5 ways to increase security and privacy of your iPhone, iPad and Mac

Apple products are known for not just their simple yet awe inspiring designs but also the hardware mechanism that makes them such useful devices. The Apple product owners have from little to no reasons to complain and have been fully satisfied as far as the product performance is concerned. However, with the number of users increasing exponentially, it is only a matter of time when someone will be able to hack into the Fort Knox of devices. This is the reason why you as an end user should pay greater attention to the security of your iPhone, iPad and Mac.

Even though Apple makes its products more and more convenient with each upgrade, it is the responsibility of the end user to ensure its complete safety and maintain its privacy. Depending upon the sensitivity of the data on your device, you can toggle the settings on your phone and monitor the security arrangements. The idea is not make the phone so impenetrable that even the user gets nightmares while trying to get inside their device. However, the security and privacy tips will only make sure that breaking into your phone or device is extremely unattractive to the thieves or pranksters who can be dissuaded from their antics by just looking at the layered security.

Use a reasonably strong Pass Code 

The latest iPhone 5S has a biometric system which is unbeatable when it comes to identifying its true owner. However, for any other devices, the owners can use reasonably tough pass codes to unlock their phones. They should be hard to guess but not something you can’t easily memorize. iPhone 5S users can also use stronger pass codes rather than using the biometric unlocking system for added security.

Turn off Personal Notifications on the locked screen

While it is very simple to quickly gaze at notifications on the home screen, it can also be very unsafe if your phone is in the hands of anyone other than you. Your pass code lock will defeat the whole purpose if people can read your personal notifications even when the phone or the device is locked. It is better to turn off the notifications on your home screen when the screen is locked so that no one but you can read your private messages.

Go for 2-tiered security layer

This might seem a little over the top to add to layers of security on your Apple device. However, considering the sensitivity of the data we have on our phones these days, it seems like a very small level of security. All it takes is add another layer of password on the apps to get the added security. You can make your device twice as strong by just introducing another level of pass code.

Keep your web browsing private

If you do not wish your web browsing history to be tracked or recorded, you can use the private browsing feature of safari. You can also enable the private browsing from the bookmarks, tabs etc which makes it easier and more convenient. Also, if you are on the network that you do not trust and are using the browsing for personal and sensitive information then you can also gain access to the VPN service that will keep your data private. Needless to mention that with all the browsing that happens on internet enabled devices, you must also secure your devices with a reliable piece of antivirus software like Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac that will deter any hacker from trying to hack into your device.

Delete the Web History Data

If you have not used private browsing by Safari and now want to remove the data from your device, you also have the option of wiping your device clean and start afresh.

The Resolution of the New iPhone 6 Calls for an Assured Askance

The count of people holding their breath for the iPhone 6 is really high and ever increasing. Experts have brought up their words regarding the phone’s resolution and apple stands on a raised scale with the eye boggling specifications on the iPhone 6. A the words are out form the Apple headquarters in California, the new mobile will come out in two size- a 4.7” model and another with quite a big screen at 5.5”. The most common question placed on the table is regarding its resolution. People are curious about the count of pixels that screen will have inside its boundary.

Apple has always shocked us with the new margins they set when it comes to the screen resolution of iPhone. They have been setting benchmarks with their exceptional resolution standards and one they started with the retina display they became hard to compete. This calls for a thorough analysis on the screen resolution of Apple’s upcoming tech masterpiece.

The different sizes come with different resolutions

The 4.7” display comes with an awesome screen resolution of 1334x750 that makes a pixel density of 326 PPI or Pixel Per Inch. This one has got a 2nd level retina display. The larger model with a stretched screen has nothing to upset but a lot to impress. Its pixel density is a league ahead of its predecessor and no doubt from its other competitors. It has got a screen resolution of 2208x1242 and with a pixel density as high as 461 PPI, it will be a complete new experience.
A thorough analysis on the iPhone’s resolution has an assured positive outcome

Though all these information are far less certain, you can eat on it when you know it is Apple you are talking about. While the analysis is on progress the key ingredients for its screen size and the number of pixel that is made to fit on the screen. They will be your basis of the resolution analysis. Apple has always caught eyes with the values they set on the specs table beside the Pixel per Inch criteria.
It is going to be a common mind play for all iPhone admirers to judge its new increase in size and that is how Apple answers with an outstanding resolution for the iPhone 6L, which is the 5.5” model. If you go by the verdict of the analyst, the company was testing both the sizes of the new iPhone 6 on the same resolution scale of 1704x960 pixels. This is supposed to be the new standard for the iPhone 6’s screen resolution.

A proper hardware and software synchronisation is what should be thought about

However,any interested buyer will consider the display factors and resolution to be one of the prime factors for buying this super-phone, what matters more is the software developer’s outlook on this matter. It is more important to consider the analysis of app developers and website designers on the resolution as their software also bears the responsibility to justice to the high levels of hardware specs.

Coin – Connected Device for Credit/Debit/Membership/Loyalty Cards

Coin is a connected device which has the capabilities to hold and behave like the card such as the debit, credit, gift, loyalty and membership cards and instead of carrying several cards, users can now carry one Coin. The manufacturers of Coin, which is a Bluetooth enable connected card have designed it, to help users to store magnetic stripe information for various credit as well as debit cards on one device, have recently announced the delay of its launch till next year, though they would start sending out 10,000 beta units to pre-order customers very soon.

The Coin card which is a credit card sized black plastic rectangle with an LCD screen, is priced at $100. It comprises of a programmable magnetic stripe which can be swiped through any standard card reader at a retail store etc.: and up to eight cards with magnetic stripe could be saved on the Coin card on-board memory and then by pressing small button switches between cards, it displays the currently opted card, an embedded e-ink screen, thus enabling users with less cards to carry in their purses or wallets.

Attached to an Android/iOS

Users could set up their Coin cards by swiping all their valid cards in a free Coin supplied card reader which can be attached to an Android or iOS smartphone, with a photo of each card for verification purpose and then loaded into the Coin card through a Bluetooth Low Energy – BLE, wireless connection. Individual Coin card could be paired to the Android or iOS device, resulting that if the Coin card is beyond the Bluetooth Low Energy range, which is around 150 feet, it would stop functioning.

The Coin’s screen can display the credit or debit card brand, namely American Express, MasterCard, Discover or Visaas applicable, its last 4 digits of the card number together with its date of expiry. The Coin could also be set up as a stand-alone device to enable it to work without a nearby smartphone though with less security.Around 1,000 customers have already been issued pre-production Coin units, and in lieu of the full launch, the company would be expanding it to another 10,000 and backers should be receiving emails enabling them to claim their beta device very soon.

Coin’s Announcement – Applause/Scepticism 

Coin’s announcement drew a lot of applause as well as scepticism with the possibilities of increased convenience being apparent though some pointed out the probable security implications which included the chances of financial harm that thieves could do to people swiping a single Coin instead of being forced to try for a loaded wallet.

Others criticized Coin for its lack of support for emerging chip and signature standard which had started developing with U.S card issuers. Kanishk Parashar, Coin CEO had stated that the company is yet to start the possibility of the addition of a chip and is focussed on launching its first version. He also informed CNET, that once they were through with the first shipment of Coins, they would be in a better position with enough resources to perform an R & D project.

Henry Peter Badenhop Granted Patent for Mobile Billboard Messaging App

An updated invention has the potential of providing free standing application for mobile device which has the capabilities of linking the user to remote internet based database, providing advertisement as per the choice of the user and Henry Peter Badenshop has been granted this Patent. These may include types of products or services needed together with the distance of the advertising location from the user’s mobile GPS location or when the GPS is inactive, the distance can be determined by cellular/mobile device location through cell towers.

Mobile billboard messaging icons tend to display messages which are connected with the user’s choice from advertiser on the user’s devices display like the tablet or the Smartphone which is connected to the internet, location technology as well as logic means in determining when the device of the user is in a prescribed vicinity of the advertiser’s location. Coordination location of the device helps in identifying the advertiser’s location and correlate with user’s preferences within a preselected distance and if this correlation is available, a minimum of one message is displayed from the advertiser on the tablet device or a smartphone.

Message Transmitted based on Given Radii

The message is transmitted when the user’s device is within the given radii from the advertiser and when transmitted, the messaging icons provide real time promotion, together with deals and coupons appropriate for the purchase of goods and services of the advertisers or the sponsors according to the user’s options.

Moreover, the target messages that are displayed by the mobile billboard are based both on the user’s geographical real time location as well as the user’s specific choice. Revenue from advertising has now become a possible driving business force in present day business market with electronic devices being increasingly adopted in the advertising forum, which include advertising on mobile devices and computer namely the tablets and Smartphones.

Majority of the advertisement platforms and models make use of such devices providing advertisements with web page links, email links as well as mobile applications together with games or through spam emails. Other platforms of advertisements tend to use tracking algorithms or phishing means to track consumer’s web site searches and invade them with an attempt to provide advertising aimed towards the consumers.

Mobile Billboard Messaging – GPS Enabled Device

The mobile billboard messaging icon system works with GPS enabled device, a display screen with internet connection, which displays a number of applications. Further on the icon system is created with a mobile billboard messaging icon which is associated with software that has the entry of user and his preferences together with the advertiser or sponsor data.

The messaging icon of mobile billboard gets displayed via the internet connection which displays one message according to the user’s choice which is generated from one advertiser or sponsor. The mobile billboard messaging icon on the other hand functions and enables an internet connection between the mobile device and its message icon software.

The GPS location of the device is equipped with relevant given radial distance from at least one location with one of the advertisers who displays the message. Whenever the GPS is in standby mode or inactive, the location is provided depending on the position of the cellular tower and the location is determined based on the relevant given radial distance from one location associated with the advertiser who displays the message.

Apple to Ban Benzene/N-hexane in iPhone/iPad

According to the Associated Press reports, Chinese and American labour groups petitioned Apple to investigate the use of potentially hazardous materials used in its iPhone and iPad assembly process and the company stated that it will make changes banned in the use of at least two of the chemicals, namely benzene and n-hexane which are connected to nerve damage and leukaemia.

Apple on their part, after conducting a four month study were determined that there was no evidence to indicate that these chemicals could be a problem to workers assembling its devices in twenty two factories but all the same would take necessary steps to avoid the problem in future and both the chemicals have been banned from the assembly line.

Toxins like n-hexane is widely used by several manufacturers to clean smudges from screens before packing them in boxes which dries faster than other safer solvents and hence enables the staff to work quickly with less waiting time. This may cause nerve damage and in some severe cases also paralysis. Apple checked that from its twenty two factories, only four of which used it for minor functions which would now be stopped completely to ensure the safety of its workers.

Common Carcinogen Benzene

Besides the two chemicals, another substance, the common carcinogen benzene is used for the coating of certain electronic components. The environmental group, Green America, had earlier this year warned that the exposure to toxic chemicals which were used in the manufacturing process of certain parts in the making of Apple products could lead to nerve damage, cancer as well as reproductive health issues.

Moreover, it was also claimed that staff were not given proper adequate training regarding its use, access to the correct protective equipment. Thereafter, Apple had undertaken to investigate the use of the chemicals at the factories where the final manufacturing of the devices is carried out and did not come across any workers who could be at risk though it was discovered that both the chemicals were being used at the four plants in products which did not list them among their ingredients. In some of the factories they were able to work with managers in opting to safer alternative products with Apple prohibiting the use of benzene and n-hexane as cleaning agents and degreasers in its final assembly process from September.

Chemicals to be used within its Safety Standards 

Benzene is said can be used if found in fewer than 0.1ppm in `breathing zones’ while n-hexane could be used to a concentration of 28ppm, both limits of which represent a tightening of safety standards. Apple, unlike other major electronics makers applies American health and safety standards in its factories outside the USA and is said that it will continue with its policies down the supply chain in future to minimise harmful toxins.

Campaigns director at Green America, Elizabeth O’Connell stated that the announcement together with the preceding investigation portrayed that Apple listens to customers though it needs to go further to create a safe environment at all factories in their chain of supply for the health and safety of all its workers.

 The group also mentioned that they would continue to call Apple to identify and disclose all chemicals that would be used in all their supplier factories and chemicals which seem to be hazardous to health should be replaced with safer alternatives in all their factories.