Google Duo, the video calling app of Google has crossed more than 5 billion download through the Play Store. Duo is the highest quality video calling app. It is free, simple and works on Android phones, iPhones, tablets, computers, and smart displays, like the Google Nest Hub Max. Whether it’s one-to-one calls, group calls or video messages, conversations on Duo will always stay private with end-to-end encryption.
Also, Read Here: Twitter may soon allow to send DM from timeline
WhatsApp announced the launch of a week-long #OnlineSafety campaign in partnership with Yuvaa on February 8, 2022. The campaign, #TakeCharge will commence on ‘Safer Internet Day on Feb 8 with a series of infotainment content on Yuvaa’s Instagram page to raise awareness about online safety, encouraging people to understand the various safety tools and resources that can be used to stay in control online.
Through the voice of a diverse set of creators, the campaign will touch upon various aspects of online safety and the best practices that people should follow to stay in control of their safety on the internet. Youth creators Taneesha Mirwani, Anchal Agarwal, Anmol Sachar and Shreya Kapoor will share important content about internet safety such as understanding – best online practices, digital payments, group controls, and others to educate users on managing their online presence and interactions better.
Talking about the latest #TakeCharge user-safety campaign Abhijit Bose, Head of India, WhatsApp, said, “WhatsApp is an industry leader among private end-to-end encrypted messaging services in promoting online security. Besides continuously innovating on the product side to build safety features, WhatsApp also deploys dedicated teams of data scientists, analysts, security experts as well as AI & ML to keep users safe online 24x7x365. Additionally, it has been our continuous endeavour to raise awareness and education about user safety. Our current Safer Internet week campaign is another such attempt to help users understand the importance of online safety and how they can #TakeCharge to navigate the internet safely.”
A survey on the dependence on internet usage in India show an increasing trend in a post-pandemic world. Not only usage, the concern about safety of data as well as steadily increasing cybercrimes of varied kinds – from banking frauds, OTP/ATM frauds, fake news to stalking or bullying women, and data theft are also increasing.
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) CRIME IN INDIA 2020; VOL II released in September 2021, India recorded 50,035 cases of cybercrime with a 11.8% increase over the previous year. The rate of cybercrimes (incidents per lakh population) also surged from 3.3 in 2019 to 3.7 in 2020.
The fourth edition of the OLX initiative, the OLX 2022 Safer Internet Day Study intends to foster awareness among online users, thereby helping make the internet a better and safer space for everyone.
The study revealed that over three-fourths of all respondents experienced at least one online fraud during the pandemic. Within this, financial frauds topped the list, with half (47%) of all respondents having faced it. Online shopping stands out as the top activity that makes respondents feel most vulnerable or unsafe on the Internet (36%), followed by use of social media (20%). In the age group of 50 and above, online content consumption is cited as potentially unsafe by 1 in 5 respondents (19%).
While instances of fraud have increased, users perceive that their own awareness towards online safety has also increased. During the continuing pandemic, over 3 in 5 respondents believe that their online safety awareness has gone up during the pandemic. Among those aged 50 and above, safety awareness has improved for 2 in 3 respondents. Similarly, maintaining password hygiene – changing passwords regularly and frequently, and having different passwords across different online services and platforms – is the most preferred choice among various safety measures across all respondents (43%).
Among other things, the survey attempted to gauge how parents are responding to the challenge of keeping their children safe as their online activities have increased in the wake of the pandemic. It found that a majority of parents rely on using child locks on apps, and monitoring the time spent by their children on digital devices (60% in total), to manage their online time. Women respondents overwhelmingly rely on monitoring time spent on devices (56%) by their children.
For a majority of respondents, internet usage has gone up by over 50% in the last one year, as the frequency of accessing services online has increased, as well as new activities have been added.
The survey also revealed that internet usage among the millennials (aged 35 and below), has increased marginally by 10% as compared to 18% among those aged above 35.
It also indicates that work requirement is the largest contributor (27%), followed by social media usage (21%) to increased internet usage, overall. Among those aged 50 and above, online shopping stands out as the single largest contributor (28%).
Further, nearly three-fourths of the respondents across all age groups agree that operating digitally is going to be the predominant way forward. Female respondents are more emphatic in this agreement compared to male respondents by a factor of two.
“Internet usage has seen a more than steep rise as people have been confined to their homes, and almost all activities or part thereof has moved online – education, shopping, banking, content consumption. This has led to a significant increase in screen time across age groups” said Amit Kumar, CEO, OLX Autos India. Adding further he said, “Safer Internet Day highlights the netizens’ online experience, their understanding and awareness of cyber security and safe online behaviour, and challenges that need to be addressed. Our intent through this annual study is to get a first-hand account of the netizens’ changing digital behaviour, and provide them with the right measures to safeguard their online presence.”
Also, Read Here: Truecaller targets 100 million device integrations by 2024
Xiaomi India has entered into a partnership with Shell India, with a focus to make its range of accessories more accessible to consumers. Kickstarting the partnership in Bangalore, the pilot is currently live at five Shell fuel stations where consumers will be able to purchase a select range of accessories 24X7.
Some of the products available at Shell fuel stations will include products like Mi Portable Electric Air Compressor, Mi Smart Band 5, Mi 2A Fast Charger with Cable, Mi Beard Trimmer 1C, Redmi Earbuds 2C, Redmi Power Bank 20,000mAh and many more.
With a vision of making technology and innovation more accessible to consumers across the country and tapping into an unexplored customer base, Xiaomi India is further strengthening its commitment to the consumer through its partnership with Shell by offering consumers the option of purchasing their favourite Xiaomi and Redmi accessories even when on the move.
Sunil Baby, Senior Director, Offline Sales, Xiaomi India, said, “Through our partnership with Shell, our aim is to increase the availability and accessibility of Xiaomi India’s range of accessories in the country for consumers. We are proud to pilot this initiative with hopes of becoming the perfect product partner for consumers and fans across the country. We are hopeful and confident that this partnership will be a disruptor in changing the dynamics of our accessory retail business in our rural markets along with bringing forth the ease of purchase for consumers with round the clock availability.”
Sanjay Varkey, Director, Shell Retail India, said, “We are delighted to partner with a brand like Xiaomi India which follows a similar philosophy like us at Shell of providing customers best in class products and product experience. With this partnership, we are excited to explore the world of electronics and look forward to creating a long lasting relationship with the brand.”
Xiaomi India has been the No. 1 smartphone brand for 16 consecutive quarters and currently has 75+ Mi Homes, 75+ Mi Studios, 9400+ Mi Preferred Partners, and 4000+ Large format Retail partners along with 3000+ Mi Stores. The brand also launched its first omni-channel solution last year during the pandemic – Mi Commerce as a special initiative with the intent to blur online and offline boundaries.
Also Read: Cyfirma introduces DeFNCE to protect users, mobile devices from cybercriminals
Cyfirma, an external threat landscape platform management company, today announced the launch of DeFNCE, a mobile app to help users acquire cyber safe habits such as knowing how to set a secure password, learn about emerging cyber threats like phishing campaigns and other social engineering lures. It also helps users to be aware of cybercriminals targeting apps they have installed.
According to App Annie Mobile App Landscape Report, there were 218 billion app downloads in 2020, time spent in finance apps was up 45% worldwide, and m-commerce experienced a massive growth. Similarly, social networking apps, video streaming apps, and gaming apps have all experienced a surge in recent times as the world’s population migrated to mobile and digital formats for work and play. In Cyfirma’s research, threat actors and cybercriminals are increasingly viewing mobile devices as attack surfaces to carry out not just scams but also cyber espionage. The company predicts in 2022, cybercriminals will mount attacks to take over mobile devices and demand ransom knowing that many will succumb to the extortion tactics.
DeFNCE redefines mobile security as the only app with the capability to provide a safe browsing experience by using advanced algorithms to discover the user’s digital risk profile and alert him or her to spying, phishing, ransomware, malware and other cyber threats. The app contains over a million data sources to bring to the user’s attention on emails and passwords which have been stolen or leaked into underground marketplaces, specific hacking campaigns planned by cybercriminals to compromise banking and other sensitive apps, and help the user ensure the device settings adhere to cyber safe security standards.
Also Read | MoonBounce: Why this new version of the Chinese malware a significant threat for your PC
“The mobile internet and mobile apps are not just a place to check your email or watch cat videos on YouTube anymore, it’s also a way to find news, connect with friends and family, and do business on the go. But it’s also a wild west full of unknown threats that can turn your digital footprint into a real-world crime scene. These threats can take many forms – from cybercriminals who are out to steal your identity, phishing campaigns to lure you into divulging confidential data, and even state-sponsored attacks trying to collect sensitive information,” said Kumar Ritesh, Founder and CEO, Cyfirma. “That’s why we created DeFNCE to be that mobile device bodyguard for the everyday mobile user. DeFNCE is the first layer of protection for anyone who owns a smartphone and wants to keep away from the prying eyes of cybercriminals.”
DeFNCE contains the following functions to protect the mobile device user’s data and digital identity:
DeFNCE features:
Risk Score – A rating of Critical, High, Medium & Low is provided for each user with recommended actions to immediately strengthen security posture.
Explore – User can build his or her personal cyber situational awareness and learn the latest happenings related to cybersecurity.
Data leaks – Be alerted to emails and credentials that have been leaked and circulating in dark web marketplaces.
Mobile Cyber hygiene – Check that WIFI, Bluetooth, permission settings, mobile device OS version, and others, are properly configured.
App health – Watch for phishing attacks where criminals are masquerading the apps and seeking to profit from the user.
In the last 12 months, Cyfirma has seen nearly a 10-fold increase in cyberattacks targeting mobile phones users. The company has observed fake apps being created by hacking groups to collect sensitive data, steal behaviour data, profile customer interest and other malicious activities. Phishing campaigns which mimic legitimate apps have also become prevalent. Hackers are also exploiting connection layers to install surveillance apps.
Mobile devices will continue to attract more attention in 2022 by both cybercriminals and nation-states threat actors. They can be perfect spying tools attached to a treasure chest of valuable data. Unlike desktop platforms, the mobile app lacks mature and robust security checks to prevent and detect phishing, command & control traffic, credential theft, etc. Voice call (vishing) spamming, and scams are on a rise, all messaging apps are riddled with phishing and spam aimed at stealing credentials or lure users into installing malicious or fake apps. Even mobile device management platforms can be targeted in supply chain attacks to get a foothold into an organization’s networks.
Attacks on mobile-based devices and operating systems like Android and iOS will increase in 2022 as cybercriminals look to implant look-alike or malicious applications, exploit legitimate software. Do not overlook and neglect mobile security, enforce strict security policies, limit numbers of apps installed on any device and minimize surface used for social engineering.
The mobile phone has become an absolute necessity, directing every aspect of our lives. In 2022, cybercriminals will mount attacks to take over mobile devices and demand ransom knowing that many will succumb to the extortion tactics.
The app is free and now available in both Google Play Store and iOS App Store. Cyfirma is targeting 1M downloads in India.
Also Read: Samsung Unpacked 2022 comes to metaverse this year: Details inside
Samsung holds its Unpacked event every year to unveil the latest and best of its product lines. This year’s event will be unique as it will be accessible in both virtual reality and actual reality. The South Korean smartphone manufacturer announced the metaverse launch. Samsung said that viewers will need to go to “Samsung 837X” to watch the event in the metaverse.
Samsung 837X a recreation of Samsung’s flagship New York City store location, recreated within virtual reality platform Decentraland. Here, viewers will be able to watch the Unpacked event in 2D and explore the flagship New York City experience center, collect NFTs and go on quests.
The company said that people will need to connect their MetaMask wallet and share credentials to receive the full experience. Users who log in as guests, according to Samsung, will not get the “full experience.” Samsung hasn’t yet revealed what kind of experience it will offer to its fans in the metaverse.
The Metaverse is the digital thing of the moment, despite the fact that few people comprehend, use, or live in it. Building a digital brick structure in this little kitschy area is a wink and a nod to the crypto camp, indicating that Samsung is aware of the blockchain and that whatever it announces on its event – smartphones, tablets, and other devices – will be part of the crypto wave.
According to Samsung Newsroom, the Samsung Unpacked 2022 event will take place on February 10 at 10:00 a.m. EST, which is around 8:30 p.m. Indian Standard Time (IST).
Apart from the Metaverse, the Samsung Unpacked 2022 event will also be broadcast live on the company’s official website, YouTube channel, and social media accounts. Reddit, Twitch, Amazon Live, and TikTok are some of the various platforms where you may watch the Unpacked event.
The South Korean smartphone manufacturer is likely to unveil three top S series models at its first Unpacked event of the year: the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22 Plus, and Galaxy S22 Ultra. Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 and Tab S8 Ultra are scheduled to be announced during the Unpacked event in 2022.
All three Galaxy S series devices are expected to hit the Indian market soon after their global debut, replacing the Samsung Galaxy S21 series that launched last year.
Also Read: Truecaller teams up with leading phone makers to preload app in key markets: Details inside
To make it easier to reply directly to a tweet’s author from the timeline, Twitter is testing a direct message (DM) icon on tweets. Twitter has decided to make it simpler to reply directly to a tweet’s author via DM. Users can limit who can DM them. Setting, plus quality filters, applies to all DMs. “We learned a lot about the types of replies you don’t find relevant and we’re expanding this test –– more of you on web and soon iOS and Android will have the option to use reply downvoting (sic),” tweets, Twitter Support.
Also, Read Here: Samsung announces new updates for Galaxy Watch4 Series, details inside
Sweden-headquartered Truecaller has teamed up with leading global Android smartphone makers to preload the Truecaller app on smartphones in key markets such as India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Latin America. Truecaller is platform agnostic and aims to work with as many smartphone makers as possible in the future.
“Truecaller remains one of the most downloaded apps in several large countries. However, not every smartphone user is tech-savvy enough to download an app. Anecdotally, we often hear how first-time smartphone users in emerging markets take the help of shopkeepers or friends and family to download Truecaller,” said Alan Mamedi, CEO and Co-founder of Truecaller.
“This move is in line with our global ambitions to make it available for everyone, but also aims to make Truecaller easier to use for millions of new users,” he added.
“With the latest version of Truecaller pre-installed on several Asian world leading smartphone makers, consumers can be up and running with Truecaller within seconds of setting up their new phone. Although these pre-installs do not automatically generate a new active user on Truecaller, it is an important step to allow more consumers to discover and benefit from the features of Truecaller,” Mamedi noted.
“Today, we have more than 220 million active users in India, a country with more than 450 million smartphone users. This number is expected to grow to over 700 million smartphone users in the coming three years. During the last two years, our market penetration has grown from 35 per cent to almost 50 per cent and we see a great potential with these kinds of partnerships to scale this even faster,” he highlighted.
The leading global platform for verifying contacts and blocking unwanted communications plans to cover over 100 million new smartphones in several markets over the next two years.
While Truecaller will be pre-installed on the smartphone from the factory, consumers are free to exercise their choice of using the app, with no guarantee of a new active user from start, it said.
Also Read: Truecaller targets 100 million device integrations by 2024
And it’s a match! Bumble is all set to hook up with the popular French dating app Fruitz in its first-ever acquisition. Fruitz is famous among Gen Z users, and structured in a way where users can specify the type of relationship they are looking for. For each preference, they can use different fruits like cherry, peach, watermelon, and grapes to make the other person aware of their intentions. Makes more sense, right? Now no more time-wasting and fear of getting judged.
India’s favourite Korean tech brand Samsung has announced exciting offers on Galaxy Watch 4 for this Valentine’s week. Users can grab the exciting offers at amazing price deals and get irresistible benefits on the purchase of the Galaxy Watch4.
Galaxy Watch4 is an ultimate smartwatch that comes with groundbreaking health and wellness features to track body composition, sleep pattern, blood oxygen level among others. Galaxy Watch4 is the first generation of smartwatches to feature Wear OS, powered by Samsung.
Starting February 8 2022, customers purchasing Galaxy Watch4 can avail of benefits up to INR 9249, where they can get a hybrid leather band worth INR 3999 and an extreme sports band worth INR 3249 at just INR 999. Not only the gifts, but this offer also includes cashback benefits worth INR 3000 on leading bank debit and credit cards. Furthermore, customers can make this ultimate fashionable choice at just INR 1999 by availing of 12 months, no-cost EMI.
Great, isn’t it? All the offers are applicable with immediate effect and are valid till February 28, 2022. Customers can directly visit Samsung.com/in or any Exclusive Samsung Stores and retail stores.
My Mobile has always believed in well researched, in-depth, truthful and relevant content which has evolved with time and produced by the very best of well informed journalists. It has always been our endeavour to provide tremendous value to both readers and advertisers with our relevance and reach.
Copyright © 2023 All Right Reserved, My Mobile India