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Is Your Phone Overheating? Mobile Spyware Could Be to Blame!

Staff Writer / 10-02-2020 / Apps

Ever held a smartphone after short use or a charge to find it extremely hot? This seems to be a problem experienced by more and more people these days, especially as phones become more advanced. This could just be a factory fault If you experience this problem when your phone is brand new, but if your phone starts overheating after a few weeks or months of usage, there could be a few other not-so-obvious reasons, including mobile spyware and cryptocurrency mining!

Apps & Spyware

Apps, especially those that run in the background, drain battery life and cause devices to overheat. When installing apps, users often tend to grant all “permissions” requested by the app instead of reading them carefully. By doing this, you open the door for mobile spyware to infiltrate your smartphone, leaving it vulnerable not just to overheating but also to theft of sensitive private data. For example, a simple calculator app from the Google Play Store could request permissions to access your microphone or contacts. Other permissions requested by apps can even be hidden by the app developer, such as access to system files that can then become infected by mobile spyware and malware.

Mining Cryptocurrencies

In more serious cases, hackers can now use an infected smartphone to act as a rig to mine cryptocurrencies. Early last year, software company Opera added anti-cryptocurrency mining features to their mobile browsers since finding that hackers can mine cryptocurrency using a network of smartphones to form a cryptocurrency rig, unbeknownst to the owner of the smartphone. Opera said that the mining of cryptocurrency is estimated to be affecting more than a billion people worldwide, causing their devices to overheat, lose efficiency and drain batteries. Internet security experts caution smartphone users to thoroughly scrutinise the apps they download and be vigilant when visiting websites. It’s also a good idea to download antivirus software from trusted software developers such as Kaspersky Labs, Avast and McAfee.

TECH NEWS

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Review: The Samsung A32 4G is here!

Samsung’s newest offering launched last month. Rest assured, the A32 has some impressive tricks up its sleeve - on a budget! Under the Hood The first in the A series range to boast the 90Hz Super AMOLED display, the A32 provides a crisp, clean viewing experience with high refresh rate. The device memory is the same as other mid-range smartphones on the market - 64GB with 4GB RAM or 128GB with 4GB - 8GB RAM. The device comes equipped with the latest software (Android 11) right out the box which is a pleasant and welcome surprise. Screen and Body There is no compromise on screen size when compared to its predecessor, the A31. Gamers will be impressed by the smooth operation the A32 has on offer. The brightness of the A32’s display and the safety net of the Eye Comfort Shield (which makes the brightness manageable for your eyes) is another point in this device’s favour. This smartphone is slickly designed. The camera is embedded within the casing – rather than situated on an island as we've become accustomed to – adding to the A32's sleek look. Released in four colours in some countries, South African's are limited to two versions – Awesome Black and Awesome Blue. Although this isn't much of a pain point because Awesome Blue is bright and funky enough to hold its own. Camera Quad cameras are the standard we’ve come to expect when with smartphones and the A32 doesn’t disappoint. The primary lens is an impressive 64 MP camera equipped to capture every moment in striking colour. Extra camera capabilities include an 8 MP Ultra-Wide, a 5 MP Macro and a 5 MP Depth Sensor with autofocus to make your subjects truly stand out. Selfie fans won’t be disappointed either, not with the 20 MP selfie camera that puts the focus on what really matters – you! Battery For all its awesome specs, it’s the A32's battery that really let’s this device shine. Capable of going nearly two days without a charge, supported by 15W quick-charge, this is a fantastic option for those who are constantly on the go. Verdict This is an outstanding budget smartphone. Coupled with the phone’s battery life and excellent display, it’s sure to be a firm favourite in 2021.

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Bits and Bytes – April 2021 Edition

LG exits the smartphone game Since the 2000s, South Korean multinational electronics giant LG has been churning out innovative smartphones. Sadly, their pioneering spirit wasn’t enough to match up against the industry front-runners, leading to LG closing up their smartphone shop. But what does this mean for LG smartphone users? LG has committed to providing Android 11 updates to 13 smartphones for a period of 3 years. These include the LG Wing, the LG Velvet, the LG Velvet LTE, the LG V50S, the LG V50, the LG G8, the LG Q31, the LG Q51, the LG Q52, the LG Q61, the LG Q70, the LG Q92, and the LG Q9. But for now, it’s a case of farewell – we’ll hopefully see the brand put their skills to use again in the near future. Coming Soon: The Next iPad Pro As we get closer to the launch of the iPad Pro, whispers about Apple’s latest offering have been making the rounds. Rumours suggest the iPad Pro promises to deliver better all-round performance – from an outstanding display and improved cameras to the inclusion of Final Cut Pro and compatibility with more accessories aimed revolutionising video content creation! Your next Playstation could be your smartphone! Earlier this month, Playstation listed a job opening that lit up the gaming world – Head of Mobile, PlayStation Studios. The ad states that the company is looking to expand their game development “from consoles and PCs to mobile & Live Services with a focus on successfully adapting PlayStation’s most popular franchises for mobile…” This news bodes well for gamers worldwide as this offers more ways to get your game on and proves that not even Playstation is immune to the power of the smartphone! Microsoft to get a slice of Apple? Microsoft is on course to purchase Nuance Communications – the company that laid the groundwork for the creation of Apple’s voice activated virtual assistant, Siri. The $20 billion deal could help change the face of the health sector, allowing doctors to capture patient discussions and add these to the patient’s file. This would be one of Microsoft’s biggest acquisitions, second only to its $26.2 billion purchase of LinkedIn five years ago. High-tech toilets – a big deal down under Japanese-style toilets have become all the rage in Australia recently. Fuelled by an increased need for hygienic practices due the COVID-19 pandemic, the Toto toilet has taken over domestic homes down under. Originally a 5-star hotel purchase, these smart-toilets with heated seats, bidet and an air purifying function – with some versions even boasting remote or auto flushing – have become common place in homes across the country! Who knows, SA may be next to catch on!

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The Top 6 South African Apps You Need to Download Today!

We all need a little help staying on track sometimes, especially when our days are filled with work, family and loads of other responsibilities. In a world where there’s an app for almost everything, why not use your smartphone to stay organised? Here are the top 6 South African apps that will help you save time and make the best out of your day: South African Food Recipes App From now on, you can have a ready answer to the inevitable “What’s for dinner?” question. Not only does the South African Food Recipes app boast a library of hundreds of local recipes, it also supplies substitute ingredients so you can shop for your meals based on what’s in season. It’s a cultural culinary experience, all from the comfort of your own kitchen! Download it here. MobeeWash Getting the car washed is usually at the bottom of our to-do lists, but what if you could bring the carwash to you? MobeeWash is a car washing app that connects you to a network of dependable mobile car washers who will bring the tools of their trade to you. While you’re busy getting the important stuff done, your car can get the long-awaited cleaning it deserves. The app is cashless, keeps you updated during the process and allows you to choose from three wash types to suit your budget. Download it here. Quench The Quench app brings alcohol deliveries to your door within 60 minutes. Much like an online food ordering and delivery service, Quench allows you to shop online for the alcoholic beverage of your choice and have it delivered to your location. The app also offers deliveries from Woolworths and Dischem stores. Download it here. MediPrice App If you’re looking for more affordable medication options, this is the app you need. Created by Cape Town software developer, Michael Lukusa, the MediPrice app is free to use and free of ads. MediPrice gives you all the necessary information such as medicine ingredients, retail pricing, dispensing fees and pharmacy locations, so you can make an informed decision about how and where to purchase your medication. Download it here. Namola Designed to assist you and your family in an emergency, the Namola app allows you to press a button on your phone for assistance from the largest network of medical responders in South Africa. It also offers national coverage and a paid feature to get armed response if you need it. Download it here. COVID Alert South Africa COVID Alert is a free notification app that helps you track your exposure to COVID-19 through contact tracing. The app does not require any personal information and updates through Bluetooth. The app provides detailed instructions on how to proceed if you have come in close contact with someone who has tested positive or if you have received a positive result. Download it here.

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