Online bullying can be traumatic. This is especially true for young people who often are reluctant to seek help when targeted or harassed, leaving themselves open to potential mental health issues. But an Australia-based group hopes to change that with a free mobile app called Goalzie. Goalzie is part of a four-year online campaign to […]
Android vs. iOS; Virtual Reality: Hype or Promise?
Posted February 25th, 2016 at 11:58 am (UTC-5)
Today’s Tech Sightings: Android vs iOS: The Great Security Debate Traditional thinking has it that iOS is the most secure of the mobile operating systems. That is no longer the case as more malware and other malicious software target that ecosystem. On the other hand, the fragmented Android operating system is, at best, a security […]
Apple Encryption Battle Could Boost Security; Tor Users Treated Differently
Posted February 24th, 2016 at 11:55 am (UTC-5)
Today’s Tech Sightings: Apple Encryption Fight Could Speed Development of Government-proof Devices Apple’s refusal to obey a court order to decrypt an iPhone belonging to a California mass shooter faces some public opposition, but also has the support of many like-minded tech firms. But the showdown has already triggered a move toward developing more secure […]
Wireless Mice, Keyboards Open to Attack; Bill Gates on Energy Miracles
Posted February 23rd, 2016 at 11:52 am (UTC-5)
Today’s Tech Sightings: Countless Computers Vulnerable to MouseJack Attack Through Wireless Mice, Keyboards Startup wireless security company Bastille reports that wireless mice and keyboards from several companies, including Amazon, Dell, Gigabyte, HP, Lenovo, Logitech and Microsoft can be hacked from 100 yards away or about three feet. The problem, called MouseJack, is the result of […]
Five App Makes Messaging Accessible to Deaf Users
Posted February 19th, 2016 at 11:03 am (UTC-5)
A mobile app developed by an 18-year-old high school entrepreneur in Poland is set to become a major missing link in communication for deaf people. The app, called Five, allows deaf users to create a sign language for chatting and messaging on their smartphone or iWatch. While there are largely universal sign language standards for […]
LA Hospital Pays Bitcoin Ransom; Empowering Indian Women in Tech
Posted February 18th, 2016 at 11:59 am (UTC-5)
Today’s Tech Sightings: Hollywood Hospital Pays Bitcoin Ransom Demand The Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, whose computer systems were hijacked and locked down by hackers demanding payment on February 5, has succumbed and paid around $17,000 in digital bitcoin currency. Chief Allen Stefanek said paying the ransom was the most efficient way to restore normal hospital […]
Apple, FBI Face Off; Using VR to Help Stroke Patients
Posted February 17th, 2016 at 12:10 pm (UTC-5)
Today’s Tech Sightings: Tim Cook: Apple Will Fight Push to Add Backdoor to iPhone Apple CEO Tim Cook said helping the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) break into the iPhone of one of the San Bernandino, California mass shooters would be a “dangerous precedent.” The statement came in response to a court order demanding that […]
Hospital Hacked; Malware Remotely Erases Android Devices
Posted February 16th, 2016 at 11:36 am (UTC-5)
Today’s Tech Sightings: Hollywood Hospital Held to Ransom by Hackers Hackers have taken control of computer systems at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center and are now demanding $3.6 million in ransom. The hospital has been crippled by the attack, with staff having to revert to pen and paper for their records. The attackers are […]
Worldreader Pushes Digital Literacy in Sub-Saharan Africa
Posted February 12th, 2016 at 10:25 am (UTC-5)
Mobile technology has put digital books in the hands of people in developing regions who otherwise have limited reading resources. But millions of schoolchildren in places like Africa still have few or no books to help them develop reading and writing skills. Worldreader aims to change that. Focusing mainly on Sub-Saharan Africa, Worldreader is a non-profit […]
Indonesia Fights Same-sex Emoticons; 25 Percent of Mobile Apps Insecure
Posted February 11th, 2016 at 11:10 am (UTC-5)
Today’s Tech Sightings: Indonesia Warns Messaging Apps to Drop Same-sex Emoticons The government of Indonesia, where homosexuality is a sensitive topic, is demanding that instant messaging apps remove stickers and images that express support for bisexual or transgender orientations. The move follows a backlash on social media over same-sex stickers on popular messaging app Line […]