Pickpockets prefer smartphones to wallets

By on September 16, 2014 in Blog, General, Mobile devices

Pickpockets are more likely to target Brits for their smartphones than their wallets, according to a new report published by mobile security firm Lookout.

After carrying out a detailed survey of more than 2,400 respondents across the UK, Germany, France and the US, the company’s analysts found that 23 per cent of smartphone-owning Brits have had at least one device stolen in the past.

In comparison, only 13 per cent of the UK respondents said they’d lost a wallet or purse to a thief.

The results will be particularly concerning for business owners, with ten per cent of the mobile theft victims admitting they had also lost corporate data as a result of their incidents. A further 11 per cent said they had experienced identity theft, while nine per cent reported fraudulent purchases on their accounts.

[themecolor]Apple the biggest target[/themecolor]

It appears that Apple fans have more to worry about than other smartphone owners. The report shows that 39 per cent of the handsets stolen across countries polled use the Californian firm’s iOS operating system, with just 24 per cent running on Android. This is despite the latter having a 59.5 per cent market share.

The afternoon is when smartphone owners should be most vigilant, the report suggests. It highlights the hours between noon and 5pm as being a peak time for pickpockets in all countries.

In a statement accompanying the report, Lookout said: “While there isn’t one single solution that is going to alleviate phone theft, the problem can be stifled with industry collaboration, technology, and widespread awareness for how to stay safe.”

Notably, the theft trend does not appear to stretch across all mobile technologies. Perhaps due to their size, tablets seem much less likely to be targeted, with only four per cent of respondents indicating they’d had theirs stolen before.

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Intel promises wireless device charging

By on September 16, 2014 in Blog, Mobile devices, New technology

These days we take wireless network connections on our mobile devices for granted but now Intel is promising to take wire-free computing to a whole new level.

How much time have you wasted over the years searching for the right power adapter or fiddling with video leads trying to establish a connection between your laptop and a projector? Intel’s vision is to eradicate this kind of cabling conundrum from our lives by enhancing wireless charging solutions and data transfer capabilities.

[themecolor]A strategy using WiGig technology[/themecolor]

The company has confirmed that its innovations will be based around WiGig. This wireless data transfer technology, which is much faster than WiFi, is now progressing very quickly and Intel plans to use it to connect wireless keyboards and mice to laptop computers. But Intel also wants to do away with chargers and power packs by developing wireless charging solutions for mobile devices.

In a blog post, Intel stated: “We’re living in an age of ubiquitous wireless connectivity. With improvements to cellular technology, global navigation systems, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, we’re able to work smarter and communicate faster. The next logical step in the progression of wireless technology is to further untangle users and completely change the computing landscape.”

By eliminating obstacles and stress barriers caused by inefficient wired technologies, we’re enabling you to work smarter and spend more time doing what you love – Intel

[themecolor]Proximity-based connections[/themecolor]

The future goes something like this. As you enter your office, your laptop will use proximity-based peripheral syncing to automatically connect to your wireless monitor or projector. You’ll enjoy an HD streaming experience without the cables and without the hassle.

But it doesn’t stop at display devices. Intel is also developing hardware that enables your devices to charge wirelessly via magnetic resonance. This innovation promises to free users from that endless hunt for the right adapter, whilst enabling multiple devices to charge simultaneously.

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The celebrity hacking scandal: how safe is your data?

By on September 16, 2014 in Blog, Cloud computing, Security, Web privacy

We have become worryingly used to seeing large-scale data breaches making headlines around the world, although these stories usually concern well-known multinational organisations. Recent examples have included tech giants such as Apple and Sony, with public sector organisations also falling victim.

It is less common for these stories to focus on individuals, although smartphone owners and computer users around the world do get hacked on a daily basis. Indeed, the recent celebrity photo scandal certainly brought the issue of personal data security to the public’s attention.

So what lessons are there for the average man and woman on the street?  Besides encouraging a little salacious gossip, these high profile hacks did seem to open up some genuine debate amongst users as to how best to protect themselves. When cyber-criminals are able to steal and publish intimate snaps of some of the most recognisable faces in the western world, many of whom will have professional help in managing their online accounts, it’s easy to see why the average consumer may be a little concerned about their own security.

Of course, hackers have something to gain from getting their hands on the private photos of stars like Jennifer Lawrence and Rihanna. No offence, but your own photo collection is probably of less interest to them! Instead, it’s likely to be personal data – think credit card details and email addresses.

[themecolor]How can we protect ourselves?[/themecolor]

What, then, can we do to keep our own files away from unauthorised eyes? According to one cyber-security researcher, Ken Westin, an effective defence should begin with one simple realisation.

In a recent blog post, Mr Westin wrote: “It is important for celebrities and the general public to remember that images and data no longer just reside on the device that captured it.

“Once images and other data are uploaded to the cloud, it becomes much more difficult to control who has access to it, even if we think it is private.”

Effective password management is absolutely critical. Our advice is that you should use a different complex password for each of your online accounts. This may be tricky to manage but there are plenty of suggested systems that can be found online for remembering your login details.

Two-step authentication has also been mentioned a few times since the celebrity snaps started to circulate at the beginning of September. This is something that anyone who regularly uses web services should consider and we can help. Put simply, a single password just isn’t enough anymore.

If there’s anything good to come from these serious invasions of privacy, it’s the fact that more people are looking to reinforce their own cyber security. Please contact us on the numbers above if you have any questions regarding your own online data storage.

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Microsoft plans unified Windows software for all devices

By on August 13, 2014 in Blog, Microsoft, Product releases

The next version of Microsoft Windows will merge different software for individual devices into “one single converged operating system”, it has been announced.

The software, expected to be called Windows 9, will work on all Microsoft devices including desktops, smartphones, tablets and Xbox consoles. By unifying the operating systems, developers will be able to build ‘Universal Apps’ which run across multiple platforms, so these apps will only need to be written once.

Microsoft has hinted at the possibility of a convergence project over the past 12 months. In April 2014, new tools were revealed which would allow developers to build multi-device software. Now, plans to unify the operating systems themselves have been officially announced by Satya Nadella, the IT giant’s new chief executive.

[themecolor]One system for all screen sizes[/themecolor]

“In the past we had multiple teams working on different versions of Windows. Now we have one team with a common architecture. This allows us to scale, create Universal Windows Apps,” Nadella said.

“This means one operating system that covers all screen sizes,” he added. “We will streamline the next version of Windows from three operating systems into one single converged operating system for screens of all sizes.”

Despite the convergence, Nadella made it clear that there will still be individual stock keeping units available, and that the “converged Windows” refers more to the fact that there will only be one engineering team who “approach Windows as one ecosystem”. Confusingly, this means that customers will not be able to buy a single copy of Windows which works on all their devices.

Quite how Windows 9 will be sold is currently unclear. The new operating system is expected to be ready for release in 2015.

During his announcement, Nadella also commented on Microsoft’s financial status. There was a reported 17 per cent increase in revenue in Q4, although the company’s purchase of Nokia – which had been struggling – has been blamed for the 7 per cent fall in profits.

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5 handy tricks to help you make the most of Microsoft Outlook 2013

By on August 13, 2014 in Blog, Microsoft, Tips & tricks

We all use email to communicate with our staff, our customers and our peers, but effectively managing our inbox’s can sometimes seem like a full-time job in itself. Here, we’ve listed five things you can do in Microsoft Outlook 2013 to take the hassle out of email management and make your working day more productive and efficient.

[themecolor]1. Learn Keyboard Shortcuts for Faster Working[/themecolor]

You mastered the art of Ctrl+C and Ctrl+P in Word long ago – now it’s time to get your head around some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts in Outlook.

Here are 5 to remember:

Ctrl+Shift+M = Create a Message
Ctrl+R = Reply to Email
Ctrl+Enter = Send Email
Ctrl+M = Send/Receive All Mail
F3 or Ctrl+E = Go to Search Box

[themecolor]2. Create a Dedicated ‘CC’ Folder[/themecolor]

Creating a folder for all of the emails that are not sent directly to you will filter out less important messages from your main inbox. First of all, create your ‘CC’ folder as a sub-folder. Then go to Rules > Create Rule and click through to the Advanced Options tab. In the Rules Wizard, check the box that says ‘where my name is not in the To box’, and on the next screen, tick ‘move it to the specified folder’. Click on the hyperlink to assign the specified folder.

[themecolor]3. Set Up Search Folders[/themecolor]

If you’re consistently losing messages from your chairman, your priority client or even your other half, you can alleviate the problem by organising your search folders to make sure you never miss emails from your most important senders.

Go to Folder and choose New Search Folder. Use ‘mail from and to specific people’ to set up the function. There are plenty of other options to explore too if you’re determined to de-clutter your inbox even further.

[themecolor]4. Use Email Templates[/themecolor]

Save time (and your sanity) by setting up and retrieving email templates. Type out your generic email template in a new message, then go to File > Save As > Outlook Template and save it under a relevant title. To retrieve a template, go to New Items > Choose Form and have a look for it in ‘User Templates in File System’.

[themecolor]5. Discover Microsoft’s QuickSteps[/themecolor]

QuickSteps has revolutionised the way in which regular Outlook users work. This nifty little tool allows you to apply multiple actions to email messages, automating all those common or repetitive tasks that eat into your working day.

Microsoft has already defined a list of default Quick Steps and there are far too many for us to mention here, but all options are customisable, so experiment with the feature. To create a new Quick Step, just go to Mail > Quick Steps, then click Create New Quick Step in the gallery.

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Office 365 vs Google Apps: Which is best for the modern business?

By on August 13, 2014 in Blog, Google, Microsoft

Developed by two of the biggest names in the technology sector, Microsoft Office 365 and Google Apps for Business are arguably the go-to hosted office suites for modern workplaces.

Both cloud computing solutions are affordable, scalable and designed to cater for all the professional needs of today’s fast-paced businesses, so choosing between the two is not an easy task. Below, we’ve listed the key pros and cons of each application (aside from cost) to help you decide which package will have the most positive impact on your company’s efficiency and productivity.

[themecolor]Functionality and Usability[/themecolor]

Let’s work through all of the important factors for business users.

Generally, each application’s user interface is simple, intuitive and relatively uncluttered, though Microsoft’s offering is more polished and refined (probably due to the fact Gates and his team have worked their way through decades of re-releases and have had plenty of time to tweak and test their product).

The functionality and versatility of the word processing package is the deal-clincher for many businesses when it comes to choosing their office suite. Long-term Microsoft advocates often have an issue with migrating to other office suites because some don’t offer the ability to work with Microsoft’s standard file formats. Fear not – Google Docs does give you the option to save or export your work as a .doc, although compatibility is far from perfect. Features, however, are much more limited in Google Apps, so the suite may be too much of a departure overall for those who are familiar with Word.

In terms of email, Microsoft’s Exchange Online and Google’s Gmail platforms are largely similar. Microsoft offers 50GB of email storage on its unlimited plan, while Google’s entry-level package, Apps for Business, offers just 30GB.

A final point to consider – Google Apps is entirely browser-based, which makes working difficult for those without a fast, reliable internet connection, although it is possible to use Docs, Sheets and Slides in offline mode within your Google Chrome browser if you make a few select changes to the admin console.

Conversely, Microsoft Office 365 can be purchased with local copies of the major software packages, which makes working offline a whole lot easier.

[themecolor]Security[/themecolor]

Office 365 will undoubtedly appeal to companies that want to keep their private data under wraps, as Microsoft clearly states that it will never scan or sell classified information on to third party companies. Gmail, on the other hand, operates a privacy policy that’s slightly less clear-cut, confirming that your information may be used for advertising purposes.

[themecolor]Affordability[/themecolor]

Microsoft Office 365 and Google Apps are designed to be easy on the wallet and both offer good value for money. It’s difficult to compare the two like for like, as each package offers varying user limits, storage limits and functionality, but the key is to ensure that the platform is able to do what you need it to do before you commit to a subscription.

We have configured a custom collection of Microsoft Online Services for you to trial free of charge, click on the title options below and follow the instructions to get going. Of course, if you need any assistance along the way please get in touch.

Office 365 Midsize Business Trial
This trial invitation includes:
– 25 user licenses Office 365 Midsize Business Trial

Office 365 Small Business Premium Trial
This trial invitation includes:
– 10 user licenses Office 365 Small Business Premium Trial

If you’re still unsure as to which hosted office suite will best suit your needs, get in touch with one of our consultants to discuss your requirements and identify the features that are most crucial to your business.

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Ease-of-use is smartphone owners’ primary concern

By on August 13, 2014 in Blog, Mobile devices, Telecoms and mobile data

Who was it who said “Keep it simple, stupid”? Well, it looks like they may have a point. Almost one-third of smartphone owners in the UK say that ease-of-use is the first thing they look for in a handset, according to a new study.

The survey, which was carried out by comparison site uSwitch.com, shows that basic features tend to be valued more than the innovative and quirky tools that many manufacturers use to sell their products.

After user-friendliness, which was cited as the main priority by 29 per cent of those questioned, call reception and battery life (both 19 per cent) were the second and third most important factors, guardian.com reports. One in ten put app availability at the top of their list.

Only three per cent of the survey’s respondents said unique features are their first consideration, and even those who do have the latest devices rarely use the quirky tools available to them.

Two thirds say they’ve never used eyeball-tracking technology, while 55 per cent don’t use their devices’ voice control applications. Some quirks are deemed useful by many, however, with 56 per cent saying they use fingerprint-scanning on a daily basis.

[themecolor]Brits can spot a gimmick from a mile away[/themecolor]

Ernest Doku, a telecoms specialist from uSwitch.com, thinks the survey results highlight a potential problem for manufacturers. He was quoted as saying: “It’s becoming increasingly hard for smartphone makers to differentiate their handsets from those of their rivals.

“They hope that flash features like Fingerprint ID on the iPhone 5S, or Amazon’s Fire Phone and its ‘Dynamic Perspective’ display, will give their phones the edge. However, our research shows that Brits can spot a gimmick from a mile away.”

Mr Doku went on to say that things could change over time, with many of the features which are currently seen as gimmicks by consumers likely to become basic requirements in the future. He cited front-facing cameras and touchscreen displays as prominent past examples.

KISS is an acronym for “Keep it simple, stupid” as a design principle noted by the U.S. Navy in 1960. The KISS principle states that most systems work best if they are kept simple rather than made complicated; therefore simplicity should be a key goal in design and unnecessary complexity should be avoided.

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‘Right to be forgotten’ law strikes Wikipedia for first time

By on August 13, 2014 in Blog, Google, Web privacy

For the first time, a link to a Wikipedia entry has been removed from Google’s search results, as a consequence of the new EU ‘right to be forgotten’ law.

Jimmy Wales, Wikipedia’s founder, has previously expressed his disapproval of the new EU legislation, which was passed back in May. The law means anyone can send a request to Google to have a link about them removed, as long as the information is irrelevant or outdated. Once a link is removed, users in the EU won’t be able to see it in Google’s search results.

As part of a Google-appointed panel, Mr Wales is responsible for creating guidelines on how search engines should decide which removal requests can be approved. In a comment to The Guardian, Mr Wales said: “The legislation is completely insane and needs to be fixed”.

[themecolor]Dangerous to put Google in charge of ‘censoring history’[/themecolor]

Back in July, Mr Wales said the law is currently confusing, as the ruling from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) is not easy to interpret. He added that it was dangerous to let Google be in charge of censoring history.

The Lords Home Affairs EU Sub-Committee also believes that the law is unreasonable and that companies like Google should not be making the decisions regarding what should and shouldn’t be removed.

The law has been the subject of many discussions since its implementation. Some groups are in favour of the law, which offers more privacy, whilst others have called it censorship, as it removes the right to free speech.

So far, Google has received more than 90,000 requests to remove links from its search engine results and now other search engines, such as Bing, are accepting public removal requests too.

Some of Google’s removal decisions have come under fire already, such as the removal of a BBC article by Robert Peston – a decision which was later reverted.

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Farewell to Darren

By on July 21, 2014 in Blog, Company news, General, Miscellaneous

After many years working as technical account manager for M2, Darren Richmond is to move his primary focus away from M2 Computing to our associated web development business Fortunesoft UK and his last official day with us will be July 31st. Darren retains his vested interest as a shareholder in M2 and will continue to work with the directors at board level.

It has been an absolute pleasure working for M2 Computing over the years. I shall miss working with our long standing customers and the brilliant M2 team.
Darren Richmond, M2 Computing

Darren has been a director at M2 Computing for a many years and will be sadly missed by all. He has worked on many a successful project, and at times has helped save the day for our customers. For all of you that have worked closely with Darren I am sure you will miss him too. Please feel free to email him directly and wish him luck with this new venture.

Darren has been handing over his work to Erika and Paul who will continue the account management roles and providing all quotes.

Fortunesoft UK is an established company specialising in advanced web development, smartphone app creation and internet search optimisation. We wish him every success in his future career.

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