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technology Archives - Invest Smart https://invest-smart.org/tag/technology-2/ Asset Protection and Investment News Thu, 18 Jun 2015 14:42:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.4 Top Security Factors for Mobile App Development https://invest-smart.org/top-security-factors-for-mobile-app-development/ Wed, 10 Jun 2015 17:31:50 +0000 http://invest-smart.org/?p=1371 The market for mobile applications is growing in tandem with the market for mobile phones. Mobile phones offer the convenience of completing several transactions in the handheld devices thanks to these applications. But safety is always a concern because unscrupulous people would love to get hold of data floating around on the net and use it to their advantage.

Here is a list of five top security factors that should be considered throughout the process of mobile app development.

1. Users can reveal sensitive information

No amount of safeguarding and warning will do. People will use their handheld devices to pay for many things like bus tickets, and hotel bills simply because it is convenient for them to do so with their smartphones. Effectively, such persons will use their passwords, which can be captured or deciphered with the help of some software. Many people also remain logged in throughout the day, instead of logging out many times in the day. Therefore, hackers can gain access to their passwords and other information, especially if the smartphone is also used to connect to some PC on which such hacking program is residing.

So what can a mobile app developer do?

While developing any mobile app facilitating such payment, it is necessary to incorporate procedures that will prevent hackers from capturing such sensitive information. Planning for securely caching the data on the device is mandatory. Direct storing and linking of the password can be avoided and the process can be prolonged and made complicated. Hacker is likely to give up because he can’t be developing a separate program for hacking from every such app.

2. Server control problems and security problems with other apps

Mobile applications reside on a server. The server has some security checks. If this is compromised, mobile application too would be compromised, and so would the data that is collected by the mobile application for facilitating some transactions.

Similarly, there may be other apps that are already compromised, and these may reside on the handheld device.
Though in principle, mobile app developer is not at fault. He or she can at least test the app on the server for some time to confirm whether the security algorithms used by the server are functioning as desired or not. Such testing should be done periodically as well because the security can also be breached at a later date. Similarly, testing for other apps that are likely to steal sensitive information that will be asked through this app should also be done at the time of installation as well as at regular intervals.

3. Using codes developed by other developers

Many apps are improvements on previous apps. Also, there are ample freeware apps allowing developers to use those codes and add unique and desired feature. Some hackers also offer such free codes. If the developer opts to reduce his or her workload, chances are that he or she would be helping the hacker instead of the customer. Therefore, it is necessary to test the codes and check for any possibility of hacking with them, before integrating them into the mobile apps.

4. Using weak encrypting methods

Encrypting methods prevent hackers from easily accessing the data. There are algorithms built in encrypting methods. Periodically, hackers are able to decipher these and, therefore, new algorithms need to be regularly integrated and updated in the mobile apps. If the developer is not aware of hacking with previous encrypting methods, then chances are that the mobile app would become susceptible to hacking. Therefore, it is necessary for the mobile app developer to be alert to different security breaches in the market, and new encrypting and security tools that are periodically introduced into the market.

5. Physical data loss

Mobile app developers should be prepared for almost all things that can go wrong with their app, and provide safeguards against such misuse. One of the possibilities is the handset being stolen or lost. This would give a total stranger access to sensitive information about the authorized customer. That is not done, or should not be done. Therefore, the developer needs to add security feature that prevents unauthorized persons accessing sensitive information.

Conclusion

Between the mobile app developer and the end user of the app, it is the developer who can do something to secure valuable data. Therefore, it is incumbent on him or her to provide necessary security to clientele by incorporating several security features, testing security, and periodically upgrading the security.

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Enlitic Technology Revolutionizes Diagnostic Healthcare https://invest-smart.org/enlitic-technology-revolutionizes-diagnostic-healthcare/ Sat, 14 Mar 2015 00:05:58 +0000 http://invest-smart.org/?p=1326 Modern medicine has increased its demand for machines in assisting doctors in diagnosing diseases and illness. A study by the Huntsman Cancer Institute in 2013 revealed that, 6% of patients who undergo colonoscopies are left untreated for cancer.

Enlitic technology is the first in a wave of “deep learning” computer systems that use efficient software to decrease error margins of diagnoses. Founder and data scientist, Jeremy Howard, says that the Enlitic software uses patients’ medical history to formulate an algorithm that is then used to predict health outcomes. “The point isn’t to replace doctors,” Howard says. “We want to give them the tools they need to work more effectively.”

The artificial intelligent system uses machine learning to pool information from millions of patients who have experienced similar symptoms. The more data the computer collects, the more accurate the diagnoses are over time.

It may be long before this technology makes it to doctor’s offices, however. As it stands now, hospitals have distinct data-keeping practices that make it hard to find or share data between hospitals. Furthermore, each department locks vast amounts of medical information in servers known as “silos.”

Other barriers include the fact that many clinics still use paper to record data and patient information history. Dr. Ajay Choudri, a radiologist who advises Enlitic, says that, “A lot of older people have seven, eight doctors. All those charts are scattered in the wind and don’t really talk to each other.”

The Government Accountability Office is pushing for a move from paper-based to tech-driven methods of recording data. Recent legislation was passed that required hospitals to digitize their records in 2015.

According the CNN Money reports, Enlitic has secured $3 million in funding from hospitals and academic institutions. The company offers improvements in radiology, pathology, genomic, and electronic recording systems that make the technology a first of its kind. Enlitic Technology hopes to hit the medical market within the next couple of years.

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Obama Net Neutrality Plan Revealed https://invest-smart.org/obama-net-neutrality-plan-revealed/ Thu, 04 Dec 2014 18:31:21 +0000 http://invest-smart.org/?p=1248 In January of this year, the FCC openly asked for public comment about plans to “fix” the Internet and over 4 million public comments have been submitted since then. The response reinforced the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit decision to strike down the FCC’s proposed internet rules, commonly known as Net Neutrality.

The FCC planned to create a new two-tier model for Internet: A slower inexpensive version and another faster, significantly higher cost version. ‘Net neutrality’ supporters believe this would ruin the web, since all data should be treated equally.

In June John Oliver of HBO’s Last Week Tonight delivered a humorous-yet-accurate YouTube video using his trademark turns of phrase and provided an explanation of Net neutrality. (It’s a quick way to understand the debate basics.)

TIME Magazine reported his rant crashed FCC servers hours after Oliver appealed to the “web comment monsters”… those who usually comment on drivel. He contended the debate is designed to be boring and obscure any impact on the web. He encouraged funneling their negative and hate-filled efforts towards the FCC comment page and they did.

Net Neutrality defenders declare changes would be devastating and say the public can affect the FCCs proposal (as it did during the Stop Online Piracy Act debate). Regulators were planning to clamp down on copyright infringement and the outcry deterred the FCCs altogether.  That’s why defenders say this current battle deserves the same serious action… “if you like the Internet as it is now, because it will change if nothing is done to stop the FCC.”

Many question regulators motivations to alter the Internet. What’s clear is President Obama’s focus on a free and open Internet. He announced a plan back in November centered on no blocking user access, no throttling, increased transparency and no paid prioritization of web content, which are all a part of protecting web users ability to access information about almost anything, anytime, anywhere.

Ultimately, the FCC will settle the debate independently. Currently, Obama believes his plan is best to safeguard the Internet as an incredible resource, because much has changed for the better since the Internet came along. “Its’ influence and impact is undeniable.” And we’re not just talking about catching cat videos, but rather how major web content providers like Netflix transform how media is consumed or fledgling companies have the same chance to succeed as established corporations.

 

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Can You Live on Bitcoin Alone? https://invest-smart.org/happen-lived-bitcoin-alone/ Wed, 14 May 2014 22:47:45 +0000 http://invest-smart.org/?p=1183 Remember the days when you actually had to carry cash because you couldn’t buy coffee or park at a meter with your card? Yeah, me neither. We live in a plastic world and nothing’s going to change that.

Or will it?

Some of the ways we use credit cards today may seem high tech, but that has nothing on Bitcoin. A decade ago, who would have imagined that people would be using a completely decentralized, virtual currency that they carry around on tiny computers in their pockets? Now, there are some who think that Bitcoin—which has invaded the press over the past year or so—will invade our wallets soon too.

[youtube id=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc2en3nHxA4&list=UUOQrNU42HFSzgFHefWXdtkQ&feature=share” width=”600″ height=”350″]

Putting it to the Test

Last year, Forbes writer, Kashmir Hill set out to test the likelihood of this theory by living exclusively on Bitcoin for an entire week. She just completed the experiment for a second time this year and ended up with radically different results. It turns out that living on Bitcoin in 2014 is a lot easier than it was a year ago.

That has mostly to do with the fact that over the past year, more and more companies have begun accepting them. Those providing basic human needs—food, for example—are still in the minority, but the number is growing. During her first experiment, only two food merchants in San Francisco accepted Bitcoin: a cupcake shop and a sushi restaurant. Delicious, but limited and expensive.

A Way Around Everything

Thanks to popular merchants like Overstock.com recently accenting Bitcoin, Hill was able to do some urgent gift buying this year. But even if Overstock hadn’t decided to go geek, Bitcoin enthusiasts have a way around that. Companies like Gyft have been created to play middleman between Bitcoin users and boring old merchants. Gyft does this by selling an array of digital gift cards for Bitcoin. Similarly, Foodler gives people a way to easily use Bitcoin to buy food.  A food delivery service, Foodler accepts Bitcoin so even if the restaurants themselves don’t, Bitcoin-ers can use their money at participating restaurants.

The Thrill of It All

Kashmir Hill has proven that a single woman can get by in San Francisco on Bitcoin for a week. But what about the rest of us? Would people outside of America’s tech capital be able to eat?

Not one to get food delivered often, I just searched Foodler’s list of Dallas restaurants for the first time. There are at least 80 listed, which means that you can get just about any type of food in Dallas with digital money. So, there’s that. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that a Bitcoin purist won’t end up starving. With the currency’s radical fluctuation in value, no one really knows how much money will be in their wallet the next day.

When Hill started her experiment in 2013, the value of one Bitcoin hovered around $136. This year, at the time of her second go, one Bitcoin was worth about $437. Until Bitcoin becomes truly mainstream, it’s going to be a risky investment. But if you’re the type to abandon your cash and cards just to see if you can, that’s probably part of the thrill.

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Is It a Good Time to Invest In Netflix Shares? https://invest-smart.org/good-time-invest-netflix-shares/ Thu, 23 Jan 2014 06:36:54 +0000 http://invest-smart.org/?p=1056 By many accounts, Netflix is doing better than ever. The company may be famously secretive with its data, but the numbers on its quarterly earnings report speak volumes. (Even people of means like Frank and Claire Underwood would be jealous of these earnings.) Its revenue is soaring, its stock is surging, and its subscriber base is exploding.

But some worry that Netflix is approaching had times, due to the U.S. Court of Appeals striking down portions the FCC Open Internet Rules. This decision could allow broadband providers to charge Netflix—and other bandwidth heavy sites—more. Making up almost one third of internet streaming traffic in North America, Netflix could be hit hard by the news.

So what should a potential investor pay attention to: Netflix’s quarterly earnings, or predictions of doom? Take a look at the pros and cons.

The Pros

  • Netflix gained over 2.3 million subscribers in America in 2013.
  • At the end of 2013, Netflix had mover than 44 million subscribers worldwide.
  • After its earnings report came out, the price of Netflix stock rose over 17% to $391.61 per share.
  • In the first three months of 2014, Netflix anticipates getting an additional 2.25 million U.S. members.
  • Netflix’s full year net income in 2013 amounted to $112.4 million.
  • Throughout 2014, Netflix plans to expand its European base.

 

The Cons

Despite its amazing success, some worry that Neflix will face some stunting legal challenges in the near future, thanks to Verizon’s legal successes. The U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that the FCC didn’t have the right to impost non-blocking or non-discrimination rules on internet providers.

Without net neutrality protection, internet providers could hike up costs of high bandwidth traffic. That could be devastating for video streaming sites like Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu.

CEO, Reed Hastings issued a letter to Netflix stakeholders after Verizon successfully challenged the FCC rules of net neutrality. He called the recent events a “draconian scenario.” His letter, however, rang of hopefulness. Hastings questioned the likelihood that internet service providers would take advantage of the situation, since most people purchase high bandwidth packages specifically for quality video streaming. “ISPs appear to recognize this and many of them are working closely with us and other streaming video services to enable the ISPs subscribers to more consistently get the high-quality streaming video consumers desire,” Hastings reasoned.

If things turn out differently though, Netflix could pay between $144 million and $936 million in fees per year, according to some estimates.

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Barnes & Noble CEO Resigns Amid Dismal HD Nook Performances https://invest-smart.org/barnes-noble-ceo-resigns-amid-dismal-hd-nook-performances/ Wed, 10 Jul 2013 00:18:53 +0000 http://invest-smart.org/?p=858 As the gigantic book retailer Barnes & Noble bowed to the mighty fists of Amazon and Apple in the tweener tablet wars, CEO William Lynch has also bowed out of his executive position at the company as the corporation shifts its stance and begins to phase out the color Nook tablet.

“We thank William Lynch for helping transform Barnes & Noble into a leading digital content provider and for leading in the development of (its Nook products),” said company founder and Chairman Leonard Riggio in a statement that was issued to the press this week.

Lynch has reportedly also resigned his position from the board of directors at B & N, too. He has not offered any details as to why he resigned from the board nor has he named his successor yet.

“The company is in a transition period, and we have no immediate plans to name a CEO,” said B & N spokeswoman Mary Ellen Keating.

Up until March, 2010, Lynch had headed up the ecommerce section of the company. He was named CEO during that month, and then took over company operations. As the company shifts its focus to being more competitive in retail markets, as opposed to solely focusing on tablet sales that are being dwarfed by rivals like Amazon and Apple, they also will bid farewell to Lynch at the helm.

The company plans to continue producing its popular GlowLight and Nook Simple Touch tablets, but has announced that it will stop making the HD color Nook tablet that they launched in 2011 and will instead subcontract its production out to another entity.

The Nook has been consistently outperformed by the Apple iPad and the Amazon Kindle Fire HD, and has been coming in at third place all around since the tweener tablet wars commenced end of 2011. Since that time, unit revenue for the Nook has tumbled 34 percent to $108 million, with losses totaling more than $177 million thus far. During the fourth quarter of last year, the retail revenue generated by the Nook also fell by nearly 10 percent.

Analysts are speculating that Riggio may have future plans to try and take the retail unit of the bookstores private in the near future. Investors reacted to this speculation in afterhours as shares fell by 5 percent.

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