Top Stories
Netflix could Introduce New Test to Curb Password Sharing
Netflix is testing ways to curb password sharing for business and security reasons. As part of this test, users will be required to verify whether or not they are the owner of the account through an email code or text code. “If someone is unable to verify account ownership within a certain timeframe, they won’t be able to stream any Netflix content,” reports The Verge. According to Netflix’s terms, an account can only be shared with people of the same household, “the Netflix service and any content viewed through our service are for your personal and non-commercial use only and may not be shared with individuals beyond your household.” A Netflix spokesperson told The Verge, “the test is designed to help ensure that people using Netflix accounts are authorized to do so”. And up until ...
5 Cybersecurity Tips for Startups
Sourced from International IDEA From 2020 being dubbed ‘the year of the side hustle’ to small businesses grappling to maintain continuity and profitability, despite these unprecedented times there has been a significant uprising in entrepreneurial activity the world over. Startups tend to be created by people who burn with an idea and want to put it into action as soon as possible. Money is usually tight, and expenses run high, what with product development, promotion, and all the rest of it. When managing priorities, emerging businesspeople often neglect matters related to information security. Many startups try to save on security, confident that a small company with limited resources holds no interest for cybercriminals. The truth is anyone can fall victim to cybercrime. Firstly, becaus...
Facebook Unveils Instagram Lite for Android
Facebook has launched Instagram Lite for Android. This app has been designed for users living in rural and remote communities who want a high-quality Instagram experience using minimal data. Instagram Lite has been made available in more than 170 countries around the world – but will be especially useful in regions that do not possess the most up-to-date mobile devices, robust internet networks, or affordable data plans needed for swift delivery of the data-rich videos and images found on Instagram. “Our teams build these lightweight versions of our apps for people with low connectivity or limited data plans because our basic premise is to leave no one behind,” says Tzach Hadar, Director of Product Management at Facebook Tel Aviv. “We wanted the Instagram experience to remain fast, hi...
Huawei and MTN South Africa Launch a New and Secure Payment Solution
Huawei has joined forces with MTN South Africa to launch Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) – a ‘seamless and secure’ payment method that allows users to make purchases using their airtime. For contract customers, the amount will be added to their monthly mobile phone bill, while prepaid customers will have the amount deducted directly from their available airtime. This means you can still pay for all your favourite offerings from Huawei Mobile Services without having to share your credit card details. “MTN recently reached 100 million active data customers across 21 countries in Africa and the Middle East. This shows that our customers are increasingly adopting digital offerings and we are continuously looking to meet this demand with fresh offerings that will add value to our customers,” says ...
INTERVIEW: Boosting Security on Smartphone Trading Apps
Gur Geva, CEO of iiDENTIFii The rate of banking services that are available via mobile devices is growing daily as businesses and individuals are increasingly forced to prioritise digital transformation – one such development is Shyft. To unpack the security behind this mobile forex trading solution, ITNA’s Jenna Delport chatted to Arno Von Helden, Head of Forex Solutions for Standard Bank and Gur Geva, CEO of iiDENTIFii. Here’s what transpired: Why is Shyft different from other mobile forex trading solutions? Von Helden believes Shyft is different because it offers more features than a traditional forex trading solution. “An individual can buy and sell foreign exchange 24/7. The app also effectively behaves as an offshore bank account, whereby your foreign exchange has effectively le...
MTN Group Adds 29 Million Subscribers Despite a Challenging 2020
MTN added 29 million new subscribers in 2020, to reach a total of 280 million across 21 markets. The group also reported a 52% increase in adjusted headline earnings per share, a four percentage point increase in return on equity to 17% and a more than doubling in operating cashflow to R28,3 billion. “We continued to perform favourably against our medium-term targets,” says MTN President and CEO, Ralph Mupita. “In constant currency terms, service revenue grew 11,9% to R170 billion and EBITDA increased by 13,4%, maintaining our strong operating leverage. The Group’s EBITDA margin improved by 0,9pp to 42,7%, benefiting from the execution of our expense efficiency programme.” The solid results were supported by growth in MTN’s larger operations as well as a broad-based improvement across...
Microsoft Officially Lays its Edge Legacy Desktop App to Rest
Sourced from Wikimedia Microsoft has officially ended all support for its Microsoft Edge Legacy desktop application – this means that it will no longer receive security updates. “Last August, we announced that Microsoft Edge Legacy desktop application support would end on March 9 2021 as part of this transition to the new Microsoft Edge,” reads a blog post from Microsoft. “Today, Microsoft Edge Legacy desktop application support officially ends, and it will no longer receive future security updates”. The company went on to say that the now out-of-support Microsoft Edge Legacy desktop application will be removed and replaced with the new Microsoft Edge when customers apply April’s Windows 10 cumulative monthly security update (or “B” release). /* custom css */ .tdi_3_1f3.td-a-rec-...
4 Trends Expected to Reshape Mobile Gaming in 2021
Mobile gaming has come into its own over the past few years. Analysts say the gaming industry generated $85 billion in value in 2020, while an estimated 2.5 billion people play games on mobile devices. Advances in technology also mean mobile games are increasingly able to compete with the visual fidelity of their console and PC cousins. Market researchers believe there are at least 11 million gamers in South Africa and forecast strong growth due to the increasing youth population. There is a clear trend towards social and mobile gaming, with the free-to-play revenue model dominating the market. However, we are also seeing more console-like experiences emerge on mobile devices as games like Fortnite and PUBG take off among smartphone and tablet gamers. Here are four reasons to expect mobile...
Microsoft is Testing an Edge Browser on Xbox
Microsoft is testing a new Edge Chromium-powered browser on Xbox One, Xbox Series S and X consoles, reports The Verge. “Chromium browser on Xbox is a boost for those wanting to access websites through their console. Edge will also now provide access to Google’s Stadia streaming service, thanks to the improved compatibility support with Chromium.” The browser is also expected to improve compatibility with browser-based games like Skype or Discord. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_831.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_831.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } the latest Xbox Alpha skip ahead build includes the Chromium version of Microsoft Edge pic.twitter.com/C34d59UYuJ — Tom Warren (@tomwarren) March 6, 2021 Google says that it initially launched with the goal of making your favourite games...
AstraZeneca Promises 2 Million Additional COVID-19 Vaccines to Ghana
Image sourced from TimesLIVE Ghana is expected to receive an additional two million AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines by the end of May, on top of the already promised 600,000 COVID-19 vaccines from Covax – this would aid the country’s mission to vaccinate around 20 million Ghanaians. According to News Ghana, more than 300,000 people have been vaccinated since the COVID-19 mass vaccination programme started on 2 March 2021. “Those who received doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines included, health care workers, persons with underlying health conditions, essential service providers and those who were 60 years and above, as well as members of the security agencies, Executive, Legislature and Judiciary branches of government.” /* custom css */ .tdi_3_abe.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_abe.td...
5 House Objects Cybercriminals could Use to Spy on You
It is estimated that there are more 22 billion devices linked to a home internet connection around the world, and research suggests this figure could reach 38.6 billion by 2025. While hyper-connectivity offers countless benefits, it also increases the number of available attack points to hackers and invisible intruders. Check Point research warns that there are five household objects that are being targeted by cybercriminals to spy on individuals in their own home. “Mobile phones, Smart TVs, computers and toys are just some of the devices being targeted. The number of products that feature a camera or microphone is growing every day, which can become an issue if they are connected to the internet and do not have the necessary security measures in place,” says Eusebio Nieva, Technical Direc...
Ukheshe Confirms Global Expansion of its FinTech Operations
Ukheshe set to expand its fintech operations across the Middle East, Europe and Asia Pacific. The move comes on the back of partnerships in various African countries including Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Nigeria, Malawi, Botswana, Angola, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique and Ghana. In addition to collaborating with numerous blue-chip banks, telcos and fintechs, Ukheshe has built strong alliances with Mastercard while acquiring two companies and raising just under R100m within a two-year period. “We will continue to look for potential acquisitions in these new markets to further support Ukheshe’s growth and strategy as we pursue our goal of reaching unicorn status within the next three years,” says Clayton Hayward, CEO of Ukheshe. “Ukheshe is ex...
