Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Connect with us

E-Business

Ericsson Releases 10 Hot Consumer Trends 2014

Published

on

ericsson_logo.jpg
Kindly share this post

With 2013 winding up, Ericsson ConsumerLab has identified the hottest consumer trends for 2014 and beyond. For more than 15 years, ConsumerLab has conducted research to explore people’s values, behaviors and ways of using ICT products and services.

Its global research program is based on annual interviews with over 100,000 individuals in more than 40 countries and 15 megacities.

Michael Björn, head of research at ConsumerLab, said: “The most important trend we see is the mass demand for apps and services across all industries and societal sectors – which has the potential to fundamentally change everyday life.”

1.       Apps change society. The fast global uptake of smartphones has completely changed the way we communicate and use the internet. Now we enter a new phase of rapidly-diversifying smartphone use – and people are looking for apps across all sectors of society. This includes everything from shopping and daycare to communication with authorities, and transportation. Apps are becoming more important than what phone you use.

2.       Your body is the new password. Sites are demanding longer passwords with a mixture of numbers, letters and symbols – almost impossible to remember. This is leading to growing interest in biometric alternatives. For example, our research found that 52 percent of smartphone users want to use their fingerprints instead of passwords and 48 percent are interested in using eye-recognition to unlock their screen. A total of 74 percent believe that biometric smartphones will become mainstream during 2014.

3.       The quantified self. Blood pressure, pulse and steps are just some examples of how we want to measure ourselves with mobile devices, using personally-generated data. You only need to start an app to track your activities and get to know yourself better. A total of 40 percent of smartphone users want their phone to log all of their physical activities and 56 percent would like to monitor their blood pressure and pulse using a ring.

4.       Internet expected everywhere. Internet experience has been falling behind voice; smartphone users are realizing that the signal bars on their phone no longer provide reliable guidance, since a signal that is adequate for a voice call may not be good enough for internet services. Our research found that the lowest satisfaction is with the internet quality experienced on the subway.

5.       Smartphones reduce the digital divide. Internet access on a global scale is still inadequately and unequally distributed, giving rise to what is referred to as the digital divide. The advent of cheaper smartphones means that consumers no longer need costly computing devices to access internet services. A total of 51 percent of consumers globally feel that their mobile phone is the most important piece of technology – and for many it is becoming the primary device for internet use.

6.       Online benefits outweigh concerns – As the internet becomes an integrated part of our daily lives, the risks associated with being connected are becoming more apparent. 56 percent of daily internet users are concerned about privacy issues. However, only 4 percent say that they would actually use the internet less. Instead, consumers apply strategies to minimize risk such as being more cautious about the type of personal information they provide.

7.       Video on command. Despite having greater media choice, we seem less prone to choose what we watch ourselves. In fact, our friends are particularly influential when it comes to viewing video material. We found that 38 percent of respondents say they watch video clips recommended by their friends at least several times weekly. Our friends have almost as much impact on our blog-reading and music-listening habits too.

8.       Making my data visible. A total of 48 percent of consumers use apps to better understand their data consumption. While 41 percent just want to know how much data they use, 33 percent want to make sure they are billed correctly and 31 percent don’t want to exceed their operator’s data cap. Research also revealed that 37 percent of smartphone owners regularly use apps to test their connection speed.

9.       Sensors in everyday places. As interactive internet services are now commonplace, consumers are increasingly expecting our physical surroundings to be equally responsive. By the end of 2016, around 60 percent of smartphone owners believe that sensors will be used in everything from healthcare and public transport, to cars, homes and our places of work.

10.    Play, pause, resume elsewhere. As 19 percent of total streamed time is spent on phones or tablets, consumers are increasingly shifting the locations where they watch TV to suit their daily lives. For example they might start viewing content at home, pause it, and resume watching during their commute to work. When changing places, it can also make sense to switch device.

 


Kindly share this post

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

E-Business

Olatunji, NDPC Boss Calls for Integrated Strategy on Data Privacy, Cyber-Security

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Dr Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner, Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), has emphasized that data privacy, protection, and cybersecurity are “inseparable pillars of the digital age” and must be prioritized in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.

Olatunji, NDPC Boss Calls for Integrated Strategy on Data Privacy, Cyber-Security

Dr Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner, NDPC

Dr. Olatunji made this assertion during his keynote address titled “Data Privacy and Protection: Nigeria’s Roadmap to Compliance” at the ongoing National Cybersecurity Conference in Abuja.

He underscored that while data protection focuses on safeguarding personal information from misuse, cybersecurity protects the systems that store this data. “Data privacy is a basic human right that empowers individuals to control how their personal information is collected, used, and shared,” he said.

“Strong cybersecurity is essential to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of personal data. Conversely, robust data protection frameworks help guide effective cybersecurity practices and foster a culture of privacy.”

Highlighting Nigeria’s progress, Dr. Olatunji noted the country’s recent Tier 3 (“establishing”) ranking in the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index and its top position in Africa particularly in the area of data protection. He traced the evolution of Nigeria’s data protection journey, culminating in the signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act) 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).

He described the NDP Act as the cornerstone of the country’s data governance framework. “The Act regulates the processing of personal data in Nigeria and guarantees the privacy rights of individuals,” he explained.

It applies to both local and international data controllers and processors handling data of Nigerian subjects and provides clear guidelines on data collection, storage, consent, data subject rights, and penalties for non-compliance.

Dr. Olatunji cited the recent ₦766.2 million fine imposed on MultiChoice for non-compliance as an example of the Commission’s enforcement capacity. He also revealed that the NDPC has generated over ₦2 billion in the last two years, with the data protection sector now valued at ₦16.2 billion alongside the creation of numerous job opportunities.

He further highlighted ecosystem growth, citing the certification of 455 Data Protection Officers (DPOs) under the National Certification Program and verification of 3,343 Data Protection Compliance Organizations (DPCOs) by 2025.

While celebrating progress, Dr. Olatunji also pointed to key areas for improvement, including building institutional capacity, enhancing data literacy and workforce development, and strengthening collaboration across sectors.

In conclusion, he urged stakeholders to “embrace a culture of data protection, implement robust cybersecurity practices, and stay attuned to the evolving regulatory landscape” in order to reduce risks, protect assets, and support long-term national growth.

 

 

 

 

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

E-Business

Kaspersky Experts Warn of the Risks Hidden Behind QR Codes

Published

on

Kindly share this post

In today’s digital world, QR codes are placed on almost everything – from yogurt containers and restaurant menus to museum exhibits, and even utility bills and parking lots.

People use them to open websites, download apps, collect loyalty programme points, make payments and transfer money, and even for charity donations. The accessible and practical technology is convenient for many, including cybercriminals, who have already rolled out a variety of QR-based schemes.

Kaspersky experts have identified the top security risks when scanning QR codes:

  • Phishing and redirection to malicious sites: QR codes can direct users to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal or financial information, such as passwords and credit card numbers. Attackers can impersonate legitimate sites, such as banks or streaming services, and trick users into entering their credentials.
  • Malware download: Some QR codes can trigger the download of malicious applications that compromise the security of the user’s device, especially if it is not protected against unauthorised installation.
  • Payment fraud: During special events or sales periods like holiday sales, a fake QR code can redirect users to make payments to fraudulent accounts.
  • Unsafe automatic connections: A QR code can also automatically connect the user to Wi-Fi networks controlled by cyber attackers, allowing them to intercept their communications.

“QR codes are a fertile ground for potential manipulation, especially as they appear in various everyday contexts such as receipts, flyers, and signage. Attackers have nearly endless possibilities to exploit them.

“As these codes have already become an integral part of our daily lives, it is essential for users to know how to use them safely and responsibly,” says Seifallah Jedidi, Head of Consumer Channel for META at Kaspersky.

In order to not fall for a scam when scanning a QR code, Kaspersky experts recommend:

  • Verify the source: Scan QR codes only from trusted and known sources. Avoid scanning codes in public places that may have been tampered with.
  • Check the URL: If you really need to scan a publicly available code, verify that the web address it directed you to is legitimate before taking any action on this website.
  • Don’t share personal information: Avoid entering sensitive information if you’re not completely sure of the origin of the QR code.
  • Protect your digital life: Install a cybersecurity solution with anti-phishing and anti-fraud protection, such as Kaspersky Premium, on all your devices; it will alert you to any danger timely.

Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

E-Business

Firm Highlights Top Risks of Quantum Computing

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Kaspersky is addressing one of the most debatable technological challenges of the coming decade: the rise of quantum computing and its potential impact on digital security.

In this context, experts have identified the main quantum threats that demand immediate action from the cybersecurity community.

As classical computers approach their physical limits, their performance growth is slowing — constraining progress in areas that depend on complex computation.

At the same time, quantum computers offer the potential to solve specific problems far faster than classical systems. For now, however, their practical use remains limited to narrow and experimental domains.

Nevertheless, experts estimate that we may see a fully fault-tolerant quantum computer within the next decade — a development that could unlock significant advances, but also unleash a new era of cybersecurity threats.

Supporting this urgency, Deloitte’s 2024 Global Future of Cyber Survey reports that 83% of organizations are already assessing or taking steps to address quantum computing risks, demonstrating growing awareness and proactive strategies in the private sector.

To better understand the scope of the evolving threat, Kaspersky has identified three of the most urgent quantum-related risks that demand action from the cybersecurity community:

The top three risks:

Quantum computers could be used to compromise the traditional encryption methods that currently protect data in countless digital systems — posing a direct threat to global cybersecurity infrastructures.

Threats include the interception and decoding of sensitive diplomatic, military, and financial communications, as well as the real-time decryption of private negotiations – something quantum systems could handle much faster than classical machines, turning secure conversations into open books.

  1. Store now, decrypt later: the key threat of the coming years

Threat actors are already harvesting encrypted data today, with the intention of decrypting it in the future once quantum capabilities advance. This “store now, decrypt later” tactic could expose sensitive information years after it was originally transmitted — including diplomatic exchanges, financial transactions, and private communications.

  1. Sabotage in blockchain and cryptocurrency

Blockchain networks are not immune to quantum threats. Bitcoin’s Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA), which relies on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), is especially vulnerable.

Potential risks include forging digital signatures, which threatens Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies; attacks on ECDSA that secure crypto wallets; and tampering with blockchain transaction history, undermining trust and integrity.

  1. Quantum-resistant ransomware: a new front

Looking ahead, developers and operators of advanced ransomware may begin adopting post-quantum cryptography to protect their own malicious payloads. So-called “quantum-resistant” ransomware would be designed to resist decryption by both classical and quantum computers — potentially making recovery without paying a ransom nearly impossible.

At present, quantum computing does not offer a way to decrypt files locked by current ransomware. Data protection and recovery still rely on traditional security solutions and collaboration among law enforcement agencies, quantum researchers, and international organisations.

Building quantum-safe defenses

Quantum computers are not yet a direct threat — but by the time they are, it may be too late to respond. Transitioning to post-quantum cryptography will take years. Preparations must begin today.

The cybersecurity community, IT companies, and governments must coordinate to address the risks ahead. Policymakers should develop clear strategies to migrate to post-quantum algorithms. Businesses and researchers need to begin implementing new security standards now.

“The most critical risk lies not really in the future, but in the present: encrypted data with long-term value is already at risk from future decryption. The security decisions we make today will define the resilience of our digital infrastructure for decades.

“Governments, businesses, and infrastructure providers must begin adapting now, or risk systemic vulnerabilities that cannot be retroactively fixed,” states Sergey Lozhkin, Head of Kaspersky Global Research & Analysis Team for META and APAC.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending