Malwarebytes, which often picks up malicious files that manage to evade traditional anti-virus programs. At this point, you've either eradicated your system of malware, or are ready to pound your keyboard in frustration. Don't do that. Microsoft offers a lightweight application called Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) that targets prevalent malware families and is frequently updated. Give that a go, and if you need more firepower, there are several free third-party programs you can (and should) try, including SuperAntiSpyware, SpyBot Search & Destroy, Zemana Antimalware, Norton Power Eraser, and Hitman Pro (free 30-day trial).
Portable Protection
Some of the more sophisticated malware infections are programmed to recognize certain third-party applications and either evade them or prevent them from properly installing. One way to get around that is by using a portable anti-malware program that can be used without installation. Even if you don't have an infection, these are handy to have on a USB flash drive in case a family or friend needs your assistance. There are several options, and it is a good idea to carry around more than one. Ones that we recommend include Emsisoft Emergency Kit, ClamWin Portable, Vipre Rescue, Dr. Web CureIt!, and Trend Micro House Call.
Outwit the Enemy
Malware writers play dirty, but so can you. If you've run into a malware infection that prevents your anti-virus program or anti-malware application from loading, you can try changing the program's filename and extension. In fact, the portable version of SuperAntiSpyware already does this by providing a unique filename each time you download the file. That makes it a bit more difficult for malware to sniff out a program. For other programs, you can take matters into your own hands by navigating to the directory where it's installed and renaming the executable that loads it. For example, the default location for Malwarebytes in Windows 10 is C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes\Anti-Malware\mbam.exe. Change the name of mbam.exe to something different, then try to load the program by double-clicking. You can also try changing the file extension from .exe to .com, which in many cases will not break functionality. To do that, you first have to be able to see the file extension. In Windows 10, open up any folder in Explorer and click the View tab. Go to Options > Change folder and search options, click the View tab, and uncheck the 'Hide extensions for known file types' checkbox. Once you've done that, you can rename mbam.exe to mbam.com and still load the program by double-clicking it.
That's a Funny Name
Some malware is considerably easier to remove once you've stopped it from running. To do this, type 'Task Manager' in the Start menu, and then expand the view by clicking on 'More details.' You will see a list of running programs and background processes. Scroll through these and look for any malware programs that might be clearly labeled, which can be the case if you know exactly what type of infection has found its way onto your system. Also be on the lookout for weirdly named programs consisting of a random string of characters. If in doubt, Google the program to make sure it's not something that is supposed to be running, and if not, right-click and select 'End Task.' Do the same thing in the Startup tab. Once the offending program has stopped running, it can be easier to remove using our other tips.
Roll Out RKill
Not all malware programs hide in plain site. If you're having trouble terminating a malicious program from running in the background, download and run RKill. This handy program was developed by BleepingComputer, a large support community run by volunteers, and a great resource for protecting against and removing malware. RKill is a portable application that doesn't need to be installed. What it does is terminate known malware processes that are running so you can resume trying to remove an infection. It doesn't delete any files, so it's safe to run. That also means you shouldn't reboot your system after running RKill, as any malware processes it managed to kill will just load back up.
Play It Safe
When all your efforts seem to be in vain because a malware infection is always two steps ahead, boot into Safe Mode. When you enter Safe Mode, Windows loads only the bare essentials. This limits the overall functionality of Windows, but it also means that malicious programs will not have a chance to load, putting you in a better position to clean up your system. There are different ways of booting into Safe Mode. In Windows 10, go the Start menu and click on the power button. While holding down the Shift key, press Restart. When Windows 10 reboots, it will prompt you to select from a list of options. Choose Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart. In the menu that comes up, press the "4" key to choose the Enable Safe Mode option. An easier way to get there is to type System Configuration in the Start menu. In the Window that pops up, go the Boot tab and check the Safe boot box. Once you've booted into Safe Mode, you should be able to run an anti-malware program without any resistance.
Boot From a Live CD
Booting to an infected drive, even in Safe Mode, may seem like walking into the middle of a fire with a pail of water. Why not fight the inferno from afar, using a hose? That is sort of the idea behind a bootable rescue CD, otherwise known as a Live CD. Using a rescue CD, you can boot into an environment that is detached from your infected drive, and run a series of diagnostics and tools to pinpoint and eradicate malware. There are many different options out there, such as Ultimate Boot CD and SystemRescueCD. Some antivirus vendors offer their own rescue CD images as well, including Bitdefender and AVG. These are all viable options, and free to boot, though one we recommend giving a spin is the All-in-One System Rescue Toolkit (also free). This is one of the newer rescue CDs put together by Paul Bryan Vreeland, a field technician who set out to build a streamlined option with both a bootable repair environment and a handful of Windows utilities in the same package. It's free to download (he accepts donations) and it works with several versions of Windows, Linux, and even newer versions of Mac OS.
Time to Reset
If you have gotten to this point and still have not been successful in removing malware, there is one last thing you can try before going nuclear, but only if you're running Windows 10. One of things Microsoft added to Windows 10 is a Reset option that lets you keep your personal files while reinstalling Windows. It's a mini-nuke option, in that it removes your programs and settings, but keeps your documents and other items that you might not have backed up (and really, you should back them up anyway). To go this route, go to Windows Settings > Update & Security and select Recovery from the left-hand side. You can also type Reset my PC in the Start menu. Under the Reset this PC heading, click the Get started button and select the option that lets you keep your files. Follow the prompts and Windows will take care of the rest.
By Mat Elfring on Feb 07, 2018 11:42 pm
Surprisingly, a trailer for the Deadpool sequel dropped recently. The upcoming film will be coming to theaters this spring, and fans of the comic book character will finally get to see his counterpart, Cable, on the big screen for the first time. Much like the first movie, Deadpool 2--which is not the official title--will continue its over-the-top and silly sense of humor, which was apparent when we saw the teaser and the recent movie poster. The sequel stars Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool and introduces Josh Brolin as Cable. In addition, it adds Zazie Beetz as Domino and features Morena Baccarin, TJ Miller, and Brianna Hildebrand reprising their roles from the first movie. Deadpool 2 will come to theater on May 18. It was originally going to release in June but Fox changed the date and then pushed the upcoming horror X-Men film The New Mutants to 2019. The new trailer for Deadpool 2 is a bit crazy, but here's everything we learned about Deadpool 2.
The Future... It Sucks
The trailers opens with Cable looking at a desolated city. From the exterior scenes, we can see that his story starts in the future. In the comics, Cable--the son of Cyclops and a clone of Jean Grey--was infected with a techno-organic virus by Apocalypse. Because of this, Cable was taken to the future to be saved and raised. As you can assume--because we're talking about comic books--the future sucked.
What's Up With The Teddy Bear?
This may be a bit of a stretch, but the teddy bear could be a clue about Cable's story. In the comics, Hope was the first born mutant after the Decimation storyline. She was about to be killed by the terrorist group The Purifiers, who hate mutants, but she was saved by Cable. He believed Hope would save all of mutantkind, so he became her protector. However, there were others, like Bishop, who traveled back in time to kill Hope, in order to prevent an even worse future from happening. The teddy bear could be Hope's from when she was a little girl. Is this story convoluted and insane? Yes, but a strange and dense plot like this may fit into the world of Deadpool. Considering this story is such a big part of Cable's comic book mythos, there's a good chance it could appear in the movie, especially when the word "Hope" appeared inside the phone booth in the original teaser.
That Green Arm
The first part of the trailer is pretty serious, with Cable saying, "I was born into war. Bred into it. People think they understand pain, but they had no concept of it. What's the most pain you ever felt? Maybe the kind that leaves you more machine than man?" It's like every super-serious trailer we've seen the past few years, but as you'll notice, the CG on Cable's arm isn't completed. Deadpool stops the trailer and says, "It's a metal arm. It's not like we're going to remove a mustache." Take that, Justice League.
This Feels More Like A Deadpool Trailer
Deadpool's trailer takes a drastic turn as the Merc with a Mouth decides to act out the movie using action figures, using Cable to stomp through the streets. "I'm Cable, and I'm from the future, and I like blowing s**t up! Pew pew pew pew." This is the trailer Deadpool fans deserve. Also, there's a 99.9% chance none of this will appear in the movie.
Deadpool Loves Pixar
Deadpool, dressed as Woody from Toy Story, yells, "Reach for the sky." This is Woody's opening line from the movie. Again, this won't be in the movie, but it's pretty awesome.
Deadpool Really Loves Toy Story
Just like Andy in Toy Story, Deadpool writes his name on the bottom of his toy's feet.
Force Field
It's hard to tell from the trailer while it's playing, but if you pause at the right time, you'll notice Cable has a force-field around him while being shot by the DMC guards (more on that later). That's not one of his mutant abilities--although he does have telekinesis. The force-field is just some classic future-tech.
Brick By Brick
There's a brief shot of Deadpool about to smash someone's face with a brick. It looks like Wade Wilson ended up in a mental facility. Is he breaking someone out or is he a patient?
Domino Is Here
We catch a quick glimpse of Zazie Beetz as Domino, and she's about to smash someone's face as well. Once again, this looks to take place in a mental facility.
Negasonic Teenage Warhead--Now With Longer Hair
This is the only shot of Negasonic Teenage Warhead, and she has longer hair. Hopefully, Deadpool makes some more teen angst jokes.
Team Deadpool... X-Force? Is That Shatterstar?
In the image above, there is Domino, Deadpool, and three other people--one of which is played by Terry Crews. We didn't know he was in the movie before, and while every fiber of my being wants him to be playing Bishop, his outfit reminds me of X-Force member Bedlam, a mutant who is skilled in covert ops that can create a bio-electric field around him. Or it could be G.W. Bridge, a former merc who worked with Cable. Based on the quick glance we get, the character between Domino and Deadpool looks like Generation X member Chamber, who shoots energy out of his chest. The person between Deadpool and Crews is too hard to make out, and it almost looks like the person is wearing a helmet that looks a whole lot like Shatterstar's. He was an early member of the X-Force that originated from Mojoworld, which is a whole bizarre thing on its own.
Who Or What Is "DMC?"
A few times during the trailer, Deadpool and Cable can be seen fighting people with "DMC" on their clothing. No, they are not taking about Darryl McDaniels of Run-DMC. Expanding upon the Hope theory from earlier, this may be a group that is trying to round up and take down mutants, which was the start of Hope's story. Could DMC stand for "Department of Mutant Control?" Government agencies trying to destroy mutants has been a major part of the X-Men movies. No, Deadpool isn't a mutant, but he sure does hang out with a lot of them.
Breaking The Fourth Wall Returns
Of course, a big part of Deadpool is his ability to talk directly to the viewer. We see Deadpool turn to the camera and say, "That's just lazy writing," after Cable busts into his home and says, "Time's up, you dumb f**k." Apparently, Deadpool 2 will be everything we loved about the first movie, and a whole lot more. Deadpool 2 will come to theaters on May 18.
By Jimmy Thang on Feb 07, 2018 03:27 am
Head-To-Head: Xbox One X VS PS4 Pro
The Xbox One X and the PlayStation 4 Pro share a lot of similarities. Both are mid-generational upgrades that are capable of making games look and perform better than their respective predecessors. Both are also newer flagship consoles that are geared (and priced) towards enthusiasts with 4K TVs. But which one should you get? In this head-to-head article, we'll break down winners across five categories: specs, design, game library, operating system, and value/features. For relevant articles, check out:
Specs
| | Xbox One X | PlayStation 4 Pro | | CPU | 2.3GHz 8-core AMD custom CPU | 2.1GHz 8-core AMD custom "Jaguar" CPU | | GPU | Integrated AMD graphics with 6 teraflops of performance | Integrated AMD graphics with 4.2 teraflops of performance | | RAM | 12GB GDDR5 | 8GB GDDR5 | | Storage | 1TB HDD | 1TB HDD | | Optical Drive | 4K HDR Blu-ray/DVD | Blu-ray/DVD |
Just looking at the comparative spec chart above, it's hard to see how the PS4 Pro can win here. The Xbox One X essentially has more of almost everything. Both consoles use a custom 8-core AMD CPU, but the Xbox One X's processor is clocked 200MHz faster at 2.3GHz. In the GPU department, the Xbox One X has an even bigger advantage. Microsoft's recently-released console offers six teraflops of graphics performance. This is 1.4 times as much as the PS4 Pro. The Xbox One X also offers 12GB of GDDR5 RAM. Microsoft says that 3GB of it is reserved for operating-system tasks, with the rest of the 9GB going towards games. This, alone, is more than the entirety of the PS4 Pro's 8GB GDDR5 allotment. In terms of storage, both consoles offer a 1TB hard drive and allow you to use external USB drives for additional storage. One advantage that the PS4 Pro offers is that it allows you to swap the HDD out for an SSD or bigger drive. While the PS4 Pro has a Blu-ray player, only the Xbox One X has one that's capable of playing 4K HDR media. Ultimately, real-world performance is going to come down to how developers can leverage either console's hardware, but on paper, the Xbox One X has better overall specs. Winner: Xbox One X
Design
Both consoles sport a matte black finish. Arguably the biggest difference between them is that the Xbox One X is significantly smaller at 11.8x9.5x2.4 inches (29.9x24.1x6 cm), which makes it Microsoft's smallest console yet. In comparison, the PS4 Pro measures a much larger 12.8x11.6x2.1 inches (32.5x29.4x5.3 cm). Despite its smaller size, the Xbox One X is 1.2 pounds heavier than the PS4 Pro, weighing 8.4 pounds. In terms of ports, both consoles offer three USB 3.0 ports, SPDIF, and Ethernet connections. The PS4 Pro does have a port for its PlayStation Camera, however, whereas the Xbox One X features an extra HDMI-in and an IR-out. Both consoles run very quiet, but the Xbox One X does run warmer and consumes more power. In our testing, we clocked the Xbox One X consuming over 170 watts during gameplay. At the same time, temperatures rose past 61 degrees Celcius. Conversely, we clocked the PS4 Pro consuming around 150 watts with temperatures hovering in the mid 40 degrees C during similar tests. Despite this, we're going to give the nod to the Xbox One X for its smaller footprint and its clean, minimalist design. Winner: Xbox One X
Games Library
To make this comparison as objective as possible, we counted all the games that scored 70 and above on our sister site Metacritic to see which console offered more compelling games. At the time of this writing, the PS4's library comes ahead with 796 games. It's exclusives consists of notable games like Persona 5, Uncharted 4, Bloodborne, and Horizon Zero Dawn. The Xbox One's library consists of 563 games that have scored a 70 and above. It's anchored by console exclusives such as Gears of War 4, Forza Horizon 3, Ori and the Blind Forest, Cuphead, and Killer Instinct. It's important to note that if you missed the Xbox 360 generation, Microsoft has enabled backwards compatibility with Xbox 360 games, too; some of which will get Xbox One X enhancements. This category should ultimately come down to your personal preference, but when you look at the raw numbers comparing this generation's games, Sony's console currently comes out ahead here. Winner: PS4 Pro
Operating System
While the user interface for PlayStation's operating system is simpler than Microsoft's, the Xbox One's UI has undergone numerous overhauls. Its newest dashboard, released last month, is its most responsive and arguably best iteration yet. It still has a deeper learning curve than the comparatively minimalistic PlayStation equivalent, but it offers more features like 4K video capture, Cortana voice support, and integrates Microsoft's Mixer streaming app into the OS, which provides lower latency video streams than Twitch. While Xbox's new dashboard offers slightly more features, it is less intuitive than Sony's solution. Whereas the PlayStation UI pushes a simpler design that puts a greater emphasis on your games, Microsoft's UI is more cluttered and highlights news, deals, games, apps, and entertainment. The Xbox One operating system does allow you to simplify navigating by allowing to you pin your favorite apps and games to the home menu, however. Both Microsoft and Sony's UI have their strengths and weaknesses, but at the end of the day, owners will mostly use their consoles to play games and stream movies/TV shows. Both systems support your standard array of popular video streaming apps that include Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video and more. Considering both consoles do good jobs of getting you to your most-played games and apps, we're calling this one a draw. Winner: Draw
Value and Features
The Xbox One X comes with AA batteries to supplement its included controller, whereas Sony bundles in a supplemental USB charging cable with its peripheral. We prefer Sony's solution a bit better here since it saves users the trouble of purchasing additional batteries. The PS4 Pro also includes a mono headset, whereas the Xbox One X does not. While you can stream 4K HDR videos on the PS4 Pro, Sony's console doesn't come with a physical 4K HDR Blu-ray player like the Xbox One X. Microsoft's console does cost $100 more at $500, however. Another advantage that the PS4 Pro offers is that it supports virtual reality through its PlayStation VR headset. Microsoft's console currently does not support VR. When we take into consideration its cheaper price tag, included goodies, and VR support, we're going to give the PS4 Pro the nod when it comes to value and features. Winner: PS4 Pro
Conclusion
Coming into the conclusion, we have two wins for the Xbox One X and two wins for the PlayStation 4 Pro. As we've highlighted in this story, both consoles have their strengths and weaknesses. Perhaps the biggest advantage that the PS4 Pro offers is its bigger, arguably more compelling game library. At the same time, however, the Xbox One X has its own exclusives, will likely play third-party games better, and comes with a 4K HDR Blu-ray player. It's a good idea to base your choice on what exclusives you prefer and what system your friends game on. Do you prefer franchises like Halo and Gears of War? Or are you more of an Uncharted and The Last of Us fan? The good news is that both high-end consoles are great and you can't go wrong choosing either one.
By Mat Elfring on Feb 07, 2018 03:19 am
Stan "The Man" Lee is credited with creating some of the most iconic comic book characters alongside legendary artists like Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko. The Fantastic Four, the X-Men, Spider-Man, and more are just some of Lee's creations. Because of the astronomical impact Lee has had on the comics, he's gotten the chance to appear in a lot of Marvel comics movies. He's never had a major role, obviously, only cameos. Stan Lee has become a more contemporary version of Where's Waldo? Popping up in movies and television shows isn't a new thing for Lee, as he's had plenty of appearances in everything from Muppet Babies to Mallrats. Over the years, however, he's appeared in 31 Marvel movies--with his 32nd appearance in Black Panther coming soon--and we've ranked every cameo from every movie based on a Marvel property. If you are looking for more on the Black Panther, check out our review.
31. X-Men (2000)
Lee played a hot dog vendor on the beach who witnessed Senator Kelly emerge from the water.
30. Spider-Man (2002)
Lee was a man terrified at the fair in this 2002 film.
29. Daredevil (2003)
Stan Lee stood on the corner and read a newspaper while a young and blind Matt Murdock crossed the street.
28. X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
Lee appears as a man clutching his wife as the world's nuclear missiles are launched in the sixth X-Men movie.
27. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
We're pretty sure that Stan Lee is reprising his role from Spider-Man, as a man fleeing in terror.
26. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
Stan Lee tried to retire to the suburbs in The Last Stand, but found himself in trouble when trying to water his lawn. Jean Grey's telekinetic abilities messed with his water stream.
25. The Amazing Spider-Man (2014)
Lee plays a man at a high school graduation who recognizes Peter Parker.
24. Spider-Man 3 (2007)
For the first time in a Spider-Man movie, Stan Lee isn't fleeing in terror. He gives Peter Parker the boost of confidence he needs.
23. The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Stan Lee met his fate in 2008, as he got Gamma sickness from a bottle of soda and died.
22. Avengers (2012)
Stan Lee portrays a man playing chess in the park who doesn't believe superheroes in New York exist.
21. Thor: Dark World (2013)
Lee plays a patient in a mental facility where Erik Selvig is giving a rousing speech.
20. Doctor Strange (2016)
Lee plays a man on a bus reading the book The Doors of Perception.
19. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Lee plays Gary, an angry guy in a window, yelling at Spider-Man.
18. Thor (2011)
In Thor, Stan Lee drove a pickup truck which tried to pull Thor's hammer out of the ground.
17. Hulk (2004)
If that imposing-looking security guard looks familiar, it's because it's Stan Lee. What about the scrawny guy next to him? Well, that's Lou Ferrigno, who played the Hulk during the '80s TV series.
16. Captain America: Winter Soldier (2014)
Lee plays a security guard at the Captain America exhibit in a museum, who finds the iconic outfit has been stolen.
15. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
Stan Lee played himself in Rise of the Silver Surfer. He attempted to enter the wedding of Reed Richards and Sue Storm but was denied entry, as the doorman doesn't believe it's really him.
14. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Lee plays a general who doesn't recognize Steve Rogers in person.
13. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
In Guardians of the Galaxy, Lee plays a man on an alien planet trying to woo a woman, while Rocket gives some hilarious commentary.
12. Ant-Man (2015)
During a scene where Michael Pena's character is telling a story, Lee shows up as a bartender, with Pena's voice.
11. Fantastic Four (2005)
Lee's role in Fantastic Four marks the first time he's officially played an actual comic book character. Willie Lumpkin first appeared back in a Fantastic Four comic from 1963.
10. Iron Man 3 (2013)
The most enthusiastic beauty pageant judge in history is Stan Lee in Iron Man 3.
9. Big Hero Six (2014)
In the Disney animated film, loosely based on a Marvel Comics team, Lee plays Fred's dad, who describes how he can wear underwear for multiple days without changing them.
8. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Lee plays a WWII veteran who gets drunk on some Asgardian alcohol.
7. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Stan Lee plays an intergalactic barber who is tasked with cutting Thor's hair.
6. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Lee plays a FedEx delivery man who mistakenly calls Tony Stark "Tony Stank."
5. Iron Man 2 (2010)
Stan Lee played an important role in the Iron Man sequel: He appeared very briefly as Larry King.
4. Iron Man (2008)
While he's credited as "Stan Lee," it's apparent Lee is playing Hugh Hefner in Iron Man. Tony Stark even calls him that.
3. Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (2017)
Lee appears off-world in the 2017 sequel, and he makes reference to the time he was a FedEx delivery man, which makes us wonder if all his cameos are connected.
2. The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
While Spider-Man and the Lizard fight in the background, Lee plays a librarian who loves nothing more than to blast some classical music.
1. Deadpool (2016)
In Deadpool, Lee plays a DJ at a strip club.
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