IT News
New WhatsApp Storage Feature Unveiled
Image sourced from YoMZanzi WhatsApp is working on a new feature that’ll allow users to better manage their device storage usage, according to WABetaInfo. The storage feature menu is expected to offer: A storage bar, useful to understand the portion of space occupied by WhatsApp (all media). A second section to review all shared files, in order to delete unnecessary media and free up space. A final section that contains the list of chats as usual, with the possibility to search a specific chat. WhatsApp’s Viral Message Forwarding Feature is Updated WhatsApp is on a mission to slow the spread of fake news between users and that’s why earlier this year it imposed a strict new limit on message forwarding. This feature means users who plan on forwarding a message that has been identified...
TikTok to Challenge Ban by Trump Administration
Sourced from Cosmico TikTok has announced that it will be taking legal action against US President Donald Trump and his administration in an attempt to challenge its imminent ban. The Chinese-owned app has been told by the administration to sell off US operations within 90 days, or else. The Verge reports that motivation for the ban stems from the fact that “lawmakers allege that TikTok could be pressured into handing over data or other intelligence to the Chinese Communist Party”. According to the BBC, “TikTok says it has tried to engage with Trump’s administration for nearly a year but has encountered a lack of due process and an administration that pays ‘no attention to facts’”. TikTok is “led by an American CEO, with hundreds of employees and key leaders across safety, secur...
5 Reasons to Love the Huawei P40 lite 5G
Huawei has just launched its first 5G phone for the mid-range smartphone market – the P40 lite 5G. Other than its 5G compatibility, this trendy handset boasts a smart look, powerful performance and impressive photography specs. Here are five reasons to love the Huawei P40 lite 5G: 1. 5G performance One of the main reasons to switch to the P40 lite 5G is, of course, its 5G capabilities. The device is powered by Kirin 820 5G SoC, which is integrated with a 5G modem. The smartphone covers over eight frequency bands to bring users a reliable 5G network experience. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_926.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_926.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } 2. A super camera setup One of the biggest pull factors of Huawei’s devices are the cameras, and understandably so....
Why Organisations Need to Strengthen their Cyber Defences
At the start of 2020, very few people would have predicted the events that unfolded. The COVID-19 global pandemic caused unprecedented changes to all of our lives and has reshaped our entire working culture. From the accelerated pace of digital transformation and move to the cloud to the increased use of collaboration tools, cybercriminals looked to take advantage of these rapid and widespread changes for their own purposes. This week, Experian – a consumer credit reporting company, says it has experienced a breach of data which has exposed some personal information of as many as 24 million South Africans, and 793, 749 business entities, to a suspected fraudster. This is one of the many criminal cyber-attacks, exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to target organizations and individuals across ...
Huawei Y5p Now Available in South Africa
Huawei has just released the newest member of the Y Series – the Y5p – in South Africa. The Y5p sports a 5.45-inch Huawei FullView Display for a wider field of view. The 18:9, 5.45-inch LCD display not only gives an exceptional viewing experience but also displays content in vibrant colours. It comes with a standard 2GB RAM and 32GB storage as well as a triple-slot design that can house two nano SIMs and one Micro SD (sold separately) that supports extendable storage of up to 512GB. With its 3020mAh battery, the Huawei Y5p at full charge can support 17 hours of continuous video playback, up to 21 hours of 4G calling, or 13 hours of internet surfing on 4G. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_011.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_011.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } In addition to the ...
ECA Suspends Plans to Privatise Ethio Telecom
Sourced from allAfrica. In May, the Ethiopian Telecommunication Authority (ECA) issued a statement announcing that the country would now be open to selling a 40% stake in the state-owned company, Ethio Telecom. In response to this announcement, Safaricom and, its parent company, Vodacom both expressed their interest. However, it looks as though this opportunity was short-lived as the ECA has since suspended its plans to privatize the telco. According to TechNext, Africa’s oldest telco supplies more than 40 million of 115 million Ethiopians with mobile network and Internet services. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_645.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_645.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } But in recent times, locals have began calling out the slow, unreliable internet connection and poo...
Apple could Offset Expensive 5G iPhone Tech with Cheaper Battery Parts
Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo reports that the tech company is looking at “cheaper and less complex battery technology” to offset the cost of pricey 5G components. Kuo told investors that “Apple is reducing the number of layers in the battery board and placing cell components in a smaller area” – something that The Verge believes will result in a “battery board that’s 40 to 50 percent cheaper than the iPhone 11’s equivalent part”. Apple Might Ditch the Charger and EarPods When Shipping 5G iPhones Apple may no longer include a power adapter and EarPods with new iPhones claims Kuo. Starting with 2020’s iPhone range, Kuo believes that Apple will ditch the accessories in an attempt to offset the cost increases that come with upgrading the iPhone range to 5G – noting that the company wants t...
Mastercard Improves Online eCommerce Security Capabilities
As digital commerce continues to accelerate owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mastercard has announced that it will offer new security services to merchants in South Africa. The company says that it hopes this will further protect consumers and increase convenience when storing Mastercard cards in merchant databases. Dubbed Mastercard Digital Enablement Service (MDES) for Merchants, the service uses a security measure known as tokenization to protect, speed up and simplify online and in-app Mastercard card purchases, as well as subscription-based and recurring payments like streaming music, video services, and utility bills. “Online shopping has gained significant traction in South Africa, and it is imperative for merchants of all sizes to ensure that they are offering a convenient, enjoyabl...
Seacom Chief Strategy Officer Resigns
Seacom has announced that Chief Strategy Officer, Suveer Ramdhani, has resigned – there’s no word yet on who is set to replace him. He has been a part of the company since its inception in 2009. Ramdhani had a “founding role in the Seacom project and was responsible for the development of the business strategy of the submarine cable system along Africa’s east coast to Europe and Asia,” says the company in a statement to TechCentral. “He recently concluded the acquisition of FibreCo Telecommunications, which has positioned Seacom to operate a network that runs along South Africa’s highest-traffic transmission routes and links all major South African cities to Seacom’s submarine cable assets.” /* custom css */ .tdi_3_4f0.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_4f0.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0...
Experian was not ‘Hacked’, says CEO
Sourced from Republic Title Experian CEO Ferdie Pieterse says that the business and credit information services agency was “in no way, shape, or form” hacked. This comes after the company confirmed that the personal information of nearly 24 million South Africans was breached. Pieterse adds that none of their systems, databases or records was ever penetrated or hacked. Instead, the fraudsters used social engineering tricks to present themselves as a legitimate Experian client, this resulted in the “release of information which is provided in the ordinary course of business or which is publicly available” – potentially including First and last names, ID numbers, Telephone numbers, Physical addresses, and Email addresses. The South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) says t...
South Africa Ranked as Most Targeted Country in Africa, Cybersecurity Research Shows
Sourced from IDG Connect Phishing is one of the oldest and most flexible types of social engineering attacks. It is used in many ways, and for different purposes, to lure unwary users to fake sites and trick them into entering personal information. The latter often includes financial credentials such as bank account passwords or payment card details, or login details for social media accounts. In the wrong hands, this opens doors to various malicious operations, such as money being stolen or corporate networks being compromised. This makes phishing a popular initial infection method. According to Kaspersky, phishing attacks are becoming increasingly more targeted. A number of new tricks have also been found – from HR dismissal emails to attacks disguised as delivery notifications. As a res...
Google Maps is Getting a more Realistic Update
Google has revealed that it’s rolling out “new visual improvements that bring even more detail and granularity” to its global map. The company hopes that this will give help users get a better understanding of what an area looks like whether they’re exploring it virtually or planning a visit. Google uses high-definition satellite imagery that maps out 98% of the earth’s population. “With a new color-mapping algorithmic technique, we’re able to take this imagery and translate it into an even more comprehensive, vibrant map of an area at global scale,” it says in an official blog post. “Exploring a place gives you a look at its natural features—so you can easily distinguish tan, arid beaches and deserts from blue lakes, rivers, oceans and ravines. You can know at a glance how lush and green ...
