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Author: Jim O Brien/CEO
CEO and expert in transport and Mobile tech. A fan 20 years, mobile consultant, Nokia Mobile expert, Former Nokia/Microsoft VIP,Multiple forum tech supporter with worldwide top ranking,Working in the background on mobile technology, Weekly radio show, Featured on the RTE consumer show, Cavan TV and on TRT WORLD. Award winning Technology reviewer and blogger. Security and logisitcs Professional.
The innovative global competition where art and technology meet to empower a new generation of artists is now open for entries until 8th April 2022. Red Bull Doodle Art encourages creatives to put pencil to paper, let their minds wander and get doodling. Visit RedBullDoodleArt.com to enter or for application event details.
Following the initial application phase, a select group of finalists will be chosen to show their work at the Irish National Final on 15th April. The overall winner for Ireland will be chosen at the National Final by a judging panel and will be invited to the World Final in Amsterdam, where the 2023 Red Bull Doodle Art winner will be chosen by a panel of renowned experts.
Where art and technology meet
The pen-on-paper concept of Red Bull Doodle Art dates back to the very first edition in 2012. Since then, the competition has evolved to include latest technological innovations.
Involving both the physical and digital realms of art, the 2023 edition of Red Bull Doodle Art sees the introduction of NFTs (non-fungible tokens). All participants who submit a valid doodle will have access to a digital collectible of their drawing in the form of an NFT.
2023 Format
The competition takes place across the following phases;
Application phase: Red Bull Doodle Art begins at one of the four application events, where participating students and creatives will put pen to paper to see where their imagination takes them. Visit www.redbulldoodleart.com for dates and locations of application events. Participants can also submit their doodle digitally or on official Red Bull Doodle Art frame, which all be downloaded and submitted at www.redbulldoodleart.com.
Selection phase: On 15th April, the work of the chosen finalists will be displayed in an exhibition at Tara Buildings in Dublin. A panel of experts will select the winner based on the criteria of creativity, artistic skill and the way the doodle expresses a love for life.
Artists’ collaboration phase: After the national final, the new national winner will collaborate with a professional artist to get ready to represent Ireland with an exclusive doodle NFT at the World Final in Amsterdam.
World Final: From 25 to 28 May 2023, the World Final will bring together all the national finalists globally for a three-day immersive experience in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. This will feature workshops, exclusive “phygital” (physical and digital) creative sessions, public gallery and the announcement of the global winner of Red Bull Doodle Art 2023.
How to Enter Red Bull Doodle Art is open to 18–24-year-olds who are a current resident of Ireland. To take part in Red Bull Doodle Art, go to the official website, select your country, download the template and submit your doodle or visit www.redbulldoodleart.com to see where and when your local application events are taking place.
Soundpeats is a well known brand that delivers great quality earbuds at a cost effective price and they have sent us two new pairs for us to check out and a full real hands on review will be coming soon with many more earbuds and other tech that is now sitting on my desk. The twp pairs today in question is the Air Deluxe HS and Mini Pro HS earbuds one being your standard earbud and one with a stem so something for both interested parties here when it comes to style and looks.
Having a quick first look myself I like both designs here and the cases in particular are really nice with both having a matt finish and fingerprint free and easy on your pocket too when it comes to size. But how will they sound? We will find out soon enough after some thorough testing as we do test the biggest range of earbuds in Ireland with a real hands on look rather than stock image reports.
SOUNDPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS Wireless Earbuds
SOUNDPEATS is one of only a few in the market that comes with high-quality sound but affordable wireless earbuds for audio enthusiasts. Adopt Qualcomm 3040 with aptX-Adaptive codec V5.2 brings instant connection and super sound, the mostly keep the sound and scene are synchroned.
Air3 Deluxe HS — Best Alternative Wireless Earbuds Of AirPods
Hi-Res Audio Certification & LDAC Codec Tech
14.2mm Driver & Four Microphones
In-Ear Detection & 20 Hours of Playtime
Low Latency Game Mode & App Control
Mini Pro HS l Ultra Light Hybrid ANC for Commuting
SOUNDPEATS Mini Pro HS is Hi-Res Audio Wireless certificated and equipped with LDAC technology, a maximum transmission volume of 990kbps, and maintains the maximum bit depth and frequency of 24-bit/96kHz Hi-Res audio files, close to lossless sound quality. Besides, with Bluetooth5.3 and the built-in 10mm biodynamic driver, Mini Pro HS restores the sound details in a more stable and natural way, so you can hear and feel the surging bass.
Aon plc, a leading global professional services firm, today released figures that reveal that most senior business leaders in Ireland plan to increase investment in cyber security and resilience in the coming years amid the evolving cyber risks facing Irish firms.
The survey of 228 senior business leaders from companies across Ireland reveals that 18 percent of Irish firms experienced a cyber-attack or data breach in 2022. Large companies with more than 250 employees are more at risk, with 21 percent of firms facing an attack last year compared to 9 percent of SMEs.
Companies have taken steps in the past year to strengthen their cyber resilience and preparedness, with 38 percent having enhanced their data recovery and back-up systems and 35 percent having provided cyber security training to employees. This represents a slight decrease from levels seen in 2021, when 40 percent of employees were provided with cyber security training.
Given the ever-changing cyber landscape, over two thirds of Irish firms (67 percent) plan to invest more in cyber security and resilience in the coming years. Seventy-two percent of firms with more than 250 employees are due to increase their spending on cyber security measures.
The survey also points to the growing dominance of cyber threats on an organisation’s risk register. According to the findings, cyber is now the fourth biggest business risk facing Irish organisations today.
Karl Curran,Head of Aon’s Cyber Solutions Ireland and Nordics, said: “Our figures show that cyber resilience is very much front and centre of Irish business leaders’ concerns. As the fourth biggest risk facing Irish organisations today, and with one in five firms being disrupted by a cyber-attack last year, business leaders are acutely aware of the enormity of the risk that cyber-attacks present and the need to plan accordingly. However, far too often, successfully managing cyber risk only becomes a priority after a cyber incident has occurred. Despite the majority of Irish firms planning to invest more in cyber security and resilience in the coming years, more than a quarter of Irish business leaders don’t have any plans to invest more in cyber security and resilience in the near future.
“Amidst an increasingly complex business environment, business and IT leaders are under increasing pressure to make smart security investments. And the truth is there is no one straight line approach to cyber security. It is a continuous journey focused on building resilience.
“At Aon Ireland, we encourage leaders to review their cyber security posture and take a strategic approach to managing cyber risk that is informed by data. This begins by assessing the cyber risk landscape, identifying the ways in which your IT team can mitigate challenges, transferring risk out of the business and, when faced with a crisis, recovering with speed. By taking a data-driven, circular approach to cyber resilience, business and IT leaders can come together to make better decisions that protect the future of their organisation and its people.”
To help business leaders on this journey, Aon’s Cyber Loop is a model for sustained cyber resilience that recognises the growing concern around cyber threats and supports businesses on their journey of investment. Comprising four main stages – assess, mitigate, transfer and recover – the Cyber Loop supports business leaders to maximise return on cyber security investment and become an informed participant in managing risk.
The four main stages of Aon’s Cyber Loop are:
Assess
A thorough assessment of an organisation’s cyber risks will ensure that they are better informed and in a better position to agree on an appropriate risk strategy.
Mitigate
Bridge the gap between understanding the technical risk of an identified vulnerability and the related financial exposure to inform decisions that can enhance security maturity and maximise return on security investment.
Transfer
Despite a rising tide in cyber governance, losses still emanate from human error, system failure or security failure. Aon’s experts help businesses to identify, quantify and transfer cyber risk into the insurance market.
Recover
Aon’s team of experts are experienced in maximising possible recovery of costs and working towards a cashflow neutral position.
Expleo, a global technology, engineering and consulting service provider, today announces the opening of a Galway innovation hub and a €5M investment in the expansion of its life sciences and engineering research & development (ERD) teams, which will be headquartered there. The Galway base will be critical to bolstering Expleo’s presence in other key industries, including software and automotive. It is part of a wider plan to establish a network of regional hubs to support the company’s rapid growth across the island of Ireland.
The new hub, located in the Galway Technology Centre, Mervue, is forecast to have a significant impact on Expleo’s growing revenues in Ireland, supported by the expansion of its life sciences and ERD teams. By year-end 2024, the company will invest €5M in 70 jobs across the two teams. Team members will work across Expleo’s client sites and its network of offices in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Belfast. On top of the 200 jobs announced in June last year, these latest jobs will see Expleo grow its island-wide team of over 1,000 by the end of 2024.
Expleo’s life sciences practice in Ireland specialises in product development for the MedTech and pharma while ensuring compliance and helping the sector meet regulatory needs. Meanwhile, the ERD team drives innovative thinking and new ways of working to simplify, enhance and automate key business processes. The jobs created will be in the areas of mechanical, electrical and digital engineering, as well as business consulting and software development and testing.
The new Galway office represents a long-term commitment from Expleo to both current and future customers located in Galway and the surrounding areas. Teams located there, and those working in client sites located in the West of Ireland, will be carrying out work on behalf of international clients who are based in Ireland. The hub will provide flexibility for Expleo staff located in the West, while giving Expleo access to a larger talent pool to support its rapid growth.
The opening of the Galway hub follows Expleo’s announcement last year that it was establishing a network of regional office hubs. The first hub in Mahon, Co. Cork, opened in June 2022.
All team members in the new hub, a mixture of current employees and new hires, will be offered the same flexible working arrangements as those in Expleo’s Dublin, Cork and Belfast offices, allowing them to split their time between working from home and working from the hub office or client sites.
Phil Codd, Managing Director, Expleo Ireland, said:“We are delighted to be continuing our regional expansion plans with the opening of our Galway hub. As Expleo continues to go from strength to strength on the island of Ireland, these hubs will provide us with the talent and momentum we need to deliver on our ambitious growth plans.
“Along with our investment in regional expansion, we are also making significant investments in our life sciences and engineering, research & development teams. As a global company, we bring experience and expertise from many disciplines and areas to support the growing demand in Ireland’s pharmaceutical and medical device design and manufacturing sector.
“Our new hub in Galway will provide cutting-edge services to businesses operating in the life sciences, software and automotive industries, helping them to innovate at speed and scale. Galway’s economy is thriving, and we are excited to be a part of it while also contributing to its growth.”
OPPO has unveiled its first foldable smartphone for international users, the OPPO Find N2 Flip. With this flip device, OPPO is officially expanding the foldable product line to overseas markets after the great success of the OPPO Find N and OPPO Find N2 series in China.
Combining the largest cover screen on any flip phone with all-day battery life and SUPERVOOC flash charging, the OPPO Find N2 Flip takes foldables from the fringes to the forefront in a compact, sleek way.
The new OPPO Find N2 Flip puts an industry-leading cover screen into palms and pockets, challenging what users have come to expect from small form-factor foldables. Together with its light weight and pocketable size, the OPPO Find N2 Flip’s vertical cover screen turns the company’s debut flip phone into an incredible photography tool. The large cover screen also features powerful widgets that help users stay on top of up to six notifications at a time and handle other simple tasks without needing to open the phone.
Empowered by world-class hardware, a flagship camera system with a Sony IMX890 sensor, powerful MediaTek Dimensity 9000+, ultra-fast dual-SIM 5G connectivity, and best-in-class charging speeds, the OPPO Find N2 Flip marks the start of a new chapter for OPPO’s foldable product portfolio and flip phones on the whole.
Redefining the Cover Screen
Measuring at 3.26 inches, the OPPO Find N2 Flip’s cover screen is the largest of any flip phone on the market. Its generous size makes everything easier to do whether taking selfies or checking notifications.
The vertical orientation is a game changer, allowing the Cover Screen to display up to six notifications in one view, which is industry-leading. Quickly reply to messages in mainstream messenger apps, toggle settings, record a voice note, answer a call and more – all without opening your phone.
Balancing useful features with fun, playful moments, the OPPO Find N2 Flip’s cover screen lets you customise your home screen in interactive ways. Pet lovers can choose between a bird, cat, dog, hamster, or rabbit, and you’ll have company whenever you fire it up. From playful to laugh-out-loud, set a GIF as your cover screen wallpaper for memes on loop, and if you’re a Bitmoji fan, your sticker pack can be your AOD (always-on display). In addition to Bitmoji, the AOD also displays helpful insights including the time, date, power status, and notifications.
Rather than creating a loud, attention-grabbing aesthetic for the OPPO Find N2 Flip’s design, OPPO went for a sleek look, so the phone’s style acts as a backdrop for the cover screen to shine.
With polished aluminum sides, a fingerprint-resistant glass cover and a unique micro-etched wave pattern across the hinge, Find N2 Flip has a simplified design, which feels premium in the hand and is available in two colours: Astral Black and Moonlit Purple.
Weighing just 191g and measuring only 7.45mm in thickness, the OPPO Find N2 Flip is thin and light, and with its micro-arc, precision curved glass back cover, it is a comfortable fit in your hand, whether open or closed.
It’s the immense 6.8-inch E6 AMOLED display is picture perfect, with its cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio and smooth 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. Viewability is excellent in different environments thanks to an advanced anti-reflection film and up to 1600 nits of peak brightness.
The Best Flip Phone Camera
The OPPO Find N2 Flip’s flagship 50MP main camera features a large Sony IMX890 sensor with an f/1.8 lens – a strong foundation for incredible imaging.
See more and capture with confidence, as the largest cover screen of any flip phone gives you the clearest selfie preview available. And if you’re taking a photo or video of someone else, fire up Dual Preview so they can see how they look.
The OPPO Find N2 Flip’s 17:9 aspect ratio cover screen is the same vertical orientation as your phone’s camera sensor, keeping cropping to a minimum for maximum detail.
Unlock even more creativity with FlexForm Mode, made possible by the second-generation Flexion Hinge, as the OPPO Find N2 Flip holds its position mid-fold between 45-110 degrees for waist-level dynamic angles and evocative 4K time-lapse video.
FlexForm Mode also turns your flip phone into a tripod-steady, hands-free camera. Just part-fold it, place it on a surface and then trigger the shutter release with an open palm gesture – perfect for group shots. It also harnesses the power of the 32MP selfie camera. With its Sony IMX709 sensor, autofocus, and wide-angle lens, rest the phone down for a high-quality hands-free video call, with FlexForm mode optimized for apps like WhatsApp and Zoom.
Co-developed with legendary camera manufacturer Hasselblad, the OPPO Find N2 Flip captures pro-grade colours, a fully featured Professional Mode, and its unique XPAN mode freezes time in a wide, cinematic frame.
Much more than just a photography champion, the OPPO Find N2 Flip’s in-house imaging NPU, MariSilicon X, boosts night video to capture ultra-clear 4K footage in low light, and you can also hold the phone part-folded and sideways, just like a camcorder for a steadier grip.
Tested to Over 400,000 Folds
Much of what makes the OPPO Find N2 Flip outstanding is its second-generation Flexion Hinge, which works in harmony with the main display to create a robust folding screen with an incredibly subtle crease.
The hinge’s miniaturised design is made up of fewer components than the first-generation Flexion Hinge used on the OPPO Find N, and in its intricate simplicity, OPPO has achieved a new standard of mechanical stability. The second-generation Flexion Hinge is more compact than ever, creating extra space for a larger cover screen and a higher-capacity, faster-charging battery.
Just as with the OPPO Find N and OPPO Find N2, there is no hinge gap when you close the OPPO Find N2 Flip, so it keeps dust out to better protect the inner display. The phone has also been independently certified by TÜV Rhineland to withstand over 400,000 folds and unfolds at standard room temperature. That’s equivalent to opening and closing the phone around 100 times a day for more than ten years, and it’s also tested up to 100,000 times at 50 degrees Celsius and 95 per cent humidity, and at -20 degrees Celsius.
OPPO iterated its second-generation Flexion Hinge to guide the screen into the gentlest folding angle possible, creating a waterdrop-shaped fold that results in a significantly shallower, narrower crease than other flip phones when unfolded. In addition to being incredibly subtle to the eye, it also feels virtually imperceptible to the touch for an uninterrupted flat-screen experience.
The Longest Lasting and Fastest Charging Flip Phone
The OPPO Find N2 Flip fits a large 4,300mAh battery in its compact body. This is the biggest battery in any flip phone by a huge margin, resulting in reliable all-day battery life.
OPPO worked closely with MediaTek to create an optimised version of its flagship Dimensity 9000+ chipset for the OPPO Find N2 Flip. These efforts have resulted in over one hour of video calling, more than two hours of social media and five hours of music streaming.
The OPPO Find N2 Flip is the first flip phone to confidently offer a full day of use on a single charge – resolving one of the most critical pain points among existing and potential users of flip smartphones.
OPPO has included the fastest charging of any flip phone in the OPPO Find N2 Flip – 44W SUPERVOOC – taking the battery from nearly empty to 50% in just 23 minutes and up to 100%in less than one hour.
ColorOS 13 with the longest OS and security support in Android phones
In addition to world-class hardware, the OPPO Find N2 Flip is a huge step forward with the software experience for flip smartphones. It runs OPPO’s latest ColorOS 13 specifically optimized for the new form factor, taking full advantage of the large cover screen, Flexform Mode and a lot more. It is also OPPO’s first phone to offer four years of major ColorOS updates and five years of security updates, joining the ranks of the longest support in any Android phone.
In summary, the OPPO Find N2 Flip breaks through barriers with the largest cover screen on any flip phone. With it, world-class selfies and flagship photography experiences are made possible.
Robust enough for over a decade of folding, and with all-day battery life and fast charging, durability and battery anxiety will be a distant memory as the OPPO Find N2 Flip marks the start of a new chapter for foldables and smartphones.
Price and Availability
The OPPO Find N2 Flip will be available in Ireland later this year. Stay tuned for more information on available colours, pricing and further details but you can still buy from the UK from March 2nd if you do not want to wait.
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are unique digital assets that exist on the blockchain. These tokens represent ownership of a particular asset, and they can be used to certify proof of ownership or provide access rights. They differ from traditional forms of digital currency because they cannot be interchanged or exchanged for other currencies or goods in the same way that Bitcoin or Ethereum can. Instead, each token is designed to be completely unique and have specific properties associated with it. This makes them ideal for use cases such as trading collectibles, provably rare artworks, and gaming items, verifying physical property, issuing crypto-tokens backed by real-world assets like cars, and much more.
With NFTs becoming increasingly popular and versatile, there are endless possibilities for what can be done with them. From providing new forms of digital ownership, to opening up new markets and applications, NFTs are revolutionizing the way we think about ownership rights on the blockchain. They allow us to create unprecedented types of property rights that were never before possible. This makes it an exciting time for anyone interested in exploring the potential of this revolutionary technology.
At its core, a Non-Fungible Token is a unique piece of code that run on a blockchain network like Ethereum or EOS. It contains information such as ownership records and asset details, which can then be used to carry out certain transactions or access certain resources depending on how it is programmed. Unlike traditional digital currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, NFTs are not meant to be exchanged or traded for other tokens or goods. Instead, each token is treated as a unique piece of digital property. This means that the owners have full control over how it is used, stored, and transferred.
The possibilities presented by Non-Fungible Tokens are seemingly limitless – from asset backing to providing access rights and certifying ownership records. It is an exciting time for anyone interested in exploring the potential of this revolutionary technology. As more developers explore the capabilities of NFTs, we expect to see more applications being developed that utilize their unique properties and open up new markets. With its ability to provide digital scarcity and immutable proof of ownership, NFTs have the potential to revolutionize the way we think about ownership rights on the blockchain.
It is no wonder that Non-Fungible Tokens are quickly becoming one of the hottest trends in the blockchain industry. With its ability to provide digital scarcity, proof of ownership and a new form of digital asset class, NFTs offer great potential for both users and developers alike. As more people become aware of this revolutionary technology, we can expect to see Non-Fungible Tokens become even more popular and versatile in the near future.
If you’re looking to invest in some NFTs, here are five of the best ones you can buy today:
1. CryptoPunks
CryptoPunks are rare digital characters created by Larva Labs and released on Ethereum in 2017. They feature unique designs and attributes that give them their own individual personalities. Each punk is one-of-a-kind and cannot be replicated, making them highly sought after by investors.
2. Decentraland
Decentraland is an Ethereum-based virtual world where users can purchase land parcels, build structures, collaborate with other players, and create art pieces using non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Players also have the ability to host events such as competitions or music festivals within the game’s 3D environment.
3. SuperRare
SuperRare is a marketplace for artists and collectors to buy, sell, and discover unique digital artworks created using blockchain technology. It allows users to easily purchase limited edition works from talented creators around the world using NFTs.
4. Axie Infinity
Axie Infinity is a fantasy collectible game built on the Ethereum blockchain where players buy, breed, battle, and raise adorable creatures called “Axies”. These collectible creatures are stored as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the Ethereum blockchain and can be traded within the game or sold on secondary marketplaces such as OpenSea or Rarible.
5. NBA Top Shot
NBA Top Shot is an official trading card marketplace powered by the Flow blockchain where fans can purchase officially licensed highlights from their favorite basketball games in packs or single cards individually known as “moments” which are stored as crypto collectibles called NFTs (non-fungible tokens). Moments range from personal player milestones to once-in-a-lifetime events between rival teams from past seasons that can now be shared with fellow collectors everywhere!
Key Takeaway
In conclusion, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are gaining popularity as digital assets that can be used to store and trade value. There are a variety of NFTs available on the market, from CryptoPunks and Decentraland to SuperRare, Axie Infinity, and NBA Top Shot. Each of these projects has its own distinct characteristics that make it an attractive investment option for those looking to expand their crypto portfolio. Ultimately, choosing which NFTs you want to invest in is up to your personal preferences and financial goals. With proper research and due diligence, you can find the right NFT investments for you!
Got an NFT project that you want to promote? Fracas Digital can build your brand and community for you! Contact us for more info.
Cyber security provider F-Secure today releases a new version of its premium cyber security service Total. Total now enables users to protect themselves from complex cyber threats with one simple solution. Integrating previously separate F-Secure SAFE, FREEDOME and ID PROTECTION into a single easy-to-use app, Total offers users the very best in online protection.
Recent F-Secure research found that 60% of people find managing security of all connected devices impossible. By launching one app that offers complete security and privacy on desktops, phones and tablets, with no complicated set-up and jargon free, F-Secure is making security simpler for their customers.
What’s new?
Same app for every family member adapts to individual protection needs
Optimised child user experience (including own UI scheme)
Family rules enhanced with VPN
People & Devices for easy license, user and Family Rules management
New iOS Safari extension for browsing protection
On Windows Banking Protection prevents untrusted network connections from happening during the online banking session
New remote Access Protection blocks use of remote access tools during banking session
The launch of Total comes alongside a new look F-Secure as it sets its sights on simplifying cyber security for consumers who face confusion around what protection they need for their devices.
Getting started with F-Secure Total is easy. Thanks to the online management portal (my.f-secure.com) or the People & Devices view inside the Total app, users can have all their devices protected in a matter of minutes without the hassle of multiple installations, license keys and credentials.
F-Secure Total provides:
Malware Protection – Offering award-winning Malware protection, Total is built on the same antivirus protection technology as SAFE. It protects devices against viruses, trojans, ransomware and other harmful apps that may collect, steal or lock personal data, credit card numbers, banking credentials and other valuable information. Total brings the fastest response times to new threats with a combination of the new behaviour-based protection technology, DeepGuard, and the latest AI-enhanced cloud technologies (Windows and Mac).
Browsing Protection – Browsing Protection allows users to browse the internet safely, automatically keeping them away from malware and phishing sites.
Banking Protection – Banking Protection gives users added security for online shopping and banking. It prevents access to known malware and phishing sites and a VPN encrypts all internet traffic to protect security and privacy.
Privacy VPN – Privacy VPN enables online security and privacy even on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks such as hotels, restaurants and airports, encrypting all data traffic to the internet and keeping online activities safe from hackers and trackers.
Family Rules – F-Secure Total has been designed to protect the whole family, from small children to adults, adjusting to individual protection needs. Total lets parents set healthy boundaries for children’s device use without forgetting the core online security and privacy. With Total, children can explore the internet, install apps and communicate with family and friends safely.
The Time Limit feature helps in setting boundaries for screen time and bedtime whilst a content filter prevents access to unsuitable online content. Family Rules can be managed through parent’s Android or iOS app or through the online management portal.
Gaming Mode – Gaming Mode optimises many security and Windows settings and functionalities for optimised and uninterrupted gaming. In Gaming Mode, Total updates are paused to save bandwidth and CPU load, prompts, notifications and PUSH messages are not shown, and automatic or scheduled antivirus scans are not started. Total PC has been optimised for the best gaming performance.
Password Vault – Good password practice lowers the risk of personal information falling into the hands of criminals. Password Vault enables easy creation of strong and unique passwords and synchronises them across all devices. Password analysis pinpoints improvement areas like use of common, weak or even re-used passwords while autofill of passwords simplifies daily use of the vault.
ID Monitoring – F-Secure comes with integrated ID MONITORING which helps to respond to account takeover and identity theft threats. It relies on F-Secure’s breach detection and underground web monitoring. If personal information is found among breached or leaked data, users will receive a warning email. Instructions on what to do next are available in the app.
Cyber Help – The Cyber Help service aids with user’s online identity related concerns and in case of an identity theft incident, will help with remediation.
F-Secure Total is available from www.f-secure.com now with prices starting from £44.99.
Tile, a Life360 company and the pioneer in finding technology, today announces the launch of Anti-Theft Mode—a feature designed to protect valuables from theft by increasing the chances of recovery. This is accomplished by making Tile Bluetooth trackers operating in Anti-Theft Mode undetectable by Scan and Secure, an in-app feature that allows both iPhone and Android users to scan for and detect nearby Tiles and Tile-enabled devices. Tile users can activate Anti-Theft Mode on any Tile tracker in use now, including Tile-enabled partner products. Anti-Theft Mode will begin rolling out to Tile users today and be available to all users in the coming weeks.
Tile’s new feature is designed to protect users’ valuables and has been developed in response to customer demand and following a period when theft rates have increased (by 20% in the UK in the year ending September 2022), with economic uncertainty likely to drive robbery rates even higher. Anti-Theft Mode makes it easier to recover stolen valuables by making it harder for thieves to know an item is being tracked.
Unlike other Bluetooth trackers on the market, namely AirTags, Tile does not notify nearby smartphone users when an unknown Bluetooth tracker is travelling with them. These proactive notifications can communicate to thieves that a tracker is on the stolen item, allowing them to remove it and making recovering the item less likely. Some competitor products go as far as to issue an audible beep once the tracker has been separated from its owner, making it clear that a tracker is present and enabling thieves to find it with precision. The proactive notifications found in the Bluetooth tracker industry were designed to prevent stalking; however, these anti-stalking measures have been criticised for being insufficient for victim protection. Instead, these alerts have the possibility of making Bluetooth trackers easily identifiable by thieves.
Users can choose to activate Anti-Theft Mode on any Tile, rendering the tracker invisible on Scan and Secure. This feature, in addition to Tile’s existing lack of proactive alerts to nearby smartphones about a tracker in the vicinity, makes it much harder for thieves to locate Tile trackers on stolen goods.
“Anti-Theft Mode is the only solution in the Bluetooth finding category designed to make it harder for thieves to get away with valuables,” said Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Life360 Chris Hulls. “We know that families don’t have time to misplace their items and certainly don’t have the time or money to replace belongings when they get stolen. We’re giving our users a solution that empowers them with a choice. The choice to make their devices invisible to Scan and Secure if they wish, and sleep a little easier at night knowing Tile is doing everything we can to protect their valuables.”
To activate Anti-Theft Mode, users must submit and apply for an advanced ID verification process that includes a biometric scan to accurately detect fake IDs. Once ID verification is complete, the user will be registered with Tile, and Anti-Theft Mode will be activated across all of the user’s Tile Bluetooth trackers. Syncing a government-issued ID, such as a passport or driving license, with a Tile user’s account is a proactive measure to deter the feature from being used for nefarious purposes, such as stalking. Anonymity is directly linked with abusive behaviour both in person and online so Tile is eliminating anonymity and bringing in the latest ID verification technology to its Anti-Theft Mode offering.
In addition, the company is taking a highly collaborative stance with the police and Anti-Theft Mode users must acknowledge that personal information can and will be shared with them at Tile’s discretion, to aid in the investigation and prosecution of suspected stalking.
Anti-Theft Mode’s strict usage terms and verification process are progressive safety measures at the product level to protect against unintended uses, like stalking, by holding bad actors accountable and providing victims with actionable resources against their stalkers. Multi-factor ID verification, defined consequences and clearly established cooperation with police forces are crucial steps in deterring stalking—as well as halting unwanted future conduct5.
“Location sharing and finding have become a part of our daily fabric, and it’s not going anywhere. We develop products for the vast majority of people who use them as intended, and for those who do not, we are committed to cooperating fully with the police,” said Hulls. “To meaningfully address stalking with technology, we must implement safeguards like ID registration of all location-enabled devices that are small enough to be planted on a person so police forces have information to pursue justice for victims. In the meantime, we’ll do what we can at the product level to keep people safe from the outlying cases of bad actors while increasing the likelihood of recovering stolen items with Tile to help people live more relaxed lives.”
Users wanting to keep track of valuables in an under-the-radar manner can choose to activate Anti-Theft Mode for any Tile in the brand’s product line of Bluetooth trackers. Tile products come in various shapes, sizes and styles, including the Tile Pro, Tile Mate, Tile Slim, and Tile Sticker. Users must be 18+ to activate Anti-Theft Mode.
For more information about Tile’s Anti-Theft Mode, approach to theft, and stance against stalking, visit tile.com/blog/tile-anti-theft-mode.
The latest release of /e/OS, the deGoogled and pro-privacy smartphone operating system (OS) includes the privacy-focused independent search engine Mojeek, offering customers concerned about privacy more options to search online without being tracked.
As two human-centric independent technology products, Mojeek and /e/OS are both excited about the new ways in which this combination can help those looking to leave the surveillance-heavy walled gardens of Silicon Valley far behind.
The founders of these two alternative tech projects, Gaël Duval and Marc Smith (of /e/OS and Mojeek respectively) have built sustainable businesses which are competing with Big Tech and providing people with real choice.
With the coming of the latest update of /e/OS 1.8, Mojeek search engine can now be found among the list of other privacy search options in the /e/OS Browser app.
Individuals with smartphones running /e/OS can change the default search engine, in the Browser app, by clicking on the three-dots button (top right corner) then navigating to Settings > Search engine.
/e/OS is a deGoogled mobile operating system which goes to great lengths to remove all of the unnecessary and privacy-invasive aspects of Google’s long-running mobile platform. Through this work, Gaël and his team have made the move to privacy as simple as possible for the end-user.
Whereas with most similar operating systems you have to have sufficient technological knowledge to unlock and re-flash your previously Android-running device, with their trading arm users can buy Murena smartphones, including Murena One, with the /e/OS operating system already running on them out of the box. On top of this, pre-flashed /e/OS smartphone models include the anti e-waste electronics manufacturer Fairphone, offering an ethical and environmentally-friendly smartphone alternative.
Mojeek is a non-tracking search engine that is truly and transparently independent, unlike most allegedly “alternative” search engines which still continue to source results from either Google or Microsoft’s Bing.
Started in 2004, Mojeek now has a web search index of over 6.5 billion webpages. After becoming the first ever private search engine back in 2006, Mojeek has grown sustainably by leveraging the investments of committed private investors who believe in Mojeek’s aims. Their team has also grown steadily, bringing in individuals that share its values of privacy and support for human rights. This includes experienced tech entrepreneur, Colin Hayhurst, who stepped into the role of CEO in 2020.
Gaël Duval – /e/OS and Murena
“It’s a pleasure to collaborate with Mojeek to bring their pro-privacy search engine to Murena users. It brings a lot of value, and shows that working together, we can build a strong and new proposal for users. Like the organic food market became real in the 2000s, together we are pioneering this emerging and super dynamic ‘fair-IT’ market, that offers a real answer to consumers who are seeking products that offer guarantees for their privacy, and are more sustainable.”
Colin Hayhurst – Mojeek “People and businesses should be able to search and then navigate the web without having their tracks followed or data harvested. Mojeek search results are provided based on the search query you enter, only on settings you control, and can even be customised without any cookies. To provide that we built our search infrastructure, index and algorithms from the ground-up. Our mobile users want a platform from an entity that practices similar principles, and is an alternative to Big Tech companies like Google, Apple and Huawei. Murena and e/OS/ is the ideal complementary smartphone platform for using Mojeek.
“This release has for the first time combined a web search engine and operating system with both being truly alternative pro-privacy products. With both projects having aspects of their offerings which are environmentally-friendly (Mojeek being a green search engine, /e/OS being available on the Fairphone 3 and 4) and both having been built outside of the assumed home of software, Silicon Valley, this is a completely unique opportunity for people to take back their privacy and support alternatives. After years of domination by US business and venture capital, two dynamic European companies are showing the world that they still have a choice when it comes to their tech.”
