January, 2016 - Softonic English

The iPhone 7 may be fulfilling one of your greatest wishes yet, but at what cost?

The next iPhone, supposedly the iPhone 7, is set to satisfy one of your biggest wishes you’ve had for years, but at the cost of disturbing the people around you.

As 9to5Mac recently reported, Apple have bought rights to an interesting patent: a patent to turn your phone into a big “echo chamber.” This would mean having more air moving inside the device which with therefore create better sound quality. Result? Well, you can simply increase the volume of the music!

So, what’s the big deal? If it is indeed possible to increase the volume, anyone next to you or sitting near to you may get annoyed, and will have to bear listening to whatever you choose to listen to. Hopefully not terrible music.

Please note, that before finishing reading this post – this is just a patent. This does not mean that Apple will create the “echo chamber” overnight. Many patents are regularly discarded, and are sometimes even made to provoke the competition.

Source: 9TO5Mac

WhatsApp virus attacks! Watch out for these notifications or missed calls

Always be careful before clicking on links that are sent to you on WhatsApp. Security company Comodo has discovered that some WhatsApp users are being targeted by malware and other damaging programs.

These viruses are disguised as official emails from the messaging service themselves, warning users that they have either a missed call, a pending audio recording or simply a notification. The malware runs when the user clicks on the link, leaving your PC infected.

The malware is a variant of the “Nivdort” family, a family of malware that replicates itself on different system files.

“Cybercriminals are becoming more and more like marketers – trying to use creative subject lines to have unsuspecting emails be clicked and opened to spread malware”, says Comodo.

Source: TechWeekEurope

Bye bye Windows 8

Today we are saying goodbye to one of Microsoft’s shortest-lived operating systems. Windows 8 will end its short three-year life cycle later today – Tuesday January 12, 2016 – when it receives one final security update.

Windows 8 users need not worry however, simply by downloading the free upgrade to Windows 8.1 – which Microsoft considers a service pack – you will still be able to receive ongoing support and security updates.

If you are happy with Windows 8, and are thinking of sticking with it, you should be aware that you are leaving yourself open to security breaches with Microsoft no longer supporting it. So, with vulnerabilities to any new threats going unpatched, considering the upgrade to Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 is seriously recommended.

That said, if you would truly H8 to give up 8, then a good antivirus is a must – as can be seen by users who are still using Windows XP as their primary OS. And, though we do not recommended, the desire to retain a vintage operating system does earn our respect.

Talking of vintage software, versions of Internet Explorer before Internet Explorer 11 (IE11) will also cease to receive security updates from today. If you are running Window 7 or later you can upgrade to IE11 for free, Vista and XP users should consider alternatives like Mozilla Firefox.

Source: Softpedia

200 million users for Windows 10

Just last week we received a press release from Microsoft in which the last article revealed that Windows 10 is now installed on in 200 million devices. This is thanks to a huge boost from Black Friday sales, with a whopping 40% of new devices running the OS.

It is true that the adoption rate is very high: 140% faster than Windows 7 and 400% faster than Windows 8 – an OS that was an important step towards Windows 10, but which was criticized by users.

Looking at a chart from StatCounter, Windows 8 represents less than 3% of global operating systems worldwide. Note also that the steady growth of Windows 10 means it is already surpassing Windows 8, while Windows 7 is declining at the same rate – yeah, Microsoft ending its support for 8 is making a lot more sense suddenly.

We could say that we will miss Windows 8, but we all know that is not true. Long live Windows 10.

The first ransomware of 2016 reaches new threatening levels

How do you feel about being introduced to the most recent ransomware of 2016? As you may know, (and if not, here’s a brief explanation), ransomware is a type of virus or malware that encrypts your Windows files and threatens to delete them forever, unless of course, you pay.

Ransom32 has recently made an appearance just to throw a spanner in the works. This program uses Javascript and has the potential to infect systems that run Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.

The data obtained by security expert Fabian Wosar, is alarming to say the least: Ransom32 can be used by anyone who knows how to access their hidden servers in the Tor network. With the use of a simple Bitcoin address, this future felon can create their own malicious virus.

The owners of Ransom32 can access a control centre which holds statistics containing information, such as how many people they have infected and how much money they have achieved so far.

This program can affect your PC with spam. It is hidden within RAR files and knows how to self-remove and install itself without you knowing. It encrypts data that has extensions such as .jpg, .mp3, .mov, .mp4, .docx among others.

If you act with common sense, you have nothing to fear. Do not open any suspicious emails. Install an antivirus software and keep it updated, while also keeping backups of your PC files.

A great way to start the year, right?

Source: NeoWin

Two players share a control, and break a world record!

Two computer game enthusiasts recently decided to use the same control to play Super Metroid – a classic game for SNES and Super Nintendo. The incredible thing is that these two players also managed to break a world record while performing the feat, by finishing the game in just 52.01 minutes while also sharing a control.

Don’t see the video? Click here.

This event took place at the 2016 Awesome Games Done Quick 2016. During this event, many gamers demonstrated how to finish lengthy games in the most impressive times!

Source:Kotaku

This baby is more of a Star Wars fan than you’ll ever be

Ever wondered who the youngest Star Wars fan ever was? A YouTube user called Micach Hayman has recently uploaded a video showing his baby crying uncontrollably. The baby then starts to listen to the “Imperial March” by the great composer John Williams, at which point the baby feels the calling from the Dark Side which eventually calms the baby and stops the tears.

Don’t see the video? Click here.

Let’s stop and think about this for a second. What does this mean? Is this possibly Kylo Ren’s Baby who relishes anything related to Darth Vader? Is it a future Stormtrooper? Or maybe, it’s destined to be one of those sinister office bosses that walk down the corridor while the Imperial March plays in the background.

Does this reflection accomplish anything? I gather not.

Source: Nerdist

4 web apps guaranteed to make you a better manager

Managing people isn’t easy. Keeping a team happy and productive can sometimes be overwhelming, but here are 4 of our favorite web apps that will help you make your life as a manager much easier!

This article was brought to you by Crozdesk.com– Discover the best online software products to boost your business.

1. Clarizen: Project Management Made Easy

First up is Clarizen, a collaborative project management tool that helps teams effectively manage complex projects. The key to Clarizen’s popularity is their range of time-saving project templates, pre-populated with the typical tasks that accompanies each project.

Clarizen also features an innovative 3-D discussion feature, allowing idea sharing directly on projects and actionable tasks. Goodbye emails!

Read more about Clarizen.

2. actiTIME: Web-Based Timesheet Software

Next on our list is web-based timesheet app actiTIME – the app that lets your team members enter, monitor and report on time expenditure.

actiTIME’s user interface is simple and intuitive to use, making it extremely easy for your team to adopt and use.

Among the most favored features of actiTIME is the reminder option that ensures timesheet compliance, as well as the reporting feature that displays the collected data in a useful and productive way.

Explore actiTIME.

3. Klipfolio: High-Powered Data Visualization

Turning data into actionable insights is a challenge faced by all businesses – that is until Klipfolio came along.

In less than 3 minutes, you will be able to build a dashboard that connects to hundreds of data sources, and combines metrics to provide you with real-time visibility into the insights that matter most.

All you need to know about Klipfolio.

4. PARiM: High-Performance Workforce Management

Last but not least, PARiM’s is the perfect staff management tool to view, assign and share team schedules. Sporting a visually attractive user interface, drag and drop functionality, and the option to share changes through email or text messages, PARiM is well suited for effective teams of all sizes.

If that isn’t enough, PARiM’s GPS-based time-clock feature allows staff at different locations to clock in and out on a mobile device!

Discover PARiM.

Clarizen, actiTIME, Klipfolio and PARiM: Solutions for your Business

In addition to high-performing functionality, these apps have been selected because of their high-quality UX with visually attractive layouts and intuitive design. You can be certain these apps will save your team lots of time, releasing them from boring tasks and allowing them to focus on more profitable work.

If you’re interested in more apps for business management, why not visit Crozdesk’s Business Management category?

Crozdesk.com helps users discover online software through its easy-to-use comparison interface. Detailed profiles, side-by-side comparisons, data analyses and automatic ranking algorithms allowing you to quickly find the best applications for any business function.

Fastest ever: the battery that charges your mobile in one minute

Is it really possible to charge a mobile battery in just one minute? Yes, it might sound a bit science fiction, but it is actually possible! This is exactly what an Israeli company has recently demonstrated with its new charging system that promises to charge your mobile up to 20 times faster than a standard charger.

StoreDot, as the company is called, has produced a video from their laboratory that demonstrates the super charger’s capabilities, made possible using a lithium-ion battery. Depending on the model (and their various chargers) a mobile can be fully charged within a mintute (or at the most six, which still doesn’t seem too bad either, right?)

As you can see from the video example, the battery of this smartphone is charged in just 30 seconds!

Can’t see the video? Click here.

They’ve called this technology x20 (being 20 times faster than any standard charger). If it were on the market now, it would cost around $60, available for the certain smartphones that accept the specific adaptor. Although not available yet, StoreDot plans to introduce them to the market for certain smartphones by 2017, and hopes to make them available for a wider range of models by 2018. Watch this space!

The best antiviruses of 2016

What are the best antiviruses to protect your Windows machine in 2016? We analyze results from the four of the most prestigious, independent antivirus comparison services to bring you the top five.

And do not miss the video towards the bottom of the page where we summarize all these results for you!

With Windows 10 and its built in security features gaining more followers, plus protection in web browsers increasing, you may be thinking that there is little need to install dedicated antivirus software. But with the level of threats constantly growing, proper protection is more important than ever.

So, what is the best antivirus to protect your Windows machine in 2016? We are here to analyze the results of four independent comparison sites to find out.

Powerful independent comparisons

As we did last year, we have collected and analyzed the results of four independent comparison sites. Our selection of antiviruses is limited to those that’s detection data appeared in at least two comparisons.

AV-Comparatives

In November, AV-Comparatives became the first laboratory to receive an EICAR certificate in recognition of its excellent work. For this comparison we use protection data from real scenarios in October 2015. We have also used the performance test results from the same month.

AV-TEST

AV-TEST is a veteran of independent testing, with its proof of zero-day attacks similar to that of AV-Comparatives. Again, we have used data from October 2015. Windows-TEST also provides performance data relating to the speed at which operations are performed.

Dennis Technology Labs

Dennis is less well known, but uses its own methodology to analyze antivirus software. The test measures not only how many threats are detected but also the number of false positives, allowing for an overall accuracy. It also includes Norton, a company that is traditionally reluctant to be analyzed. Results here span July-September 2015, and covers the most popular antiviruses.

Virus Bulletin (VB100)

Since 1989, VB has been one of the foremost authorities on antivirus and malware analysis. Its antivirus index, VB100, is subjected to rigorous screening in which neither false alarms nor failed attempts are allowed. We have taken the reactive and proactive (RAP) detection data, which measures the percentage of unknown viruses that have been successfully blocked.

Results of protection: What’s better at detecting malware?

How effective is your antivirus at stopping the latest threats? Here we have used averages of the protection scores offered by the four comparison sites. Do note, however, that AVG, BullGuard, ESET, and Kaspersky were the only antiviruses to take part in all four tests – scoring them top marks in transparency if nothing else.

Scores for protection range from 0 to 100, with a higher score being better. The antiviruses that fare best in terms of protection are Norton, Panda, and F-Secure. That said, like last year, Norton does not participate in AV-Comparatives nor in VB. Microsoft’s performance is mediocre, while Vipre and Lavasoft bring up the rear.

Sorted by average antivirus protection, a higher score is better

Performance results: which impacts your PC’s performance the least?

Antiviruses running in the background of your PC can slow it down. To know which will impact your machine’s speed the least we looked at performance scores from AV-Comparatives and AV-TEST, before averaging their percentages. In the below table you can see the results of these analysis.

As with protection, performance scores range from 0 to 100 with a higher score being better. Norton – who only participated in one performance comparison – ranks first, followed by Avira and Avast. The later of these is a notable improvement over last year‘s results. Again, like last year and in the protection test, we found Vipre and Lavasoft bringing up the rear.

Antivirus ordered by the average yield, a higher score is better

Overall scores and winners of comparative

In this final comparison we use protection and performance data, both with the same 50-50 weighting. This enables us to consider the importance of good security, alongside the impact on the operating system, to provide an overall result.

The results are shown below on a scale of 0-10 (green bars), along with the amount of protection and performance tests it has participated in (orange line, up to a maximum of six).

Final grade of protection and performance (green) and number of tests available (orange)

To reward the antiviruses involved in more comparison tests (over those that only participated in a couple), we have applied a correction factor: 1 – Number of tests / 4. This penalizes products that only participated in three tests. The final results vary slightly because of this, as can be seen in this final chart:

Final scores after applying the correction factor of tests performed

The winners: Avira, Kaspersky, Norton, Avast, and AVG

This year at the top of the best antivirus products we have two paid options – Norton and Kasperky – plus three free classics – Avast, AVG, and Avira. With the overall winner, taking into account performance and efficiency, being the German developed Avira.

Microsoft antivirus has improved a lot , making it an acceptable solution for those who do not want to spend money or install additional programs. It is particularly good at detecting malware.

At the back of the pack come Lavasoft, Vipre, Panda, and G Data – all of which were particularly impacted by their low performance scores, an aspect that cannot be overlooked.

How does this compare to 2015’s antivirus results? You can see the ups and downs right here.

This year Avira is in the lead, jumping two places from last year’s comparison. Kaspersky is a solid second place and remains the best paid solution, while Norton is up a position.

More spectacular are the climbs of Avast and AVG, both of which have taken a huge step up – especially in terms of performance. BitDefender has had a notable fall from the number one slot to number six, and ESET falls slightly.

While Windows 10 is a more secure system – and its virus protection is significantly better than Windows 8.1’s – additional protection is still highly recommended. Will it remain so next year? That all depends on Microsoft…

What antivirus do you recommend for 2016?

Previous comparisons:

Best Windows Antivirus Comparison 2015

Softonic’s big antivirus comparison: Software to stay safe in 2014

Comparison: Free Antivirus suites 2012

The best PC games of 2015

PCs offer something a little different from other game experiences. So, while those cross-platform titles are off grabbing the limelight with their marketing bucks, we thought we would take a look at our three favorite PC exclusive games of 2015.

Cities Skylines

Our first pick is Cities Skylines, the game everybody hoped the rebooted 2013 SimCity would be. Unlike EA’s offering, Skylines allows you to build a huge city, with complete control of its development, infrastructure, and future.

Starting with just a small plot of land to develop, your city can eventually fill a massive 324 square km of space. It isn’t just about scale though, as Skylines also provides mod-support that has been joyously embraced by its fans to allow for thousands of custom buildings for you to expand your city. This lets you give each area of your metropolis a distinct feel – no two districts have to look alike.

Our only problem with Cities Skylines is that there is no option to be really despicable. You can jack up the prices and taxes a little it’s true, but nothing quite as dastardly as SimCity allows.

Kerbal Space Program

If you have your eyes set a little higher than the city, then our second game could be for you. Kerbal Space Program finally got its full release in 2015 – and I couldn’t be happier.

This is another simulator, but rather than developing a town it has you take control of the planet Kerbal’s version of NASA. Your lofty goal: leave the planet, set up satellites, visit the Mun, and travel outwards through the solar system.

It is a lot of fun, but really hard if you choose the career mode which has you managing its mix of commerce, resource management, scientific development, and aeronautical design. This can all prove overwhelming but there is also a sandbox mode that lets you stick together the most bizarre ships you can think of to launch towards the stars. Or not. Even with unlimited funds most of my shuttles explode on the staging platform.

ARK Survival Evolved

Our final PC exclusive pick takes a far smaller scale than the others, but is no less complex for it. Focusing on personal survival, ARK Survival Evolved is a first-person experience that has you attempting to make your way through a hostile wilderness alone or in online multiplayer.

Its open-world is made up of diverse landscapes that range from frigid tundra to tropical forests, all of which are rich with life for you to hunt, use, ride, and try to survive. The thing is, whatever we write here feels like it is doing the game a disservice, because once you are battling giant scorpions and dragons from the back of your pterodactyl words just do not seem enough.

Due to its scope, and the fact it is still in the early stages of development, ARK Survival Evolved suffers from performance issues. On the plus side, developer Studio Wildcard is diligently chasing down bugs… the code kind, they are leaving the massive spiders and mosquitoes for you to deal with.

That’s it for this week’s Click-Swipe-Play, I will be back in seven days with our most anticipate games of 2016. I’ll see you then.

Month: January 2016