Consumers Are Reluctant to Recycle Old Phones, Here’s Why That’s Bad for the Environment

We’ve all been guilty of holding onto an old phone long after it broke down. People usually do this because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up helping them hold onto the nostalgia value of the device. In spite of the fact that this is the case, failing to recycle old phones is quite detrimental to the environment. Studies have shown that e-waste will be a huge problem if steps aren’t taken to reduce it immediately.

A survey from Samsung shed some light on this issue, and with all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that 72% of respondents said that they choose not to recycle old devices. That is despite 50% of them agreeing that e-waste is a big issue, so there is clearly a hurdle here that is making it less likely that consumers will take the necessary steps to prevent this future problem than might have been the case otherwise.

36% of consumers who responded to this survey stated that they tend to keep old devices stowed away in their homes with all things having been considered and taken into account. Many consumers said that they have a dedicated drawer that can house all of their e-junk, and if this waste was recycled it might help to stem the issues that can originate from e-waste.

Samsung made some recommendations in this survey such as informing users about the over 1,700 locations in the US alone where they can go to have their old phones recycled. Some users might be hesitant to part ways with a device out of fear that their data might get leaked, and if that’s the case they can also repurpose the devices by following the tips that Samsung has outlined in this survey.

The problem of e-waste is getting ever more apparent, and until consumers and major manufacturers come to an understanding, the issue will likely get worse before it gets better. E-waste reduction is a top concern for most environmental scientists.

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by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

New malware is targeting Facebook users via phishing emails

Malware interference has become increasingly irritating, as several cases are emerging these days. The very recent one has to be phishing emails that specifically target Facebookers. Ducktail is a familiar campaign that swindles crucial browser data from numerous business accounts.

According to a new study, this campaign has been infiltrating private accounts for a long time. Zscaler said that cyber attackers dispersed viruses via malware written in NET Core to Facebook Business account data kept in a browser through the LinkedIn account. Moreover, these attackers have expertise in malware’s command and control system C2 to connect with targeted accounts to manage the cyberattack.

Furthermore, these attacks are not only infiltrating Facebook accounts and stealing confidential material, but they have also started getting access to crypto wallets, account information, and system data. The Ducktail campaign has put business accounts in jeopardy, and the tech needs to take steps to eliminate the malicious software interferences.

In addition, a modification to the C2 has been made to direct the data from a Telegram channel to a JSON website that stores crucial account and crypto token information and protects it from scams. Cyber attackers are savvy to target their desired accounts and send them emails in the shape of archive files.

Zscaler added that the advanced version is being used by the attackers to get into the system and con people. Users are advised to use different accounts and anonymous browsers or not save important material in their browsers to avoid such mishaps. Because Ducktail has caused such a stir, they upload their malware files to memory to prevent them from being interrupted by malware protection systems.

To save your data, the best method is to establish an anonymous account. Because once the malware enters the data, it grants third-party access to all of it, including your bank accounts. Cybercriminals will gain from compromising Facebook's endpoint, so it should not be compromised. The breach will allow access to the authentication status and the amount spent on particular purchases.

In addition, people need to be aware that malware files can also be accessed through archive files and email. However, they have occasionally been duped into downloading files that do not reveal any signs of a virus. For example, there are files for movie subtitles that contain viruses that can harm your computer. Similarly, viruses can be downloaded onto your devices from adult and illegitimate content. As a result, check to see that the link you're using comes from a legitimate website.

While this new info stealer is on the rise, one needs to be more careful and cautious when downloading phishing emails and links. There is multiple software that provides their customers with protection against malware infiltration, which could provide some protection to the users.

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Google Launches ‘Refreshed’ Family Link App Complete With A Web Version For Adults And Kids

Google rolled out a new experience that’s a revamped version of its Family Link. The launch comprised three different tabs that are designed for highlights, location, and controls. There’s a separate panel for notifications too.

The search engine giant says it’s also launching a new Family Link app as a desktop version where both kids and parents can benefit.

We first saw the rollout of this app in 2017 and that’s when it enabled parents to control and restrict their kids’ screen time and how much of the app they were using. Similarly, we saw it lock out children when parents felt it was necessary on devices seen across both Chrome and Android.

There’s even an option called ‘bedtime’ that helps ensure kids sleep on time and avoid crossing timelimit boundaries set out for their own good. Last year, the app also came with features for learning such as ‘always allowed’ that ensured they would benefit educationally too during the pandemic.

The revamped version has a fresh interface that puts out a design with three tabs on the front. This is where you can find limits set out for kids and options to amend them too. Next up, you’ll find another highlights tab that shows a summary of the child’s device including usage time.

This app was recently installed and is considered to be intensely popular for obvious reasons. The location feature allows parents to keep a tab on where their kids are currently present. Any alerts can be found in the central panel that gives an overall view of what’s happening in terms of updates.

Google went public with a blog recently that shed light on why it relaunched a new version of the app. They claim the redesigned venture will bring out the most utilized tools so parents can benefit from their favorite features. This includes great options like time outs to reduce screen time, blocking apps, and also removing them.

Another interesting feature called ‘today’s limit’ is designed to allow parents to set out various screen time limits in a manner that doesn’t affect their own schedules. It’s a super useful feature in terms of vacation and guardians where you can reward kids with some extra time on the platform too.

Users will now see a single screen that puts out the location for all kids. Similarly, it’s going to provide a view of the battery level on the device with options to call them too.

The company says they’re also working on another feature that notifies parents when the kids arrive at a particular destination like a school, giving them reassurance that they’re safe and sound in today’s unpredictable times.

In July of this year, we saw Google Maps launch a new tab for notifications that entailed arrival and departure for various pinned spots. So that might be something similar seen on this app too.

Then there was a discussion about how the app will soon bring forward resources that help make kids understand more points linked to online safety via question and answer sessions. This would make them more aware of threats and how they can be safe.

The web version for this application is also being launched for adults and kids so parents may gain access to the control and commands section. This way, they’ll be able to better gauge the scenario using iOS 16 tools and see what restrictions are set up on the mobile device apps.

The news of all these changes comes just days after Apple went public with its Quick Start. This would put out screen time restrictions for kids via some small steps.

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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Twitter Is Pressurizing A Federal Judge To Toss Complaints Accusing The App Of Data Collection For Ad Targeting

Twitter is mounting more pressure on a Federal Judge to throw out complaints made against the firm.

These complaints were linked to accusations that went on to detail how the company collected the contact details of its users for security reasons. But in the end, went on to utilize it for the sake of ad targeting.

The accusations come after court filings took place at the end of last week. This is when the company was seen arguing that all details collected of its users were in line with the privacy policy outlined. But the person who brought forward the case refuses to acknowledge that.

The company mentioned in the form of a disclosure agreement that there is no truth in the recently filed case. They feel the plaintiff’s complaint is baseless and the firm did not use, sell, or share her details with those providing ads. On that note, they feel the time has come for the complaint to be dismissed.

Twitter's response arises after the filing of a lawsuit by a Maryland citizen, just days after Twitter received a staggering $150 million for misleading users. They were alleged of asking for phone numbers and email IDs for the purpose of security. But then the data was used for the purpose of ad targeting.

This lawsuit is very similar to how the FTC took against Twitter for enabling advertisers to follow and target users with the information provided to them without any form of consent. These details were taken by the app for the purpose of authentication but as you can tell, were used for other purposes.

Twitter tried to justify the behavior by calling it a huge mistake and is not quite sure how it went into the ad platform that enabled firms to utilize their own lists for the sake of marketing.

The recent lawsuit is holding Twitter accountable for violating its own policies and taking profits for unfair practices so that ads could be targeted on the app. But in August, Twitter came back arguing. They claim the plaintiff was not harmed by this behavior and hence the case needed to be dropped. But her lawyers argued that harmed or not, she had every right to fight because this was her data and it belonged to her only.

They even claim that the app must be held accountable for such behavior as sharing sensitive details for their own unlawful means is not justified.

Twitter was seen boldly declaring how the complaint filed speaks of Twitter using the user’s details for advertising. But it fails to mention anything about Twitter promising not to use such details for the sake of advertising.

The person who filed the case is named Kim Price. She is expected to hold a hearing on the matter in November of this year. So until then, we’ll just have to wait and watch what the courtroom decides.

H/T: MediaPost

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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

New Study Says Screen Time Can Actually Be Productive If It's Mindful

We’re pretty sure you’re sick and tired of hearing the same statement over and over again linked to how unproductive screen time can be.

So many studies have spoken about the health risks it possesses and how reducing the time spent on smartphones and tabs could really have a positive effect on your health. But wait, we may have spoken too soon.

There is actually another study that was recently published. It spoke about how smartphones may increase productivity if used in a very mindful and focused manner.

The study was carried out by two authors. One was named Kaveh Abharif from San Diego State University and the other is Isaac Vaghefi from City University of New York. This duo found out that when you use smartphones in a mindful manner and don’t reduce screen time, the effects are enhanced productivity.

Today, researchers claim that smartphone applications that already exist in your device can monitor how much screen time you’re using and this leads to a more focused approach to using your device. And in the end, the consequences are better satisfaction and more productivity.

The team says their initial target was to see if actions conducted on a self-regulatory basis would end up causing a modification in user behavior. And in the end, it fosters an enhanced smartphone outcome.

Those people who made it a point to avoid excessive use of their phones and set targets around that aspect would result in greater productivity and more happiness with their user experience as their goals were met.

Remember, so many studies from the past show how meeting your outlined goals and target objectives can better your performance as the theory stands true for both phone screen times too.

A total of 469 undergrad students living in California, Hawaii, or New York were enrolled in the study. This comprised a three-week-long poll where all the participants were requested to conduct a series of four questionnaires. Moreover, 50% were also told to download an app for screen monitoring on their devices.

In this way, they were able to better set out their goals and keep a check on them in terms of screen time on their smartphones.

After the results were collected and analyzed, the researchers came to the conclusion that there was increased productivity for screen time as reported by the participants. This included an analysis of the screen time that was being recorded and the fatigue that came with the task of keeping a track of how much the screen was being utilized.

On the other hand, the study also took into account the great happiness that came with the productivity that participants sought through their screen time. And that’s when the researchers added that self-monitoring is needed to promote the best possible use of smart devices in today’s time.

These results suggest to us that optimizing and not reducing screen time is the key to greater productivity. But that doesn’t mean people weren’t getting tired of the ordeal. Monitoring screen time can be tiresome and may reduce productivity, as noted by the study. But all in all, this wasn’t such a huge factor worth considering in the end nor did it drastically affect the results linked to getting productivity.

To conclude, the authors claim that uncontrollable usage of smartphones is definitely not recommended as it can negatively impact a person’s quality of life. However, once screen time is monitored and goals are set, it can really promote positivity and enhance user satisfaction.

The study also paves the way for the addition of self-monitoring systems in mobile phones. This would really enhance screen time and better the bond created between humans today and the modern digital world.

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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

New Study Says Game Developers Are Focusing More On PCs And Laptops

A new study is shedding light on video game developers and their trends in terms of game production. And that’s when it was revealed how many professionals in the field were focusing a lot more on desktops and laptops than anything else.

As of this year in May, most of the production was proven to center around PCs, where figures rose to as much as 80%. As far as console and smartphone device games were concerned, the figure was nearly half. It stood at 40%.

Trends in the gaming industry have proven how there is a decline in the sales of consoles and the industry happens to be struggling with the current economic situation too. This coupled with issues in the supply chain and great concerns linked to inflation has really taken a toll on the industry. And that’s why there’s a small opening in the world of PC gaming.

Here is where gamers get the chance to play on their PCs and their laptops. The products are definitely something they already own and so it’s definitely going to see a spike in demand during these troubling times.

This also gives rise to the understanding that gamers need to think outside the box and get on board with multiple streams of revenue such as ads or even an option for subscriptions.

This particular report comes after data collection from Perforce and it took into account statistics from August 2022. Around 300 gaming professionals were included in the study from the world between January to May of this year.

It’s interesting to note how 35% of those included in the study worked for some sort of gaming studio while 34% didn’t. The latter worked in places other than the gaming industry but did have their solar gaming projects. Others included the likes of studio owners and a few were contractors of such studios.

Via: Perforce.
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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

New Global Survey Says Business Owners Are Confident About Surviving The Economic Downturn

The current economic situation around the globe isn’t too great but a new survey conducted by GoTo is proving how optimistic business owners are in this regard.

The survey comprised nearly 3,700 owners of small or large-scale enterprises and respective executives too. This is when it was shown that these individuals had a lot of confidence in terms of making it out, safe and sound, despite the current crisis.

As we all are well aware, brands are being struck heavily with losses as inflation peaks to a new high. This coupled with issues in the supply chain isn’t making matters any better. But in the US, around 70% of business owners aren’t breaking a sweat.

They feel confident that this situation is temporary and won’t last long. And they’re confident that they’ll survive it.

In the same way, a huge percentage of different countries were surveyed in this matter. And most of them had positive responses as there was a lot of economic resilience provided for their enterprises. Countries included the likes of India, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia.

But it’s surprising to see how the story was completely different in terms of the European continent. Countries like Germany and France had business owners feeling the pressure and figures were just 65% confident while those in the UK were even less. This is where figures stood at 43%. When you compare that with the likes of the Asian continent, the difference is great as figures ranged between 95% to 75%.

The study was recently carried out by OnePoll. They claim that overall, from a global perspective, people who responded were 70% confident that recession would ensue in the next few months.

But right now in the US, around 70% of individuals are prepared for huge headwinds in the economic world at a given point in time. A lot of people are nervous to see what’s next in terms of the current state of the business. Moreover, around 36% claim to be prepared with their own plans on how to combat the economic downturn. And more than 30% of respondents have even begun implementation of their plans to avoid the crisis ahead.

America has a lot of people getting their businesses ready for economic resilience. They’re open to gaining a better understanding of what is economic relief and how to obtain it. It’s like averting a disaster by being well-prepared and we think that’s awfully smart to plan ahead.

A lot of finance-related analysts feel the time has come to have businesses clear their minds about what lies ahead and how they can make the most of their position in the world through this means. From providing more support to their workforce to protecting their assets, and thinking outside the box for better ways to generate revenue, there’s a lot to be done in this regard.

Internationally, so many firms have come head to head with economic downturns from the past. And that’s how so many leading business owners say they’ve gained experience on how to avert such disasters or reduce their mega effects.

In terms of what advice they would give to others about the situation, well, be prepared is what they claim, other than staying calm and being optimistic about entering such a period of uncertainty. Additionally, they hope adding great strategies and goals would help provide better optimism in this regard.

The role of employees is also crucial during such periods. They can really assist in maintaining the stability required to keep the business functioning so providing them with greater protection was also advised. Be it more incentives or keeping their morale high- there are several ways to get it done. And the benefits of doing so are worthwhile.

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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World