Kamis, 30 Juni 2011

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Do You Know How To Secure Your Smartphone From Malware Attacks?

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 06:09 PM PDT

Last week, Con Mallon, a regional director of online security experts Norton gave the latest warning that consumers must, “basically start to take security seriously on their smartphones and on tablets“. Mallon admitted that the threat was small in “absolute numbers”. No kidding.

About 163 mobile vulnerabilities have uncovered in the past year. Compare that to 6,500 reported violations of Microsoft's Windows system and Apple's iOS.

Still, he persevered, smartphone security threats are on the up and up and homeworkers should consider themselves particularly vulnerable. But the biggest threat for, by definition, highly portable smartphones is still just being lost or stolen by opportunistic thieves from a pocket or open bag.

How to Protect Your Smartphone:

So how do you secure your smartphone against those two threats: malware and malice aforethought?

1. Set A Password

Yes, it’s annoying to have to constantly sign in but, particularly if you’re often out and about with your phone, setting a password is smartphone kindergarten stuff.

iPhone passwords up to iOS 3 have a PIN number-style four digit password while iOS 4 and higher users can set a, more secure, full password.

Windows 7 phones also allow users to set traditional letters and digits passwords to lock the screen. That means that, unusually, the password is set from within the Lock option inside the settings menu. Some Android phones have additional security in the form of a swipe pattern rather than a password.

There’s good and bad to that: in one way it should be easier to remember since it’s pretty intuitive but, on the other hand, there’s a risk that it’s so new you’ll end up setting the swipe equivalent of ’12345′.

Still, it’s better than nothing – look for ‘Change Unlock Pattern‘ or similar in the settings menu. Notes that even if your phone isn’t covered above it will still have some sort of password facility. Take a look in the security section of your settings menu or the technical manual.

2. Encrypt Personal Data

Even with a password set up, we’re far more willing to walk around with important data on our smartphones then we would be to have them written down and on our person.

Prevent malware and thieves from gaining easy access to important information by encrypting and backing up to webspace or just thinking twice before storing it there.

If you regularly connect to unsecured, unknown wi-fi networks while you’re out and about you may also want to consider treating your smartphone as you would a shared computer and not save passwords.

3. Get Wise To Remote Wiping

Even after taking the precautions listed above, our phones are now such an extension of our lives that knowing how to wipe personal data or lock the device down is fast becoming invaluable.

Newer HTC phones are particularly good for this. With an online account set up, the data on the phone can be wiped remotely and, if it’s just lost, users can even call it really loud to find it.

iPhone users that pay for the MobileMe account can also wipe their phone remotely, although they’ll need to enable push and Find My iPhone.

Android users have fewer built-in wipe options. Many download the free Mobile Defense app which means they can later wipe the phone from the Mobile Defense site, just as with MobileMe and HTC.

4. Consider Mobile Security

If you’re using a smartphone for business, in particular, it may be time to think about mobile security. Specialist software from firms like Kaspersky can run a full, real-time check on apps, downloads and attachments received through email or instant messaging for threats.

WaveSecure from McAfee – which works with Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, Symbian and Android smartphones – scans online activity just as a PC security programme would.

It can also lock and wipe data from a stolen smartphone. Cleverly, locking means a message informing whoever finds the phone of its owner and how to get in touch stays on the screen permanently.

Guest Author: This is a guest article by John Thomson from Choose.net, a site that helps users compare mobile phones and find the best broadband deals.

Top 5 Best Selling Digital SLR Cameras 2011

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 02:31 AM PDT

If you are someone who is deeply passionate about photography and like to express yourself through photography, you need not necessarily be a genius with the cameras. But, have you been recently spending sleepless nights wondering how to choose the Best SLR Camera in 2011? We understand your confusion considering the fact that current DSLR camera market is overcrowded with competitors.

You can feel free to refer all the camera magazines and review sites out there but the best-selling DSLR cameras for 2011 are probably the ones that people want and buying right now.

As you already know, they come at different price ranges based on their features, lens capability and other digital functions. The higher priced models, of course, are for the most part, of much higher quality. You get what you pay for! These models have the capability of “nicer” shots as they come with more features, such as larger lenses and more manual options. But if you're thinking about purchasing a digital camera, but not sure which one, here is a list of the top 5 bestselling digital SLR cameras on the market today:

Top 5 Best Selling DSLR Cameras In 2011

1. Nikon D7000

This is a superb DSLR camera with excellent performance for its class; great viewfinder; control locations and operations streamlined over previous Nikon DSLRs; double SDXC-compatible card slots. Exposure and metering are solid and consistent, and it reproduces color faithfully when you want it to. Nikon pushes the saturation a bit in its default Standard Picture Control, but it doesn’t display the wholesale color shifts we tend to see on lower-end models. However, when you compare the Neutral setting with all the others, you can tell it pushes the contrast to the point where you actually lose shadow detail.

The D7000 is Nikon’s most advanced camera at any price. The fact that Nikon D7000 sells for $1,200 make it a no-brainer, which is why it’s sold out. The D7000 is Nikon’s best DSLR ever.

2. Canon EOS 50D

The 50D has many similar characteristics to its predecessor, the 40D. This includes various shooting modes, the ability to change ISO and white balance, a pop-up flash unit, and an LCD screen. The LCD screen is the same size (3.0″) as the 40D but has a higher resolution (920k pixels) than any previous model.

The Canon EOS 50D digital SLR retails for $1,399 body-only. A kit version including a 28 – 135mm zoom lens is also available, priced at $1,599, as well as a kit containing the new 18-200mm zoom lens, retailing for $2,099.99. The Canon 50D will accept virtually all EOS 40D accessories, including the battery grip, remote control, optional focusing screens, and battery.

3. Olympus E-30

The Olympus E-30 single-lens reflex digital camera is aimed at what are often referred to as “prosumer” users, who lie somewhere in between the casual consumer and the professional photographer. The E-30 borrows quite a lot of features from its big brother, including the fast 11-point auto-focus system, shutter speeds of up to 1/8000th second, 1/250th sec maximum flash sync speed, 5fps continuous shooting, built-in image stabilizer which stabilizes all lenses, Live View on a multi-angle LCD screen and the Supersonic Wave Filter dust reduction system.

Priced at $1300 body only, the Olympus E-30 competes well with the likes of the Canon EOS 50D, Nikon D90 and Sony A700.

4. Canon Rebel XS

For perfect photos, fast and simple, there’s nothing better than Canon’s new EOS Rebel XS. With powerful features including a 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, Canon’s DIGIC III processor, fast shooting and more, it’s a digital powerhouse. With simple, easy-to-use controls, a compact design, a 2.5-inch LCD monitor, and Live View Function, it’s a beginner’s dream come true.

And because of the lower megapixelage, the XS is the first of this series able to pull off unlimited consecutive large, fine JPEGs. Canon Rebel XSis an excellent camera for cost conscious entry-level photographers and it is available in a kit version which includes the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens, at a retail price of US$699 or less.

5. Sony Alpha DSLR-A330

The Sony Alpha DSLR-A330 is a solid entry-level DSLR that surely have its fans. The Sony A330 is a 10.2 megapixel DSLR camera featuring a restyled external design and enhanced user interface, both intended to make it easier to use for people new to SLR photography.

In its favor, the Alpha A330 has built-in stabilization which works with any lens you attach, a slightly larger 2.7in screen that can also be vertically tilted for easier composition at high or low angles, an HDMI port, and a quicker, fuss-free Live View system with faster auto-focus. Sony A330 has a street price of around £600 / $650 with the 18-55mm kit lens (exclusivly sold by Jessops in the UK).

If you found our above review useful then also checkout our other review of 3 Top Rated Digital SLR Cameras of 2010. If you are planning to buy a Digital SLR camera, then consider visiting the online department store Very.co.uk and view a fantastic collection of digital cameras online now. They have all of the top brands such as Sony, Fuji, Nikon and Canon.

Apple Sued Over iCloud Trademark Infringements

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 10:55 PM PDT

We knew this was coming when Apple announced their iCloud service. Apple is being sued for trademark infringement over the name of its new Internet storage service, which it calls iCloud. A company in Dallas called iCloud Communications says it has been using that name since 2005.

Companies all over the world struggle to remain competitive in an ever-changing online world where businesses are often made or broken from basic demands such as business models and good managed server hosting. Not every company has the same resources and companies like Apple have led the way in innovation and service.

It’s difficult to stay competitive against these companies but sometimes their approaches have been called into question. A report on NPR this month explained that Apple is currently being sued for trademark infringement over the name of its Internet storage service, iCloud. The company called iCloud Communications argues that it’s been using the name ever since 2005.

This all happened last week as Apple introduced the iCloud service that will let users store various date such as: music, photos, calendars, emails, and other content. iCloud Communications is arguing that Apple failed to ask permission of the Phoenix-based company before using its trademarked name.

The issue is being filed in a federal court in Arizona and the communications company is arguing that Apple is offering very similar services, yet, Apple is faring far better given its worldwide brand recognition and popularity.

Apple has yet to discuss the lawsuit in any type of public forum nor have they issued any statements over the legal matter. Some attorneys, like Molly Buck Richard, have argued that iCloud Communications has a pretty strong case against Apple given the fact that the smaller company appears to have been operating under this name for six years already.

The company argues that it’s disrupted their business since many customers and clients have been confused over the similar name and have been uncertain of the potential affiliation.

This isn’t the first time that Apple’s found themselves in court over trademark infringement. This is the second case file against them in just as many weeks. The iBooks application has also been called into question. New York-based books publisher, John T. Colby, is suing the company over the alleged infringement of their iBooks trademark.

It’s still unclear as to how strong of a case Colby has against Apple but it seems that the company just can’t catch a break. Apple could simply change the name of both of these programs and the issue but it remains to be seen whether or not Apple will take legal action or not.

These essential services, like co-location hosting and communication solutions are the benchmark for companies and safeguarding intellectual and trademark properties have been increasingly difficult enforce in the ever-evolving and constantly changing online world. Stronger enforcement of trademark infringement will become exceedingly necessary if smaller companies hope to compete with larger corporations that have more money and more resources.

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