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• Clever DIY Display Showcases Game Consoles While Concealing Cables

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  How do you display all your vintage game consoles while keeping them in a clutter free and ready-to-play state? This wall-mounted display does a great job showing off the retro gear while keeping everything tidy. Courteys of German tinker and gamer Holger, the design of the display is deceptively simple. The wall mount is a basic 2×4 frame wrapped in black roofing batten (similar to the lightweight weed-fabric used in gardens). Screw-in mounts for the LACK shelves are positioned every foot or so going up the frame and a small slit in the fabric allows for hidden routing of the cables. While it looks like the consoles are simply on display, they’re actually all hooked up and ready to play. For more photos of the build, hit up the link below. LACK Video Console Shelf with Hidden Cables [IKEAHacker] 7 Ways To Free Up Hard Disk Space On Windows HTG Explains: How System Restore Works in Windows HTG Explains: How Antivirus Software Works

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• Obsolete Computer Parts as Art [DIY]

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  If you’re like most geeks, you’ve got a box of aging computer equipment you just haven’t got around to hauling to your city’s haz-mat drop off site. This simple tutorial turns cast off circuit boards into wall art. While the author of the tutorial opted to use motherboards, you could easily use smaller frames/mats and use old expansion boards too. The process involves inexpensive IKEA frames with mats, popping the I/O ports off the boards to make them thinner, and drilling small mount holes in the backer board to mount the boards in place. Hit up the link below for more details. Motherboard Art [via IKEAHackers] How to Use an Xbox 360 Controller On Your Windows PC Download the Official How-To Geek Trivia App for Windows 8 How to Banish Duplicate Photos with VisiPic

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• The Inebriator: A DIY Arduino-powered Cocktail Machine [Video]

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  We’ve seen our fair share of geeky alcohol-related projects over the years but this, this, is something to see. The Inebriator is the slickest automated drink machine we’ve laid eyes on. Before we even start talking specs, check out the video above–don’t forget to first assure your liver that you don’t actually have access to such a magnificent device and it can remain calm. As dazzled as we were? The whole thing is powered by an Arduino Mega 2560, sports a cooler with nitrogen pressurization of drink mix bottles, and relies on a rather ingenious and elegantly simple 12v valve system. It even has an RFID security system to prevent party goers with a few drinks in them from messing up the custom drink menu. Hit up the link below for more information, including photos of the guts and technical specs. The Inebriator [via Hack A Day] Java is Insecure and Awful, It’s Time to Disable It, and Here’s How What Are the Windows A: and B: Drives Used For? HTG Explains: What is DNS?

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• DIY Door Lock Grants Access via RFID

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  If you’re looking to lighten the load on your pocket and banish the jingling of keys, this RFID-key hack makes your front door keycard accessible–and even supports groups and user privileges. Steve, a DIYer and Hack A Day reader, was looking for a solution to a simple problem: he wanted to easily give his friends access to his home without having to copy lots of keys and bulk up their key rings. Since all his friends already carried a Boston public transit RFID card the least intrusive solution was to hack his front door to support RFID cards. His Arduino-based solution can store up to 50 RFID card identifiers, supports group-based access, and thanks to a little laser cutting and stain the project enclosure blends in with the Victorian styling of his home’s facade. Hit up the link below to see his code–for a closer look at the actual enclosure check out this photo gallery. RFID Front Door Lock [via Hack A Day] HTG Explains: What is DNS? How To Switch Webmail Providers Without Losing All Your Email How To Force Windows Applications to Use a Specific CPU

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• Roll Your Own DIY Solar-Powered Security Camera Setup

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  If you’re looking to set up a security camera without running power or video lines, this solar-powered version combines a cheap Wi-Fi cam with a home-rolled solar setup to provide surveillance without wires. Courtesy of Reddit user CheapGuitar, the setup combines a dirt cheap off-brand Wi-Fi security camera, a Tupperware container spray painted black, some old camping solar panels, and a battery into a security camera that checks in as long as it’s in range of a Wi-Fi router or repeater. Hit up the link below to check out the build guide. Solar Powered Camera [via Hack A Day] HTG Explains: What Is Windows RT & What Does It Mean To Me? HTG Explains: How Windows 8′s Secure Boot Feature Works & What It Means for Linux Hack Your Kindle for Easy Font Customization

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• Make Your Own Origami Star Wars Ships [D.I.Y. Fun]

  - by Asian Angel

  So there you are with a bit of time to kill at work on Friday afternoon or perhaps you are looking for something fun to get into over weekend…what to do? Perhaps an origami project building an awesome fleet of Star Wars ships is the perfect thing to get into! Once you visit the website click on the Gallery Link to view multiple pictures of specific ships or go to Gallery - Diagrams to download your own copy of the ‘Diagrams + Crease Patterns’ that Martin has made available online so far. Here is the video with step-by-step-instructions for making a Naboo Starfighter… Note: Visiting the YouTube link for this video will show more videos by various individuals in the sidebar area for more Star Wars origami goodness! 6 Ways Windows 8 Is More Secure Than Windows 7 HTG Explains: Why It’s Good That Your Computer’s RAM Is Full 10 Awesome Improvements For Desktop Users in Windows 8

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• DIY Leak Detector Prevents Water Damage

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  There’s no need to shell out for an expensive commercial leak detector when you can cobble together a simple one from basic parts. Over at Make Magazine, Electrical Engineer Jeff Tegre shares a straight forward guide to cobbling together a simple leak detector. Armed with the leak detector you can get an early alert if you water heater, washer, or other leak-prone appliances are hemorrhaging water. Make a Leak Detector for $25 [Make] Amazon’s New Kindle Fire Tablet: the How-To Geek Review HTG Explains: How Hackers Take Over Web Sites with SQL Injection / DDoS Use Your Android Phone to Comparison Shop: 4 Scanner Apps Reviewed

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• Inverted LACK Table Serves as a Perfect Gear Rack [DIY]

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  We’ve seen IKEA gear hacked to hold audio and computer gear before, but this mod adds in a simple and effective twist. LACK end tables are, conveniently, the same width as a standard server rack. This makes it super simple for DIYers to mount their gear right into the legs of the table with no modification necessary. In this case, however, Winston Smith included a clever update to the mod. Rather than leave it like a standard table, he flipped the table upside down for increased stability and a stronger connection between the legs of his improvised audio rack and the table-top-turned-floor-plate. He then finished it with a matching LACK shelf piece to serve as a turn-table stand. His gear is stored cleanly, off the floor, and in a sturdy container all for about $25–a definite bargain when it comes to storage racks. Hit up the link below for more information and pictures. LACK Rack & EXPEDIT Desktop [IKEA Hackers] HTG Explains: How Windows Uses The Task Scheduler for System Tasks HTG Explains: Why Do Hard Drives Show the Wrong Capacity in Windows? Java is Insecure and Awful, It’s Time to Disable It, and Here’s How

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• DIY Sunrise Simulator Combines Microchips, LEDs, and Laser Cut Goodness

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  Sunrise simulators use a gradually brightening light to wake you in the morning. Check out this creative build that combines a microprocessor, addressable LEDs, and a nifty laser-cut bracket to yield a polished and wall-mountable alarm clock lamp. Courtesy of NYC-based tinker Holly, the project features a detailed build guide that references all the other projects that inspired her sunrise simulator. Hit up the link below to check out everything from her laser cut shade brackets to the Adafruit module she used to control the light timing. Sunrise Lamp Alarm Clock [via Make] How To Create a Customized Windows 7 Installation Disc With Integrated Updates How to Get Pro Features in Windows Home Versions with Third Party Tools HTG Explains: Is ReadyBoost Worth Using?

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• DIY Wirelessly Charged LED Lanterns

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  Earlier this year we shared a clever project that turned LEDs, batteries, and PVC into mini, waterproof, and virtually indestructible lanterns. This remake of the project makes the units rechargeable. Our favorite part about this project–the upgrade to an older project and the introduction of wireless charging aside–is the fact that the maker behind it is 15 years old. It’s great to see younger people taking an interest in tinkering! Wirelessly Charged Indestructible Lantern [via Hacked Gadgets] HTG Explains: What Is Two-Factor Authentication and Should I Be Using It? HTG Explains: What Is Windows RT and What Does It Mean To Me? HTG Explains: How Windows 8′s Secure Boot Feature Works & What It Means for Linux

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• Remove a Digital Camera’s IR Filter for IR Photography on the Cheap

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  Whether you have a DSLR or a point-and-shoot, this simple hack allows you to shoot awesome IR photographs without the expense of a high-quality IR filter (or the accompanying loss of light that comes with using it). How does it work? You’ll need to take apart your camera and remove a single fragile layer of IR blocking glass from the CCD inside the camera body. After doing so, you’ll have a camera that sees infrared light by default, no special add-on filters necessary. Because it sees the IR light without the filters you’ll also skip out on the light loss that occurs with the addition of the add-on IR filter. The downside? You’re altering the camera in permanent and warranty-voiding way. This is most definitely not a hack for your brand new $2,000 DSLR, but it is a really fun hack to try out on an old point and shoot camera or your circa-2004 depreciated DSLR. Hit up the link below to see the process performed on an old Canon point and shoot–we’d strongly recommend searching for a break down guide for your specific camera model before attempting the trick on your own gear. Are You Brave Enough to IR-ize Your Camera [DIY Photography] HTG Explains: How Windows Uses The Task Scheduler for System Tasks HTG Explains: Why Do Hard Drives Show the Wrong Capacity in Windows? Java is Insecure and Awful, It’s Time to Disable It, and Here’s How

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• 24 DIY Softbox Designs for Cheap and Flexible Photography Lighting [DIY]

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  If you’re looking for just the right softbox for your budget and photography needs this collection of 24 great softbox designs is bound to have the perfect fit. At DIY Photography they hosted a DIY softbox contest. Out of the 70 entries they culled it down to the top 24 designs and rounded up the photo tours and build guides for you to browse. You can build the foamcore and CFL model seen in the photo above by following the build guide here. Hit up the link below to check out all the other designs that range from full body softboxes to on-camera softboxes. How To Build 24 DIY Softboxes [DIY Photography via Make] HTG Explains: Photography with Film-Based CamerasHow to Clean Your Dirty Smartphone (Without Breaking Something)What is a Histogram, and How Can I Use it to Improve My Photos?

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• How to Make a Laser Microscope at Home [Video]

  - by Asian Angel

  Earlier this year we shared a video that showed you how to make a microscope projector using a green laser light and a webcam lens. Today we are back with a video demonstrating an easy “at home” method using that same green laser light, a syringe, two glasses, and a blank wall. Note: Video contains some language that may be considered inappropriate. How to make a laser microscope [via Geeks are Sexy] Use Amazon’s Barcode Scanner to Easily Buy Anything from Your Phone How To Migrate Windows 7 to a Solid State Drive Follow How-To Geek on Google+

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• Hack a Linksys Router into a Ambient Data Monitor

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  If you have a data source (like a weather report, bus schedule, or other changing data set) you can pull it and display it with an ambient data monitor; this fun build combines a hacked Linksys router and a modified toy bus to display transit arrival times. John Graham-Cumming wanted to keep an eye on the current bus arrival time tables without constantly visiting the web site to check them. His workaround turns a hacked Linksys router, a display, a modified London city bus (you could hack apart a more project-specific enclosure, of course), and a simple bit code that polls the bus schedule’s API, into a cool ambient data monitor that displays the arrival time, in minutes, of the next two buses that will pass by his stop. The whole thing could easily be adapted to another API to display anything from stock prices to weather temps. Hit up the link below for more information on the project. Ambient Bus Arrival Monitor Hacked from Linksys Router [via Make] Make Your Own Windows 8 Start Button with Zero Memory Usage Reader Request: How To Repair Blurry Photos HTG Explains: What Can You Find in an Email Header?

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• DIY Panoramic Head Dirt Cheap Solution for Panoramic Photos [DIY]

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  Professional panoramic tripod heads are quite expensive; this DIY solution is put together with scrap wood and a handful of cheap parts from the hardware store and gets the job done just as well. If you’re not looking to impress anyone and willing to sacrifice a little compactness, this simple build can save you a ton of cash. Over at Rasterweb Pete Prodoehl shares photos and video of his DIY panoramic head built out of nothing but scrap wood he had around the work shop plus a hinge, some angle brackets, and screws/nuts/bolts. All very cheap hardware store fare. Hit up the link below to see his build and sample photos. Panoramic Tripod Head [Rasterweb via Make] What is a Histogram, and How Can I Use it to Improve My Photos?How To Easily Access Your Home Network From Anywhere With DDNSHow To Recover After Your Email Password Is Compromised

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• DIY Mini-Studio Is a Sturdy and Cheap Photography Platform

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  Most DIY table top studios/light tents are designed to be packed down–this one is a permanent and sturdy fixture with a nice smooth cyclorama background. Courtesy of DIYer Nick Britsky, this stand-alone mini-studio features a nice solid frame for attaching lighting, flashes, and diffusion panels as well as a solid and smooth cyclorama-style background. Hit up the link below to see pictures of the build in progress, Nick’s solution for the background, and the Sketchup files so you can whip one up for your basement. DIY Mini Photo Studio [via Make] HTG Explains: What The Windows Event Viewer Is and How You Can Use It HTG Explains: How Windows Uses The Task Scheduler for System Tasks HTG Explains: Why Do Hard Drives Show the Wrong Capacity in Windows?

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• Build an Inexpensive but Polished Sous Vide Cooker for Geeky Culinary Fun

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  Kitchen craft has taken a turn for the geekier in the last few years with all manner of DIY projects; this DIY Sous Video cooker stands apart from the average hacked-together model and is polished enough to leave on the counter. We see a lot of cooking related hacks in our news feeds and this one is definitely one of the cleaner builds. It sports a clean display, nice case, and and easy to use interface–perfect for Sous Vide’ing yourself a delicious streak or other culinary treat. Hit up the link below for a full run down on the build. DIY Sous Vide Immersion Cooker On The Cheap [via Make] How To Customize Your Wallpaper with Google Image Searches, RSS Feeds, and More 47 Keyboard Shortcuts That Work in All Web Browsers How To Hide Passwords in an Encrypted Drive Even the FBI Can’t Get Into

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• Glowing Chess Set Combines LEDs, Chess, and DIY Electronics Fun

  - by ETC

  Anyone who says that the centuries old game of Chess cannot be improved upon has obviously never played with a glowing chess board. Today we take a look at a cheap glass chess set modded to glow from within. Instructables user Tetranitrate had a glass chess set he scored on-the-cheap and had always wanted to illuminate it in some way. He ruled out illuminating the board itself (no good way to keep track of the piece colors) and putting a battery in each piece (too big of a pain, over complicates the design). His final solution, the one seen in the photo here, was to build a wood and copper board, run a low voltage across the surface of the chess board, and affix a conductive copper ring to the bottom of each chess piece to power the LED embedded inside. In this manner the pieces would glow on the board and then go dark as soon as they were removed from play. Hit up the link below for additional details on the build and instructions on building your own. LED Chess Set [Instructables] Latest Features How-To Geek ETC How to Get Amazing Color from Photos in Photoshop, GIMP, and Paint.NET Learn To Adjust Contrast Like a Pro in Photoshop, GIMP, and Paint.NET Have You Ever Wondered How Your Operating System Got Its Name? Should You Delete Windows 7 Service Pack Backup Files to Save Space? What Can Super Mario Teach Us About Graphics Technology? Windows 7 Service Pack 1 is Released: But Should You Install It? Save Files Directly from Your Browser to the Cloud in Chrome and Iron The Steve Jobs Chronicles – Charlie and the Apple Factory [Video] Google Chrome Updates; Faster, Cleaner Menus, Encrypted Password Syncing, and More Glowing Chess Set Combines LEDs, Chess, and DIY Electronics Fun Peaceful Alpine River on a Sunny Day [Wallpaper] Fast Society Creates Mini and Mobile Temporary Social Networks

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• DIY Homemade Hybrid Rocket Engine [Video]

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  Remember the guy with the cool DIY astronaut ice cream build? He’s back with a mini hybrid rocket engine that runs off oxygen and acrylic. I built a small rocket engine for demonstration purposes. The engine is built from a 2″ diameter acrylic rod through which I drilled a 0.5″ hole. The oxygen at 80 psi or less is passed through the hole and then is forced through a convergent-divergent nozzle at the tail end. The nozzle’s throat is about 0.25″ and expands to 0.625″. I lit the engine by inserting a burning cotton swab (with wooden stick) while a small amount of oxygen was flowing. The acrylic catches fire very easily in a pure oxygen environment. The engine can be throttled and shut off completely, which is a major benefit to hybrid engine designs. Solid-fuel rockets cannot be throttled or shut off, which makes them difficult to control. [via Make] HTG Explains: What is the Windows Page File and Should You Disable It? How To Get a Better Wireless Signal and Reduce Wireless Network Interference How To Troubleshoot Internet Connection Problems

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• No-Weld Multi-Monitor Stand Crafted From Sturdy Metal Framing

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  As far as DIY stands for multiple monitors go, this design has to be the sturdiest and least difficult to construct model we’ve seen in some time. Read on to see how one DIYer cleverly crafted a solid metal triple monitor stand with no welding involved. Tinker and gamer Opteced wanted a new stand for his Eyefinity setup but wasn’t in a hurry to spend a pile of cash on a custom stand. His DIY solution is just as sturdy as a commercial metal stand but is made out of inexpensive hardware store parts–the main supports and base are made from Unistrut, a simple metal framing material. Unlike many DIY stands made from metal rods and piping, this build doesn’t require any sort of welding or custom pipe threading. In fact, the metal struts are so over engineered for the task of holding up flat-panel monitors he was able to simply partially saw through them and bend them to the shape he wanted. Hit up the link below for additional pictures of the build. Unistrut Monitor Stand [via Hack A Day] 8 Deadly Commands You Should Never Run on Linux 14 Special Google Searches That Show Instant Answers How To Create a Customized Windows 7 Installation Disc With Integrated Updates

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• Convert a Door Peephole Viewer into a Fisheye Camera Lens

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  Commercial fish eye lenses are a niche product and carry a hefty price tag; if you’re looking to goof around with fish eye photography on the cheap, this $6 tutorial is for you. Courtesy of Dave from Knobtop–a thrifty DIY photography video blog–this hack uses dirt cheap parts (the whole build is composed of a PVC pipe reducer and a door peephole lens) to bring you fun fish eye photography on a budget. Check out the video above to see the build and the results, then hit up the link below to check out the notes on the video for more information. Fisheye Lens for $6 [via DIY Photography] HTG Explains: What Is Two-Factor Authentication and Should I Be Using It? HTG Explains: What Is Windows RT and What Does It Mean To Me? HTG Explains: How Windows 8′s Secure Boot Feature Works & What It Means for Linux

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• DIY Super Mario “Kite” Lights Up the Sky [Video]

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  Throw some LEDs in helium balloons, string them together in a pixel-style grid, and you’ve got yourself a massive and glowing 8-bit sprite (in this case, a giant Super Mario). Read on to watch the video and see how you can build your own. Check out the video notes for more information on constructing it or, hit up the link below for more projects by Mark Rober. Mark Rober’s Project Blog [Make] HTG Explains: What Is RSS and How Can I Benefit From Using It? HTG Explains: Why You Only Have to Wipe a Disk Once to Erase It HTG Explains: Learn How Websites Are Tracking You Online

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• DIY Arcade Build Packed into an IKEA Console Table

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  If you checked out the Raspberry Pi-powered arcade table we shared earlier this week but want an all-in-one solution that doesn’t require as much configuration, this table uses a pre-programmed board that comes loaded with arcade classics. Courtesy of tinker Casper36, we’re treated to a compact build hidden inside an IKEA console table. One of the most polished aspects of this build is how well hidden the flush-mounted screen is under the dark glass tabletop–when the screen it just looks like the table has a patterned glass insert. Hit up the link below for the full photo build-log. IKEA Console Arcade Build [via Make] 6 Ways Windows 8 Is More Secure Than Windows 7 HTG Explains: Why It’s Good That Your Computer’s RAM Is Full 10 Awesome Improvements For Desktop Users in Windows 8

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• DIY Halloween Decoration Uses Simple Silohuettes

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  While many of the Halloween decorating tricks we’ve shared over the years involve lots of wire, LEDs, and electronic guts, this one is thoroughly analog (and easy to put together). A simple set of silhouettes can cheaply and quickly transform the front of your house. Courtesy of Matt over at GeekDad, the transformation is easy to pull off. He explains: It’s really just about as simple as you could hope for. The materials needed are: black posterboard or black-painted cardboard; colored cellophane or tissue paper; and tape. The only tools needed are: measuring tape; some sort of drawing implement — chalk works really well; and scissors and/or X-Acto knife. And while you need some drawing talent, the scale is big enough and the need for precision little enough that you don’t need that much. For a more thorough rundown of the steps hit up the link below or hit up Google Images to find some monster silhouette inspiration. Window Monsters [Geek Dad] How Hackers Can Disguise Malicious Programs With Fake File Extensions Can Dust Actually Damage My Computer? What To Do If You Get a Virus on Your Computer

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• DIY Touch Screen Mod Makes Regular Gloves Smartphone-friendly

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  Smartphone-friendly winter gloves are expensive (and often ugly). Skip shelling out for store-bought gloves when, armed with a needle and thread, you can turn any gloves into smartphone-friendly ones. Over at Popular Science, Taylor Kubota shares the simple trick: 1. Order silver-plated nylon thread (silver conducts electricity). This can be difficult to find in stores, but major online retailers carry it. 2. Pick a pair of gloves to modify. Although leather works, it’s harder to push a needle through. 3. Stitch the figure of a star or other solid shape onto the glove’s index finger with the thread, making sure it will contact both the touchscreen and your skin. Our Geek Trivia App for Windows 8 is Now Available Everywhere How To Boot Your Android Phone or Tablet Into Safe Mode HTG Explains: Does Your Android Phone Need an Antivirus?

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