Author: Daniel (The Tech Blog UK)
Warning: Charging Your Phone Abroad in Hot Weather Can Be Risky! 🌞📱 Hey there, lovely readers! 🌸 Summer holidays are here, and many of us are jetting off to warmer climates, ready to soak up some sun. Whether you’re lounging on a beach in Spain, exploring ancient ruins in Greece, or just enjoying a staycation in the UK, there’s one thing to be mindful of: your smartphone. Yes, that’s right! Charging your phone in hot weather, especially abroad, can be risky. So before you plug in your device after a day of sightseeing, let’s chat about why it’s important to…
Criminals have found a way to exploit a popular feature on WhatsApp – the group messaging function. Cybercriminals are always on the lookout for new ways to obtain personal information, and now they have set their sights on WhatsApp, which boasts over 2 billion monthly users. WhatsApp users have been warned by fraud experts to be cautious of strange group messages. This comes after Action Fraud, a national cybercrime centre with the City of London Police, reported receiving over 630 reports this year of fraudsters pretending to be group members in chats. According to Action Fraud, the scam often begins…
Beware of Fake NatWest Emails: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe Scammers are getting more and more creative, and a recent wave of fake emails impersonating NatWest Bank is a perfect example of that. These emails claim that the contact number on your account has been changed, and they include a link that leads to a malicious website designed to steal your personal and financial information. This scam is causing quite a stir—Action Fraud has already received over 150 reports from people who’ve received these emails. If you’re a NatWest customer (or even if you’re not!), it’s important…
Google Services Outage Affects Users Worldwide Users were unable to access Google and its services for around an hour this afternoon, 12/08/2024, locking them out of some of the world’s most popular online tools. Other sites run by parent company Alphabet, including Gmail and YouTube, also experienced difficulties. Impact on Various Google Services According to Downdetector, which monitors website outages, there were issues with several related apps such as Google Maps, Calendar, Cloud, Drive, Meet, and Hangouts. The problems appear to have started shortly after 2 pm, resulting in a sharp spike in reports, which peaked around 20 minutes later.…
Google Pixel 9 Rumors: What to Expect from the August 13 Launch The tech world is buzzing with excitement as Google gears up for its highly anticipated “Made by Google” event, set to take place on August 13. Traditionally, Google has unveiled its latest products in October, but this year, the company is shaking things up by moving the event to August. The early launch has only fueled speculation and excitement, especially with rumors swirling about the new Google Pixel 9 range. Here’s everything we know so far. Event Details: Time and Location The Made by Google event will be…
APPLE’s highly anticipated AI features for iPhone may not all be free, as fans had hoped. The tech giant created a buzz in June when it announced Apple Intelligence, introducing a range of significant changes and new features. Siri, the 13-year-old voice assistant, is set to receive an upgrade with ChatGPT integration. This will enable Siri to prioritize your notifications based on your habits and proof-read and summarize your written content. Most of these changes are expected to arrive with the free iOS 18 update later this year. However, analysts have cautioned that some premium Apple Intelligence features may come…
Three UK has updated its pricing structure to present annual price increases in “pounds and pence,” determined by tiers based on each contract’s data allowance. Each year, mobile customers will experience the following increases based on their data allowance: 4GB or less: £1 more a month 5GB-99GB: £1.25 more a month 100GB or more: £1.50 more a month The new pricing method complies with Ofcom’s rules on mid-contract price rises, which require greater transparency regarding pricing. Broadband price increases will be capped at £2, while mobile price hikes will range from £1 to £1.50, depending on the data allowance. Customers…
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has provisionally imposed a £6m fine on an NHS software provider due to a data breach that affected more than 80,000 individuals. The breach, which occurred in 2022, involved sensitive personal information, including medical records and details on “how to gain entry to the homes of 890 people.” The ICO clarified that the fine is provisional, pending a response from Advanced Computer Software Group before a final decision is made. Initial findings suggest that personal information belonging to 82,946 people was “exfiltrated” by hackers. “Not only was personal information compromised, but we have also seen…
Microsoft Investigates Another Major IT Outage Microsoft is currently investigating a second significant IT meltdown after millions of computers went offline less than two weeks ago. Affected Services According to DownDetector, a website that tracks IT outages globally, several Microsoft services have been impacted, including Minecraft, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Azure. Widespread Reports Thousands of users have reported issues since 1 pm today, but the problem remains unresolved. Outlook, Microsoft’s email and calendar service, is also down, with users unable to access their emails via the app or browser. Regional Impact It appears that the outage is primarily…
In a significant move, law enforcement has initiated “one of the largest crackdowns to date” on modified Fire TV Sticks and other illegal streaming services. Users of these unlawfully modified devices, which allow access to paid television shows, blockbuster movies, and live sports for free, have been warned that “this is just the start”. Fire TV Sticks, designed and distributed by Amazon, are a popular and affordable way to access apps, games, and streaming services like Disney+, Netflix, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and ITVX. The devices also support Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant, which can control smart home devices such as…