Editorial

By November 29, 2013 Read More →

Cybersecurity: Who is Watching You Online?

Internet securityThe recent news involving the NSA and the implications for online privacy have put cybersecurity in a brand new light. Whenever you hop online with your Web browser of choice, chances are someone somewhere is keeping tabs on your Internet surfing habits. More than 85 percent of adults use the Internet, according to Pew Internet, and a variety of people are eager to collect their personal details—whether it’s to better track their shopping habits or to sell the data to a bounty of rogue marketers, debt collectors or even hackers in search of a ripe target.

Who Watches Over Us?

The vast majority of online tracking is done courtesy of “cookies” and “beacons”—tiny files that appear on your computer whenever you visit a website. While these files are intended to help your computer remember things like login details, organizations can use them to do things like create targeted advertising campaigns based on your browsing habits.

Third-party tracking files are among the most intrusive of the breed. These files assign a unique ID number to your computer, enabling the creator to build a substantial profile based on your visits to affiliated websites with the same technology. This allows retailers to provide predictive marketing based on consumer shopping habits. Forbes notes how this already resulted in one case where Target figured out a teen girl was pregnant long before her father did. Some tracking companies go as far as hiding these files in advertisements, free software and even other tracking files.

How to Watch the Watchers

Despite the growth of the digital security industry, it’s a field that generates a surprisingly small amount of interest from today’s young job seekers. A recent Raytheon poll found that only 24 percent of recent graduates have an interest in cybersecurity as a career. But that doesn’t mean people aren’t interested in enhancing their privacy by monitoring and curbing the usage of cookies and other tracking data.

Mozilla, the company behind the Firefox browser, recently unveiled an add-on that sheds light on how first and third-party websites track and collect your data. Lightbeam creates a real-time graphic visualization of third-party entities on the sites you visit. This gives you an opportunity to see who’s collecting your data, how it’s being collected and where they connect to your online activity. In keeping with consumer desire for enhanced privacy, the data Lightbeam collects and displays is stored locally on your computer by default, according to Mozilla.

With identity theft a constant and prominent concern, companies like LifeLock provide a service to those looking to keep their credit ratings safe from fraud. For a small monthly fee, the company keeps an eye out for potentially fraudulent applications for loans, credit cards and other lines of credit and alerts customers to these attempts. The company’s confidence regarding its identity theft protection services extend to its $1 million guarantee in the event of a successful theft.

Posted in: Editorial, News
Tags:
By November 28, 2013 Read More →

Buying a New Mobile? Here Are Some Options

Set of touchscreen smartphonesIt can be challenging to renew lists of the best mobile phones available because their rate of release is so fast today. However, October saw the release of very few new phones. Now that the market has settled after the storm (or lack of, according to some) caused by the new iPhone releases, we can better assess the new phones that have been released of late.

The following are the best of the new bunch. If you’re low on funds this month, be sure to check out Virgin Media’s SIM only deals.

Google Nexus 5

The Nexus 5 promises to provide the smoothest and purest Android experience possible. You’ll be able to enjoy the new Android 4.4. KitKat and rather than waiting for the carriers to release updates, you’ll be able to download them directly from Google. There’s a 2.23GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 CPU, along with a gorgeous 4.95-ich 1920/1080 display, with a pixel density of 445 pixels-per-inch.

There’s an 8MP rear camera and a 1.3MP front camera. The phone comes in two options for internal storage: you can choose 16GB or double up to 32GB.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3

The new Galaxy Note 3 improves upon its predecessor massively. More of a ‘phablet’ than a phone, it’s the only handset that is compatible with Samsung’s new Galaxy Gear smartwatch (support for other Samsung devices will arrive at the end of the year).

Equipped with Jelly Bean, the Galaxy Note 3 has a 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor, a 5.7 inch 1920 x 1080 display screen, 3GB of RAM, a whopping 13MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera.

HTC One

Similar to the new Galaxy S4, the HTC One offers an aluminium chassis, a full HD screen and a simplified version of Sense 5.0 with Android Jelly Bean. Users will be able to create video highlight reels to share with their friends. There’s an ultrapixel camera that out-performs just about any other phone camera in low-light conditions.

HTC hasn’t had a great track record, but this model truly takes the cake and silences all critics. Although the battery life still leaves much to be desired, the HTC One is still the best phone HTC has released thus far.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra

Having just been released, the new Xperia has a bunch of new features under its hood. It now boasts the sharpest LCD panel on the market, as well as a 13MP camera that can capture HDR video.

It fits perfectly into your hand, being nice and slim at 6.5 millimetres. Still, it’s a hardy phone that features tempered glass along with a dust- and waterproof build. It can be submerged in up to 1 metre of water and still work, too.

Buying a new phone these days is tough, as the majority become outdated within a few months. The trick is to select a phone that will last a long time along with updates from the manufacturer. Resist the hype and do your research!

Posted in: Editorial, Phones
By November 28, 2013 Read More →

Top 10 Most Distracting Mobile Apps

dontdrivedistracted-568pxFrom the statistics that have recently been released, half of young drivers are reckless enough to use their mobile phones whilst on the road. Stats from a poll of 1000 drivers have shown that 50% admit to reading text messages whilst driving as well as 74% agreeing that smartphones are distracting to young drivers. As this information has come out, it is startling to know how often this is occurring. This insightful infographic has been devised by ingenie to highlight the facts as part of the #DontDriveDistracted campaign. Be sure to take part and pledge through Twitter, Instagram or Vine by using the hashtag.’

Posted in: Editorial
By November 27, 2013 Read More →

The Benefits of Year-Round Cyber Security Coverage

DEU Brauchtum Liebe BrueckeIn recent years, online security has become a huge issue for casual computer users and businesses alike. While cybercrime can have a devastating effect on individuals, the effects on businesses can be crippling and even bring an organisation grinding to a halt, depending on the severity of the activity.

While most businesses are aware of the huge problems that cybercrime can cause and have various types of security software and cyber security measures in place to combat such potential attacks, many do not have proper year-round cyber security coverage and monitoring in place, which could cause problems. Nobody knows if and when cyber security threats will arise, and without constant security and monitoring, the security of your business could remain at risk even if you do have measures in place.

Why you should opt for year-round security

Many businesses carry out security testing on a periodic basis in the hope that this will enable them to avoid the risk of cyber threats. However, this actually leaves your business open to lengthy periods where threats could become an issue and new vulnerabilities could be introduced.

This is why it is important to ensure that assessments are carried out on a more regular basis and security monitoring becomes a constant rather than periodic process. So what are the benefits of year-round cyber security coverage? Well, some of the key benefits include the following.

  • Increased peace of mind: there is no doubt that cyber threats have become a huge issue and problem for organisations. However, by ensuring you have access to year-round cyber security coverage, you can benefit from greater peace of mind rather than being continually concerned about the possibility of new vulnerabilities slipping through the net.
  • Increased protection: the effects of cybercrime on businesses can be devastating, affecting everything from the running and finances of the business to the security of sensitive or even classified information. With year-round security, you can ensure your organisation benefits from increased protection, minimising the risk of falling victim to cybercriminal activities.
  • Minimising on the risk of both external and internal breaches: with the right year-round security system, you can ensure your organisation is protected against both external and internal breaches, which means a heightened level of protection for your business.

By opting for managed security services from professionals with expertise and experience in this field, you can ensure that your organisation’s cyber security systems are running at optimum levels at all times. The right provider can ensure you are protected against the ever-increasing threat of cybercrime.

Choosing the right company to provide your managed security services means that you can benefit from rapid response to make sure that your network is always secure and protected. You can also benefit from the expertise, knowledge and skills of professionals to ensure that all of your company’s cyber security needs are met and maintained. https://www.sapphire.net/ are specialists in just one area, uniting subject-matter experts in the field of cybersecurity management and policy with the latest and most advanced technology to give organizations a higher level of protection. You can find out more about managed cyber security services, here.

Posted in: Desktop Computing, Editorial
Tags:
By November 24, 2013 Read More →

Kindle Fire HDX WiFi issues

Kindle-Fire-Wi-Fi-password-promptI got my hands on a new Kindle Fire HDX 8.9″ a few days ago and you may have seen me experiencing some issues with connecting to the App store during the recording of my Kindle Fire HDX 8.9″ unboxing video.

Since then I have been really struggling with the HDX. Despite its dual-band dual-antenna WiFi, it’s consistently dropping its WiFi connection and even when it reports connected to WiFi the connection is either poor or non-existent.

Now, it’s entirely possible that I just have a faulty unit and my Kindle Fire HDX WiFi issues could well be just a fluke. However, Googling for WiFi problems on the Fire HDX does yield rather a large number of results and there seem to be quite a few people out there with the same problem. Helpfully, one site suggests downloading the latest firmware for the Kindle and whilst there is a System Update available for my HDX, guess what, I can’t download that without an internet connection!

So as it stands, the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9″ may well be a super looking, light and powerful tablet with an incredible screen, but I’ve so far been able to do very little with it.

Obviously I’ll be speaking to Amazon support about it and will report back, but if anyone else out there has the same problems and better still knows the solution, I’d love to hear from you!

Posted in: Editorial, News, Tablets
Tags:
By November 21, 2013 Read More →

The best tablets for reading

tabsAs much as most people enjoy diving into a good book, dragging around heavy hardbacks is probably less high on their list of favourite things to do. Since e-readers burst onto the scene a few years ago many people have jumped onto the electronic trend, but with tablet technology becoming increasingly advanced, their multi-functionality means they might just be the best new book you buy. If you’re shopping around for tablets you can also use as an e-reader, here’s a run-down of some of your options.

Asus Google Nexus 7 (2013 Edition)

The latest edition of Google’s Nexus range has the highest resolution of any tablet to date, with a 7-inch Widescreen Ultra Extended Graphics Array (WUXGA) screen that boasts dimensions of 1920×1200 pixels and a resolution of 323ppi. At 290g, it is 50 grams lighter than its predecessor, with double the RAM and a 15-hour battery life, so if you’re deep into that can’t-put-it-down novel, you won’t have to worry about sudden blackouts. Running on the Android operating system means it has flexible resolution handling, so different eBook or document files should all appear just as clearly.

Apple iPad (4th Generation)

The new generation of iPad comes with Apple’s trademarked Retina display, which at 264ppi is impressive, but not quite as impressive as the Nexus 7. Still, it does offer a larger screen at 10.1 inches, and the ease of zooming in and out might suit people who usually wear glasses to read. If your priority is convenient transportation, the compact, 7-inch iPad Mini offers all the same technology with a smaller screen size. The cheapest option of each model comes with 16GB of storage space as standard, but if you’re looking for more memory you can go up to 32 or even 64GB. Remember though, with the iBookstore you can download and delete books as you choose – they’ll always be saved for a re-download.

Samsung Galaxy Note

This chunky tablet comes in the same 10.1-inch size as the iPad, but with double the RAM, housing a powerful 2GB and a Quad Core Processor. While it also comes with 16GB of standard storage, the Note has a slot for a micro SD card that allows this to be easily expanded up to 64GB. The screen is not as sharp, with a resolution of 1280×800, but this is more than adequate for displaying text, and with a battery life just shy of 10 hours, it equals the iPad. However, the inclusion of a stylus pen that allows you to write on screen makes it handy for making notes while reading, so if you like to annotate your texts for your studies or book club, this will be ideal.

Sony Xperia Z Tablet

Although it’s slightly more expensive than the other options, Sony’s Xperia Z has one major advantage – not only over other tablets, but also traditional books. It’s water-resistant; so all those prone to knocking over glasses or reading in the bathtub can breathe easily with this in their hands. It has a large 10.1-inch display, with a resolution of 1920×1200, 2GB RAM and 32GB of storage space. Compared to the other 10.1-inch tablets, it’s almost 100g lighter, and is also the thinnest on the market, but still has everything you need inside.

Posted in: Editorial, Tablets
Tags: , ,
By November 21, 2013 Read More →

Top 3 Interactive Tables

table-pcNo, that isn’t a typo – we don’t mean tablets. Interactive tables are the latest developments that are revolutionising the way we live, particularly in the field of education. Packed with educational games and interactive learning activities, these touch screen devices are much tougher than tablets, and can be used by more than one person at a time. Here are three of the best interactive tables on the market right now:

1.       SMART Table

Created by SMART, a company dedicated to improving people’s lives through technology, the SMART boards tops our list. Designed for children who are just starting out in education, this clever device is available from United Carlton and can add a whole new dimension to the classroom.

Using the SMART table toolkit, teachers can design their own activities and send them to the table for the children to complete. There is also a wealth of activities available to download online too.

The table actively encourages group work. It features lots of problems that require students to work together and is big enough for more than one person to use, so they’ll be no impatient kids grumbling about having to wait their turn.

As it is designed to be used by little ones, the table boasts a robust, durable design with a scratch-resistant surface that won’t be damaged by an overly enthusiastic youngster.

As we delve into the world of live interactive entertainment, it’s clear that some experiences are designed to leave a lasting impression. These immersive games transport players into a story where every decision counts. For those intrigued by the idea of testing their mettle against a spine-chilling narrative, the direct link to one of the best in the business is https://www.escaperoomsbristol.co.uk/. Here, every puzzle solved brings you one step closer to unravelling the mystery, all while the clock ticks menacingly in the background.

2.       Promethean ActivTable

Moving on from tables for the little ones, the Promethean ActivTable is suitable for older students.

The large, tall table with a 46 inch screen is all about inclusion, catering for up to six users at any one time, while also providing disabled access too. It is the perfect tool to get students working collaboratively.

The table even provides teachers with a feedback report, documenting how each student contributed and performed during their group work. This provides teachers with better feedback than ever before, allowing them to tailor their teaching to the needs of the class collectively and individually.

3.       KioPro

Having seen the benefits to education that an interactive table can bring, many manufacturers are designing ones specifically for the business world. The KioPro is described as the ‘ultimate sales presentation tool’ and with its sleek coffee table design, it’s easy to see why.

The large touchscreen, available with a Windows 8 or Android operating system, allows you to compile high-quality presentations. And, if someone foolishly mistakes it for a coffee table, the screen is toughened to protect from damage.

The future

Could this London restaurant be the future? All of their tables are touch-screen and can be customised, with diners able to select their ‘tablecloth’, order their food, play games and even watch a live feed of the kitchen!

This may be uncommon now, but we predict we will be seeing a lot more of interactive tables in the future.

Posted in: Editorial, Gadgets, Tablets
Tags:
By November 18, 2013 Read More →

How many are still using BBM for Android and iOS?

bbmiconAfter the initial surge of downloads of BBM, apparently hitting 10 million downloads within the first 24 hours after launch, how many are still using it almost 4 weeks later?

We’ve already seen the BBM app drop in the iTunes and Play Store charts and at the time of writing it’s well outside of the top 50. Was the initial surge something of curiosity or nostalgia among those users that used to have BlackBerry’s and have now migrated to other devices/platforms?

Many users that I know and support did indeed download and try BBM on their iPhone’s and Android smartphones but have since abandoned BBM again in favour of iMessage, Hangouts and WhatsApp, where they already have their contacts set up.

Looking at the latest download charts for the week, we can see that WhatsApp downloads, for example, are back to being ahead of BBM once again.

Personally, I was one of the 10 million to download BBM within the first 24 hours. I like the BBM interface and it works well but the fact remains that only a handful of my contacts (5) are using BBM vs a hundred or so on iMessage and Hangouts, for example. I’m sure I cant be the only person with this experience…

Not that I was expecting an answer, but I emailed BlackBerry to ask what the user retention of BBM has been. I have not yet received a response.

So what’s the consensus? Are you an iOS or Android user and are you using BBM?

Posted in: Editorial, News, Phones
Tags: , , ,
By November 16, 2013 Read More →

3 Ways to Make Your Flat Screen TV a Smart TV – on a Budget

Smart TVThe jump from flat-screen TV to Smart TV doesn’t have to be a big one – and you don’t have to bust your budget to get it done.

Mine’s a modest 22-inch Samsung, but I’ve managed to transform it into a smart TV. I had to. So underwhelmed with regular television – and so enamored with everything else to see on a big screen (movies, video clips, the Internet) – I was determined to make my lounge-chair time even better.

My TV wasn’t going to get into Harvard before I began to tinker, let’s just say that.

Here’s what I tried to plug into it to boost the IQ of my big screen.

 

1.     Personal Computer Free, if you have the PC already

That PC you still have around? Put it to work with your TV. My Samsung has a VGA entry port that can connect to my TV. I had to buy the right cord for the job. My PC is still pretty fast, so I’m able to watch movies and let the kids play video games when it’s connected to the TV.

The power bill’s a bit of a problem, though.

How smart?: This would work better with a Macbook Air or some such device out of my price range.

 

2.     Google Chromecast $35

Chromecast dongle

A dumb TV is a smart TV just waiting to happen. Chromecast, a dongle that lets you stream media, can also show anything open in a Google Chrome browser. Google’s app-to-TV dongle supports six apps overall, including Google Play Movies &TV; Google Play Music; Hulu Plus; Netflix; Pandora; and YouTube.

 With Google’s support, Chromecast has the potential for more apps and features by name alone.

How smart?: The price is about a third of that of similar products such as Apple TV, Plair or Roku. I’d say that’s pretty smart.

 

3.     Xbox $250 (Xbox 360 console with Kinect)

100 1176

All you need is the SmartGlass app (if you have the Xbox and an Android, iOS or Windows smartphone.) Your enabled device becomes a second screen, allowing you to watch movies and browse the web.

Get relevant immersive details while you watch a game, movie or TV show. You’ll need an Xbox Live membership to download a lot of apps, such as HBOGO and Netflix.

How smart?: The app’s amazing – and can provide real-time strategy while you play online games.

 

In our case, we had the PC and Xbox, which wiped out the need for a trip to the store. The Xbox by far provided the best option for everyone involved, but Google Chromecast holds the best potential. Both Chromecast and Xbox worked best when we upgraded to fiber-optic Internet.

Dropping $1,000 on a smart TV is just not very smart.

Posted in: Editorial, TV & Home Cinema
Tags: , ,
By November 14, 2013 Read More →

Thousands Petition new YouTube Comment System

youtube-logoYou may have heard that recently YouTube started to revamp their comment system. Initially this sounded like a good idea – integrate YouTube comments with Google+, stop the reubbish and spam comments that many YouTube’rs suffer.

In itself that doesn’t sound like a big deal. However, here’s the rub, Google have decided to enforce the Google+ commenting system to the point that you MUST have a Google+ account in order to post a comment on a YouTube video.

YouTube channel owners, myself included, have become so angry with the change that an online petition has been started and it already has well over 100,000 signatures. Those signing the petition are demanding that the comment system be returned to its previous form.

“Google is forcing us to make Google+ accounts and invading our social life to comment on a YouTube video and trying to take away our anonymous profile. They are also trying to censor us unless we share the same worldview as they do.”

We’ve seen the comments on our YouTube videos fall to almost zero since the change where previously we’d have dozens daily. Furthermore, we’ve noticed that people can comment on our videos yet we’re unable to reply to those comments despite them appearing on our channel! YouTube channel owners can benefit from knowing how to buy YouTube subscribers from Zeru.

I’m actually a fan of Google+ and I like the idea but it would be better if it could be phased in or where channel owners could make the G+ account optional for viewer comments.

via The Enquirer

Posted in: Editorial
Tags: ,
https://www.ukmeds.co.uk/surgical-face-masks