Less than half of Spaniards change their passwords when they separate from their partner
05/10/2022The email and social network accounts of one in five Spaniards (21%) have been subject to violation by a third party who has changed the passwords without the owner's knowledge or consent, attributing 37% of the victims this wrong use to their ex-partners. This data comes from the recent study carried out by Avast and Dynata on the degree of knowledge that Spaniards have of the passwords of their partners or relatives. In this study more than 2,000 Internet users have participated. Among the most striking results of this survey is that the collaborators who say they still know their ex's passwords, 56% of them has admit that they even know, also, their professional email passwords. 24% of those surveyed also claim that their location has been tracked without their consent due to knowing their password. This behavior, the authors of the study explain, can be considerated as technological abuse, which can be further aggravated by installing spyware or 'stalkwerware' on other people's devices or controlling or harassing someone through home technology.
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WiFi Security: Assessment of threats in wireless networks
08/03/2024Wifi connectivity has gone from being limited to restricted environments to becoming omnipresent in virtually every aspect of our daily lives. The ability to connect to the Internet from anywhere, be it at home, in a café, at work, in public spaces, or even in-flight, has enhanced the convenience in our daily lives. Moreover, the expansion of Wifi networks and the use of new manufacturing technologies now allow the interconnection of devices, leading to the significant rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) and providing users with more comprehensive control over their digital environments. However, this proliferation of Wifi networks has also given rise to new threats that require careful evaluation and effective security strategies to ensure secure and risk-free Wifi connections for our data and information. Common Wifi security threats include data interception Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks One of the fundamental challenges in Wifi security is preventing MITM attacks, where an intruder inserts themselves into the communication between two parties, compromising the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive data such as passwords and financial information. Spoofing of access points Hackers can create fake Wifi networks that mimic legitimate ones to attract unsuspecting users. Once connected to these malicious networks, our data can be captured by cybercriminals who may sell or misuse it for illicit purposes. Tips for achieving a secure Wifi connection: Strengthen authentication and use security protocols Prioritize strong encryption for networks to protect confidential information transmitted through it. WPA (Wifi Protected Access) encryption uses stronger algorithms than its predecessor, WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), making it more difficult for hackers to intercept and decipher data. Advanced security protocols like WPA3 provide individualized data encryption and advanced two-factor authentication (2FA) methods, adding an extra layer of security by requiring additional verification. Device management Properly manage and monitor devices connected to Wifi networks to minimize risks associated with the large number of connected devices in homes and businesses. Regularly update the router firmware and all connected devices to address potential vulnerabilities. Segmentation of the network to separate critical devices from less secure ones also helps mitigate the risk of threat propagation. Secure Router Configuration The router secure configuration is what will ensure the robustness and overall security of a wireless network. The router, being the first point of contact for devices connected to the Internet, acts as the first line of defence against potential attacks. For this reason, it is important to understand that the proper configuration of the router not only guarantees a stable and efficient connection but also establishes a protected environment that safeguards the integrity and privacy of our data. How to configure the router securely? To ensure a correct and secure configuration of the router, it is recommended to: Change the default username and password of the router, as these are easily accessible to attackers. Use strong passwords containing a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Disable remote administration to prevent cybercriminals from accessing the router externally. Enable WPA2 or WPA3 encryption instead of the outdated WEP for enhanced network security. Optionally, disable SSID broadcast to make the network less visible and harder to detect by hackers. Keep the router firmware updated to address vulnerabilities and improve overall device security. By following these steps, you will strengthen the security of your wireless network and reduce the chances of experiencing unwanted attacks or intrusions.
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The European Commission is committed to manufacturing chips in Europe to be less dependent on Asia
15/10/2021With the chip crisis still on the table, the European Commission is defining a new law to developing the semiconductor industry in Europe, so the local manufacturers can be less dependent on international supply chains. “We currently depend on chips made mostly by Asia. It's not a question of competitiveness: it's a question of technological sovereignty ”, said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. The document revealed by Euractiv, conclude that this new legislation demonstrates “the need to strategically reduce dependencies on third parties” and that its objective is to improve “security of supply”. The initiative would be part of the new European Commission’s digital policy that would also include, a cyber-resilience law, and also initiatives to promote digital skills among citizens. At the moment the implementation calendar of these new digital policies of the European Commission has not transcended, but it seams would not be until the third quarter of 2022, when it could be launched.
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Mikrotik
MikrotikCreated in 1996 the Latvian company MikroTik, is specialized in creating hardware and software devices to promote and improve Internet connectivity at affordable prices, which has allowed them a presence in most countries of the world in a very short time. Their main activity is focused on the development of routers and wireless ISP systems. In addition, they used their experience in the use of standard hardware and complete routing systems to create in 1997 the RouterOS software system, which provides extensive connection stability, as well as control and flexibility for all types of data and routing interfaces.
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Antennas
Find here the perfect antenna to improve your wireless network coverage, attract Wi-Fi signals to your devices or connect to an outdoor network. In this section, you will also find converters, indoor TV antennas for DTT, and outdoor antennas adapted to the new UHF standard with integrated 4G/5G filters.
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How can I hide my IP?
Accessing the Internet involves connecting our computer, smartphone, tablet, etc. to a communications server that is responsible for providing access to the network. This connection involves the identification and exchange of data about our identity, IP address, and online activities that are recorded forever as a trace of our navigation. Can I be tracked through my IP address? Yes, it is possible to trace an IP address and for those who consider privacy a priority, this is a major problem because, in addition to being exposed throughout the network, the increasingly intensive use of the Internet has led to this type of data becoming an object of interest for cybercriminals seeking personal or confidential information that can be used for their benefit. To safeguard against all this, there are several methods to hide the IP address, ensure our online privacy, improve our security on the Internet, and prevent anyone from knowing what pages we visit, the time we have spent on every connection, or what we are downloading. What are the advantages of hiding my IP? Apart from everything related to privacy and security already mentioned, hiding the IP offers different advantages for users in multiple circumstances: There are IP hiding services that prevent IP geolocation when we travel and allow us to connect to the network as if we were doing it from our own country, overcoming, for example, any network access limitations that may exist in the place where we are. We will be able to download files anonymously avoiding that the rest of the users can see our IP location. If our IP is not "in sight", the possible limitations and blockages of the Wi-Fi network and even of our ISP (Internet Service Provider) disappear. Thanks to the data encryption system of the most advanced IP hiding services, our vulnerability in connections to public Wi-Fi networks is minimized. When the system detects a location different from the real one, this can give us advantages to buy in online stores with different offers according to the country or to avoid the blocking of games, maps, and online game add-ons that may have restrictions on our location. How can I hide my IP? IP hiding is achieved through the use of specific services and tools to hide the IP and encrypt our traffic, those services allow us to hide the real communications we make during our navigation. Besides those techniques that are based on the modification of network protocols and require certain skills to carry them out, there are several technologies within the reach of all users: VPN or Virtual Private Network Proxy or Web proxy Tor Public Wifi How to hide the IP address with a VPN? VPNs are services that connect us to the Internet through intermediate servers, in which our original IP address is " masked " by the IP address of that secure server. This concealment ensures that anyone tracing our connection will only see the IP address and location of the VPN server, but not our own. In addition, to safeguard our activity on the network, VPNs use tunneling and data encryption, encrypting the information we exchange with the VPN server, hiding it, and preventing third parties from being able to read it during its transit. The security of VPN connections is determined by proprietary VPN protocols, based on different standards and encryption and authentication methods, which depend on each developer. The range of options is wide and this allows us to choose between, for example, options that prioritize speed over security, options that do the opposite, options with a greater or lesser degree of reliability, etc. VPN applications always run in the background and do not hinder browsing. How to use a proxy server to hide the IP address? Unlike VPN services, proxy servers focus their activity solely on hiding the IP, without performing any type of concealment on our network traffic or any other data that could reveal our identity. Proxy servers act as intermediaries between our device and the destination server to which they transmit our requests on our behalf. Therefore, our IP will be hidden and the only one they will see will be the proxy one. There are different types of proxy services, from the simplest ones that only help us to hide the IP to others with extra functionalities such as blocking cookies, scripts, and other files hosted on websites and sent to the user. Browsers or applications based on the HTTP protocol offer the manual proxy configuration function so that we can indicate the proxy web address and port to which we want to connect before browsing. In this way, any activity that we perform through that browser will always be routed to the proxy. Alternatively, you can also opt for the automatic proxy format that searches through DNS or DHCP for the URL from which to download the wpad.dat file that runs and allows the proxy connection with automatic authentication on your computer. How to hide your IP with Tor? Tor is a free software developed to ensure anonymous browsing of users on the Internet. To mask the IP Tor uses a network of volunteer computers or nodes through which it redirects our traffic and encrypts it before it reaches its destination. At least this redirection goes through three of these nodes, achieving repetitive re-encryptions so that any possible clue about our identity disappears. In this process, Tor assigns a random and geographically different IP to our connection so that the location by third parties is impossible (if you are curious to know the IP you have been assigned you can check it through our tool). This system allows different configurations depending on whether we are using a firewall, if our ISP is blocking Tor connections or if we navigate through proxy for example. Can I hide my IP with a public Wi-Fi connection? The answer is yes. A public Wi-Fi network can also be used to hide our IP address, although if we do not have it constantly at our disposal, the IP hiding is limited to the time we have access to a public network. As this type of network is a connection shared by many other people, this makes it impossible to trace a particular user or identify them on the destination server. However, it is precisely this general access that also makes us more vulnerable. And although through a connection to a public Wi-Fi we will solve the issue of IP hiding, security will never be total, because being an open network, we can be exposed to the will of hackers and other threats, including malware and viruses. And if I want to hide my IP address, how can I change it? It may also be the case that instead of masking the IP all we need to do is change our IP address at a given moment. Then, the solution is as simple as disconnecting the modem from the power supply and restarting it after a few minutes. In that time, if your IP address is dynamic (you can check it through the network connections tab on your computer), it will be deleted and your Internet provider will give you a new one. To make sure that everything went well, we recommend doing something as simple as writing down the IP address before turning off the router and checking it again once it is up and running again. Another possible way to achieve the same result if you have a smartphone with a data plan is to turn this device into a wireless access point to which you can connect your computer, thus hiding your usual connection. There are many options to hide the IP or to change it and now that you know how each of them works you will be able to decide which one suits you best.
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Network USB adapters
USB network adapters are your best choice if you need a quick and easy solution to your connectivity problems and are not willing to run a cable to the router, your computer does not have a built-in Wi-Fi network card, or has run out of space to assemble a wireless network card. These adapters are very versatile and you can use them, also, on laptops, consoles, and Smart TVs.
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What is Worldcoin and what does scanning the iris involve?
04/03/2024Worldcoin was introduced in summer of 2023 as a revolutionary project with the mission of creating a 100% secure digital identity, essentially a kind of fortified "digital passport," based on the verification of a unique and non-transferable element inherent to each human being—the iris. According to its developers, World ID will help distinguish human online activity from that generated by machines. In the first phase of the project, the creation of this secure digital identity is planned for 2 billion humans. To make this possible, Worldcoin has called on the global population to scan their iris. In return, Worldcoin compensates participants with a few tokens of its successful cryptocurrency, WLD, which has quadrupled in value within a few weeks of its initial launch. The payment in WLD tokens is not coincidental; it is part of Worldcoin's strategy, aiming to leverage the new digital passports to create a comprehensive ecosystem that provides universal and equitable access to advanced financial services for the entire global population. To achieve this, they encourage "iris sellers" to use the Worldcoin cryptocurrency on its fee-free blockchain, unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other cryptocurrencies that do charge transaction fees. How does Worldcoin work? Worldcoin aims to address the issues of bots, rapid creation of fake identities, and content with artificial intelligence. It is designed, according to its developers, to provide every individual in the world with a unique digital identification. Additionally, Worldcoin promises to ensure the financial inclusion of each person in a fair and equitable ecosystem through a universal basic income. Users receive this income in exchange for allowing their iris to be scanned. To create the secure digital passport with Worldcoin, users must undergo an iris scan, which serves as proof of humanity and a unique identity on the blockchain. This process ensures that the individual on the other side of that identity is a human and not a fake profile created with artificial intelligence. In pursuit of the success of their proposal, the company offers users a small amount of their own Worldcoin tokens in exchange for iris scanning. The initial incentive of receiving free cryptocurrency, in the form of a universal basic income, is emphasized by Worldcoin advocates as the basis for the inclusive and universal nature of their initiative. This approach allows anyone to scan their iris, and the WLD tokens received in return can assist people without access to traditional financial services in starting to save and invest. How to Scan the Iris with Worldcoin? The registration process with Worldcoin involves scanning the iris with an orb, the central hardware device of Worldcoin developed by Tools for Humanity. The orb is spherical and processes all the information. Currently, Worldcoin has installed orbs in different countries, including Spain, where users can scan their iris in exchange for Worldcoins. To do this, it is necessary to download the Worldcoin mobile application, World ID, generate a QR code with it, and display it in front of the orb. The orb, upon recognizing it, will scan the user's iris, while a Worldcoin collaborator remotely oversees the operation. The orb takes less than a minute to perform the scan and validate the subject's identity. In exchange for their iris, the user receives a unique number called "IrisHash" and a cryptographic wallet with Worldcoins. "This digital passport is accepted as proof of unique humanity, which people can use in the digital world without the need to share any other data," assure its developers. What happens with my scanned iris in exchange for Worldcoins? Once the iris scan is completed, and digital identity is granted to the user, Worldcoin assures that the orb quickly eliminates the images unless the user requests their preservation. Only the set of numbers called "IrisHash" is stored for identification, without any additional biometric data. Worldcoin also commits to ensuring that users share only the necessary information they wish to share, providing verification options through linked devices or the additional facial authentication orb for high-security cases. Despite these commitments, the collection of biometric data through iris scanning for the unique proof of humanity continues to raise significant questions regarding privacy and information security. Some countries such as Brazil, France, India, or Kenya have halted Worldcoin's iris scanning. How much do you get paid for scanning your iris? Worldcoin pays 25 WLD for scanning your iris, which, according to the cryptocurrency's exchange rate in February 2024, has translated to an average of between 50 and almost €160 for iris sellers, depending on the value of Worldcoin on the day they scanned their iris. At the beginning of February, the value of each WLD unit was around two euros, and by the end of the month, it had risen to nearly seven euros. What can I spend my WLD on? 'Iris sellers' have the freedom to use their Worldcoins from the moment they receive them. They can exchange the payment for other cryptocurrencies, withdraw them in euros from a specialized ATM, or hold onto the tokens in the hope of an increase in their value. Additionally, WLD payments are already accepted on platforms such as Discord, Shopify, Minecraft, Telegram, Mercado Libre, or Reddit, among other places. Who is behind Worldcoin? Worldcoin bears the stamp of two innovative minds: Sam Altman and Alex Blania. Altman is the CEO of OpenAI and a key figure in artificial intelligence development, leading projects like ChatGPT. Blania, on the other hand, is the co-founder of Tools For Humanity, contributing his experience in creating technological tools for a more equitable economic system to this new and successful cryptocurrency.
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Startech
StartechThe Canadian company StarTech was founded in 1985 by two former university classmates. It seems like a cliché in the world of technology and IT companies, but it is a fact that studying one of these disciplines helps you form productive friendships, as evidenced by the creation of countless successful companies around the world. StarTech has always worked to make it easy to identify, find, obtain and use the connectivity pieces that any professional needs to enable technology solutions in their home or business.
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What is Bitcoin Halving and how does it affect the cryptocurrency?
25/02/2024The term "Halving" in the context of Bitcoin refers to a scheduled event in the cryptocurrency protocol, in which the reward for mining blocks is reduced by half. This event occurs approximately every four years and has a significant impact on the supply and demand of Bitcoin. During Halving, the number of new Bitcoins created per block is halved. This implies a decrease in the issuance rate of the cryptocurrency, which in turn can have an effect on the price and volatility of Bitcoin. Many analysts and experts are speculating about the long-term implications of the Halving and its influence on the cryptocurrency markets. Services related to Bitcoin Halving There are various types of services and tools related to Bitcoin Halving that can be beneficial for different actors in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. These services include: 1. Halving analysis and forecast This type of service provides detailed information about the past, present and future of the Bitcoin Halving. Through analysis and forecasting, it helps investors and cryptocurrency enthusiasts make informed decisions on how to position themselves before and after the event. 2. Bitcoin Mining As the reward in Bitcoin decreases, mining this cryptocurrency becomes more challenging. Bitcoin mining services offer solutions and advice to maximize mining efficiency and profitability, even in a low reward environment. 3. Financial advice related to Halving As the issuance rate of Bitcoin slows, investors may need to adapt their investment strategies. Financial advisory services specialized in cryptocurrencies and Bitcoin provide personalized recommendations and analysis to optimize investment performance in this context. 4. Development of tools for cryptocurrencies The Bitcoin Halving may generate changes in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, which may require the creation of new tools and solutions. Companies specialized in software development and applications related to cryptocurrencies can provide development and consulting services to adapt to these new demands. Bitcoin: Reward Reduction and Its Implications on the Cryptocurrency Ecosystem Bitcoin, the most famous and valuable cryptocurrency in the world, has periodically experienced an event known as a "reward reduction" or "Halving", which has significant implications on the cryptocurrency ecosystem. In this article, we will explore in depth what Bitcoin reward reduction is and how it affects both miners and investors. What is Bitcoin reward reduction? Bitcoin reward reduction is a scheduled event integrated into the cryptocurrency protocol. It occurs approximately every four years and consists of a halving of the reward miners receive for validating transactions and adding new blocks to the Bitcoin blockchain. Originally, when Bitcoin was launched in 2009, miners received a reward of 50 Bitcoins for each block mined. However, due to the reward reduction process, this amount has decreased over time. In 2012, it was reduced to 25 Bitcoins per block, in 2016 to 12.5 Bitcoins per block, and in 2020 it was reduced again to 6.25 Bitcoins per block. Implications for Bitcoin miners Bitcoin's reward reduction has a significant impact on mining the cryptocurrency. With each reduction, miners receive fewer Bitcoins for their work, which means less direct monetary reward. This may result in some miners leaving the Bitcoin network, especially those with higher electricity and mining equipment costs. On the other hand, those miners who manage to adapt and remain profitable even with a lower reward are rewarded with a larger share of the Bitcoin supply generated through mining. This concentration of Bitcoins in the hands of fewer miners can have effects on the decentralization and security of the network, since the number of active participants in the transaction validation process is reduced. Implications for investors and the price of Bitcoin Bitcoin's reward reduction also has implications for the price and supply of the cryptocurrency. As the issuance of new Bitcoins decreases, the supply in the market reduces. This may lead to higher relative demand if Bitcoin demand continues to grow or remains stable. In previous reward reduction events, a long-term increase in Bitcoin price has been observed. This is because the decrease in the supply of new Bitcoins can lead to greater perceived scarcity and therefore an increase in their value. However, it is important to note that the price of Bitcoin is highly volatile and can be influenced by a variety of external factors, so a continued increase after reward reduction cannot be guaranteed. Bitcoin's reward reduction is a key event in the life of the cryptocurrency and has implications for both miners and investors. As the number of new Bitcoins generated is halved, miners must adapt to remain profitable and the supply of Bitcoin on the market may decrease. However, this event can also have a positive impact on the price of Bitcoin in the long term. It is important to understand and take these factors into account when evaluating investment potential in Bitcoin and the cryptocurrency market in general. Bitcoin and limited supply: a unique combination Bitcoin has captured the attention of the financial world like no other cryptocurrency. One of its most notable features is its limited supply, meaning that only a finite number of bitcoins will be created in the world. This contrasts with traditional fiat currencies, which can be printed at the discretion of governments. How does Bitcoin limited supply work? Bitcoin was designed to have a total supply of 21 million coins. As new blocks are mined by users and added to the Bitcoin blockchain, new coins are generated and distributed as rewards to miners. However, this reward is halved in an event known as "Halving", which occurs approximately every four years. Halving ensures that the rate of issuance of new bitcoins decreases over time, following a predictable mathematical function. Currently, the reward per mined block is 6.25 bitcoins, but this number is expected to reduce further in the future. This controlled scarcity mechanism is a central part of Bitcoin's monetary policy. Advantages of Bitcoin Limited Supply Bitcoin's limited supply has several significant advantages: Sense of scarcity: The limitation in the supply of Bitcoin makes it a scarce and valuable asset. As it approaches its maximum supply, demand and price are expected to increase. Inflation Protection: Unlike fiat currencies, Bitcoin cannot be inflated or devalued at the discretion of governments. Its limited supply protects it from inflation and makes it a safe store of value. Monetary stability: With carefully controlled supply, Bitcoin offers greater monetary stability compared to national currencies, which can be affected by political and economic decisions. Challenges and debates surrounding the limited supply of Bitcoin Despite the advantages, Bitcoin's limited supply has also generated debates and challenges. Some argue that the scarcity of bitcoins could hinder its mass adoption as an everyday currency. Price volatility is also an issue of concern. Furthermore, the fact that only about 80% of all existing bitcoins have been mined raises questions about how the latest bitcoins will be distributed and how this will affect the network and its sustainability in the future. Bitcoin has revolutionized the financial world with its limited supply and unique monetary policy. Controlled and predictable scarcity is an essential part of its design, providing a solid alternative to traditional fiat currencies. Although limited supply can pose challenges and debates, it also offers significant benefits, such as a sense of scarcity, protection against inflation, and monetary stability. As Bitcoin continues to mature and its supply approaches its maximum limit, its value and relevance in the financial world continues to grow, leaving investors and enthusiasts with great anticipation about its future.
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Ubiquiti-networks
Ubiquiti-networksUbiquiti, is an American multi-brand technology company that since its inception in 2005 has created and manufactured products to provide connectivity solutions to homes and businesses around the world. Ubiquiti's products are designed to meet the needs of its customers and give the best service performance. Ubiquiti's wide range of products is designed to facilitate wired and wireless data communication and optimize network performance and organization.
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Arc Search, AI-powered search engine for iOS
05/02/2024The Browser Company has introduced its latest innovation to the market, Arc Search, a search engine exclusively designed for iOS devices that integrates artificial intelligence and private browsing functionalities. Arc Search promises seamless and interruption-free navigation, free from annoying ads. Driven by artificial intelligence, this search engine offers, also, advanced features such as the ability to summarize visited web pages and provide search results more efficiently. Additionally, it stands out for its ad blockers, a reading mode that minimizes distractions, and a keyboard designed to initiate searches with just a few taps. In addition to Arc Search, in the spring, The Browser Company will also launch its web browser ARC, based on Chromium, with the ambition to challenge the supremacy of Google Chrome. With these releases, The Browser Company has explained that it aims not only to establish itself as a robust option in the realm of browsers and search engines but also to redefine how users interact with information on their iOS devices.
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Metaverses for adults in Horizon Worlds from Meta
05/08/2022Meta has announced that it will offer special spaces in Horizon Worlds for user up of 18 years old. To do this, the company has already begun to contact users who are creating their digital worlds on this platform, who have been asked to classify their content. Otherwise, it will be Meta who does it and regardless of its character, it will classify it as restricted adult content. All universes containing nudity, alcohol, soft drugs, blood, gambling promotion, etc. they will need to be rated 18+ through the Horizon Worlds settings section, "Build Mode" of the "World" tab. Meta has also announced that regardless of rating, worlds that contain explicit sexually content or promote violence or crime will be banned. Content depicting intense real-life violence or attempting to sell, buy, or trade regulated goods such as weapons, tobacco, or alcohol will be also prohibited.
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Bushkill cable, an anti-theft USB of data
21/12/2021After a crowdfunding campaign for its manufacture, Bushkill cables have already begun to be marketed. This cable connects to the computer physically, without relying on wireless connections, to protect sensitive data. The cable works as a deadman switch against theft and when somebody disconnected the cable, Bushkill automatically locks the equipment or turns it off. Bushkill is compatible for Windows 10, MacOs and Linux. In this last system, the a extra self-destruct action can be also configured, and this makes the disk permanently inaccessible. Physically, the Bushkill consists of a magnetic breakout cable, a carabiner, and a USB Type-A that contains the anti-theft software.
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Google Stadia allows you to use a 'smartphone' as a controller to play video games
04/10/2021The video game streaming service Google Stadia, has implemented Phone Link service that allows to use a smartphone screen as a remote control to play video games. The new function acts as a compatibility tool between mobile phones and televisions and is compatible with Chromecast, Android TV and Stadia devices from the web browser. In addition, the new service allows Google Stadia users to use game controllers different from the one of Stadia, and allows connecting these peripherals to the mobile phone wirelessly and with cable, something that was not allowed to do with Stadia before, because the system was only prepared to use with wireless connections.
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Google launches its very own VPN service in Spain
30/08/2021Google has just introduced its very own VPN service in Spain. This VPN is available through the Google One app. It aims to increase the online security of its customers and it is only available for Google One members on 2 TB plans or higher. Google's VPN service hides your IP address so that your online activity can't be tracked and protects your device against hackers when you're on an unsecured network, such as a public Wi-Fi network. However, unlike other VPNs, this one only works in Google's "supported countries" (Spain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States). At present, Google's VPN service is only available on Android devices. Nevertheless, on the VPN's site, Google notes that it plans to expand the service to iOS, Windows, and Mac in the near future.
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How to sign a PDF document with electronic signature?
24/06/2021When a document needs to be signed by one or more people, the usual thing, until now, has been to print it and stamp by hand the necessary signatures to validate or make its content official. This requires paper, printer, ink, but above all access to the document by all signatories, which is not always easy due to geographical location, availability, timing, etc. With teleworking on the rise and a growing globalization of business, these drawbacks have become more evident than ever, although they have found a quick and effective solution in electronic signatures. What is an electronic signature for? The electronic signature is a digital validation system for documents that unequivocally identifies the signatory. The electronic signature is assimilated to the handwritten signature and therefore its digital stamping on a document gives it the same validity, as it would have had with a handwritten signature. What are the advantages of electronic signatures? Electronic signatures simplify document management processes that require the validation of documents such as pdf signatures, facilitating remote signing by one or more people regardless of where they are located, or the situation or time of day they receive them. This flexibility contributes to the efficiency and agility of this type of procedure and being a secure signature system, it is suitable and useful in many areas related to business management, administrative management, e-commerce, informed consent and many other procedures. In addition to the versatility, practicality and security of the online PDF signature, we must also point out, as a great advantage of this process, its contribution to paperless. How to sign electronically? The electronic signature is easy to implement through tools specifically designed to guarantee not only the correct validation of the cryptographic signature or signatures included in a PDF document, but also that it cannot be altered and that all the necessary signatures required by each situation can be added. Within the framework of this type of tool, the most advanced ones, in addition to being compatible with any browser and accessible from any type of device - computer, tablet, Smartphone,... -, make it easy to convert PDF any Word, Excel, JPG, PowerPoint... file for signing. They also allow users to request a verifiable digital signature, view the properties of the digital signature and send the document directly by email to the signatories and once signed, forward it to all parties to download it. In addition, to guarantee the privacy of the documents and the security of the online signatures, these transfers are made through encrypted files with TLS encryption. Also, when we sign documents using this type of tool, they offer the option of including a LTV (Long Term Validation) time stamp that certifies the validity of the signature in the long term. For all these reasons, tools for signing PDF documents with electronic signatures are now a must for companies and businesses in all areas where process optimization, security and sustainability are a priority.
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What is the value of a Bitcoin?
11/06/2021Since Bitcoin first appeared in 2009, this digital currency not issued by any government or company, nor, under the umbrella of any kind of economic policy, has gained a foothold in the market and has already started to fit into existing legal frameworks. What gives Bitcoin its value? The great value of Bitcoin is that it is a decentralized and global currency, an alternative to fiat currencies (those issued by governments). All transactions with Bitcoins are public and each of these crypto currencies belongs exclusively to its owner, therefore, it is a currency that cannot be intervened by anyone. What can I do with Bitcoins? To date, with this cryptocurrency, it is possible to monetize all kinds of services, in addition to making investments, free or practically free of commissions, which in the medium to long term are proving attractive. This has made Bitcoin an asset in which to invest and an increasingly popular means of payment through which to transfer value from one user to another without losing friction along the way, going through an intermediary or paying a commission. What is the price of a Bitcoin? Like any other good, the price of a Bitcoin varies according to market demand, although the fact that it has been designed to behave as a deflationary asset and that its supply is limited to 21 million coins, facilitates that by the law of supply and demand itself, the Bitcoin exchange rate tends to rise continuously. As of June 9, at the time of writing this article, the Bitcoin value today is 30,007.86 euros, 3.4 times its price a year ago, when the Bitcoin to Euro conversion rate was 8,629.5 Bitcoins for 1 euro. In 2010 Bitcoin price was less than one Euro cent. What does the value of Bitcoin depend on? The value of Bitcoin depends on the trust and acceptance of users to use it, hence why Bitcoin is rising in value some days and not others. As Bitcoin has been implemented as a means of payment in multiple transactions and its popularity has grown, its value has grown in parallel. Likewise, when there have been news or events that have questioned, for example, the suitability of this crypto currency, its price has fallen. Like any other currency, the price of Bitcoin fluctuates and it is the users themselves who set it at the time of the purchase and sale transaction, which prevents the existence of a single price for Bitcoin, since it is not operated through a single platform as is the case with other currencies. Even so, buying and selling prices of Bitcoins tend to be quite similar. To know how much Bitcoin costs, there are several online platforms, known as "Bitcoin trading platforms" that report live the evolution of the value of the cryptocurrency. Is it safe and profitable to invest in Bitcoin? As with any other asset, investing in Bitcoins is profitable if we know how to do it at the right time. On the other hand, the Blockchain technology on which Bitcoin is based is reliable and difficult to manipulate, with no risk of being counterfeited, although some experts believe that the perfect, 100% inviolable system has not yet been created. In the cryptocurrency segment, convertibility is contemplated, so that Bitcoins can be exchanged for fiat currencies. What can I buy with Bitcoins? Over the last few years, a large number of companies have incorporated Bitcoin as an official method of payment for their goods and services From travel companies to ticket sales platforms for all kinds of shows, through gaming platforms, digital bookstores, software stores or even non-profit organizations already accept this digital currency. That is, Destinia, 13tickets, Gear Best, Shopify, Wordpress, Hostinger, Greenpeace,... among many other companies. eBay is currently considering adding Bitcoin as a method of payment. What is Bitcoin mining and how are Bitcoins generated? The users themselves through a totally decentralized system create Bitcoins. To become a bitcoin creator, computers with high computational capacity are needed to process and verify transactions and quickly solve the complex digital processes of generating the currency. This work is called mining and one of its best attractions is that the system offers "miners" rewards in Bitcoins in exchange for these services, which has made this activity very appealing for certain users. Is it profitable to mine Bitcoins in Spain? Bitcoin mining requires very powerful equipment, with high calculation capacities to solve operations, being nowadays totally inoperative for this operation the PCs of domestic or office use. The investment to mine Bitcoins requires, in addition, to assume the large power consumption required by this more powerful equipment, which makes Spain, at this time due to the high price of KW/h, an uninteresting market for mining Bitcoins. On the contrary, other locations such as China, Iceland, Iran or Georgia, where the Bitcoin mining business is in full expansion, are very interesting.
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QUIC, the new official network protocol to replace TCP
04/06/2021QUIC, the network protocol designed by Google, has been presented by the Internet Engineering Task Force, IETF, as a new official Internet standard to replace TCP, the current main standard. Google's QUIC (Quick UDP Internet Connections) network protocol is designed to reduce latency with retransmissions taking less time, potentially reducing the waiting time for search results by 8% on computers and 4% on mobile devices, according to the paper released by Google in 2017. QUIC will replace TCP, the current main standard of the Internet since 1974 - when it was still Arpanet - and on which the operation of Internet elements such as the World Wide Web (WWW) logic system, file transmission, 'emails' and remote administration depend. The new QUIC protocol has already been published by the IETF, making it an official network protocol.
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