Tag: blockchain

Understanding Self-Driving Cars

On May 2, 2023

Self-driving cars, also autonomous vehicles, are no longer just a concept of the future. Technological advances make these cars more prevalent on our roads and highways. But what exactly are self-driving cars, and how do they work?

Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know about autonomous cars.

What are Self-Driving Cars?

Self-driving cars use sensors, cameras, and other advanced technology to navigate roads and make decisions without human intervention. The vehicles use a combination of cameras, radar, lidar, and GPS to “see” their surroundings, identify obstacles, and decide how to proceed. Self-driving cars can be fully autonomous, meaning they require no human input. Alternatively, they can be semi-autonomous, meaning they still require a human driver to monitor and control if necessary.

How Do Self-Driving Cars Work?

Self-driving cars use advanced software and hardware to navigate roads and make decisions. The software is responsible for processing data from the car’s sensors, including cameras, radar, and lidar, and deciding how to proceed. The hardware includes the sensors, the car’s computer, and other components.

Self-driving cars use “sensor fusion” to gather information from their various sensors and create a comprehensive picture of their surroundings. The cars can identify and track other vehicles, pedestrians, and obstacles in real-time and decide how to proceed based on that information.

There are different levels of autonomy for self-driving cars. Level 0 means no automation, where the driver is responsible for all tasks. Level 1 is considered “driver assistance,” where the car can assist with either steering or acceleration/deceleration. Level 2 is “partial automation,” where the vehicle can control both steering and acceleration/deceleration but still requires human input. Level 3 is “conditional automation,” where the car can make decisions and control itself in some situations but still requires a human driver to take over in certain circumstances. Level 4 is “high automation,” where the car can drive itself in most situations but still has a manual override option for the human driver. And finally, Level 5 is “full automation,” where the car is completely autonomous and requires no human input.

Self-driving cars are becoming more prevalent on our roads and highways, and they rely on a combination of advanced software and hardware to navigate roads and make decisions. These cars use sensors, cameras, and other technology to “see” their surroundings, identify obstacles, and decide how to proceed. Self-driving vehicles have the potential to make our roads safer and reduce congestion. However, many questions and challenges still need to be addressed before they become widely adopted.

Great Technology Podcasts For 2022

By Chika Wonah

On October 10, 2022

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

Podcasts have become all the rage as of late, especially when it comes to learning more about our favorite subjects. Technology in particular is one subject where you’ll likely never struggle to find new content to listen to. Some tech podcasts cover the latest news in tech, others review the newest pieces of hardware, and others tell wild stories about the world of technology. No matter what you’re interested in, you’re bound to find a technology podcast that works for you. Here are a few of the best tech podcasts out there right now.

Techmeme Ride Home

For years now, Techmeme has carefully curated and aggregated the best of the tech industry’s most important news. Through its website and podcast, Techmeme Ride Home delivers a variety of the latest news and analysis in audio form, making it easier to keep up with what’s happening in the industry. The show is hosted by Brian McCullough and briefly covers the day’s hottest news, adding in a little bit of his own commentary to spice things up. The podcasts run around 15 minutes long, and they usually go up at around 5 p.m. daily.

Acquired

The Acquired podcast talks about the stories of great tech companies, as well as the lessons that they learned while building themselves up. It’s hosted by Ben Gilbert, the managing director of Seattle-based venture capital firm Pioneer Square Labs, and David Rosenthal, an angel investor based in San Francisco. They’re knowledgeable about startups, and they regularly talk to investors and successful founders about the strategies that can help great companies get started. Some of the notable individuals they’ve interviewed include Eric Yuan, the CEO of Zoom, and Katherine Boyle, the founder of a16z.

WaveForm

Despite the evolution of software, hardware and gadgets are still important, and that’s the reason why the Waveform podcast is focused on this subject. It features well-known tech influencer and YouTube personality, Marques Brownlee, who reviews various products, such as electric cars and smartphones. Each week, Brownlee and his cohost Andrew Manganelli look at the latest innovations in gaming equipment, virtual reality headsets, electric vehicles, and so much more. While they take a critical eye on everything that they cover, it’s clear they have a passion for this subject, which is a big part of the appeal.

Connected

The weekly podcast, Connected, takes a deep dive into Apple World, where it covers the latest innovations from the company and its apps. It also explores how they work together in the ecosystem. This show features the editor-in-chief of MacStories, Federico Viticci, and the cofounders of Relay FM, Myke Hurley, and Stephen Hackett. The three each bring their own unique views to the table, and it’s easy to tell how comfortable they are talking when you start to catch all of the long-running jokes and references to past episodes.

Technology and Mental Health: Part 1

By Chika Wonah

On July 6, 2022

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

Upon graduating from a Master of Arts in Counseling program, individuals can become certified as mental health counselors. These individuals can help individuals with various mental health issues, such as those who have lost a loved one. For instance, a mental health counselor can help a woman who recently lost her husband, while another one is assisting a young man with an anxiety disorder.

The role of a psychiatrist is challenging and rewarding. It involves developing and implementing effective strategies to help individuals with mental health concerns.

Due to the rise of digital technology and the increasing number of people using smartphones and social media, mental health counselors are more likely to encounter individuals who are struggling with issues related to their use of these platforms.

According to psychiatrist Dr. Igor Pantic, the rise of social media has had a significant impact on the way people communicate. In a review of the literature, he noted that the platforms have made it easier for individuals to connect with each other.

He also noted that there have been several studies that suggest a link between the use of social media and various mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. However, Pantic noted that these studies are not yet definitive and that further research is needed to establish a clear link between technology and mental health.

Although it is important for mental health professionals to have a good understanding of the various effects of technology on mental health, it is also beneficial to learn more about its positive impacts. Aside from being beneficial for individuals, technology can also help improve the way people manage their mental health. There are various observable areas where technological advancements have helped people take charge of their own care.

Despite the progress that has been made in addressing mental health issues, journalist Conor Farrington noted that the lack of resources for mental health care continues to be a major issue. For instance, according to Farrington, the average cost of mental health care in the U.S. and the U.K. is around $33.

In developing countries, the availability of mental health care is significantly lower. According to Farrington, technology can help improve the quality of mental health care by providing various services.

According to Los Angeles Times reporter Lena Sun, technology is helping improve the quality of mental health care by providing various services and information. For instance, she noted that there are now apps that promote mental wellness and are able to provide individuals with online courses in cognitive behavioral therapy.

In her article, Sun highlighted a British-based online platform that has been endorsed by the country’s national health service. The Big White Wall is an online community that enables people with various mental health issues to manage their symptoms. It features a variety of tools and resources, such as online classes and educational resources.

Blockchain Technology: Explained

By Chika Wonah

On April 4, 2022

In Blockchain, Chika Wonah, Technology

Many financial experts believe that blockchain technology is why Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are becoming more popular. According to Lule Demmissie, the president of the financial firm Ally Invest, blockchain technology is a transformative technology that can transform the way people think about more than just cryptocurrencies. Blockchain technology is also expected to change the way we live our lives.

Even crypto skeptics believe that blockchain technology has the potential to transform the way we do business. Chris Chen, a financial advisor from Massachusetts, believes that blockchain technology will have a stronger hold on the market than Bitcoin.

Blockchain Defined

A blockchain is a digital form of record-keeping commonly used in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. It’s also used in other applications such as financial transactions. A blockchain is a distributed ledger that multiple people can access. This record-keeping system allows users to keep track of their data across multiple computers. Unlike traditional record-keeping methods, which require a central server to store data, nodes can perform various tasks.

Each blockchain block is organized into groups of data or blocks. These groups are linked to each other and form a chain. Each block has its own unique code, which is known as a cryptographic hash. This unique code prevents unauthorized access to the data within the block.

The information stored on a blockchain is immutable, and it can’t be changed. This means that if someone tampered with the data, it wouldn’t affect the record held by other nodes. This ensures that the data is not altered for their own benefit. It’s almost impossible to reverse engineer a blockchain due to how it works. This means that it’s virtually impossible to replicate its computing power.

How Blockchain Is Used

For example, a consumer buys Bitcoin and sends the transaction data to the network of Bitcoin’s nodes. These nodes then approve the transaction and form a block added to the blockchain’s growing list of transactions. Since Bitcoin’s blockchain is public, anyone who owns a Bitcoin can see the details of its transactions. Its public record also allows anyone with a computer to approve transactions and record them on the network.

Blockchains don’t have to be public, though. A private blockchain is designed to prevent unauthorized changes and additions to the network. It can limit the number of people who can access the data on the blockchain. This type of blockchain also ensures that the data is secure. The idea of a secure, decentralized record of information has attracted the attention of various industries. It could help solve multiple issues related to record-keeping and data ownership.

Predictions on Future Uses of Blockchain

Blockchain technology can transform how people store and manage their information. It can provide complete certainty about the authenticity of the data they’re storing. Recent stories about celebrities and meme subjects cashing in on digital property using non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have raised concerns about the potential of blockchain technology.

NFTs are digital assets that can be bought and sold using blockchain. They can be verified by adding the transaction to the blockchain ledger and becoming a verifiable record of ownership. This allows sellers to verify the authenticity of digital works easily.

One of the most promising uses of blockchain technology is to secure the transfer of personal data. For instance, if your bank’s data was stored on a blockchain, it could be used to protect it. A blockchain can also be used to secure the transfer of financial data between different financial institutions. It can be used to ensure that the data is secure and accurate.

According to Chen, blockchain technology has the potential to transform almost every industry. For instance, an election could be conducted using blockchain technology to prevent unauthorized changes. Another promising use of blockchain technology is to improve the accuracy of inventory records. It could also help food producers track recalled products and avoid exploited labor practices. Its use in securing sensitive information also illustrates the advantages of blockchain technology.

The Importance of Having a VPN at Home

By Chika Wonah

On April 19, 2021

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

Anyone who’s been on the internet has heard of VPN services in the past couple of years. However, the average internet user might not truly understand the need to have a VPN. You should consider these reasons why you should start using a VPN service on your internet-connected devices.

Restricted Content

Whether you’re using Netflix or Hulu, you can access a catalog of content that can specific to your country. This means that you could be blocked access from the movie or TV show that you want to watch while another user in a different country gets access to that content. Fortunately, a VPN service can help out with this issue.

To solve this, a user needs to subscribe to a VPN service that offers a server in the country that their streaming content is available. From there, users can watch any restricted content as long as they are using it through their VPN service.

Public Networks

If you need to use the internet while traveling, you might be thinking of using a public network somewhere like an airport or a coffee shop. This might seem simple enough, but you can run into intruders that are on the same network. Having intruders on the same public network as you means that you could have your details and files leaked to them as you browse the internet. Fortunately, a VPN can prevent you from these attacks.

To protect yourself, make sure that you’ve subscribed to a VPN service before accessing your public network. You should then be able to connect to your VPN at any time to create a secured connection on both ends. With a secure connection, intruders won’t get any private details from you since packets coming from your computer and VPN network are encrypted.

Blocked Websites

Getting past restricted streaming content can be great, but you might be wondering more about websites that are blocked in your country. In countries like China, users can go through social media websites like Twitter and YouTube without getting a blocked message. Fortunately, having a VPN lets you bypass this.

You can bypass website restrictions on a VPN because the packets are encrypted in a way that isn’t if you are using a typical network. However, users should find out if any laws make this a criminal offense anywhere they may be living or traveling.

Understanding if Your Device Has Been Hacked

By Chika Wonah

On February 15, 2021

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

From social sites to banking, smart devices are increasingly becoming part of most people’s daily lives. Unfortunately, they are also exposing them to data snatchers, popularly known as hackers. The hackers may gain access to a device in many ways, but we will discuss how to know when that happens.

Receiving Random Pop-ups

Random pop-ups are not annoying, but they are among the most popular signs that a device got hacked. If one is getting random pop-ups from their browser, something has compromised their device with adware. Adware is popular with hackers when trying to force someone to view certain websites to drive revenues through viewership.

Draining Battery without Any Reason

If one notices that a device battery is quickly losing power for no reason, that is a sign that it has malware. This sudden loss of battery power is due to malware or spy-app that is operating from the background. The spy-app uses a lot of battery power to scan the device and transmit it to the hacker.

Poor Performance

One may notice that their device is suddenly crashing all the time or loading web pages much slower. When such happens, first try shutting down the machine, and take notice of what happens. If the device has gotten hacked, it may fail to shut down correctly or not shut down at all.

One can also notice slowed functionality of some operations, such as making calls or receiving text messages. Such things shouldn’t take long unless the device has a spy-app.

Increased Data Usage

Another indication of a compromised device is the exceptionally high data usage. The usage may be a result of a background running app communicating to a third-party.

Contact List Gets Call and Tests That the Owner Didn’t Make

When a device gets hacked, the hacker leaves the malware in the gadget and may use the contact list to spread it. One’s email list, text messages, or instant messages may transmit the malware to his contact through messages with links or attached files. Check out for complaints from the contact list about notifications that they supposedly received.

The Device’s Settings Change

If the hacker physically accesses a device, they may manually change its settings. For instance, one may notice that their device Bluetooth is on, despite them not switching it on. Such settings change maybe a sign of malware interfering with the device settings to spread it to other devices.

There are many ways to know when a device has gotten hacked. To prevent losing data or money, always take preventive measures. For example, one can run a malware scanner on their device.

Pro Tips for Keeping Your Crypto Safe

By Chika Wonah

On April 2, 2018

In Blockchain, Chika Wonah, Technology

Staying safe online is harder than ever, and the stakes are even higher when there’s money involved. Someone can easily make a fake Twitter account using your profile image and copied bio, and in the time it takes you to report the account, another person might have mistaken it as you and already transferred money to them. It’s an easy mistake to make if you’re not being vigilant, and unfortunately, as soon as you report one account, another can pop up in its place. To keep your cryptocurrency safely in your possession, these suggestions will help you do that:

Know the attack vectors.

You can’t protect yourself if you don’t know what you’re up against. Fake sites have gotten very good at mimicking their targets – so good that if you don’t double check the URL, you might not even know the difference.

Use strong passwords.

This might seem like a no-brainer for digital natives, but it’s worth repeating. Don’t use words like street names, birthdays, or song lyrics. But don’t randomly keyboard smash, either, because a) you’re not as random as a computer generator and b) you want to be able to keep track of your keystrokes, or else risk not being able to sign into your account anymore.

Use cold storage.

All “cold storage” means is offline and unattached or “air gapped,” which is to say, unconnected to your home network in any capacity. You can do this by removing the network card from your computer, or by buying a hardware wallet. If you’re feeling really cautious, you can cover your computer’s camera and microphone, and even remove all electronic devices from that room.

Test everything.

Make small transactions beforehand to make sure everything works. Never manually type in a url – it’s too easy to make a mistake that way, and could cost you a lot of money in errors. Copy/paste and QR codes are your best friends, though make sure your scanning app is reliable! Test your seed phrase on your hardware wallet; test the MD5 checksum before and after you load the SD card on your air gapped computer. Check everything. You can never been too careful.

Store your seed phrases in multiple places.

Your seed phrase is the string of 24 words that you can derive a private key from. You want to make sure your seed phrase stays secure at all times. For some, this means writing the seed phrase down on paper, in which case, it is recommended you make two copies and store them in separate places. SD cards are also an option, though they don’t tend to last more than five years and can be wiped by an EMP bomb. A combination of analog and digital methods is the best option. For the most cautious, they will split the seed phrase in parts and store those parts separately. If you do this, be sure to remember the order they go in, or else lose access to seed phrase altogether.

Plausible deniability.

Most simply, this means be able to keep some of the data hidden. Like in the physical world, you don’t want to advertise how much money is in your bank account, so don’t do it in the digital world, either. Also look into using multiple wallets rather than storing all of your currency in the same place.

Keep your environment safe.

Require two-factor authentication, and educate others on how to stay safe. Help the community at large by reporting fake sites and teaching the less tech-literate about why strong passwords are important. Not only are you keeping yourself protected, but you are also protecting others and paying that forward.

Is Blockchain the Face of the Next Google?

By Chika Wonah

On March 5, 2018

In Blockchain, Chika Wonah, Uncategorized

When we discuss blockchain, conversations usually surround the tech’s association with cryptocurrency, security and investing. In reality, this new tech is multifaceted and shows major implications for nearly every industry. When it comes to blockchain and cryptocurrency, news outlets can’t stop reporting on the potential promise. That being said, now people are asking big questions like could blockchain actually be the developments needed to create a search engine capable of overtaking google?

Google dictates much of our online searches with “nearly 80 percent of desktop and 95 percent of mobile searches” taking place on the program. That being said, a plethora of alternatives exist. The problem, of course, is that while some people use these tools, most cater to specific niche audiences, because Google has become a Goliath that many of the Davids of search engines aren’t ready to conquer. Enter blockchain. Given its clout in the tech field, many think it could be the answer to building a search engine capable of overcoming Google.

In terms of basic rising user trends, more people results in more reported problems, and Google users experience their fair share of flaws. Privacy remains the primary point of contention with centralized search engines. As BitClave describes, “With centralized search engines, your search data is recorded, your IP address is logged, and tracking cookies are used by centralized search engines to create a digital profile of you so they can target you with ads. Even worse, there’s no way to voluntarily opt out of this invasion of your privacy, and every time you type a keyword into a centralized search engine, you’re giving up information that puts you at risk.” Blockchain acts as the poster-child for privacy and discretion though. While heavily regulated given its infrastructure, the system manages to maintain a level of anonymity for its users.

Now the question becomes, how do we combine blockchain’s private network with a computing system that has the strength of Google? One program still in beta testing called Presearch, thinks they may have found the answer. As Shivdeep Dhaliwal explains, “Using Blockchain technology, Presearch plans to enable users to personalize their experience while staying in control of their data.” The company also incentivizes the switch, rewarding users who change from Google to their program with cryptocurrency coins based on their use. Of course, this still isn’t a perfect system. Questions have arisen about whether hackers may take advantage of the rewards and hack into other user profiles in order to gain more coins once they max out since users are limited to 8 coins a day.

The Presearch program focuses on decentralizing the search engine model, rewarding users for their contribution. As a result, they hope to build a more transparent and unbiased ranking, a problem that Google has made headlines for, for years. Of course, the idea of using blockchain to create a more effective model is one thing and actually doing it another thing.