Roku warns of unauthorized access to hundreds of its customers' accounts
19/03/2024A Roku investigation, the company that manufactures media streaming devices running Roku software to access all kinds of streaming content, has revealed unauthorized access to hundreds of its users' accounts, "likely due to compromised login credentials obtained from third-party sources unrelated to Roku," they said. According to the company itself, these credentials were used to access Roku accounts, where changes were made, including attempts to purchase streaming subscriptions. However, in an official statement, Roku said that any sensitive personal data such as full payment account numbers could not be accessed. The affected accounts were secured and required password resets, as well as the cancellation of unauthorized subscriptions. Roku has announced that it will refund its users for all unauthorized charges. "What can I do if I can't access Roku? Roku has reset all passwords for accounts affected by these unauthorized accesses, so if we are holders of one of them, we may not be able to access it in the usual way. To regain access, we should go to my.roku.com and use the "Forgot your password?" option. Additionally, the company recommends reviewing subscriptions and devices linked to the Roku account from the Roku account Dashboard."
[ ... ]
How to change the IP address?
How to change the IP address? We will explain step by step how to change your IP to be able to browse safely and anonymously on the Internet. The Internet is like a great highway and to "drive" on it, we must get on the road equipped with a computer, tablet, smartphone... with a license plate. This "license plate" is what is known as IP address and for many and several reasons, but mainly for security and/or privacy reasons, we may be interested in changing it. What is my IP? In order not to put the cart before the horse the first thing we must do to know how to change the IP of the computer is to find out what the IP of our connection is and verify that the change has been made correctly at the end of the process. Finding out what your IP is is as simple as visiting Cuál es mi IP (What is my IP). By accessing the page, without the need to download or run any program, our tool will automatically display your IP address data on the screen. This address is also useful to know if you want, for example, to configure online services such as servers, FTP, games, ... and it consists of a numerical combination. This address is unique and public and is the one that identifies us on the Internet to the websites we visit and other users. Nobody can browse the net without an IP address. The IP is assigned to us by our Internet Service Provider (ISP) and as this address is exposed on the network it is known as public IP, as opposed to the private IP of our local network, which only we can know. What is my public IP and what is my private IP? How important are they to change my IP? Our computer or any other device connected to the Internet has two IP addresses, a public IP address, and a private IP address. The public IP, as we have seen, is the one that identifies us to be able to surf the Internet (imagine driving on a highway without a license plate... we would be stopped and banned from driving!) This public IP is linked to our connection and, therefore, all devices connected to the same router have the same public IP. On the other hand, the private IP is the one that individually identifies each device in our private or home network. In this local network, each computer has a private IP address that serves to differentiate it from the rest of the computers and devices connected to the router. In this way, any request for data that comes from or is sent to a device is identified by the router so that it collects or sends the corresponding data to that device. So, which IP address should I change? Private IPs are not accessible from the Internet, while public IPs are and allow us to track our location, data, and Internet activity, including the pages we have visited or the time we have spent on each of them. So, to improve our security and privacy on the Internet, we can change the public IP, or if we prefer, hide our IP. Doing so is not complicated and now we will explain how to change the IP, but first, you must make sure if your IP address is a dynamic IP or a static one, as it depends on it that you can manage to change the IP on your own or require the intervention of your Internet Service Provider (ISP). How do I check if my IP is dynamic or static before changing it? IP addresses can be static or dynamic. In both cases, these addresses are assigned by our Internet provider and the difference between them is that in the case of the static IP, IP addresses can be static or dynamic. In both cases, these addresses are assigned by our Internet provider and the difference between one address and the other is that in the case of the static IP, the address assigned is permanent for a device or router, while the dynamic IP changes every time that device or router connects to the Internet. Usually, the IP address is dynamic, but you can check it through our free tool to find out what is your IP address on our website. Remember that you do not need to download any program or run any application. Simply access cualesmiip.com and the home page will show your IP address, indicating whether it is a static or dynamic one. If it is a static IP address, you will have to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and request the change or use a VPN service as we will explain below. But if it is a dynamic IP address, the change is easy and you have several alternatives for doing so. How do I change my public IP? The easiest way to change the IP address if it is a dynamic one is to turn the router off and on again. This will change the public IP and when you browse again you will do it with a different IP address than the one you had before turning it off. The tricky part of the situation is that the new address, like the previous one, will continue to be exposed on the network and if you want to change it again you will have to turn the router off and on each time. However, it may happen that despite doing so, this does not work and the IP address does not change. This happens because in certain circumstances Internet Service Providers (ISP) establish a certain period before which IP addresses cannot be changed. How to change my IP with a VPN? If you are looking for a solution that does not force you to be aware of turning your router on or off and that also offers a permanent solution that contributes to your online security and privacy, VPNs are already the most effective solution for changing your IP. VPNs are services designed to hide the IP address, whether you connect with a static IP address or a dynamic one, using that of an intermediate server, in such a way that the IP address is masked, appearing to the public as a different IP permanently. As this new Public IP belongs to the VPN server, none of our data is exposed and whoever traces the address will only reach that server, without being able to access any data about our connection, navigation, and identity on the network. VPN vs Proxy Proxy servers act in a similar way, although VPNs have the added advantage that they encrypt all data from the beginning to the end of the communication so that the impossibility of tracing data is 100% guaranteed. Proxy servers do not have this function and therefore your connection may still be susceptible to falling prey to cybercriminals. In addition, most proxy servers, unlike VPNs, must be configured manually and even, in some cases, individually in each browser. How do I know if my IP has been changed? And now that you know how to change the IP, you can test and check whether it went well by comparing your new IP address with the one you had before. If everything went well, you will see that the numbering is different and therefore your IP has been changed.
[ ... ]
Apple
AppleThe fact that Apple is possibly and currently the most complete and well-known technology company in the world, seems a no-brainer. Many articles must have been written about the origin and creation of the Apple brand and its history, back in 1970, with curious facts such as the fact that it was created in a simple garage, with few means and by some electronics freaks. Who hasn't heard of Steve Jobs, a visionary who, together with his two colleagues at the time, revolutionized the world and certainly changed history in many ways. At least, that of technology. Apple, from the garage to the present day. Over the years it has managed to become a technology giant with an impressive number of products, manufactured with technological quality and cutting-edge design.
[ ... ]
Rack Cabinets
Find from our wide selection of Rack cabinets the best one to keep your IT installation tidy, centralized, and protected. The size of all our network cabinets is standardized and compatible with the devices that must be inside. If you need to expand your rack cabinet with a new tray, change the thermostat or add a new power strip, then you have come to the right place.
[ ... ]
WiFi Security: Assessment of threats in wireless networks
08/03/2024Wifi connectivity has gone from being limited to restricted environments to becoming omnipresent in virtually every aspect of our daily lives. The ability to connect to the Internet from anywhere, be it at home, in a café, at work, in public spaces, or even in-flight, has enhanced the convenience in our daily lives. Moreover, the expansion of Wifi networks and the use of new manufacturing technologies now allow the interconnection of devices, leading to the significant rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) and providing users with more comprehensive control over their digital environments. However, this proliferation of Wifi networks has also given rise to new threats that require careful evaluation and effective security strategies to ensure secure and risk-free Wifi connections for our data and information. Common Wifi security threats include data interception Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks One of the fundamental challenges in Wifi security is preventing MITM attacks, where an intruder inserts themselves into the communication between two parties, compromising the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive data such as passwords and financial information. Spoofing of access points Hackers can create fake Wifi networks that mimic legitimate ones to attract unsuspecting users. Once connected to these malicious networks, our data can be captured by cybercriminals who may sell or misuse it for illicit purposes. Tips for achieving a secure Wifi connection: Strengthen authentication and use security protocols Prioritize strong encryption for networks to protect confidential information transmitted through it. WPA (Wifi Protected Access) encryption uses stronger algorithms than its predecessor, WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), making it more difficult for hackers to intercept and decipher data. Advanced security protocols like WPA3 provide individualized data encryption and advanced two-factor authentication (2FA) methods, adding an extra layer of security by requiring additional verification. Device management Properly manage and monitor devices connected to Wifi networks to minimize risks associated with the large number of connected devices in homes and businesses. Regularly update the router firmware and all connected devices to address potential vulnerabilities. Segmentation of the network to separate critical devices from less secure ones also helps mitigate the risk of threat propagation. Secure Router Configuration The router secure configuration is what will ensure the robustness and overall security of a wireless network. The router, being the first point of contact for devices connected to the Internet, acts as the first line of defence against potential attacks. For this reason, it is important to understand that the proper configuration of the router not only guarantees a stable and efficient connection but also establishes a protected environment that safeguards the integrity and privacy of our data. How to configure the router securely? To ensure a correct and secure configuration of the router, it is recommended to: Change the default username and password of the router, as these are easily accessible to attackers. Use strong passwords containing a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Disable remote administration to prevent cybercriminals from accessing the router externally. Enable WPA2 or WPA3 encryption instead of the outdated WEP for enhanced network security. Optionally, disable SSID broadcast to make the network less visible and harder to detect by hackers. Keep the router firmware updated to address vulnerabilities and improve overall device security. By following these steps, you will strengthen the security of your wireless network and reduce the chances of experiencing unwanted attacks or intrusions.
[ ... ]
How can I hide my IP?
Accessing the Internet involves connecting our computer, smartphone, tablet, etc. to a communications server that is responsible for providing access to the network. This connection involves the identification and exchange of data about our identity, IP address, and online activities that are recorded forever as a trace of our navigation. Can I be tracked through my IP address? Yes, it is possible to trace an IP address and for those who consider privacy a priority, this is a major problem because, in addition to being exposed throughout the network, the increasingly intensive use of the Internet has led to this type of data becoming an object of interest for cybercriminals seeking personal or confidential information that can be used for their benefit. To safeguard against all this, there are several methods to hide the IP address, ensure our online privacy, improve our security on the Internet, and prevent anyone from knowing what pages we visit, the time we have spent on every connection, or what we are downloading. What are the advantages of hiding my IP? Apart from everything related to privacy and security already mentioned, hiding the IP offers different advantages for users in multiple circumstances: There are IP hiding services that prevent IP geolocation when we travel and allow us to connect to the network as if we were doing it from our own country, overcoming, for example, any network access limitations that may exist in the place where we are. We will be able to download files anonymously avoiding that the rest of the users can see our IP location. If our IP is not "in sight", the possible limitations and blockages of the Wi-Fi network and even of our ISP (Internet Service Provider) disappear. Thanks to the data encryption system of the most advanced IP hiding services, our vulnerability in connections to public Wi-Fi networks is minimized. When the system detects a location different from the real one, this can give us advantages to buy in online stores with different offers according to the country or to avoid the blocking of games, maps, and online game add-ons that may have restrictions on our location. How can I hide my IP? IP hiding is achieved through the use of specific services and tools to hide the IP and encrypt our traffic, those services allow us to hide the real communications we make during our navigation. Besides those techniques that are based on the modification of network protocols and require certain skills to carry them out, there are several technologies within the reach of all users: VPN or Virtual Private Network Proxy or Web proxy Tor Public Wifi How to hide the IP address with a VPN? VPNs are services that connect us to the Internet through intermediate servers, in which our original IP address is " masked " by the IP address of that secure server. This concealment ensures that anyone tracing our connection will only see the IP address and location of the VPN server, but not our own. In addition, to safeguard our activity on the network, VPNs use tunneling and data encryption, encrypting the information we exchange with the VPN server, hiding it, and preventing third parties from being able to read it during its transit. The security of VPN connections is determined by proprietary VPN protocols, based on different standards and encryption and authentication methods, which depend on each developer. The range of options is wide and this allows us to choose between, for example, options that prioritize speed over security, options that do the opposite, options with a greater or lesser degree of reliability, etc. VPN applications always run in the background and do not hinder browsing. How to use a proxy server to hide the IP address? Unlike VPN services, proxy servers focus their activity solely on hiding the IP, without performing any type of concealment on our network traffic or any other data that could reveal our identity. Proxy servers act as intermediaries between our device and the destination server to which they transmit our requests on our behalf. Therefore, our IP will be hidden and the only one they will see will be the proxy one. There are different types of proxy services, from the simplest ones that only help us to hide the IP to others with extra functionalities such as blocking cookies, scripts, and other files hosted on websites and sent to the user. Browsers or applications based on the HTTP protocol offer the manual proxy configuration function so that we can indicate the proxy web address and port to which we want to connect before browsing. In this way, any activity that we perform through that browser will always be routed to the proxy. Alternatively, you can also opt for the automatic proxy format that searches through DNS or DHCP for the URL from which to download the wpad.dat file that runs and allows the proxy connection with automatic authentication on your computer. How to hide your IP with Tor? Tor is a free software developed to ensure anonymous browsing of users on the Internet. To mask the IP Tor uses a network of volunteer computers or nodes through which it redirects our traffic and encrypts it before it reaches its destination. At least this redirection goes through three of these nodes, achieving repetitive re-encryptions so that any possible clue about our identity disappears. In this process, Tor assigns a random and geographically different IP to our connection so that the location by third parties is impossible (if you are curious to know the IP you have been assigned you can check it through our tool). This system allows different configurations depending on whether we are using a firewall, if our ISP is blocking Tor connections or if we navigate through proxy for example. Can I hide my IP with a public Wi-Fi connection? The answer is yes. A public Wi-Fi network can also be used to hide our IP address, although if we do not have it constantly at our disposal, the IP hiding is limited to the time we have access to a public network. As this type of network is a connection shared by many other people, this makes it impossible to trace a particular user or identify them on the destination server. However, it is precisely this general access that also makes us more vulnerable. And although through a connection to a public Wi-Fi we will solve the issue of IP hiding, security will never be total, because being an open network, we can be exposed to the will of hackers and other threats, including malware and viruses. And if I want to hide my IP address, how can I change it? It may also be the case that instead of masking the IP all we need to do is change our IP address at a given moment. Then, the solution is as simple as disconnecting the modem from the power supply and restarting it after a few minutes. In that time, if your IP address is dynamic (you can check it through the network connections tab on your computer), it will be deleted and your Internet provider will give you a new one. To make sure that everything went well, we recommend doing something as simple as writing down the IP address before turning off the router and checking it again once it is up and running again. Another possible way to achieve the same result if you have a smartphone with a data plan is to turn this device into a wireless access point to which you can connect your computer, thus hiding your usual connection. There are many options to hide the IP or to change it and now that you know how each of them works you will be able to decide which one suits you best.
[ ... ]
VPN
Choose the best VPN for your Internet connection. Surf securely, without putting your online identity at risk and minimize your digital footprint as well as increase your privacy. All the VPNs in our store have been selected prioritizing their effectiveness, usability, and service. Check the features of each one and choose the one that best suits your needs to hide your IP address so that you do not run the risk of being tracked nor do you have to change your IP.
[ ... ]
Ip Location, the tool to know my ip location
If you need to check what location your internet provider is sharing with the websites you visit, with our IP locator you can instantly geolocate your IP address or any other that you enter manually. To geographically locate the IP address, you only need to be connected to the internet. If you use VPN software or connect through a proxy to locate IP address you can also use our tool. None of the data generated by the IP locator is stored in our system. @Mapa@ How can I hide my IP address so that it cannot be traced? To anonymously browse the Internet and avoid being located through the IP of your connection, there are two basic ways to do it. The first is to hide IP so that no one will be able to track our presence on the network or access our browsing data and the second is to change IP and browse through another IP address whenever we need to. Why do I need to locate my IP geographically? Locating your IP geographically is the best way to find out what data our ISP shares about the location of our connection. Depending on this location. a website whose URL is ".com" will change to "/es" if we connect from Spain, for example, and some tasks related to the sending of forms will be simplified, as they will be automatically pre-filled with some data such as your country or city, depending on your geolocation IP. As users with a geolocation IP tool such as the one we offer in Cuál es mi IP, we can manually enter an IP address and find out, for example, from where we have received a fraudulent email, if we have had access before, of course, to the IP address involved Can anyone find out my home address with an IP geolocation tool? By using a tool to locate an IP address, you can trace the IP and geolocate it through coordinates on the map, but the specific postal address is never provided. This is because our IP address is not ours, but rather our Internet Service Provider's (ISP's). So what data can they find out about me with IP geolocation? When locating the IP geographically. the only information about us that is provided is the country and city from which we are connecting, since the GPS coordinates of altitude and latitude that are shown correspond, in reality, to those of the headquarters of the company that is offering us the Internet connection service. The reason behind this is that all data related to the actual geographic address of the device used to access the Internet, i.e. our router, is not public and belongs to our ISP, which can only disclose it by court order. Why are companies interested in locating my IP address geographically? Information is power and for a company to know from where its potential customers connect is an important advantage to design marketing strategies aimed at the customer profile of a particular geographical area or country. In addition, in terms of anti-fraud, e-commerce companies can improve card payment security by identifying payment attempts from suspicious IP addresses. What is an IP address? An IP address is a special numerical combination assigned to an internet-connected device to be identified on the network. All intelligent devices need an IP address to access the Internet and interact on the network. Each device connected to the Internet has its own an individual IP address. When we access the Internet, the servers recognize our device through its IP address, allowing the two-way communication with the recipient. As we are identified with our IP address, the rest of devices can order a return response, without mistake the sender. Making a simile, an IP address would be the address that we use to write on the back of an envelope. This information identifies us as issuers and also as recipients of the return answer. To make possible this data exchange, the IP protocol was established as a set of universal rules for all the Internet operations. That means that all devices connected to Internet or to a home network, "speak" the same language and they are able to communicate each with the others. There are two types of IP address, the external IP and the local IP: • The external IP or public IP is the numerical combination address assigned to us by our Internet service provider (ISP). This public IP identifies us as Internet users when we are connected. If you want to find the IP of your computer, your tablet or your Smartphone, you can find out this immediately by accessing the home page of “What is my IP” or using our speed test service that, in addition to this information, will inform you about the quality of your Internet connection. • The local IP address or internal IP is the one the router assign to all the devices connected to him and identifies each of these devices, individually, in the home network. How to locate an IP address? If you want to know how to find out where an IP address is from, you should know that it is not always easy to find out the IP origin of a connection, because there are different systems to hide the IP. Some users use these systems for security reasons or to simulate, for example, their IP location in another place and thus have access to Internet services not enabled in the place where they are located. Now, if the user does not use any resource to mask the IP, find out the IP of the computer or any other device connected, for example, to our website, it is as simple as use IP geolocation services such the one offered in “What is my IP?” and you will immediately find out the IP origin of any computer that you are interested in track. Knowing the IP location of our clients is an advantage when we are designing, for example, our marketing strategies and a good tool, also, to improve network security, as it allows us to locate suspicious IP addresses. In addition, with the IP geolocation service you can also verify the location that your Internet provider shares about you. It should be clarified that this location provided by IP geolocation services is never the specific address of our home or where we are located. The data actually are from the operator node in our area that is offering us the connection service to the internet network Therefore, the geolocation information will be the country and city from where the connection is made, but not the address where the user is located, because this specific tracking of the user address is protected by law and this data can only be provided by court order.
[ ... ]
What is Worldcoin and what does scanning the iris involve?
04/03/2024Worldcoin was introduced in summer of 2023 as a revolutionary project with the mission of creating a 100% secure digital identity, essentially a kind of fortified "digital passport," based on the verification of a unique and non-transferable element inherent to each human being—the iris. According to its developers, World ID will help distinguish human online activity from that generated by machines. In the first phase of the project, the creation of this secure digital identity is planned for 2 billion humans. To make this possible, Worldcoin has called on the global population to scan their iris. In return, Worldcoin compensates participants with a few tokens of its successful cryptocurrency, WLD, which has quadrupled in value within a few weeks of its initial launch. The payment in WLD tokens is not coincidental; it is part of Worldcoin's strategy, aiming to leverage the new digital passports to create a comprehensive ecosystem that provides universal and equitable access to advanced financial services for the entire global population. To achieve this, they encourage "iris sellers" to use the Worldcoin cryptocurrency on its fee-free blockchain, unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other cryptocurrencies that do charge transaction fees. How does Worldcoin work? Worldcoin aims to address the issues of bots, rapid creation of fake identities, and content with artificial intelligence. It is designed, according to its developers, to provide every individual in the world with a unique digital identification. Additionally, Worldcoin promises to ensure the financial inclusion of each person in a fair and equitable ecosystem through a universal basic income. Users receive this income in exchange for allowing their iris to be scanned. To create the secure digital passport with Worldcoin, users must undergo an iris scan, which serves as proof of humanity and a unique identity on the blockchain. This process ensures that the individual on the other side of that identity is a human and not a fake profile created with artificial intelligence. In pursuit of the success of their proposal, the company offers users a small amount of their own Worldcoin tokens in exchange for iris scanning. The initial incentive of receiving free cryptocurrency, in the form of a universal basic income, is emphasized by Worldcoin advocates as the basis for the inclusive and universal nature of their initiative. This approach allows anyone to scan their iris, and the WLD tokens received in return can assist people without access to traditional financial services in starting to save and invest. How to Scan the Iris with Worldcoin? The registration process with Worldcoin involves scanning the iris with an orb, the central hardware device of Worldcoin developed by Tools for Humanity. The orb is spherical and processes all the information. Currently, Worldcoin has installed orbs in different countries, including Spain, where users can scan their iris in exchange for Worldcoins. To do this, it is necessary to download the Worldcoin mobile application, World ID, generate a QR code with it, and display it in front of the orb. The orb, upon recognizing it, will scan the user's iris, while a Worldcoin collaborator remotely oversees the operation. The orb takes less than a minute to perform the scan and validate the subject's identity. In exchange for their iris, the user receives a unique number called "IrisHash" and a cryptographic wallet with Worldcoins. "This digital passport is accepted as proof of unique humanity, which people can use in the digital world without the need to share any other data," assure its developers. What happens with my scanned iris in exchange for Worldcoins? Once the iris scan is completed, and digital identity is granted to the user, Worldcoin assures that the orb quickly eliminates the images unless the user requests their preservation. Only the set of numbers called "IrisHash" is stored for identification, without any additional biometric data. Worldcoin also commits to ensuring that users share only the necessary information they wish to share, providing verification options through linked devices or the additional facial authentication orb for high-security cases. Despite these commitments, the collection of biometric data through iris scanning for the unique proof of humanity continues to raise significant questions regarding privacy and information security. Some countries such as Brazil, France, India, or Kenya have halted Worldcoin's iris scanning. How much do you get paid for scanning your iris? Worldcoin pays 25 WLD for scanning your iris, which, according to the cryptocurrency's exchange rate in February 2024, has translated to an average of between 50 and almost €160 for iris sellers, depending on the value of Worldcoin on the day they scanned their iris. At the beginning of February, the value of each WLD unit was around two euros, and by the end of the month, it had risen to nearly seven euros. What can I spend my WLD on? 'Iris sellers' have the freedom to use their Worldcoins from the moment they receive them. They can exchange the payment for other cryptocurrencies, withdraw them in euros from a specialized ATM, or hold onto the tokens in the hope of an increase in their value. Additionally, WLD payments are already accepted on platforms such as Discord, Shopify, Minecraft, Telegram, Mercado Libre, or Reddit, among other places. Who is behind Worldcoin? Worldcoin bears the stamp of two innovative minds: Sam Altman and Alex Blania. Altman is the CEO of OpenAI and a key figure in artificial intelligence development, leading projects like ChatGPT. Blania, on the other hand, is the co-founder of Tools For Humanity, contributing his experience in creating technological tools for a more equitable economic system to this new and successful cryptocurrency.
[ ... ]
What is Bitcoin Halving and how does it affect the cryptocurrency?
25/02/2024The term "Halving" in the context of Bitcoin refers to a scheduled event in the cryptocurrency protocol, in which the reward for mining blocks is reduced by half. This event occurs approximately every four years and has a significant impact on the supply and demand of Bitcoin. During Halving, the number of new Bitcoins created per block is halved. This implies a decrease in the issuance rate of the cryptocurrency, which in turn can have an effect on the price and volatility of Bitcoin. Many analysts and experts are speculating about the long-term implications of the Halving and its influence on the cryptocurrency markets. Services related to Bitcoin Halving There are various types of services and tools related to Bitcoin Halving that can be beneficial for different actors in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. These services include: 1. Halving analysis and forecast This type of service provides detailed information about the past, present and future of the Bitcoin Halving. Through analysis and forecasting, it helps investors and cryptocurrency enthusiasts make informed decisions on how to position themselves before and after the event. 2. Bitcoin Mining As the reward in Bitcoin decreases, mining this cryptocurrency becomes more challenging. Bitcoin mining services offer solutions and advice to maximize mining efficiency and profitability, even in a low reward environment. 3. Financial advice related to Halving As the issuance rate of Bitcoin slows, investors may need to adapt their investment strategies. Financial advisory services specialized in cryptocurrencies and Bitcoin provide personalized recommendations and analysis to optimize investment performance in this context. 4. Development of tools for cryptocurrencies The Bitcoin Halving may generate changes in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, which may require the creation of new tools and solutions. Companies specialized in software development and applications related to cryptocurrencies can provide development and consulting services to adapt to these new demands. Bitcoin: Reward Reduction and Its Implications on the Cryptocurrency Ecosystem Bitcoin, the most famous and valuable cryptocurrency in the world, has periodically experienced an event known as a "reward reduction" or "Halving", which has significant implications on the cryptocurrency ecosystem. In this article, we will explore in depth what Bitcoin reward reduction is and how it affects both miners and investors. What is Bitcoin reward reduction? Bitcoin reward reduction is a scheduled event integrated into the cryptocurrency protocol. It occurs approximately every four years and consists of a halving of the reward miners receive for validating transactions and adding new blocks to the Bitcoin blockchain. Originally, when Bitcoin was launched in 2009, miners received a reward of 50 Bitcoins for each block mined. However, due to the reward reduction process, this amount has decreased over time. In 2012, it was reduced to 25 Bitcoins per block, in 2016 to 12.5 Bitcoins per block, and in 2020 it was reduced again to 6.25 Bitcoins per block. Implications for Bitcoin miners Bitcoin's reward reduction has a significant impact on mining the cryptocurrency. With each reduction, miners receive fewer Bitcoins for their work, which means less direct monetary reward. This may result in some miners leaving the Bitcoin network, especially those with higher electricity and mining equipment costs. On the other hand, those miners who manage to adapt and remain profitable even with a lower reward are rewarded with a larger share of the Bitcoin supply generated through mining. This concentration of Bitcoins in the hands of fewer miners can have effects on the decentralization and security of the network, since the number of active participants in the transaction validation process is reduced. Implications for investors and the price of Bitcoin Bitcoin's reward reduction also has implications for the price and supply of the cryptocurrency. As the issuance of new Bitcoins decreases, the supply in the market reduces. This may lead to higher relative demand if Bitcoin demand continues to grow or remains stable. In previous reward reduction events, a long-term increase in Bitcoin price has been observed. This is because the decrease in the supply of new Bitcoins can lead to greater perceived scarcity and therefore an increase in their value. However, it is important to note that the price of Bitcoin is highly volatile and can be influenced by a variety of external factors, so a continued increase after reward reduction cannot be guaranteed. Bitcoin's reward reduction is a key event in the life of the cryptocurrency and has implications for both miners and investors. As the number of new Bitcoins generated is halved, miners must adapt to remain profitable and the supply of Bitcoin on the market may decrease. However, this event can also have a positive impact on the price of Bitcoin in the long term. It is important to understand and take these factors into account when evaluating investment potential in Bitcoin and the cryptocurrency market in general. Bitcoin and limited supply: a unique combination Bitcoin has captured the attention of the financial world like no other cryptocurrency. One of its most notable features is its limited supply, meaning that only a finite number of bitcoins will be created in the world. This contrasts with traditional fiat currencies, which can be printed at the discretion of governments. How does Bitcoin limited supply work? Bitcoin was designed to have a total supply of 21 million coins. As new blocks are mined by users and added to the Bitcoin blockchain, new coins are generated and distributed as rewards to miners. However, this reward is halved in an event known as "Halving", which occurs approximately every four years. Halving ensures that the rate of issuance of new bitcoins decreases over time, following a predictable mathematical function. Currently, the reward per mined block is 6.25 bitcoins, but this number is expected to reduce further in the future. This controlled scarcity mechanism is a central part of Bitcoin's monetary policy. Advantages of Bitcoin Limited Supply Bitcoin's limited supply has several significant advantages: Sense of scarcity: The limitation in the supply of Bitcoin makes it a scarce and valuable asset. As it approaches its maximum supply, demand and price are expected to increase. Inflation Protection: Unlike fiat currencies, Bitcoin cannot be inflated or devalued at the discretion of governments. Its limited supply protects it from inflation and makes it a safe store of value. Monetary stability: With carefully controlled supply, Bitcoin offers greater monetary stability compared to national currencies, which can be affected by political and economic decisions. Challenges and debates surrounding the limited supply of Bitcoin Despite the advantages, Bitcoin's limited supply has also generated debates and challenges. Some argue that the scarcity of bitcoins could hinder its mass adoption as an everyday currency. Price volatility is also an issue of concern. Furthermore, the fact that only about 80% of all existing bitcoins have been mined raises questions about how the latest bitcoins will be distributed and how this will affect the network and its sustainability in the future. Bitcoin has revolutionized the financial world with its limited supply and unique monetary policy. Controlled and predictable scarcity is an essential part of its design, providing a solid alternative to traditional fiat currencies. Although limited supply can pose challenges and debates, it also offers significant benefits, such as a sense of scarcity, protection against inflation, and monetary stability. As Bitcoin continues to mature and its supply approaches its maximum limit, its value and relevance in the financial world continues to grow, leaving investors and enthusiasts with great anticipation about its future.
[ ... ]
Meta warns about the vulnerability in password recovery linked to the recycling of phone numbers
22/02/2024Meta, a leader in social media, has announced that it will not assume responsibility for personal account theft on Instagram and Facebook related to password recovery through the use of recycled phone numbers. The company argues that it lacks control over telecommunications providers and users involved in this practice. Phone number recycling: an overlooked risk in a recent statement Meta revealed its inability to manage personal account thefts that occur when phone numbers are recycled by telecommunications carriers. This common practice among mobile phone companies involves reassigning discarded numbers to new customers, making them owners of a number previously used by another user. In countries like Spain, carriers wait for a period of 30 days before reassigning a number, but the risk persists if users do not unlink the number from digital services or associated platforms, such as social networks and emails. The danger of not unlinking phone numbers from digital accounts When users deactivate a phone number, whether due to a change of carrier or any other reason, carriers must wait before reassigning the number. However, failure to unlink this number from digital services can result in unauthorized access to personal accounts. In many services, linking the phone number is allowed for actions such as resetting passwords. Users, upon receiving a verification code on their number, can complete the login without the need for email validation or a password. This process, though accepted, can lead to unintentional unauthorized access. Meta warns users about the importance of unlinking phone numbers from digital accounts when deactivating them, insisting on the need to update associated information to prevent account theft.
[ ... ]
Apple, Google and Mozilla will create a speedometer to evaluate Safari, Chrome and Firefox
20/12/2022Apple, Google and Mozilla start a joint project to develop Speedometer 3, a speedometer that is going to be useful to use to analyse and improve the performance of Internet browsing programs. The new speedometer will measure the responsiveness of web applications, timing user interactions across various workloads. In addition the three companies has explained that Speedometer 3 will be useful for adjusting any component to its maximum speed, although, according to the agreement signed by they three, any of their respective browsers, Apple's Safari, Google's Chrome or Mozilla's Firefox, can make significant changes to their performance until have the approval of the other two companies.
[ ... ]
Netflix offers a new cheaper plan with tv advertisements
19/10/2022From November 10 th, in Spain and practically simultaneously in eleven other countries in Europe, Asia and America, the new Netflix subscription plan will be launched. The price will be, 5.49 euros per month and will give access to movies and series of Netflix catalog in exchange for showing ads. As it has been explained by Netflix, the average will be 4-5 minutes of ads per hour and this advertisements may appear both at the beginning of movies and series and during their playback.Within the framework of this new service, Netflix will offer to advertisers a new control tools to verify the level of display of their advertising and the validity of the traffic, with the aim that the ads that are displayed "are relevant to the consumers". At the moment, the new plan with ads from Netflix does not include the entire catalog of series and movies on the streaming platform, due to a license restriction issue, although the company has already announced that they are working to solve these impediments. In addition to Spain, the rest of countries where this new plan will be offered are: Germany, Australia, Brazil, Canada, South Korea, the United States, France, Italy, Japan, Mexico and the United Kingdom.
[ ... ]
Less than half of Spaniards change their passwords when they separate from their partner
05/10/2022The email and social network accounts of one in five Spaniards (21%) have been subject to violation by a third party who has changed the passwords without the owner's knowledge or consent, attributing 37% of the victims this wrong use to their ex-partners. This data comes from the recent study carried out by Avast and Dynata on the degree of knowledge that Spaniards have of the passwords of their partners or relatives. In this study more than 2,000 Internet users have participated. Among the most striking results of this survey is that the collaborators who say they still know their ex's passwords, 56% of them has admit that they even know, also, their professional email passwords. 24% of those surveyed also claim that their location has been tracked without their consent due to knowing their password. This behavior, the authors of the study explain, can be considerated as technological abuse, which can be further aggravated by installing spyware or 'stalkwerware' on other people's devices or controlling or harassing someone through home technology.
[ ... ]
Google Maps will provide the most efficient route based on the fuel of each vehicle
22/07/2022The latest update of the Google Maps beta, version 11.39, would allow users to choose between different vehicle options, gas, diesel, electric and hybrid, and based on these choice, the application will propose the route that allows the driver to save more into fuel or power. This novelty is collected by the specialized Google portal, 9to5Google, which has had access to the update that would still be in the testing phase. The new option would come to complete others already planned, such the one tha allows Google Maps to indicate the least polluting routes to users, as long the option for that itinerary does not imply a substantial change in time behind the wheel, in relation to the fastest route.
[ ... ]
Intel plans to raise the price of their products up to 20%
19/07/2022Intel could raise the prices of some of his products by 10% to 20% before the end of the year to deal with inflation. This has been advanced by the Taiwanese media Nikkei Asia, which indicates that the American manufacturer would already be warning its customers of the measure. Some products that would see their price rise would be CPUs for servers and computers, as well as chips for WIFI devices. Intel, according to Nikkei Asia, will attribute the price change to the rise in raw materials and also to the production costs of their products. Intel reached a record turnover of 79,024 million dollars in 2021, which represented a growth of 1.4% for the company compared to revenue recorded the previous year, although their net profit fell by 4.9% last year.
[ ... ]
Google will retire Hangouts in November
04/07/2022From today, all Hangouts users when they open the messaging app, will see a message inviting them to switch to Chat. The reason is that continuing with its plans to migrate all its users to this tool, Google has confirmed that Hangouts will not be longer operational this coming November. As they has explained on its official blog, users who still use Hangouts in Gmail will automatically switch to Chat, The change includes the transfer of conversations, history and contacts. Those who access Hangouts through the web or the mobile application must carry out this transfer with the help of Takeout, Google's data download tool.
[ ... ]
The Spanish, the European citizens who know more about metaverse and virtual reality
27/06/2022The Spanish are the European citizens who most claim to know what the metaverse, virtual reality and augmented reality are. In fact, the results of the report presented by Ipsos in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, ensure that this knowledge would be not only above the European average, also the worldwide. Thus, 63% of Spaniards say they know the metaverse, compared to 52% of the world population, 30% of germans or 28% of France citizens. At the other extreme we find Turkey (86%), India (80%), China (73%) and South Korea (71%), which are presented as the countries with the largest population knowledgeable about the metaverse. "The results of this research work give a very optimistic view of the potential of the metaverse and show that many people are open to the technological change that is taking place," says Jame Ferrand-Gutiérrez, head of Data Intelligence at Ipsos in Spain. The director, however, points out that “we cannot ignore that the metaverse is still a concept that has not been fully realized […] Although it is planned as a parallel reality where everything has a place, in reality it is not. Well, at least at present. We will see in the future where it evolves". About the augmented and virtual reality, 77% of Spaniards say they know the first one well, and 85% the second, being, once again, Turkey, the country in the world where the percentages of familiarity with these technologies are more high, 94%. According to the report 'How the world sees the metaverse and extended reality', which collects data from 29 countries, obtained between April and May through the Ipsos Global Advisor platform, citizens expect that applications that use the metaverse will have a growing impact on their lives over the next decade and, according to the document, in Spain the greatest impact is expected in the field of virtual education and training (63%), entertainment (61%), video games (57%), work meetings (55%) and way of socializing and resources related to health (both with 54%).
[ ... ]
Chrome flies on Mac
16/03/2022New features introduced in the las version of Chrome browser have made it up to 43% faster on Mac computers, according to Apple's Speedometer browser responsiveness benchmark. The M99 version of Chrome introduces, as main change, the use of the “ThinLTO” build optimization technique, which has integrated parts of the base code that are critical for speed, even when they span multiple files or libraries. This integration, according to the Speedometer comparison, has meant that the new Chrome is generally 7% faster than Safari, and that its graphic performance is up to 15% higher. In addition, Google ensures that the loading time of web pages has been reduced by 15% on Android, where the introduction of the 'freeze-dried' tab loading process in the browser has also reduced the startup times by 13%.
[ ... ]
SQUID, the cryptocurrency of "The Squid Game" collapses
08/11/2021In just over a week, SQUID, the cryptocurrency that was launched on the market at the pull of "The Squid Game" has seen its value plummet after it was reported that his anonymous founders had withdrawn the cryptocurrency and all the earnings of the people who had invested in it. SQUID launched on October 26th at prices of $ 0.01 and reached its record price of $ 2,856.64 on November 1st. At that time, according to the users affected, the website created for this cryptocurrency was not working anymore and users could no longer sell their SQUIDS, or protect their Investments. According to the first investigations, the creators of the cryptocurrency of "The Squid Game", charged all their coins for real money, depleting the liquidity fund of the exchange that cannot sustain its value. The platform through which this cryptocurrency was traded did not have any official endorsement.
[ ... ]
Mobile phone sales fell 6% in the third quarter of this year during the shortage of components
20/10/2021The latest study by the market research company Canalys about the mobile sale in the third quarter of this year 2021, warns a prices rise and also talk about a reduction in the production of smarphpones, and descrive the situation as a "famine of processors ", derived from the shortage of components such as processors that affects the industry globally. According to this report during July, August and September, the smartphone's market has fallen a 6% in units sold globally, compared to the same period last year. The situation, predict the raport, will not change until the latest months of 2022. Canalys market research also shows that Samsung is still the best-selling brand, followed by Apple, which regains second place.
[ ... ]
How to keep your Mac safe?
28/06/20215 things you should do to protect your Mac How many times have we heard that Mac is a more than secure and unbreakable system? For years, Apple has made its security through obscurity, or in other words, its proprietary software, flagship and brand guarantee. Today, however, just when Mac is no longer a minority option, Steve Jobs' system has become another favorite target for hackers and cybercriminals. The market has responded to this with the development of specific protection tools for Mac, while Apple works on optimizing its system in each version. Knowing what kind of tools exist for Mac and which ones are already included in our computer will help us to stay safe and choose the best strategy that fits our needs and use of the equipment. 1. Use computer security tools Cybersecurity is a universal and necessary practice in all operating systems today. The objective is to ensure protection against attacks and theft by cybercriminals who are looking for personal or confidential information stored on our computers or that enters or leaves them, in order to use it for their own benefit. What is VPN security? Cybersecurity tools help us to minimize our footprint on the Internet and thus increase our privacy and security. In this regard, VPN services for Mac stand out, as they incorporate advanced protection technologies capable of connecting to the Internet through intermediate servers, so that our IP address - our identification on the network - is replaced by the IP address of this secure server, without anyone being able to trace our connection. This type of VPN service also encrypts any information leaving our computer, thus preventing it from being accessed on its journey to its destination. This is essential, for example, when using public Wi-Fi networks to connect to the Internet. 2. Keep the operating system and software up to date As simple as it may seem, one of the best and easiest ways to protect a Mac is to always have the latest version of the operating system installed and to work with updated software downloaded from the Mac App Store. System updates usually include security patches, among other things. How do I update my Mac? Through the System Preferences Panel of our computer we can set that when there are available updates we receive a notice from MacOs warning us of it or that these updates, whether system data files, security updates or official software are installed automatically. To check if we are working with the latest versions available and our Mac is up to date we can do it by checking through this same panel if there are updates available at that time. If we have checked the automatic updates option, Mac will do this task for us routinely. 3. Use secure settings Mac's default security settings can be greatly enhanced by manually configuring the security and privacy terms of our computer. How to change the Privacy and Security preferences on the Mac? By accessing the "Privacy" tab of the "Security and Privacy" option of the Control Panel we will have the option to manage what information we allow our computer to make available to others over the Internet or on a network and what applications we allow access to our data and files. In the same way, but through the "Security" tab, we will be able to incorporate passwords for the access to different tasks and operations of the computer and through the "FileVault" tool we will be able to ensure the encryption, for example, of our personal information or certain documents for which a password will be required to unblock them. 4. Use an Antivirus for Mac There are antivirus programs developed specifically for Mac. Some of them are special for certain threats, although in general most of them offer a wide range of services to help us keep our computers safe. Which is the best antivirus for Mac? The range of antivirus for Mac, free and paid, is nowadays much wider than a few years ago, highlighting among the most complete and advanced, antivirus with malware protection functions in real time, tools against digital identity theft, protection against spyware or advanced detection and removal of blackmail programs. 5. Make regular backups Apple has a native function, Time Machine, which makes backup copies of our hard disk on a separate secondary disk, so that if for any reason we suffer an attack or a breakdown we can recover all the information. Many antiviruses offer a backup service, backup or backup similar but in the cloud, as a preventive measure against writing errors on the disk, theft of devices or even against data hijacking or ransomware.
[ ... ]
How to set up a digital marketing strategy?
16/06/2021As our daily life Internet gains prominence in our physical world, companies selling products and services are increasing their online presence. To do so, they resort to strategies and tactics that ensure their omnipresence in both worlds, with the main task of attracting and retaining customers who buy their products. In this race for customers' attention, strategies such as Inbound Marketing and Outbound Marketing have emerged as protagonists and although they are radically different in their forms, both techniques have found in online communication an ideal medium through which to achieve their goals. What is Inbound Marketing? Inbound Marketing is based on attracting customers through non-intrusive techniques that use content related to the needs and interests of our target audience to attract them to our brand and products. Inbound Marketing Strategy In Inbound Marketing, content is the king and the strategy to get the user to approach the brand is to create, through these contents, links with the customer and establish a relationship of trust and support that favors their interest in our products and services, as well as their loyalty. To achieve this attention on the contents, it is basic and essential to optimize the SEO search engine, which makes our website, our contents and brand visible, makes us relevant and also contributes to our authority. To achieve this optimization and positioning, SEO will be in charge of indicating which words are trending in searches related to our content, will improve the structure of the web to allow a correct user experience, will implement a good strategy of referral links or link building and will take care of other aspects such as the integration of CRM tools or user metrics. All this will make it possible for our content to be positioned and that in a totally "natural" way and without any intrusion, all those contents written according to the interests of a certain group of customers, awaken their interest and attract them to our brand. Inbound Marketing Tools Throughout the whole process of customer attraction and loyalty, the Inbound Marketing strategy has a wide variety of tools to achieve its goal: Blogs Landing page Lead Creation Calls to action Intelligent content Workflows, ... What is outbound Marketing? Unlike Inbound Marketing, outbound Marketing is based on a totally traditional commercial approach, in which the product or service being sold is the only protagonist of the communication. Outbound Marketing Strategy To reach the public, outbound strategies use invasive methods that address broad audiences, without a specific target, with the intention of reaching the maximum number of possible interested parties. Outbound Marketing strategies are based on one-way communication, from the brand to the customer. The company shows the value of its products and services and tries to convince the public to buy them. All this operation is implemented without the customer's request, even before he has made a search or has shown previous interest in a specific product or service. Outbound Marketing Tools In Outbound Marketing, since there is no specific target audience segment, the communication reaches many users, although it may not be of interest to any of them. To achieve this massive distribution, companies use resources such as: Pop-ups Advertisements inserted in videos Banners Email campaigns for which companies use powerful email marketing software in Spanish, with multiple integrated tools that allow from automating mass mailings to A/B testing, comprehensive monitoring of the actions of each recipient (open rate, clicks on links,...) or even advanced segmentation based on interactions and / or user behavior detected in previous actions. Newsletter, inbound or outbound marketing? Now that we know the differences between Inbound and Outbound Marketing, we will finish by looking at a very useful and versatile tool that, unlike those previously mentioned is used interchangeably by both strategies. We are referring to the Newsletters. If we look at the Newsletter of Which is my IP, for example, we would be talking about an Inbound strategy, because to receive the electronic newsletter you must first register (by the way, if you have not done so yet, do not miss it and you will receive timely information on news and updates to get the most out of your Internet connection). On the other hand, if we look at newsletters like the ones we have all surely received at some time, in which we are offered, for example, a telephone offer from a company that is not our own, we are dealing with an electronic newsletter included in the marketing plan of an Outbound strategy. At this point, we can only conclude that knowing our priorities as a company, analyzing the degree of knowledge we have about our target and assessing our objectives, we will have all the necessary answers to start working and designing our digital marketing strategy.
[ ... ]
What is the value of a Bitcoin?
11/06/2021Since Bitcoin first appeared in 2009, this digital currency not issued by any government or company, nor, under the umbrella of any kind of economic policy, has gained a foothold in the market and has already started to fit into existing legal frameworks. What gives Bitcoin its value? The great value of Bitcoin is that it is a decentralized and global currency, an alternative to fiat currencies (those issued by governments). All transactions with Bitcoins are public and each of these crypto currencies belongs exclusively to its owner, therefore, it is a currency that cannot be intervened by anyone. What can I do with Bitcoins? To date, with this cryptocurrency, it is possible to monetize all kinds of services, in addition to making investments, free or practically free of commissions, which in the medium to long term are proving attractive. This has made Bitcoin an asset in which to invest and an increasingly popular means of payment through which to transfer value from one user to another without losing friction along the way, going through an intermediary or paying a commission. What is the price of a Bitcoin? Like any other good, the price of a Bitcoin varies according to market demand, although the fact that it has been designed to behave as a deflationary asset and that its supply is limited to 21 million coins, facilitates that by the law of supply and demand itself, the Bitcoin exchange rate tends to rise continuously. As of June 9, at the time of writing this article, the Bitcoin value today is 30,007.86 euros, 3.4 times its price a year ago, when the Bitcoin to Euro conversion rate was 8,629.5 Bitcoins for 1 euro. In 2010 Bitcoin price was less than one Euro cent. What does the value of Bitcoin depend on? The value of Bitcoin depends on the trust and acceptance of users to use it, hence why Bitcoin is rising in value some days and not others. As Bitcoin has been implemented as a means of payment in multiple transactions and its popularity has grown, its value has grown in parallel. Likewise, when there have been news or events that have questioned, for example, the suitability of this crypto currency, its price has fallen. Like any other currency, the price of Bitcoin fluctuates and it is the users themselves who set it at the time of the purchase and sale transaction, which prevents the existence of a single price for Bitcoin, since it is not operated through a single platform as is the case with other currencies. Even so, buying and selling prices of Bitcoins tend to be quite similar. To know how much Bitcoin costs, there are several online platforms, known as "Bitcoin trading platforms" that report live the evolution of the value of the cryptocurrency. Is it safe and profitable to invest in Bitcoin? As with any other asset, investing in Bitcoins is profitable if we know how to do it at the right time. On the other hand, the Blockchain technology on which Bitcoin is based is reliable and difficult to manipulate, with no risk of being counterfeited, although some experts believe that the perfect, 100% inviolable system has not yet been created. In the cryptocurrency segment, convertibility is contemplated, so that Bitcoins can be exchanged for fiat currencies. What can I buy with Bitcoins? Over the last few years, a large number of companies have incorporated Bitcoin as an official method of payment for their goods and services From travel companies to ticket sales platforms for all kinds of shows, through gaming platforms, digital bookstores, software stores or even non-profit organizations already accept this digital currency. That is, Destinia, 13tickets, Gear Best, Shopify, Wordpress, Hostinger, Greenpeace,... among many other companies. eBay is currently considering adding Bitcoin as a method of payment. What is Bitcoin mining and how are Bitcoins generated? The users themselves through a totally decentralized system create Bitcoins. To become a bitcoin creator, computers with high computational capacity are needed to process and verify transactions and quickly solve the complex digital processes of generating the currency. This work is called mining and one of its best attractions is that the system offers "miners" rewards in Bitcoins in exchange for these services, which has made this activity very appealing for certain users. Is it profitable to mine Bitcoins in Spain? Bitcoin mining requires very powerful equipment, with high calculation capacities to solve operations, being nowadays totally inoperative for this operation the PCs of domestic or office use. The investment to mine Bitcoins requires, in addition, to assume the large power consumption required by this more powerful equipment, which makes Spain, at this time due to the high price of KW/h, an uninteresting market for mining Bitcoins. On the contrary, other locations such as China, Iceland, Iran or Georgia, where the Bitcoin mining business is in full expansion, are very interesting.
[ ... ]