Category: Digital Page 4 of 5

Cybersecurity and Space Are Becoming a Key Battleground in 2021

On January 14, 2021

In Blockchain, Chika Wonah, Digital, Internet of Things, Technology

Outer space is more critical to the global communication system than one would think. Communications, defense, transport, and more rely on it to send their signals. The world doesn’t realize how critical space cybersecurity is to modern life.

The following industries are vulnerable:

air travel
communications
defense
finance
trade

Satellites are very vulnerable to attack by bad actors. Cyberwarfare is becoming a bigger threat. Many countries are expanding their military to compete in this space.

What are the Vulnerabilities in Space Cybersecurity?

DDOS – Distributed Denial of Service

Sending massive amounts of data can overwhelm the receiving device. Many times the device will shut down or stop receiving communications. Other times it can overheat.

Losing a connection during a disaster or conflict would be extremely dangerous. It would disrupt first-responders or ground force’s communications.

Malware

Malicious code can exploit weak points in outdated software. Sometimes malware quietly eavesdrops on private communications. Other times malware causes deliberate damage.

Signal Spoofing

Signals are susceptible to interception and distortion. False communications can pose as a legitimate order.

Spoofing can hide locations of key assets too. One side would have accurate coordinates, while the other would not. Massive amounts of defense systems rely on accurate location coordinates.

Why Do Vulnerabilities Exist in Space?

Many of these satellites have been around for decades. They were not designed with modern cybersecurity in mind. Security was simply not considered.

Many of the solutions have been band-aid solutions. The design of older software and hardware focuses on ease of use. Every device and software will have vulnerabilities. This is more true the older and more out of date something is.

What Policies Can Solve These Issues?

Officials need to create a comprehensive plan to protect critical infrastructure. More nations and organizations are developing capabilities to cause damage.

Routine threat assessments will allow decision-makers to manage risk wisely. This will streamline establishing industry guidelines.

Allied-nations will have to work together to apply these standards. Data flows between many countries at any time. If one nation is lax in its protocols, it can compromise many other nations.

It is critical to pay attention to cybersecurity in space. More of the world’s economy and defense systems will rely on secure communications. The world must work together to mitigate its risk. Otherwise, it will be at the mercy of hostile nation-states and well-organized groups.

Cybersecurity Predictions for 2021

By Chika Wonah

On December 15, 2020

In Chika Wonah, Digital, Technology

The fast advancing technology comes with a significant challenge of cybersecurity for most enterprises. Cybersecurity has become a consideration for many organizations as attackers deploy all tactics to breach any security protocol laid down by companies.
The following will be the main focus, risks, and considerations in 2021 that cybersecurity leaders and other professionals will have to deal with:

1. Cybercriminals will target remote workers in 2021.
Remote working is trending in every organization due to COVID-19 restrictions. COVID-19 guidelines have made employees be allowed by their employers to work from home. Cybercriminals will, therefore, target enterprises with employees working remotely. Cybercriminals will be very busy launching attacks on companies unprepared to secure their remote workers from such attacks. As of now, numerous organizations have incurred unexpected costs caused by security breaches into their systems. Most of the employees’ gadgets lack advanced protection from malware infections.

2. Zero Trust Network Access will replace VPNs.
After many companies allowed their workers to work remotely, they installed Legacy Security Architecture such as VPNs to prevent attacks. However, VPNs have become prone to attacks. VPNs are not long-term solutions as they grant excessive access to the company’s internal resources. Cybercriminals can easily deploy ransomware to attack the unpatched VPNs.
However, global IT security teams are aware of the threat, and they are currently developing the Zero Trust Security Model, which will be released by 2021. Zero Trust Network Access only gives users access to only the area they are working on; thus, users have no permission outside their jurisdiction.

3. Widespread adoption of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE).
COVID-19 pandemic continues to make enterprises get reduced revenue; hence, many organizations have reduced their IT spending to cut down expenditures. Many companies will use multi-service integration technologies like Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) to cut down IT cost. The single control point will reduce IT cost, but a breach in the integrated system will allow attackers to access every resource.

4. The health sector will face significant security breaches.
Attackers will target hospitals as they face financial pressures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The health sector will experience more financial transactions hence making it a primary target in 2021.

5. Widespread digital transformation and internet use will lead to massive data exposure.
Most organizations will continue to allow their teams to work remotely. Businesses will continue to experience digital transformation with the remote worker embracing the 5G network, AI and ML-powered analytic, and cloud data management to ease their operations. However, data breaches will increase as hackers target the adoption of new technologies like the 5G network.

However, the challenges will not stop organizations from fully implementing and integrating modern technology into business operations. The advanced security remedies will caution the remote workforce from numerous cybersecurity exposures.

What is Social Proof?

By Chika Wonah

On September 8, 2020

In Chika Wonah, Digital, Technology

Social proof is the process where a customer researches a business, whether online or from close friends and family, to determine its popularity, professionalism, or efficacy. Before a customer commits to a product or service, they are likely to find the most popular option and go with that.

Based on the need to conform, social proofing aims to guide social awareness in a specific direction. In the digital age, it occurs mostly on social media sites where a customer would research the product from a pool of friends or reviewers to validate its authenticity. With this understanding, a business stands to benefit significantly through increased sales by Social proofing.

Social proofing is accomplished through several means such as:

Celebrity endorsements: Since celebrities wield a lot of influence over their fans, an endorsement goes a long way in drawing attention to a business. This type of promotion works even better, where the celebrity uses the same product that they endorse.

Customer reviews: Hearing the feedback from different users of the same product encourages a new customer. Reviews are considered much more honest and personal than regular ads. Rating systems on products also point an uncertain buyer to the most popular product based on other customers’ purchases.

Trust & Award badges: A business awarded with a client satisfaction award or trust badge from a regulated governing body also draws many new customers. These awards eliminate or diminish the fear of poor-quality products or services. The same effect can also be accomplished with a warranty offer, making a new customer feel safe in their purchase.

Social Media: This is one of the fastest-growing means of social proofing. Most younger buyers and online purchasers use platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter to determine where to focus their attention.

Businesses with an online presence specifically stand to gain from this than those without. A professional, active and engaging social media presence for businesses presents them as far more appealing options than abandoned accounts, or worse, nonexistent ones.

Other social proofing methods, such as crowd wisdom and expert testimony, serve social proofing where adequately applied. Therefore, through crowd mentality manipulation, an upcoming business can benefit significantly from utilizing social proofing well.

Galaxy Note 10+ Review

By Chika Wonah

On September 4, 2019

In Chika Wonah, Digital, Technology, Uncategorized

The Galaxy Note was in a league of its own when it was first introduced. It was the first phone to include a stylus, have an over-sized screen, and it was much more powerful than other Android phones on the market. But now that other phones are catching on to those trends, how does the Note 10+ stand out from the other options out there?

The S Pen

Galaxy Notes are among the only phones (although there are others) that come with stylus pens, also known as S Pens. S Pens make using your phone easier and allow you to be more precise than using your finger does.

In case you’re not familiar with other Notes, the S Pen charges in the silo. It includes a button that can perform simple functions and has basic tilt detection.

The S Pen on the Note 10+ has some new features, including a gyroscope and an accelerometer. Those basically allow you to do some fun things with your phone without actually touching the screen. This is achieved with the help of Bluetooth. These features work from a distance, even as far as 15 feet away, but they only work with specific apps like Spotify and the camera.

The Note 10+’s S Pen also has many other functions such as magnifying the screen, shrinking apps to be thumbnails, and control the volume without touching the volume key.

The Software

The Note 10+ comes with optical character recognition (OCR). OCR can convert hand-written letters into code, which allows you to scribble down notes and then converted them into texts, files, or even Word documents. Other Galaxy notes had this feature, but they required you to work through apps. That extra step is no longer necessary.

Another new feature of the Note 10+ is its video editing tool. Most phones come with some sort of video editing app, but the one included with the Note 10+ is particularly easy to use. You can effortlessly add several clips with transitions, music, and effects— even if you’ve never made a video before. The stylus helps you to trim clips with precision. You can have a video ready in just a few minutes.

The Note 10+ also comes with “AR Doodle,” which allows you to draw on faces in your pictures or videos. If you draw on a face in a video, the doodles will stay with your subject. So, for example, if you draw a mustache on your friend’s face, it will follow him or her around for the remainder of the video.

The Downside

The Galaxy Note 10+ is an extremely powerful and well-made phone, but it comes with a downside. The downside is its price tag. It starts at $1,100, which is quite higher than many other phones with similar features. However, you won’t find another phone with a stylus quite like the Note 10+, so if you think it’s worth it, this is the phone for you!

How Technology is Hurting People

By Chika Wonah

On September 4, 2019

In Chika Wonah, Digital, Internet of Things, Technology

Technology comes with a plethora of benefits, but it also has a downside. When technology begins to interfere with our relationships and our physical and mental health, we need to take a step back and re-evaluate. Here are some ways that technology is hurting people:

Social interaction

Despite the fact that most of us are spending our time on social media, technology is causing us to become antisocial. We are spending less time together face-to-face. We are also talking to each other less and instead prefer texting as our primary form of communication.

Worse yet, social media is designed to be addictive. Companies that profit from your use of social media want you to stay on their apps as long as possible, so they’ve created things like the “infinite scroll” that we are accustomed to, which is highly habit-forming. Our smartphone addictions cause us to look at our phones through meals and other social gatherings, rather than talk to our family and friends. This is deeply affecting most of our relationships.

Physical health

Time spent watching TV or staring at other screens is the time that we are missing out on physical exercise. Teens and pre-teens are spending an average of over nine hours a day on their devices. If you combine this with the number of time kids spend in school and sleep at night, there’s no way the average American teen is getting the proper amount of physical activity.

Furthermore, many people, including teens and children, are eating in front of their televisions. Studies show that people eat more when they are distracted. We’ve all been there, right? You sit in front of the TV, grab a bag of chips, and the next thing you know— the bag’s empty. Overeating can easily happen when we aren’t paying attention to our food intake because it takes the brain some time to send us signals to stop eating.

Mental and emotional health

Mental health problems have been linked to technology overuse. Studies have shown correlations between the amount of time spent on smartphones and depression, anxiety, and problems sleeping.

There’s also plenty of evidence that suggests that as technology continues to take over, happiness declines. The General Social Survey asks people to rate their levels of happiness and has shown that there are over 50% more people who report being unhappy than there were in the 1990s.

What can we do?

Technology is here to stay, so what can we do to prevent it from negatively affecting our society? We need to start by recognizing the problems and then addressing them. If you have an addiction to your phone, go without it for a few days. After that, you can return to using it but do so in moderation.

Also, be sure to monitor technology use for children and teenagers who are in your life. Kids don’t understand the consequences of playing video games all day, but they will still have to live with them if we don’t intervene.

Technology does not have to be a negative thing. As long as we are responsible and aware, we can ensure that we enjoy the many benefits of technology without the consequences of overuse.

3D Printing and Design: Digital to Physical

By Chika Wonah

On April 30, 2019

In Blockchain, Chika Wonah, Digital, Internet of Things, Technology

3D printing is a growing technology that has already been used in a variety of industries from healthcare to construction. It involves designing a digital representation of an object, which is sent to a 3D printing machine. The result is a physical object that meets the specifications of the digital representation.
It’s essential to understand the process by which a 3D printer operates. It creates each object by building up layers, which means you have to have an underlying surface for it to build upon. Due to the angle at which the printer builds the object, it’s wise to limit any overhang on the surface material. The bottom layer of the object will have a rougher surface, which can affect the overhang.
Additionally, you will have to be conscious of the limitations of the printer. While you are unlimited in designing the digital representation of the object, there are restrictions to what can be printed. You will run into problems in attempting to print a layer that’s too thin, so try to make sure you have a thickness of at least 0.8 millimeters. This can help you avoid structural issues in printing your object.
When you print an object, the printer doesn’t create the object out of thin air. It uses material, which is superheated and melted, so that it can be scanned with a laser. Once the layer is formed, the printer cools the material until it hardens. Depending on the settings of your printer, and the project you are undertaking, this process can cause the material to warp. This is more common when printing large flat surfaces, though warping can be eliminated with the correct settings. As long as you have good surface adhesion between the print bed and your object, you should be able to print without the material warping.
Finally, the quality of your printer will determine how detailed you can get in designing your object. Each printer has a minimum feature size, and going beyond that capability may compromise the quality of the print job. It’s also wise to consider layer height in choosing the details of your object. These factors can help you create the ideal piece, but they also restrict what you can do with your printer. Additionally, keep in mind that more detailed objects will take longer to print, and will cost more to create.

The Technology Behind 3D Metal Printing

By Chika Wonah

On October 29, 2018

In Blockchain, Chika Wonah, Digital, Internet of Things, Technology

Metal fabrication has been known to be an expensive undertaking as it uses a massive amount of energy and there is a large amount of waste that is left. Besides using much energy and leaving a considerable residue, the metal products made are 60% heavier than the actual products. This makes the products not to be useful in several industries, especially the aviation sector. This explains why the 3D metal printing came into existence.

However, recent innovations show that metal fabrication can be replaced with 3D metal printing technology. The accuracy of this technology makes it the most preferred method of making different metal objects. Less material and energy is used as compared to metal fabrication. The objects made are within an accuracy range of plus or minus one, which is acceptable across the industry. There is less waste in this technology that manufacturers can easily consider.

Few companies around the world have already started working in 3D metal printing technology. There is a movement from the traditional 3D plastic printers to a new model of printers that can print metal objects. Binder jetting is one of the most preferred 3D metal printers in the industry that many manufacturers are considering. Binder jetting is highly preferred as the leading 3D metal printer because it is material efficient when compared to other metal printing techniques.

The building chamber within the binder jet has to be filled with argon or another inert gas so that it can minimize the oxidation of the molten metal. The molten metal is spread quickly and efficiently with a thickness of about 50 microns, which depends on the properties of the metal and the object required. Additionally, the shape and size of the object under consideration must be considered when printing an object. This process makes a single layer, and it has to be repeated several times until the object is completed.

Although 3D metal printing is an expensive undertaking, there are new technologies that are currently being incorporated by manufacturing companies with the sole purpose of making the whole technology less costly. The innovation remains very expensive to consumers, but it is still useful to large-scale consumers such as manufacturing entities. 3D printing is essential, especially when prototyping process. However, enhancing accuracy and minimizing cost will bring this technology to other consumers in the industry.

How Bitcoin Can Impact the World

By Chika Wonah

On October 1, 2018

In Blockchain, Chika Wonah, Digital, Internet of Things, Technology

The Bitcoin technology has the potential to revolutionize the way people manage and utilize money. It is known by its nature to fluctuate over time. If used well it can have a great impact on the current financial structure. One can earn money from Bitcoin by working in office, trading and exchanging other currencies. One can also earn by mining Bitcoins. Mining of Bitcoins happens in the virtual world. When you have Bitcoins, you can use it to buy and sell goods and exchange it with other currencies.

How Bitcoin Work

To deal with Bitcoins, you need to create a Bitcoin wallet. You can create this with some of the best Bitcoin payment service providers such as Bitpay and CoinBase. Quintal is offering this services for free. You can pay low fees and let these providers execute orders for you. Bitcoin wallets also provide storage services for wallet owners. One can store money in the form of Bitcoins in this accounts and use it for any transactions as long as the counterparty accepts Bitcoins too.

The speculative nature

The Bitcoin is valued speculatively. The primary currency can be used for selling or buying goods. They are not accepted yet for use in the world. There are fears that it has been used for illegal purposes such as gambling and drugs. For a person buying goods using Bitcoins, it can be a cheaper option when compared to the dollar. In 2013 for instance, it was traded above $1000. It has always been fluctuating ever since. It has however received an exponential growth in the present-day economy. Its current value is associated with a bubble burst. The Bitcoin improved in 2017 due to its popularity and advancement in technology. This shows a long-term potential for cryptocurrency adoption.

Tech giants investing in Bitcoins

The largest investment in Bitcoin started being witnessed in 2017. It raised the foundation for a better economy. It also increased opportunities in sectors such as mobile app development, financial sector, cybersecurity, and many others. Larger companies have taken a step to invest in Bitcoin. Tech companies such as Dell, Overstock, Expedia, Dish, and Microsoft now allows their customers to make payments with Bitcoins. The total number of merchants who accept Bitcoins has increased from 36,000 to 82,000. It is now possible to buy anything using the Bitcoins.

The total number of Bitcoin ATM around the world has increased to 340. The total amount of venture capital investment increased to $335billion from $98million. This has created a potential for future growth in this currency. Bitcoin also provides a technological platform that is fast and safe. It has therefore changed the ecosystem around the world’s financial economy. It is expected that its use and adoption will keep increasing with time.

2018 Breakthrough Technologies

By Chika Wonah

On August 22, 2018

In Blockchain, Chika Wonah, Digital, Internet of Things, Technology, Uncategorized

With so many exciting new technological developments coming down the pipeline, 2018 sure is an exciting time to be alive. Computers and programming especially have been enjoying a rapid-fire pace of progress. Breakthroughs in all facets of the science and research communities have led to the following promising technologies.

Earbuds That Translate for You
If you’ve ever visited another country and felt panicked by the fact that you couldn’t understand the language, have no fear. Pixel Buds, which will be available at the very reasonable price of $159, will allow people to communicate with others who don’t speak their native tongue.

3D Printed Metal
For anyone who’s ever lamented the fact that their car’s parts need to be sent from overseas before being replaced, 3D printed metal promises to be a game-changer. Now, mechanics will—in theory—be able to print out the parts that your vehicle so desperately needs, saving both time and money.

Polygenic Risk Scores According to DNA
Sooner rather than later, parents of newborn babies will find themselves saddled with a report card almost immediately after their child’s birth! However, this report card will be based on the baby’s DNA stats, alerting parents to possible problems down the line. If a child is more prone to getting hooked on smoking, for instance, their parents will know about it ahead of time.

Smart Cities
Although some cities, such as Dubai, have been praised for their tech savvy skills, many are still running on old models. Quayside, a new Canadian project that is based in Toronto, may change all of that. And drivers won’t be able to enter this city; in fact, the only cars you’ll see will be autonomous ride shares! Open-source software will be powering this smart city, which means that other urban planners will be able to benefit from all of the knowledge gleaned from this dazzling experiment. With underground robots running mail underneath the city’s sidewalks, this is truly going to be a futuristic feast.

Universal AI
These days, it can be difficult to get your hands on some AI—unless you’re a big name company with deep pockets. But with a recent push to change that, businesses are now seeing the possible boon of allowing consumers to use AI to power their lives.

Bitcoin Breakdown

By Chika Wonah

On August 22, 2018

In Blockchain, Chika Wonah, Digital, Internet of Things, Technology

The recent explosion of cryptocurrencies on the market as of late has left many people scratching their heads and saying, “Just what exactly is Bitcoin?” Though a full description of Bitcoin would take a lot more than a single blog post, here’s a short-but-sweet breakdown of the headlines’ crypto darling.

Bitcoin’s Anonymous Founder

Developed in 2008 by a still-anonymous person named Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin was first developed as a software solution to electronic transfers in a burgeoning internet landscape. It Offered quick and efficient money services unmatched by current systems at the time. Bitcoin claimed it would revolutionize the financial industry and since then it has come pretty close.

Understanding the Blockchain

Every transaction made using Bitcoin is transparent and recorded on a universal ledger called the blockchain, and is updated every ten minutes. As the name implies, the transactions in those ten minutes form a “block” that is stacked on past blocks, forming a “chain” that is viewable by anyone. It, in turn, creates a checks and balances system making it a more secure and transparent option.

Transferring Bitcoin

Your bitcoins are stored in a virtual wallet that is accessible by using a private key that is known only by the primary user – which makes keeping that key safe a top priority. If you want to buy something or transfer bitcoins to someone else, you can send them to a specific wallet address, much like you would send an email. The transaction can take up to a few hours to process, but you can pay more bitcoin if you would like it to move faster.

Obtaining More Bitcoins

The most straightforward way to gain bitcoin currency is by buying it on an open trading platform like Coinbase, but with enough computing power, you can also mine them straight from the blockchain themselves. Every time your computer solves a specific mathematical problem, you’re rewarded with a certain amount of Bitcoins that you can use.

Advantages of Bitcoin

This highly volatile currency is one of the hottest trends in the financial sector today, primarily because it delivers a few distinct advantages. For starters, Bitcoin transactions are almost completely anonymous, which makes it ideal for people who want to transport large sums of money without a trace. Second, it’s universal, so you won’t have to pay any fees to send money across borders. Third, it’s trackable. Since the blockchain records everything, it’s possible for a government or user to verify proof the transaction itself, which can help with either taxes or to solve identity concerns.