Digital India Week - DoT announces solar powered WiFi

Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT), the premier research and development wing of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has announced initiatives to set up solar-powered WiFi stations in India.

Launched at the Digital India Week, the C-DoT will use existing National Optical Fiber Network along with its own technology to provide internet via wifi to remote sections of the nation. Solar-powered wifi can be used to set up cellular base stations, station controllers, servers and ATM stations via hotspots. It will operate via 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz bands. Owing to its independency from mechanical power supply, it will be able to provide more consistent and wider internet connectivity across remote areas.

The Indian Government has pledged to increase solar power generation up to 20,000 MW by 2022. Companies like Softbank, Bharti and Foxconn have stated $20bn of investment behind solar power ventures in India. With solar power generation on the rise, this project by C-DoT will enhance internet connectivity reaches even the remotest sections of India.

Mobile internet 4x faster

Google working towards making mobile internet 4x faster

Slow internet can test anybody's patience and it becomes even more frustrating when a web page loads at a turtle speed on smartphones. Thankfully, Google is listening to our vines and the company is planning to launch a new feature which would enhance the search experience on mobile phones.

This new feature by Google would enable users even with 2G connection to load web pages faster and also by consuming less amount of data through Chrome or Android browser from Google search engine. The new service is still under the testing phase and it will take little longer before the full-fledged launch. As per the tests conducted, the service is suffice to keep the speed high and data consumption low. In a pilot test conducted in Indonesia, the results proved that with the new service the web pages load way faster (4x faster to be precise) and consume approx 80 percent lesser amount of data. The new feature will also allow the users to view web pages in their original form as well.

Google mentions that over 200 millions of Indians access the internet through their smartphones and the company is working towards making that mode of net browsing faster and cheaper. As per company's vision, if the new service receives success in reducing the waiting time per consumer even by a second, then also it would collectively save 2-3 years of waiting time.

Net Neutrality

             Importance of Net Neutrality

If you like the current state of the internet, you should know about net neutrality. If you are not aware of it, read about it.

Internet is built around the idea of openness. It allows people to connect and exchange information freely, if the information or service is not illegal. Much of this is because of the idea of net neutrality. If you like the current state of the internet, you should know about net neutrality. Many web users are aware of it. But if you are not, don't worry. We explain it here:

What is net neutrality?

Net neutrality is an idea derived from how telephone lines have worked since the beginning of the 20th century. In case of a telephone line, you can dial any number and connect to it. It does not matter if you are calling from operator A to operator B. It doesn't matter if you are calling a restaurant or a drug dealer. The operators neither block the access to a number nor deliberately delay connection to a particular number, unless forced by the law. Most of the countries have rules that ask telecom operators to provide an unfiltered and unrestricted phone service.

When the internet started to take off in 1980s and 1990s, there were no specific rules that asked that internet service providers (ISPs) should follow the same principle. But, mostly because telecom operators were also ISPs, they adhered to the same principle. This principle is known as net neutrality. An ISP does not control the traffic that passes its servers. When a web user connects to a website or web service, he or she gets the same speed. Data rate for Youtube videos and Facebook photos is theoretically same. Users can access any legal website or web service without any interference from an ISP.

Some countries have rules that enforce net neutrality but most don't. Instead, the principle is followed because that is how it has always been. It is more of a norm than a law.

How did net neutrality shape the internet?

Net neutrality has shaped the internet in two fundamental ways.

One, web users are free to connect to whatever website or service they want. ISPs do not bother with what kind of content is flowing from their servers. This has allowed the internet to grow into a truly global network and has allowed people to freely express themselves. For example, you can criticize your ISP on a blog post and the ISP will not restrict access to that post for its other subscribers even though the post may harm its business.

But more importantly, net neutrality has enabled a level playing field on the internet. To start a website, you don't need lot of money or connections. Just host your website and you are good to go. If your service is good, it will find favour with web users. Unlike the cable TV where you have to forge alliances with cable connection providers to make sure that your channel reaches viewers, on internet you don't have to talk to ISPs to put your website online.

This has led to creation Google, Facebook, Twitter and countless other services. All of these services had very humble beginnings. They started as a basic websites with modest resources. But they succeeded because net neutrality allowed web users to access these websites in an easy and unhindered way.

What will happen if there is no net neutrality?

If there is no net neutrality, ISPs will have the power (and inclination) to shape internet traffic so that they can derive extra benefit from it. For example, several ISPs believe that they should be allowed to charge companies for services like YouTube and Netflix because these services consume more bandwidth compared to a normal website. Basically, these ISPs want a share in the money that YouTube or Netflix make.

Without net neutrality, the internet as we know it will not exist. Instead of free access, there could be "package plans" for consumers. For example, if you pay Rs 500, you will only be able to access websites based in India. To access international websites, you may have to pay a more. Or maybe there can be different connection speed for different type of content, depending on how much you are paying for the service and what "add-on package" you have bought.

Lack of net neutrality, will also spell doom for innovation on the web. It is possible that ISPs will charge web companies to enable faster access to their websites. Those who don't pay may see that their websites will open slowly. This means bigger companies like Google will be able to pay more to make access to Youtube or Google+ faster for web users but a startup that wants to create a different and better video hosting site may not be able to do that.

Instead of an open and free internet, without net neutrality we are likely to get a web that has silos in it and to enter each silo, you will have to pay some "tax" to ISPs.

What is the state of net neutrality in India?

Legally, the concept of net neutrality doesn't exist in India. Sunil Abraham, director of Centre for internet and Society in Bangalore, says that Trai, which regulates the telecom industry, has tried to come up with some rules regarding net neutrality several times. For example it invited comments on the concept of net neutrality from industry bodies and stakeholders in 2006. But no formal rules have been formed to uphold and enforce net neutrality.

However, despite lack of formal rules, ISPs in India mostly adhere to the principal of net neutrality. There have been some incidents where Indian ISPs have ignored net neutrality but these are few and far between.

Will the concept of net neutrality survive?

Net neutrality is sort of gentlemen's agreement. It has survived so far because few people realized the potential of internet when it took off around 30 years ago. But now when the internet is an integral part of the society and incredibly important, ISPs across the world are trying to get the power to shape and control the traffic. But there are ways to keep net neutrality alive.

Consumers should demand that ISPs continue their hands-off approach from the internet traffic. If consumers see a violation of net neutrality, they ought to take a proactive approach and register their displeasure with the ISP. They should also reward ISPs that uphold the net neutrality.

At the same time, Trai needs to come out with a set of clear and precise rules that protect the net neutrality.

Avoid stalkers

Girls (and boys) avoid stalkers on FB with these tips

This is indeed the era of social networking. More and more people are now going online, engaging in social interactions in ways that you didn't even imagine once upon a time. Being online 24x7 has become more like a part and parcel of our daily life.

Facebook as a social network has also come a long way, and has contributed significantly to this new-found love for all things internet-savvy.

It is undoubtedly the most widely used social media platforms and goes a long way in ensuring you stay connected with your friends and peers all the time.

But just like every other social network, Facebook is not one hundred per cent safe platform just like any other social media and Internet platform.

The social media website has its fair share of stalkers.There's of course a way out if you want to avoid being stalked: stay ahead of their game. Here's how...

Set your profile to private

This is the most basic security feature that everyone should follow hands-down. After all, why would anybody want someone they don't know just peep into your profile as they like?

Ideally, Facebook gives you enough privacy options to help you stay 'invisible' to those you want to be invisible. You can update your profile's privacy settings precisely to share/hide everything that there is to your profile.

You can chose who you want to share your profile details, your posts, your pictures, your shared content as also your entire friend list: with friends, friends of friends to everyone. Ideally, you should restrict this to your 'friends'.

Of course, you will still be visible to those who search for you but they won't get anything out of your profile.

Also, it is advisable that you limit people who can send you friends requests via the same privacy settings.

Experiment with your profile name

anyone who has your name/other details can simply type it into search and get to your profile in the blink of an eye.

So, first and foremost you should hide your 'other' profile details;

like phone number, address, email address, work information etc from 'everyone'.

Once you have this area covered, you should go on and experiment with your profile name: add symbols to it, change font and language: basically add stuff to it that makes it hard for someone to find you.

This is not a full proof plan, but it would make it all the more difficult for stalkers to find you, and chances are they'll stop trying after a while.

Make your online photo albums private and upload smaller profile pics

Well, this should ideally be covered in point number one; but most of us forget to do it.

All the photos you share on your timeline should have limited visibility, meaning share them only with those who you want to: your friends that is.

It is also advisable to upload smaller sized images as your profile picture/cover picture since there's no option to hide those.

There are cases when someone would randomly click on your profile picture and then download it.

Putting up smaller sized pictures ensures that even though someone downloads it, they can't zoom into them.

Avoid tagging photos

Tagging photos opens up a truck load of privacy loopholes since you have no clue if someone who you have tagged or someone who has tagged you has put his/her profile to private.

Therefore, it is highly recommended that you avoid unnecessary tagging of photos on both ends.Every time you tag someone, the other person gets a notification asking if you want to be tagged and if yes, do you want to share it on your timeline.

The call is of course all yours, but it's better if you're sure the person who has tagged you has set his/her profile to private.

Avoid linking of profiles

Many a times, websites may ask you to log in via Facebook in the initial stages.

It is advisable that you avoid doing that, instead you can use your email for such purposes.Also, you should avoid using multiple social media accounts with the same name.

In case you're using the same user name in multiple accounts and he/she gets to know of one, your stalker can simply type in that name in any search engine and get through your other profiles as well.

mobile phones security

                ways of mobile smartphones security

If you use your smartphone or tablet for work, you need to keep your data secure when you're on the go. We look at gadgets that try to keep your important data out of the hands of others.

Keep your mobile devices safe

Nowadays, when it seems like every week brings news of a new security breach it seems appropriate to modernize an old saw by saying: You can never be too rich, too thin -- or too secure.
Most of these security breaches relate to stolen or illegally accessed databases of course. But let's not overlook a more local problem: The security of your mobile devices and data. Your smartphone, your tablet and even your wallet all contain oodles of critical information -- business and personal alike -- that could be hacked, scanned, stolen or otherwise compromised.
Gadgets to the rescue! A growing number of security helpers aim to lock down your mobile devices, protect your credit cards, even hide your tablet display from the nosy guy in the airplane seat next to yours. What follows are some of the products that leverage the latest encryption and protection technologies to keep the bad guys at bay.

sonavation idkey

A password manager is all well and good, but if a bad guy somehow gets his hand on the master password, the floodgates are open. Sonavation's IDKey is a hardware-based password manager that relies on a biometric fingerprint scanner. Call it a plug-and-swipe solution: To access your online accounts (such as Amazon and Google), you plug the IDKey into your Windows-based tablet or laptop (or you can pair it wirelessly with an Android or iOS device) and then swipe your finger.
The idea's not new -- a number of laptops and phones come with fingerprint scanners built in -- but IDKey promises virtually spoof-proof protection. According to the company, its ultrasound-based scanner captures three-dimensional images of a finger's ridges and whorls -- even factoring in the size and location of your pores.
The USB dongle comes in two flavors: the $249 X-Series and $279 M-Series. Both are water-resistant and rechargeable, and both can pair with smartphones and tablets thanks to Bluetooth, NFC and Wi-Fi connectivity options. The M-Series adds 16GB of encrypted on-device storage and an OLED display

yubico yubikey neo and neo-n

When it comes to security, it's hard to beat two-factor authentication. More and more applications and enterprises are turning to hardware/software strategies to do just that, including the FIDO alliances universal 2nd factor ( U2F ) To the end user, however, that may mean a lot of tedious plugging and unplugging of smartcard-style U2F keys.
The YubiKey Neo (top) is a USB authentication key that offers a solution: It has a simple button that allows for one-tap token generation. And if you want security for, say, an Android phone or similar device, the Neo offers wireless connectivity via NFC. Its uber-cute sibling, the Neo-n (bottom), actually disappears inside a USB port, so you can leave it in full-time -- the "button" is simply a touch-sensitive edge you graze with your finger. (But the Neo-n doesn't support NFC.) These two keys can be deployed across a variety of applications, everything from Google account logins to password management to remote access and VPN. The YubiKey Neo sells for $50; the Neo-n, for $60.

silent pocket RFID blockers

The average shirt or pants pocket does a poor job of blocking radio signals. Okay, let's be clear -- it does no job of blocking them. According to some security experts, that could be problematic -- if you carry credit cards that have embedded RFID chips, for example, it's possible that someone with a scanner could slurp up your card numbers without you ever knowing it. And let's not forget the myriad wireless technologies built into your phone: Bluetooth, cellular, GPS, Wi-Fi and/or NFC. If you're serious about protecting both your data and your privacy, you might want to block some or all these signals.
That's the idea behind Silent Pocket's line of RFID-blocking products like The Suit, which looks like a fairly typical smartphone sleeve but, according to the vendor, includes shielding material that will block all the aforementioned kinds of signals. Call it a tinfoil hat for your smartphone.
The Suit (pictured here) starts at $30 for the canvas version and $70 for the leather version. Silent Pocket also offers a variety of secure wallets that start at $20.

plug-up U2F security key

If you've got to supply U2F security keys to your entire staff, costs can start to mount up. That is, unless you consider Plug-up's FIDO U2F Security Key, which is priced about $8. No, there's no catch -- that's the real cost for this driverless USB smartcard, which provides ultra-secure protection for Google accounts and other Web services that support the FIDO U2F standard.
The Plug-up card is made largely of lightweight plastic (according to the company, the "active" metallic part is about 0.03 in. thick), which you snap out of its holder and then assemble. Although it's designed expressly for use with Google Chrome (meaning it works with Chromebooks as well as Windows tablets and laptops), its open-source foundation allows developers to leverage it for other browsers -- important if your company still uses, say, Internet Explorer.
Because the Plug-up lacks a physical button, you must unplug it and then reinsert it every time you sign into an account. If that sounds like too much hassle, it might be worth spending a little extra on something like the YubiKey Neo.

Vysk EP1 privacy charging case and QS1 quantum security case

Many IT managers lose sleep at night thinking about company employees walking around with unprotected phones. There's not only the risk of data compromise, but there's also the problem of gravity (broken phones cost a small fortune to replace).
The Vysk EP1 Privacy Charging Case and QS1 Quantum Security Case are iPhone cases that aim to minimize both risks. In addition to everyday hard-shell protection (and, with the EP1, a 2,200mAh extended battery), these cases include a variety of privacy features. For example, both offer a sliding shutter that blocks both camera lenses when not in use, the idea being to prevent hackers from seeing anything they shouldn't.
Meanwhile, Vysk's privacy apps encrypt your photos, videos and text messages. The QS1 adds encrypted voice communication to the mix, locking out the iPhone's microphones in favor of the case's own, which in turns routes calls through Vysk's Voice app.
Both cases come in a variety of colors. The EP1 is available for both iPhone 5/5s and iPhone 6, with a price tag of $120. The QS1, currently for iPhone 5/5s only, is currently in pre-order for $230 and is expected to be in wide-scale release in June 2015.

nymi band

What's the next evolutionary step in device security? Biometrics, sure, but does that mean fingerprints? Not necessarily. Turns out you have other unique physical characteristics beyond the ridges and whorls of your fingertips. Your heartbeat, for example.
See, your ticker generates an electrocardiographic (ECG) signal that can be used to prove you are you, though until now (except for your doctor's equipment) there's never been any kind of conduit between that "heart ID" and the rest of the world. The Nymi Band wants to be that conduit: It looks like a fitness band but will rely on your ECG to take the place of a password -- or, for that matter, a fingerprint.
That's the promise, anyway. For now, the nymi band discovery kit is shipping to developers for $149; they can also download the SDK and sample applications. No word yet on when it will be available to consumers.