To mark the launch of their new website, the Irish Research Council have this week unveiled ten striking images from their awardees’ research.
Researchers were invited to submit an image captured during the course of their research to be featured on the new homepage. A total of one hundred and twenty-four entries were received. The final ten images selected were:
Abulaiti Hairisha, Irish Research Council Scholar, ‘Simulating the controlled growth of polymer thin films by molecular layer deposition’.
Chiara Mizzoni, Andrew Grene Postgraduate Scholar in Conflict Resolution, ‘A group of FARC fighters watch a game of afternoon football at a demobilisation and transition camp in Icononzo, Colombia’.
Pierre Jolivet, Irish Research Council Scholar, ‘Visualisations from open sound control driven inputs to virtual reality environments’.
Ross Lundy, Irish Research Council Scholar, ‘Deforest gold micro-mushrooms on copper meadow’.
David Cichon, Irish Research Council Scholar, ‘Garment workers in Phnom Penh marching for a living wage and collective bargaining rights on International Labour Day 2017’.
Sven Batke, Irish Research Council Fellow, ‘A bromeliad plant from the same family as pineapples which grows on top of tall tropical trees’.
Maria Velasco, Irish Research Council Scholar, ‘The cerebellar network between neurons (red), astrocytes (yellow) and microglia (green) in a mouse organotypic slice culture’.
Ross Lundy, Irish Research Council Scholar, ‘Copper oxide nanoblades’.
Sajad Alimohammadi, Irish Research Council Fellow, ‘Refractive index matched PIV applications: Velocity profiles for flow around an array of cylinders’.
PayPal and Nintendo – from today, owners of the Nintendo Switch in Ireland and other select countries around the world will be able to use PayPal, in addition to other existing payment methods, in the Nintendo eShop. With over 200 million users around the world, the addition of PayPal as a payment option will enable more customers to pay securely and conveniently.
In their press release……
PayPal Pte. Ltd announced today that Nintendo eShop has added PayPal as a new payment method. Nintendo eShop users in Ireland, as well as a number of select countries around the world, will be able to use PayPal, in addition to other existing methods of payment, on the Web or on their game console.
Nintendo eShop users in Ireland, as well as a number of select countries around the world, can now use PayPal, in addition to other existing methods of payment, on the Web or on their game console.
This service includes the following:
For Nintendo Switch™
Funding Nintendo eShop accounts and purchasing games and other content
For the official Nintendo website in Ireland and other select countries around the world:
Adding funds to balances when purchasing software for download through Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS™, Wii U.
Regarding adoption of PayPal as a new payment method, Nintendo provided the following comment:
“We have decided to adopt the globally-successful payment service, PayPal, as a payment method for Nintendo eShop to enhance the convenience of users and enable them to make secure payments. By adding PayPal, which has over 200 million accounts worldwide, as a payment method for Nintendo eShop, we feel that we will be able to serve more customers across the globe with gaming experience.”
Nintendo eShop users in Ireland, as well as a number of select countries around the world, can now use PayPal, in addition to other existing methods of payment, on the Web or on their game console.
As well as in Ireland, PayPal payment services will be available on the Nintendo Switch in the following countries:
Japan, USA, Canada, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, UK, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Slovenia, and Slovakia.
Fujifilm’s sophisticated new INSTAX SQUARE SQ10 has scooped a major international consumer electronics award within just six months of its European launch.Delivering the best of both worlds for photographers, the SQ10 hybrid combines the control and composition of a digital camera, with the enjoyment and spontaneity of real instant prints.
The European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) selected Fujifilm’s first ever square format hybrid instant camera for one of its top awards, to be presented in Berlin in September at IFA International, the world’s leading trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances.
The INSTAX SQUARE SQ10 is the first hybrid instant camera to take and print square photos. Available in Fujifilm stockists nationwide at an RRP of €300, the sleek new INSTAX allows photographers edit and filter a shot they’ve captured on the digital LCD screen, before saving it or instantly printing. It has options to brighten, darken, or add vignettes to images, and to choose from 10 creative filters to apply, before printing.
A dream for photography and tech lovers, the INSTAX hybrid’s bright LCD viewfinder makes it easy to create and edit pictures, which are recorded in the internal memory or on a microSD card for sharing. The SQ10 saves up to 50 photos on its internal memory, and even more on the memory card, so moments caught but not instantly printed can be stored and revisited later.
EISA members nominating the SQ10 cited it as the first hybrid camera within its range with a digital image sensor and digital image processing technology. This vastly enhances the image quality and allows photographers creatively edit their compositions on screen, before printing.
The European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) is a unique and longstanding collaboration between 55 of the most respected international specialist consumer electronics magazines.
These periodicals, their websites and forums produce regular independent technical reviews on new consumer electronics products, and their annual awards are based on the best innovation across photography, mobile devices, hi-fi, home theatre audio, home theatre display and video, and in-car electronics.
Independent Endorsement
Independent endorsement at the highest level from EISA reflects the SQ10’s high-tech edge, according to Jackie Farrell, Fujifilm Ireland Marketing Manager.
“These prestigious international awards recognise quality and innovation, from everyday affordable products to the most aspirational of modern electronics goods, and the Fujifilm Corporation is obviously delighted to have the INSTAX SQ10 counted among its top consumer electronics for 2017”, the Fujifilm Irish spokesperson said.
The award citation noted the instant camera’s ability to produce brighter photos in low-light conditions, for indoor and night scenes, as well as close-up shots from a distance of up to 10cm, thanks to its sophisticated automatic exposure control, human detection and auto-focus.
“Its filters, with different effects that control light intensity and brightness, can be used in advance or after shooting, and image editing in the LCD monitor is simple and intuitive”, reviewers of the SQ10 also reported.
Trend-setting INSTAX SQ10 prints have a retro square format, echoing that of INSTAGRAM™, the photo-sharing platform.
This year’s EISA Awards saw member magazines from over 20 European countries, plus affiliates in the USA and Australia, contribute their experience, identifying new products that combine the most advanced technology and desirable features with class-leading performance.
Android users have a new threat to be aware of: spyware apps that steal data from the devices they infect. Some samples made their way to Google Play, but the vast majority is coming from other online sources.
Researchers from SophosLabs and elsewhere have found three cases of SonicSpy-infused apps in Google Play: Soniac, Hulk Messenger, and Troy Chat – messaging apps that hide their spying functionality and await orders from command-and-control servers.
Google booted the apps from its store after they were discovered. Researcher Chen Yu said the Google Play versions had “tiny installation numbers and existed for a very short time”. Though three were found on Google Play, SophosLabs has counted 3,240 SonicSpy apps in the wild. Some reports place the number at 4,000.
According to multiple reports, a single bad actor – probably based in Iraq – has released these apps into the wild since February.
How it operates
The various SonicSpy-infused apps share the ability to:
Silently record audio
Take photos with the device’s camera
Make outbound calls
Send text messages to whatever phone numbers the attacker chooses
Retrieve data from contacts, Wi-Fi hotspots and call logs
On the devices it infects, SonicSpy removes its launch icon to hide itself. It then connects to a control server on port 2222 of arshad93.ddns[.]net, according to Michael Flossman, a researcher from Lookout who first reported the spyware’s appearance.
Defensive measures
Sophos customers are protected from the SonicSpy apps, which are detected as Andr/HiddenAp-W, Andr/Axent-CY, Andr/FakeApp-BK and Andr/Xgen-Y.
The continued presence of malicious Android apps demonstrates the need to use an Android antivirus such as our free Sophos Mobile Security for Android.
By blocking the install of malicious and unwanted apps, even if they come from Google Play, you can spare yourself lots of trouble.
In the bigger picture, the average Android user isn’t going to know what techniques the malware used to reach their device’s doorstep, but they can do much to keep it from getting in – especially when it comes to the apps they choose. To that end, here’s some more general advice:
Stick to Google Play. It isn’t perfect, but Google does put plenty of effort into preventing malware arriving in the first place, or purging it from the Play Store if it shows up. In contrast, many alternative markets are little more than a free-for-all where app creators can upload anything they want, and frequently do.
Avoid apps with a low reputation. If no one knows anything about a new app yet, don’t install it on a work phone, because your IT department won’t thank you if something goes wrong.
Patch early, patch often. When buying a new phone model, check the vendor’s attitude to updates and the speed that patches arrive. Why not put “faster, more effective patching” on your list of desirable features, alongside or ahead of hardware advances such as “better camera” and “higher-res screen”?
Are you unable to keep off Instagram and spend most of your evenings pouring over travel inspiration online? A new travel tool allows you to swipe right or left, like a dating app, but instead based on your travel preferences.
Get your wanderlust fix with the new interactive created by travel brand Super Break. Discover Your Destination (http://www.superbreak.com/inspiration/discover-your-destination) is designed to allow users to browse for their ideal short break through a journey of “instagramable” photographs.
Top travel influencers such as Glasses Girl and Cruise Miss have shared their photography for the game, which includes stunning destinations and experiences from all over the UK and Europe.
Super Break launched their brand re-fresh in June this year, which included a whole redesign of their website and a full branding overhaul, promoted through the launch of a new TV advertising campaign. Their new travel tool Discover Your Destination epitomises the new identity of the brand by inspiring potential customers with experience led content.
How to Play
At the beginning of the game you will be presented with an introduction screen that explains the game and what you are about to experience. Once you select the “play now” button, multiple Instagram images will appear – these photographs visualise a type of experience that you may have on a short break.
Once presented with the image, you will be given the option to swipe left if you don’t find the experience attractive, or right if you do. Once the decision is made, another image will instantly appear – this will happen for a total of 15 times until you are presented with your result.
The results screen tells you which kind of experience you should pursue. There are 8 categories in total:
Thrill Seeker
Culture Vulture
City Escaper
Entertainment Lover
Stress Buster
Food Fanatic
Fun Finder
Active Traveller
At the end of the game, you will be given the option to play again and be presented with a new range of images. Click below to play the game online and find out what kind of break you are in need of: http://www.superbreak.com/inspiration/discover-your-destination
You might be aware that World Web Day WWW is celebrated in August??
Everdata Technologies – A Cloud hosting company in India that caters to diverse types of businesses has sent us this info-graphic and it tells some interesting facts about WWW. For example: Did you know The Burners-Lee is the name of the person who invented WWW? or did you know 1989 is the year when internet was first used? To know some more interesting things on internet check out the attached infographic.
Smart security systems will lead the Smart Home revolution – 37% of the population would buy one if money were no object
Smart TV’s, laptops and tablets are already being used to introduce smart technology in the home
AO.com predict Smart Home technology will spread out of the living room via home security and heating, to embrace many areas of the home
Home security is a top priority for homeowners investing in Smart Home technology, a new census reveals. This also runs with our current run of posts and products we are now testing in house here with affordable home security products,stay tuned for those reviews soon…
The research, provided by OnePoll and commissioned by online electrical retailer AO.com shows that if money was no object, UK residents would invest in a smart security system for their home (37%). This beats products such as virtual digital assistants, which only 1 in 8 of the population would buy (12%), robot lawnmowers (18%) and remote controlled heating for the whole house (29%).
Of the 2,000 respondents, 68% see positive factors in owning smart technology such as ‘convenience’ and ‘saving time’. 18-24 year olds believe that this form of technology could benefit the elderly, whilst 25-34 and 45-54 year olds think that a Smart Home would help save money in the long run
Smart Homes start in the living room
39% of respondents said they currently own a smart TV and a further 15% say they will buy one in the next 12 months, with 75% believing they will have a smart TV in the future. 38% of 18-24 years olds that don’t own a smart TV said they don’t feel the need to buy one, as they already own a plug in or accessory to make a standard TV smart.
Our viewing habits are also changing, as 32% ofthe nation don’t frequently consume live TV and instead opt for on demand services, subscriptions or streaming, which increases the demand for smart TVs or accessories. 5% of the population now watch TV while commuting, with this figure rising to 11% in London.
Top smart products the UK plans to buy in the next 12 months
The most desired Smart Home products, (listed below) shows that whilst we’re not quite ready for advanced Smart Home technology such as robot vacuum cleaners and lawnmowers, we are happy to embrace smart products such as laptops, tablets and smart TVs.
Laptop (17%)
Tablet (17%)
Smart TV/4K/OLED (15%)
Smart TV accessory (11%)
Turn on heating remotely (9%)
Virtual digital assistant (5%)
We love being connected
Over 1 in 3 people aged below 35 could not cope without access to their phone, laptop or tablet for more than 3 hours, with the majority of this age group not being able to last 8 hours. 29% of 18 to 24 year olds would rather leave the house with their mobile phone than their spouse, children or money.
Commenting on the census results, Andrew Kirkcaldy, Group Brand Director at AO.com said:
“The research suggests that the Smart Home revolution has already started with Smart TV’s and audio, and we haven’t even noticed it. For many homes, smart home security and heating will take this technology out of the living room, leading to a Smart Home that will help save us money and time, while making our lives easier”
Ubiquiti Labs, the consumer technology arm of wireless networking company Ubiquiti Networks, Inc. today announced the availability of its AmpliFi HD Mesh Wi-Fi products in the United Kingdom. AmpliFi HD is designed to solve many of the widely-recognised challenges of the connected home, including dead zones, slow connections, and difficulties in setting up and configuring a router.
AmpliFi HD Wi-Fi stands out in its category through a unique combination of form and function. Designed from the outside in, AmpliFi is meant to be a showcase piece for the modern home. The central routing device camouflages an advanced antenna design as a stunning desktop piece featuring a glowing base LED and a smart LCD display. The router connects to adjustable MeshPoints that distribute Wi-Fi throughout the home. To reduce clutter, the MeshPoints can seamlessly be installed into any open electrical socket without any cables.
AmpliFi HD offers plug-and-play setup through an app that directly links AmpliFi devices to a smartphone via Bluetooth LE. With a simple, intuitive setup, users can manage their new network, monitor ISP speeds, invite guests, create family profiles, oversee network security, and access 24/7, live, in-app support. The system utilises 802.11AC Wi-Fi technology, powering up to 5.45 Gbps of aggregate wireless throughput along with breakthrough coverage performance through 3×3 antennas.
Ben Moore, Vice President of Business Development at Ubiquiti Networks commented: “AmpliFi HD Mesh Wi-Fi solutions quickly gained popularity in the United States due to their sleek industrial design, plug-and-play installation, and superior performance. We are excited to now make them available to customers in the United Kingdom.”
Moore continued:“As our homes get smarter, there’s an increasing need for reliable and fast Wi-Fi in every corner. AmpliFi HD leveragesUbiquiti’s advanced and proven technology that powers over 38 million Wi-Fi radios for enterprise and service provider networks around the globe. The system provides unmatched performance and coverage, delivering fast internet bandwidth throughout the entire home and supports a large number of Wi-Fi devices at the same time.”
AmpliFi HD features unlimited scalability and is fully customisable for any home no matter the square footage. Customers can, for example, buy the standalone AmpliFi HD Router first and add the AmpliFi HD MeshPoints later for increased coverage. The AmpliFi HD MeshPoints are also the first of its kind that work with any third-party Wi-Fi router to create a mesh Wi-Fi system.
AmpliFi HD products are available now in the United Kingdom from Scan Computers on scan.co.uk and on Amazon.co.uk with additional retailers to follow in the coming months. Visit www.amplifi.com for more information.
When at an ATM, we all zone in on the task at hand. Getting cash. Completely forgetting what those behind us can see and how they might be planning to also access our account. Unlike popular pantomimes, it now seems that worrying about what is behind you is only the tip of the iceberg.
Witnessed in Oklahoma, a wafer-thin infrared device was discovered collecting information from both the ATM itself and video footage of the ATM keypad. Providing the criminal everything required to clone a card and go on a shopping spree at the expense of someone else.
While infrared is not new technology, in fact we use it to control our TV’s and it can even be traced back to the Cold War. It does however indicate that the criminals had to be within line of sight of the ATM to receive the transmission of data.
When we think of infrared technology, our minds go in many different directions at once as we march through the variety of uses for infrared. For those who follow the myriad television crime dramas, their minds no doubt go to the use of infrared photography at crime scenes. For those who are birdwatchers, infrared video can capture the hummingbird’s expenditure of energy. For most us, we think of the remote control which connects us from our couch-potato position to our television.
Well, there’s one more to add to this list – use of infrared video to transmit data captured at your bank’s ATM by criminals wishing to clone and use your bank cards.
The newfangled ATM skimmer was found in Norman, Oklahoma and according to the Norman police department, the device which they discovered in June 2017 was wafer-thin and undetectable by the victim. This skimmer had an antenna attached which served to broadcast the collected information to a tiny camera, which had visibility of the ATM’s keypad.
Security investigative reporter Brian Krebs dug a bit deeper into this skimmer and learned that these criminals had mastered, using infrared technology, to not only transmit the data captured by the skimmer, but also to transmit the accompanying keypad video.
Furthermore, the use of an infrared transmitter greatly reduces the odds of having their transmissions inadvertently detected, when compared to WiFi or Bluetooth, which is present on every smartphone.
The criminals had only placed themselves at risk during time they put the device and video camera in place (Krebs has posted a photo of the two Oklahoma suspects), and when receiving the infrared signal (being in proximity to the ATM).
You’d have thought the criminals were Cold War history buffs, as their use of the concept of collect, store and forward data was previously perfected by the Russians. The KGB doctored several electric typewriters within the US embassy in Moscow in the 1980s which stored the key strokes and then used signal bursts to send the data to listening posts nearby. The implants were, like the ATM skimmers, deeply embedded in the hardware of the typewriter.
Available information doesn’t tell us if these ATM skimmer devices used directed or diffused infrared, a point of interest from a defensive standpoint. If the criminals used directed infrared, then their data collection point was within line of sight of the infrared transmitter – in other words, they would have to see the ATM, and thus could be seen from the ATM.
If their infrared signal used diffused infrared, then their collection point need only be in signal proximity, as the signal is more forgiving to line-of-sight disruption and therefore, a bit harder to observe.
The ever-reducing costs of readily available component parts make these devices essentially throw-away devices. Run the device for as long as the internal battery provides energy, and then move on.
What can the financial institutions do?
Review the video at their ATMs with regularity – in this instance, it appears that the criminals were visible on video at the ATM but do not conduct a transaction.
Install touchless technology, like NFC (near field communications), which will enable users to use their EMV/NFC debit/credit cards, key fob or smartphone to access their accounts.
Or as has recently been implemented in Macau, by the Macau Monetary Authority, “Know Your Customer” technology requires that each ATM use facial recognition technology.
What should we do?
The low-tech solution is to cover your keyboard hand with a newspaper or your other hand when entering your pin codes – which will certainly stop anyone sneakily filming you as you tap in your PIN.
For tips on how you and financial institutions can remain protected while at an ATM, take a moment to review the following Naked Security article.
