SA’s best collection of gadgets and accessories!

NOW OPEN!

VISIT mondoshop.co.za

No, 5G Cannot Give You Covid-19!

Moe from Mondo / 04-11-2020 / Tech news Fibre

When COVID-19 unexpectedly hit, the world came to a grinding halt and billions of people were gripped by fear and uncertainty. From this came a truly mind-boggling conspiracy theory that tried to link the emergence and spread of the coronavirus to 5G towers and the “frequencies” at which this technology operates. So, how did this conspiracy theory really get started?

It all started on January 22 when a Belgian newspaper, Het Laatste Nieuws, published a sensational interview with General Practitioner, Kris Van Kerckhoven. The article was littered with Kerckhoven’s claims that 5G was dangerous and may be linked to the dreaded COVID-19. The article’s striking headline, “5G is life-threatening, and no one knows it,’ inevitably drew global attention. But it was the insinuation that 5G cell towers may have caused the infections in the city of Wuhan that set the wheels in motion for a new conspiracy theory to emerge.

Thanks to social media, the message quickly spread, and many people began believing that the global rollout of 5G was causing or accelerating the spread of COVID-19. Those on the bandwagon included many influential voices, from talk show hosts and vloggers to celebrities and anti-5G campaigners. In April, events took a dark turn when more than seventy 5G masts were set on fire in the UK in an attempt to eliminate the so-called virus causing technology.

The madness needed a rational voice, and this is when the expertise of scientists was summoned to explain why 5G could not possibly cause or accelerate the spread of COVID-19.

Myths and science collide

There are various myths that support the conspiracy. The first states that frequencies transmitted by 5G allows the virus to penetrate human skin and infect the host. This is impossible because frequencies transmitted by 5G, or any other network technology for that matter, is within a range known as non-ionising electromagnetic radiation. This range does not have enough energy to penetrate human tissue, making infection impossible. But, even if the frequencies were above this range, infection will still not occur as the virus cannot hijack radio signals since they exist in different forms that do not interact. In other words, the virus is biological while 5G is electromagnetic.

Even more outrageous is the belief that viruses use electromagnetic signals to communicate with each other and choose new hosts, resulting in the faster spread of the virus. But as mentioned, since their forms do not allow them to interact, this belief belongs in imagination land.

What 5G really is

Now that it’s proven that the network is not a sophisticated biological weapon, people can start appreciating the technology without fear.

5G is the 5th generation mobile network and is the new universal wireless standard after 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G networks. The technology enables it to deliver faster peak data speeds, close to non-existent latency, and a massive network capacity. A new chapter of connectivity will also be introduced as 5G is able to connect virtually with everything and everyone including devices, machines, and objects. This opens up the possibilities for new industries, smarter cities, and a world more integrated than ever before.

Although 5G had a tough introduction to the world, it is now part of our lives and here to make it better. In South Africa, various major operators have launched the new network and it is gradually gaining traction around the country.

TECH NEWS

previous
How to Shop Online Safely!

With social distancing regulating our movements in public spaces, most South Africans have flocked online for social hangouts, entertainment, business, and most of all, to shop for everything from groceries, clothing and medication to internet and phone deals. The online shopping revolution has clearly arrived in South Africa, and we want to help you make sure that you protect your data and don't become a victim of fraud while surfing for the best deals. Look for the Lock Ideally, you want to shop on websites that are secure and keep your data safe. Take a look at the top of the screen near the website address for a small image of a lock or a broken key. This is a sign that the website is safe. In addition to this, when you’re about to enter personal information such as your credit card details, look at the address bar and make sure there is an ‘s’ after the HTTP:// which means you should see: HTTPS://. This means your data can’t be copied from this website. Only Shop Using Secure Connections and Locations While several public places offer Wi-Fi, you shouldn’t use this to conduct online shopping or banking for that matter. There’s a higher chance that someone could steal your information when you’re using the unsecured Wi-Fi at your local coffee shop or mall. Always shop in the safety of your home or at work, provided the connection is secure. Avoid Strange Emails and Links Fraudsters are indeed extremely talented. They create emails and links that can mimic your favourite online store and appear legitimate. While providers do send emails occasionally, they don’t offer deals that are unbelievable. If you’re in doubt, rather type the website address manually if you’re interested. Additionally, don’t send out emails with your personal information to strangers or random businesses. Enter Strong Passwords Try to avoid passwords that are easy to guess. A hacker can crack a six-digit password in less than 10 minutes. Ensure that your password is 8 characters long at a minimum and contains a combination of capital letters, numbers and special symbols such as the $ sign. Contact Details Once you’re on an online shopping website, check if they have a local address and contact numbers. If not, avoid the site and do not share any personal details. Save Your Favourites When you find these sites and have a pleasant experience, you should bookmark them as a favourite. All you have to do is enter the website and look for a star or a button called ‘bookmark this page’. As a result, the website will be saved as one of your favourites so you can directly click on the favourites button every time you want to shop. Two-Step Authentication When you’re using your credit and debit cards for online purchases, providers such as VISA and Mastercard offer security measures like Verified and SecureCode to protect you. Usually, it involves receiving a One-Time Password (OTP) directly to your mobile phone specifically for that purchase. As a result, your bank account is protected. Use Third-Party Review Sites If you’re not sure about an online store, the easiest way to determine whether it’s safe is to visit independent review sites. Several third-party business review sites such as Hello Peter will return all the information about a store’s past complaints, compliments and customer service. You can visit these sites directly or just Google the store’s name along with the term “reviews” to see the results. Conclusion Overall, online shopping is a handy and convenient tool which is extremely convenient when used correctly, especially in recent months. It is certainly the future of the way we shop, so make sure you’re doing it safely. Happy Shopping!

Read More...

Mondo Shop: Largest Range of Tech Accessories in SA!

In an effort to bring you even more value, choice and convenience, we are proud to announce the launch of Mondo Shop, a new online superstore that offers the largest range of phone cases, tech accessories, gadgets, electronics and collectibles in South Africa. Mondo Shop offers the best prices on a huge range of items from trusted brands such as Speck, Funko Pop, Body Glove, Snug, UAG, UBTech, Guess, Quadrone, Plantronics and more. Customers can shop online, check out safely with our secure payment gateways and get their orders delivered to their doors in just a few days. “Mondo has provided mobile contracts to over 500 000 customers since 2013. Over this time, we have developed a fully integrated digital presence that provides our customers with the largest variety of mobile and data deals from South Africa's leading networks”, says Tara-Paige du Toit, Executive Manager of parent company Mondo Connect. “Looking to cater to more of our consumers’ needs, we felt the natural next step in our evolution would be to expand into mobile accessories and gadgets. Mondo Shop is a comparison and e-commerce platform that provides consumers with a wide variety of mobile accessories and collectables with a core focus on exceptional customer service.” With Mondo Shop, SA consumers can find the biggest selection of cases and accessories for phones and tablets across all popular brands like Apple, Samsung and Huawei, as well as a range of tech and electronic gadgets to enhance their entertainment and productivity. Visit Mondo Shop now to see our latest deals.

Read More...

No, 5G Cannot Give You Covid-19!

When COVID-19 unexpectedly hit, the world came to a grinding halt and billions of people were gripped by fear and uncertainty. From this came a truly mind-boggling conspiracy theory that tried to link the emergence and spread of the coronavirus to 5G towers and the “frequencies” at which this technology operates. So, how did this conspiracy theory really get started? It all started on January 22 when a Belgian newspaper, Het Laatste Nieuws, published a sensational interview with General Practitioner, Kris Van Kerckhoven. The article was littered with Kerckhoven’s claims that 5G was dangerous and may be linked to the dreaded COVID-19. The article’s striking headline, “5G is life-threatening, and no one knows it,’ inevitably drew global attention. But it was the insinuation that 5G cell towers may have caused the infections in the city of Wuhan that set the wheels in motion for a new conspiracy theory to emerge. Thanks to social media, the message quickly spread, and many people began believing that the global rollout of 5G was causing or accelerating the spread of COVID-19. Those on the bandwagon included many influential voices, from talk show hosts and vloggers to celebrities and anti-5G campaigners. In April, events took a dark turn when more than seventy 5G masts were set on fire in the UK in an attempt to eliminate the so-called virus causing technology. The madness needed a rational voice, and this is when the expertise of scientists was summoned to explain why 5G could not possibly cause or accelerate the spread of COVID-19. Myths and science collide There are various myths that support the conspiracy. The first states that frequencies transmitted by 5G allows the virus to penetrate human skin and infect the host. This is impossible because frequencies transmitted by 5G, or any other network technology for that matter, is within a range known as non-ionising electromagnetic radiation. This range does not have enough energy to penetrate human tissue, making infection impossible. But, even if the frequencies were above this range, infection will still not occur as the virus cannot hijack radio signals since they exist in different forms that do not interact. In other words, the virus is biological while 5G is electromagnetic. Even more outrageous is the belief that viruses use electromagnetic signals to communicate with each other and choose new hosts, resulting in the faster spread of the virus. But as mentioned, since their forms do not allow them to interact, this belief belongs in imagination land. What 5G really is Now that it’s proven that the network is not a sophisticated biological weapon, people can start appreciating the technology without fear. 5G is the 5th generation mobile network and is the new universal wireless standard after 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G networks. The technology enables it to deliver faster peak data speeds, close to non-existent latency, and a massive network capacity. A new chapter of connectivity will also be introduced as 5G is able to connect virtually with everything and everyone including devices, machines, and objects. This opens up the possibilities for new industries, smarter cities, and a world more integrated than ever before. Although 5G had a tough introduction to the world, it is now part of our lives and here to make it better. In South Africa, various major operators have launched the new network and it is gradually gaining traction around the country.

Read More...

next