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.

WhatsApp records a 41% Jump in its user engagement in Q1, 2022

Meta’s WhatsApp platform continues to enjoy adoption. The platform saw a 41 percent increase in users in the first quarter of 2022, as per a MoneyTransfers.com study. The study showed that the platform is ideal for families, friends, and colleagues to keep in touch.

The study also revealed that the 18 to 34-year-old age cohort had the most growth in WhatsApp platform usage. Besides, this cohort increased their use of Facebook and Instagram. Other social platforms that have seen growth include Facebook and China’s WeChat and Weibo.

In quarter one of 2022, 55% of WhatsApp’s monthly average users (MAUs) were “power users” who used the app daily. Among the top apps evaluated, WhatsApp had the highest percentage of power users. Moreover, it had the highest year-over-year growth in this category.

Ukraine invasion and Whatsapp usage

The Russia Ukraine war saw WhatsApp and Telegram increase in MAUs engaging with respective apps daily. Telegram had 15.5% of its MAUs open the app every day during the first quarter, up 9% in Q1 2021.

Besides WhatsApp, LINE had the highest percentage of monthly active users (MAUs) at 45% in the first quarter of 2022. A 10% increase from 35 percent in quarter one 2021. Messenger ranked third, with 16.4 percent of MAUs using the app daily in 1Q22, up from over 12 percent.

WhatsApp and Messenger are by far the most popular messaging apps in the United States, according to MoneyTransfers.com. However, data shows that competitors have gained market share in the last two years.

Other social platforms

WhatsApp and Messenger are the most popular platforms in the United States and worldwide. Yet, users are eager to try new sites and even switch in some cases, as shown by the retention of apps like Discord and Telegram. Meta hopes to recoup any ground it has lost to opponents in past years. They are expanding the feature set of its platforms, as shown by the first Conversations event.

In August 2021, there were 39 million WhatsApp installations. Most of these came through Google Play (29 million), with the App Store accounting for 10 million. After TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, WhatsApp was the fourth most downloaded app in September 2021.

Besides, people downloaded WhatsApp Business 18 million times on Google Play and App Store. Most of the downloads came through the android users.

Full story and statistics can be found here: WhatsApp records a 41% Jump in its user engagement in Q1, 2022

Top 5 List of the Most Popular Online Games Today

There’s a huge buzz around the online gaming world in 2022. More people than ever own gaming consoles and PCs, while eSports events are continuing to grow in popularity. Quite simply, it’s a great time to be a gamer. 

Here’s an important question, though: what are the most popular online games today? 

This guide has a top 5 list for you to take a look at. If you like the sound of these games, make sure to give them a try. 

  • Online Casinos

Since 2020, online casinos have become something of a new crowd favorite. 

This is largely to do with the fact that people don’t have the time to visit land-based casinos. Instead, they would much rather play casino games online without the hassle of having to get dressed up in their smartest outfits. Plus, playing online is more fun anyway. 

You can try online casino gambling today. Make sure to learn the rules of each game before playing so that you can make smarter in-game decisions. 

  • Fortnite

Fortnite remains at the top of the PlayStation and XBOX digital downloads. 

There are two reasons behind Fortnite’s success:

  • The gameplay is great 
  • It’s free to download 

Throughout history, it’s not often that games like this are made free. This is why millions of people have embraced Fortnite and its battle royale concept. 

According to Dexerto, in 2022, a giant 268-272 million players log into Fortnite each month. 

  • PUBG Mobile

PUBG is another free-to-play battle royale game available on mobile. 

PUBG Mobile has been downloaded over 1 billion times, making it one of the most successful mobile games of all time. 

It provides players with the opportunity to enjoy some battle royale action wherever they are, whether it’s on a lunch break at work or during a hike in the countryside. Essentially, this is why PUBG has been downloaded more times on mobile than on console – because it allows people more flexibility. After all, you can’t carry your PlayStation 5 around in your back pocket! 

  • Minecraft 

Minecraft has been around for over a decade. During this time, it has solidified itself as one of the greatest games of all time, with over 238 million copies sold worldwide. 

If you’ve never played Minecraft before, it’s a fun, open-world game where you get to build different things, collect food to survive, and battle against other random players. 

The pixelated graphic style is one adds an element of charm to the game. It’s unlike most modern-day releases that come with blockbuster graphics. With Minecraft, you get something that looks like it was released in the 1990s. In a sense, the aesthetic is an intentional throwback by the developers to a bygone era in gaming, which is why Minecraft has an incredible nostalgia appeal. 

  • GTA V Online

Lastly, there’s GTA V Online. 

GTA V Online is the multiplayer add-on of GTA V. Here, players can explore the huge open world of Los Santos, customize their characters, invest in properties, buy flash cars, and so much more. 

GTA V Online was just recently released on new-gen consoles (PlayStation 5, XBOX Series X/S) with better graphics and mechanics, so make sure to check it out before GTA 6 finally releases!

7 Methods for Reverse Email Lookup: Tool List + Instructions

In today’s digital era, it is quite easy to fall into the trap of fake businesses and people. In such cases, a reverse email lookup can be quite handy. With this method, you will be able to check the company’s credibility before you can forward your personal contact information or your CV. Additionally, reverse email lookup can also help you find lost family members and friends. 

In this article, we will look into some top services for reverse email lookup.

What Are Reverse Email Lookup Tools?

Such tools help you assess emails from addresses that you do not know or recognize. These tools are often used to scout new contacts you would want to do business with.

In most cases, you would receive just an email from someone. This means that you will have to look for that someone using that email address only. With the help of reverse email lookup tools, you will be able to find the person’s contact using just their email address.

Why Should You Use Reverse Email Lookup Tools?

There are various reasons why individuals and companies use email search tools. Two of them include:

1. Marketing

When it comes to sales or email marketing, the team needs to know whether the addresses they have collected are valid and authentic. This way, the team will be able to reduce the email bounce rate and ensure that they are talking to real people.

2. Background Checks

Most professionals may want to know more about a potential hire or a business contact. While some may request more information, others make use of email search tools to get a full picture of whom they are dealing with, like criminal records, physical addresses, etc.

What Are Some Great Reverse Email Lookup Tools?

     Some top reverse email lookup tools in the market include:

1. PublicRecord.com  

When you have an email from a mysterious sender that only lists a name, address, or phone number, PublicRecord.com has you covered. PublicRecord.com is one of the most effective options because it has access to a variety of public records databases from which it can source information in a matter of minutes. Then, once the information is collected, everything is available within a full report that you can open to learn more about someone. Not only can you learn about the basics, like their name and phone number, but you can also find court documents or criminal records, discover if they’re a sex offender, and much more.

2.RealPeopleSearch

RealPeopleSearch is an amazing tool that is free and very easy to understand and use. Using just the available email address, you will be able to find detailed information about a user. This program is often used to look for people that approach you indirectly.

RealPeopleSearch is designed with a very authentic and accurate system to provide you with the required information. You will be able to judge the authenticity of the emails you receive – whether they are sent from real accounts or fake ones. The tool will look into several private and public web sources to find the required details of the email addresses.

RealPeopleSearch understands that email lookup can be a very lengthy process and tries to get the job done in a short span. All the results that you find here are updated and will  be notified to the person via email notifications.

3. TruthFinder

Another impressive tool in this list is TruthFinder. This program will provide you with all the data and information about the email sender simply by their email address. You will be able to protect yourself from scams and false emails since it is always better to get done with a background check before you can trust an individual online.

TruthFinder is an amazing tool to help you find factual information about the email sender. You can even find the job history of the person as well as their financial loans. One of the best aspects of this tool is that it is available for both iOS and Android devices.

With the help of TruthFinder, you will get hold of various data types like phone numbers, location, identity, etc. If the target has listed his/her business on the available phone number, the information of the business will also be available to you.

4. Instant Checkmate

Another great tool is Instant Checkmate, which can help you find the required information of people via their email addresses. With the help of this tool, you can confirm the person identity who has emailed you.

You can find a lot of information about the target user, like location and job history. The tool will check the public information of the user and will confirm whether the user is fake or genuine. Instant Checkmate will check the social media profiles of the user using the email address to show you other types of information, like education, real photos, etc.

Instant Checkmate is also one of the most secure tools on this list. The tool makes use of the 256-bit encryption technology to ensure that all your personal and financial information remains safe from potential hackers and scammers.

5. SignalHire

One of the most popular tools is SignalHire which can help you find more information about a target user using their email address or their name. Of course, finding information using the email address is more convenient because it is common for people to have the same names. Using this tool, you will find all types of information about the target user, including their identity, social media accounts, and phone numbers.

When you are using email lookup by SignalHire, it means that you are allowing the prospecting tool to pull out information based on phone numbers, company, name, and social media profiles. All you need to do is enter these details to find the prospects.

SignalHire is considered the best tool if you are looking for information with accurate details, and it also boasts a special extension. Thanks to its database of more than 500 million contacts and a very advanced predictive technology, SignalHire is the leading industry expert when it comes to email and phone number finders.

6. InfoTracer

InfoTracer is a reverse email lookup tool that bundles all the services with unlimited plans. You will be provided access to all features that you will typically see in these tools – reverse email search, court lookups, background lookups, identity lookups, etc.

With the help of these tools, you will get a free search option. However, you will have to pay to find out more about the email senders. This platform mostly caters to its users in the US.

Like other tools, InfoTracer will check all public records to provide you with information like vital records (birth, marriage, divorce, or death), social checks, court records, criminal records, etc. You can get done with a professional background check simply by looking into the licenses of the email sender listed publically, like a plumber license or a lawyer license.

7. PeopleFinders

PeopleFinders is another amazing tool that can help you look for people via their email addresses and social media platforms. With the help of this tool, you will be able to find the email sender’s social media accounts. 

You can use this tool on specific websites, like Tinder, Tumblr, or any other platform where the email address is not displayed publically. You have the choice to search for people at other specific websites.

PeopleFinders will show you the search results of people on two important social media platforms – LinkedIn and Facebook. Since both platforms use public databases, you can rest assured knowing that the information will be very accurate.

8. FindPeopleFast

FindPeopleFast can be considered an amazing search engine where you can look for more information about people that have sent you unknown emails. The tool makes use of public records to improve search result accuracy. With the help of this tool, you will know exactly who the person is that has emailed you.

One of the unique aspects of FindPeopleFast is that the tool utilizes data from reliable government sources to provide the most accurate information related to the email sender, like physical address, phone numbers, etc. Since you will be provided with more accurate data, you will be able to use this tool for various purposes, like email marketing, hiring, etc.

Apart from the above, you can use the FindPeopleFast tool to look into your competitors and gain valuable information about their sales and marketing strategies. This tool can be used for recruitment.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are many uses of reverse email lookup tools. The programs mentioned above are considered some of the best in the market, and they will yield fantastic results once you start using them the right way. If you have any doubts, you can leave them in the comment section below.

How to beat the hackers with a strong password

The internet has been around for a long time but, as a nation, we still haven’t nailed the art of setting passwords. In fact, the two most common passwords on the web are ‘123456’ and ‘password’. While they might be easy to remember, they’re also easy to hack. But, fear not as in this article we reveal how you can create a strong password to keep your data protected at all costs. 

Come up with an unusual word

92% of people use the same password across different platforms and sites. This makes it incredibly important to come up with a unique combination of numbers, letters and symbols so that it’s not easily guessed. Why not use the letter O instead of a zero? Or, the number one for the letter I. The more unusual the better and, if they’re grammatically incorrect or not in the dictionary, that’s fine too.

If we take a look at common passwords around the world, it’s clear that many use their first name, last name, date of birth and even social security number. The best passwords are those that don’t mean anything. Instead of being based on factual data and information, and therefore easier to predict if someone knows you, consider using a random password generator. 

Remember, bigger is better 

Hackers will try a few different versions of passwords and multiple methods when trying to hack into an account. There is, of course, what’s known as manual hacking, which is when an attacker will manually type in letters and numbers. Alternatively, there are brute force attacks. This is when a computer automatically runs through letters, numbers, and symbols to guess passwords. 

The longer and more complicated your password, the longer the hacking process takes and the more likely they are to give up. New data has also revealed that three-character passwords can be hacked in less than one second. 

Don’t copy passwords 

We already know that most people reuse passwords, which is another reason why someone’s password may be more easily hacked. When hacks are completed, a list of email addresses and passwords that were compromised are usually leaked. If yours is up there, and you use the same password and email address combination elsewhere, your other accounts may also be at risk. 

For this reason, it’s super important that you not only use inventive passwords for different sites but that you change them regularly. Plus, once you’ve used a certain password, refrain from using it so soon again. 

Keep them protected

Once you do have strong passwords, it’s important to keep them under wraps. Be careful who knows your passwords, be mindful of who can see your passwords being typed in and consider using a password manager to store them on your behalf. 

This will encrypt and hide your passwords in a central location. To access them, you need either a master password, a fingerprint touch or a face recognition entry to ensure that they don’t land in the hands of someone else.

These are just a few ideas for creating strong passwords. There are plenty of other ways you can protect your data. However, if you come up with an unusual phrase, don’t let anyone else know what it is and change it regularly, you’ll be taking those essential steps to combat any password hacking. 

Silicon Valley: A History Behind the Tech Capital

Everyone has heard about one of the wealthiest regions in the world – Silicon Valley. It is a place where tech advancements are born, and many startups – rise and fall. This is truly a historical place that deserves attention and even some analysis to understand why it has been so successful despite the economic downfalls.

Silicon Valley has quite a history one can talk about for several hours or write a whole thesis. However, we are not college students who need to write the latter and convince the teacher we deserve an A, nor are we a paper edit on WritePaper that will perfect the thesis instead of the students. So, here, we will try to present a condensed version of what Silicon Valley is about, how it all started, and how it is going. Let’s dive in!

 

The Birth

In the early years, Valley received funding from the US government that was after military research. However, it turned out to be a much bigger thing. 

Frederick Terman was the one who encouraged young people not only to excel in their major but also to establish their local business, and Hewlett and Packard were one of those people. By the way, they were the first ones to patent their invention – an audio oscillator – on the premises of the City of Palo Alto in 1939. 

Terman, who is also often called the father of Silicon Valley, worked at Stanford University. In 1951, this man promoted a partnership between the university and Palo Alto – one of the cities of the modern Silicon Valley. As a result, in 1966, the US Department of Defense and four research universities, Stanford being one of them, created Arpanet – the predecessor of the Internet.

ARPANET – Advanced Research Projects Agency Network – has become the starting point of the first network with distributed control. Today, we can access websites, store data in a cloud, and cram half of our lives into the online space. But back then, it was all about connecting four computers located in California and Utah!

It’s Official

In 1971, Electronic News published Don Hoefler’s report that dwelled on a number of developments in the tech industry. That was the first time Silicon Valley was called like that in the very title of the report. The name originated from the discovery of Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce. They found out that when manufacturing a circuit, silicon can be used to create any part of it. Later, it helped create an integrated circuit used in all modern microprocessors.

Closer to the 80s, when the first IBM personal computer was introduced to the public, the term gained popularity. Since then, the place began drawing attention as a hub where high-tech companies started as small businesses and managed to grow at a high pace.

Despite the Great Recession and the burst of the Internet bubble earlier, Silicon Valley managed to thrive or at least not fall into decay and still attract some investments that helped the region stay afloat. That is proof that the idea standing behind the creation of this place is much stronger and more resilient than economic downfalls.

Apple

 

Now

According to 2020 data from Wealth-X, 81 tech billionaires lived in the Valley. That is impressive, isn’t it? Yet, today, Silicon Valley has become not only a place for companies and businesses. People live there and attend universities and colleges. There are about 4 million residents in Silicon Valley, and many of them are reportedly immigrants from other countries. 

The region has numerous museums dedicated to the development of the tech industry, starting with the garage where Hewlett and Packard worked in Palo Alto. It hosts a number of conferences, summits, battles, and other events that help promote the growth of the tech industry and the region in particular. 

Those with a tech background start their career here by investing in startups, starting their own ones, or finding a job in one of those. Those who need help with their ventures can address the Silicon Valley Bank that will make growing their business easier at every stage. 

Silicon Valley is also known as a place where discrimination lawsuits started to be filed once and again. The issue is that at some point, almost all executive positions in the Valley were occupied by men only. As the most popular place for tech development and building a career, Silicon Valley couldn’t but draw attention to itself. Later, it was found that it was not only about the underrepresentation of females but also Hispanics and Blacks.

Valley’s Tech Giants

Silicon Valley is home to extremely productive and rapidly developing companies. They include but are not limited to

  • Apple Inc.;
  • Netflix;
  • Electronic Arts;
  • Intel;
  • Twitter;
  • Nvidia;
  • Meta;
  • Tesla (left Valley in 2020);
  • Adobe Inc.;
  • eBay;
  • PayPal;
  • Cisco Systems;
  • Salesforce, and others.

There are also a number of companies that started here but eventually moved to other places, like Tesla – from Palo Alto to Texas. 

Summing Up

Here it is, the short version of Silicon Valley history starting from 1939 and up till now. It went from military research to becoming one of the wealthiest tech hubs in the world. As you may have noticed, this is not a region where global crises pass by. Yet, it is extremely resilient and represents constant growth, changes, and advancements that revolutionize the tech industry. 

It may not be perfect for those who prefer to live in a peaceful place. Life buzzes here. But you can easily come here for a day or two and get a tour or maybe visit a summit that is of particular interest to you. 

One day, you may even move here to start your own business or find a job at a promising startup company. Numerous people have started their successful lives right here, and it doesn’t look like this trend is going to fade away. So, go for it! 

How Modern Technologies Affect Advertising Development

Advertising is probably the most important aspect of any business. It is how you reach new customers and convince them to purchase your product or service. However, advertising is not a new concept. It has been around for centuries, and it has evolved along with modern technologies. Today, we will discuss how modern technologies have affected the development of advertising. We will also describe what you need to know about this fascinating industry!

What You Need to Know About Advertising

As a business owner, advertising is essential to getting your products and services in front of potential customers. But with so many available products, it can be challenging to know where to begin. However, the most relevant thing to keep in mind is your audience. Who are you trying to reach, and what methods are likely to reach them? Once you’ve answered that question, you can begin to develop a plan. 

There are many different types of advertising, from print and online ads to television and radio commercials. Each type has upsides and downsides, so it’s important to choose the perfect one for your business. If you want to read more about advertising, you can check out this advertisement essay sample. By studying various free essay samples, you will get access to more examples of advertising, and how they apply to the modern world. In fact, many students find that studying essay samples can be just as helpful as signing up for a college course on the subject! 

Any who, advertising can be expensive, but it’s also one of the best ways to grow your business, even if you’re still in school. By reaching new customers and making a positive impression, you can bring in new business and keep your existing customers coming back.

The Development of Advertising

Advertising has come a long way since the days of hand-painted signs and newspaper ads. Today, businesses have a wide range of options when it comes to advertising, from online ads to television commercials. However, the basic goal of advertising development remains the same. That is, to reach potential customers and persuade them to buy a product or service. 

The history of advertising is a history of innovation. That is because businesses have continually found new ways to reach their target audiences. From the advent of radio and television to the rise of digital marketing, businesses have always been looking for new ways to get their message out. That being said, businesses will continue to find new and creative ways to reach their customers.

Modern Technology & Advertising

The truth is, modern technology has had a huge impact on the world of advertising. In the past, businesses relied on traditional media to reach their target audiences. Some examples include newspapers, television, and radio.

However, today’s consumers are more likely to be found online. In fact, businesses have had to adapt their advertising strategies accordingly. 

One of the most popular tools for online advertising is Google AdWords. This tool allows businesses to place ads on Google’s search engine results pages. Plus, social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have become important channels for marketing messages. They allow businesses to reach a large number of people with highly targeted messages. Overall, modern technology has had a profound impact on advertising, and it is now easier than ever for businesses to reach their target audiences.

While often overshadowed by digital strategies, print marketing remains a vital part of advertising in many industries. From flyers and brochures to banners and decals, tangible materials offer a unique way to engage customers and leave a lasting impression. Businesses looking to create high-quality, customized prints can easily order DTF gang sheets here to produce vibrant, durable designs that stand out in competitive markets. By combining print marketing with digital efforts, businesses can build a well-rounded advertising strategy that appeals to a diverse audience.

 

Digital Marketing: Tools and Technologies in Advertising

There are a variety of digital marketing strategies that businesses can use to reach their target market. 

  • SEO

One popular strategy is search engine optimization or SEO. A strong SEO strategy helps to ensure that your website appears at the top of search results pages. It is a complex and ever-changing field, but there are some fundamental principles that all SEO practitioners should follow in order to be successful. SEO is about creating content that is relevant and valuable to users. This means publishing high-quality articles, blog posts, and even product descriptions since they answer users’ questions and solve their problems. 

In addition to creating great content, SEO practitioners must also make sure that their site is easy to navigate and understand. This includes using clear and unique titles, as well as structuring their site in a way that search engines can easily crawl and index. 

  • PPC 

Another common strategy is pay-per-click advertising, which allows you to place ads on websites and in search engines. With PPC, you only pay when someone clicks on your ad, making it a very cost-effective way to reach your target market. 

  • Social media marketing

Social media marketing is another effective way to reach potential customers. It can involve developing a presence on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. When it comes to social media marketing, it’s important to create engaging and shareable content. This content will resonate with your target audience – or not. 

  • Email marketing

Email marketing is another option, and it can be used to send newsletters, coupons, and other promotional material to customers. This digital marketing tool has proved to be very effective, and it’s a great way to stay in touch with your existing customer base. This, used with the right CRM and CDP software, make a huge difference in your advertising strategy.

  • Affiliate marketing 

The affiliate marketing industry is a type of performance-based service in which one or more affiliates are rewarded for each customer they bring to the merchant’s website. There are four core players: retailer (also known as “brand”), network with offers for theming and payment processing, publisher who provides content that links back into main site promoting products from advertisers within its own software ecosystem, and customers. 

In any case, these are just a few of the many digital marketing strategies that businesses can use to reach their target market.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, modern technology has had a profound impact on advertising, and it is now easier than ever for businesses to reach their target audiences. By utilizing some of the tools and strategies mentioned above, your business can start to see success in its marketing efforts. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!

First Look at the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS

JBL had a really nice launch event in Dublin and we checked out the latest that is on offer form the well known audio brand, There is plenty on new tech coming from the brand this year that covers all pockets and all consumers and they have streamlined their product range too keeping a really nice clean design language across all of their new products.

Having spent some time going through their new products I am excited for other too see what is upcoming this year and audio fans alike will certainly be in for a treat, not only this JBL have got some really cool tech for the gamers market with their Quantum products and these will certainly garner some attention.

For now we have their latest earbuds in for review and you can check out the unboxing below for more and also get to see what is upcoming this year, any questions on the new earbuds please feel free to ask below or on our social and of course stay tuned for the full real hands on review soon and check out their app too which has some tasty new features built in.

JBL LIVE Pro 2 Features:

●      JBL’s Signature Sound from 11mm drivers

●      Up to 40 hours of playback time (10 hours in the earbud; 30 hours from charging case)

●      True Adaptive Noise Cancelling with smart ambient

●      6 microphones with noise and wind isolation technology

●      Dual Connect + Sync with Google Fast Pair

●      Hands-Free Voice Control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

●      All Access Touch Control or use via the dedicated JBL headphone app

●      IPX 5 rating (waterproof and sweatproof)

●      Speed charge 15 mins = 4 hours

●      Qi compatible charging

●      Price: €149

VIdeo Link

 

 

Hybrid working causes new cybersecurity concerns among Irish business according to Dell Technologies survey

A new survey by Dell Technologies has found that 69 per cent of businesses in Ireland believe hybrid working arrangements will increase the chances of a cyberattack or incident. Amid the evolving world of work, a vast majority of businesses surveyed (91 per cent) took steps to enhance data protection in the past 12 months.

The latest ‘Cyber Resilience Survey’ from Dell, in partnership with the Executive Institute, seeks to understand business leaders’ changing attitudes towards cybersecurity and the steps taken by Irish businesses to enhance their cyber resilience in a data-driven era.

The survey of 113 business leaders in Ireland shows cyber resilience is now a priority, with 91 per cent of organisations recognising its importance at the senior leadership level. Yet, a majority (57 per cent) don’t know how to react in the event of a ransomware attack.

Despite the growing attention placed on cybersecurity by leaders, the Cyber Resilience Survey reveals a knowledge gap in the data protection options open to Irish businesses. Sixty-four per cent of business leaders say they are not sure their organisations have the capability to isolate or “air gap” critical data in the event of ransomware attack.

Moreover, only 28 per cent say they have a well-defined incident response strategy in response to an attack, with less than a third (29 per cent) saying they would restore the data lost from a standard back-up solution.

Looking to the future, a vast majority of respondents (92 per cent) agree that enhancing their organisation’s cyber resilience is important to ensuring the success of their digital transformation plans.

Fifty-five per cent of those surveyed identified the ever-growing number of cyberattacks as the main barrier to enhancing their cyber resilience followed by outdated technology (20 per cent), insufficient in-house cyber skills (16 per cent) and upfront investment (12 per cent).

Commenting on the results of the survey, Jason Ward, Vice President and Managing Director, Dell Technologies Ireland, said: “Our team of cyber experts at Dell Technologies help organisations across Ireland build a resilient infrastructure where business critical data can be placed in a cyber vault that’s inaccessible to cyber criminals.

 “As we look towards a data-driven future, prioritising cybersecurity is critical to ensuring that businesses and organisations are better prepared, not just to survive a cyberattack, but to thrive. Their business resilience is now directly tied to their cyber resilience.”

Conor Morris, Managing Director of the Executive Institute, said: “The results of the survey highlight the increasing importance of cybersecurity for our members. As we enter a hybrid world of work, having a cyber resilience plan is vital in dealing with the challenges and opportunities of this post-pandemic environment.”

Virgin Media offers free 40” Smart TV as well as great deals across TV, Broadband & Home Phone bundles

Virgin Media has unveiled fantastic new offers across their TV, Broadband and Home Phone bundles and Virgin Mobile as part of their amazing sale.

New customers can bag themselves a fantastic TCL 40″ Full HD HDR Smart TV absolutely free (RRP €349) when they switch to one of Virgin Media’s broadband, TV and home phone packages on a 12 month contract from today (Thursday), with prices starting from €59 per month for a 250Mb broadband, TV and Home Phone package.

The 40” HD screen is perfect for viewing the hottest shows of the summer including Love Island, which airs exclusively across Virgin Media Television and all the sports action including the UEFA Champions League Final and top UK horse racing. Virgin Media are also offering 12 months of half price Sky Sports for those who sign up before the 8th June.

Virgin Mobile is bringing back its Unlimited Mobile for €10 per month for 12 months and just €25 a month thereafter for everyone joining their SIM Only plan, offering savings of up to €180. Virgin Mobile customers can also avail of their promotion on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 which is available from free on a deal for €50 for 12 months and €65 thereafter, or the Samsung Galaxy s21 FE which is also available from free on a €45 per month plan for 12 months and €60 thereafter.

Existing customers can also benefit with a reduction of €10 a month for those upgrading their bundle with no activation fees for Virgin TV 360 or Virgin TV 360 Mini. They can also enjoy 12 months of half price Sky Sports.

Paul Higgins, Vice President of Commercial at Virgin Media Ireland said:

“Our sale this year has some fantastic offers, including not only savings of worth nearly €400, but also a completely free TCL HD HDR Smart TV for our new customers. Existing customers looking to upgrade are included in the sale we’re launching today as well with savings of €10 a month for 12 months available to them.

“We also have some brilliant mobile offers, like the new the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 and the Samsung Galaxy s21 FE from free. Unlimited Mobile for just €10 for 12 months is one of our most popular offers, so we are delighted to be able to once again offer great savings to Virgin Mobile customers.”