Android users, beware -- a new Trojan may hold your files for ransom
Security experts have discovered a new Trojan that scrambles the files on memory cards in Android devices and demands a ransom to open them.
Slovakian security company Eset claims it is the first discovery of file-encrypting ransomware for Android. Called "Simplelocker", the Trojan targets SD cards inserted into Android tablets and mobile phones, encrypts the files and demands payment in order to decrypt them.
Queen's speech proposes life sentences for cyber criminals in the UK
Edward Snowden is on the run, living in exile as a means to evade the long arm of US law. The United States seems keen to have him prosecuted for leaking documents that have arguably put national security at risk. He acted in good faith, but has been branded a cyber criminal. Today in the UK, the Queen gave her annual speech -- well, it's really a speech written by the government, but dear Liz reads it out so she gets to call it hers -- and she revealed that cyber criminals could face life sentences for their endeavors, and that existing punishments for digital crimes cold become harsher.
Singled out for particular attention are those "cyberattacks which result in loss of life, serious illness or injury or serious damage to national security, or a significant risk thereof". Those committing such acts could be put behind bars for life. But the proposals do not end there. The aging Computer Misuse Act could be updated, so that criminals that cause "a significant risk of severe economic or environmental damage or social disruption" incur a 14 year term compared to the current 10.
Online television watching reaches all-time high -- iOS apps surpass web browsers
Over the years, many have predicted television's demise, because of competition from the internet. However, it seems that the opposite is happening -- TV is more popular than ever thanks to an increase in quality programming. Shows such as Game of Thrones and Bates Motel have viewers tuning in and on the edge of their seats.
It turns out that the internet is actually complementing television, as more and more people choose to consume TV on the web. According to Adobe, online viewing is up 246 percent year-over-year -- that is a shocking figure. However, this is not just people staring at desktops and laptops, but utilizing game consoles and mobile apps too.
HTC Desire 816: Attractive mid-range Android smartphone [Review]
HTC has stolen a lot of limelight recently with its flagship handset the One M8 and its smaller One mini 2, and you could be forgiven for thinking that these two are just about all the phone maker has in its range. But in fact the Desire range continues to go strong, and a couple of handsets announced earlier this year have recently popped up for review. I’ll be covering the Desire 610 soon, but today’s review handset is the Desire 816, a large format phone on sale for around £300 which ticks quite a lot of boxes.
The Desire 816 doesn’t have the startlingly good build quality that its top-end cousin the One M8 boasts. The body is unashamedly plastic, and my white review sample had a shiny white plastic back which, while not removable, is quite clearly a separate section. You can see the join where it meets the matte sides of the phone so clearly that it’s almost embarrassing for HTC.
Glorylogic refreshes range with ISO Workshop, True Burner and Image Tuner updates
Glorylogic has issued updates to three of its free (for non-commercial use) tools for Windows PCs. Both ISO Workshop 5.4 and True Burner 2.3 gain various burning enhancements -- including the ability to set the burn speed, while batch-processing tool Image Tuner 4.8 offers an updated preview method.
ISO Workshop and True Burner share the same burning engine, which is indicated by the number of shared improvements in their latest builds.
Netflix brings HTML5 video to OS X Yosemite
WWDC has proven to be the big event this week, introducing the latest iteration of Apple's operating system, known as OS X Yosemite -- yes the company has moved on from big cats, it did so with Mavericks.
One of the first to take advantage of this new platform is Netflix. The streaming video service is announcing it will bring HTML5 to Safari in the new operating system. "We're excited to announce that Netflix streaming in HTML5 video is now available in Safari on OS X Yosemite! We've been working closely with Apple to implement the Premium Video Extensions in Safari, which allow playback of premium video content in the browser without the use of plugins", says Netflix.
Samsung needs localized services for its Tizen phone to succeed in emerging markets
Samsung is the most recognized phone brand in emerging markets (with an 88 percent level of recognition beating out Apple's 85 percent), but if the company wants to succeed in such territories -- which is where the freshly unveiled Tizen-powered Samsung Z is thought to be pitched, following the initial Russian launch -- then it will have to up its game in terms of services and localization.
That's the message from mobile marketing firm Upstream, which conducted a survey (in conjunction with Ovum) of developing markets entitled: The Next Mobile Frontier. The research was carried out across 4,500 consumers drawn from Brazil, China, India, Nigeria and Vietnam.
Companies need a data-centred security policy to cope with big data
Big data is all the rage at the moment but when it comes to security it shouldn't be treated in isolation from the rest of the organization.
According to a new report from research specialists Gartner, policies need to take account of all forms of data if security problems are to be avoided.
The new industrial revolution -- machines rise up to become our equals
The Internet of Things is just the latest buzzword that is being used to push all manner of products. Let's cut to the chase -- it's just about "stuff" (other than obvious things like computers and phones) connecting to the internet. Nothing more than that. But this dismissive-sounding definition is not meant to undermine the importance or the significance of the IoT. We've spent the last 20 years or so getting used to the idea of accessing the web, harnessing what it has to offer, exploiting it in various ways and finding all manner of methods of using it to make life easier, more entertaining, and more profitable. The evolution of the Internet of Things sees this taken to the next level.
We are on the cusp of a new industrial revolution. Many would say that the wheels are already in motion. The tired -- very, very tired -- example of what the Internet of Things is about, is the prospect of owning a fridge that will be aware of when you run out of milk, and then either alert you or place an order on your behalf. This is a very simplistic view of things, but it is the communication between devices that will be the hallmark of things to come. Inter-device communication, or machine-to-machine (M2M) connectivity. Devices that can be left to their own devices (ahem) are approaching in ever-growing numbers, and there are advantages to be gained.
Microsoft Remote Desktop for Windows Phone 8.1 receives first major update
In late-April, Microsoft introduced the much-awaited Remote Desktop app on Windows Phone 8.1, giving a small subset of its Windows Phone users, who wish to beta-test the offering, the ability to connect remotely, from their smartphones, to Windows PCs.
The app launched with a powerful feature set, but it just received its first update which makes the experience even better. Microsoft details the first round of improvements in an MSDN blog post. The new iteration brings Remote Desktop even closer to its counterparts on Android, iOS, OS X and Windows 8.1, in terms of functionality, according to the software giant.
Analyze files for malware and more with Safer Computing’s FileAlyzer
FileAlyzer is a file analysis tool from Safer Computing, the developer of Spybot -- Search & Destroy. Its focus is on helping experts check unknown executables for signs of malware, but has many other uses and applications.
Launch the program, open an EXE and FileAlyzer opens a report window with no less than 21 tabs. It’s a little intimidating, but the initial "General" tab is gentler, focusing on a few basic details: location, size, version, create/ last access/ last write times, attributes, and a few hashes (CRC-32, MD5, SHA-1).
Ad-Aware Free Antivirus learns to plays nice with other antivirus tools, improves malware engine
LavaSoft has released Ad-Aware Free Antivirus 11.2, a significant update to the Swedish security developer’s range of free and paid-for PC security products.
Version 11.2 tweaks its malware engine and improves the disinfection process, but also introduces a new option that enables users to install it alongside existing security software.
Dirty desktops and titillating tablets -- the browsers you use to get a porn fix
Porn has always been big business, and online porn accounts for a staggering proportion of web traffic. The availability of always-on internet connections in the home, and near blanket use of internet-enabled mobile phones and tablets, means that it is now easier than ever to get a porn fix if you feel the urge. But have you ever wondered how all of this porn is being accessed? Well… wonder no more! Porn site (you don’t say!) PornHub conducted research after Gizmodo expressed an interest in seeing which browsers were most used by consumers of porn, and the figures make for interesting reading.
It perhaps comes as no surprise that desktop browsers prove the most popular. Some 51 percent of Pornhub's traffic comes from people using desktop computers. But, without wanting to put too many unpleasant images in your head, this leaves 49 percent of porn perusal that is enjoyed on mobile phones and tablets. You know, those devices that are easily transported to a quiet room and are rather easier to hold in one hand than a laptop...
Motorola rolls out Android 4.4.3 KitKat, makes Moto X $100 cheaper
Shortly after Google launched Android 4.4.3 and released new factory images for its Nexus devices, Motorola announced, earlier today, it too is rolling out the latest version of Android.
The upgrade is set to reach the T-Mobile Moto X, Moto G (purchased online in US and retail in Brazil, including the 4G LTE version) and Moto E (purchased online in US), starting this week. Here is what the update includes.
Microsoft reveals impressive user numbers for everything (except Windows 8.x)
Today, during a keynote address at Computex in Taipei, Tony Prophet, corporate vice president of Windows Marketing, discussed recent Windows developments including Windows with Bing, relaxed certification requirements, Windows 8.1 Update, Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows universal apps.
He also talked about the value of Microsoft cloud services across devices, and revealed some hugely impressive numbers relating to everything from Office 365, One Drive and Skype to Xbox Live and Bing.
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