Microsoft Edge’s Market Share Drops Below 10% While Safari Continues to Gain Ground

With the arrival of June 2023, the U.S.-based web traffic analyst firm StatCounter has released its monthly report highlighting the progress reports of different search engines.

As per the stats, Google’s Chrome continued to lead the chart. The desktop version had more than sixty-six percent share even after losing 0.2 points last month.

On the other hand, Safari, an Apple-owned engine, is getting itself adjusted to its latest position as it successfully took over Microsoft-owned Edge two months ago. Safari was able to increase its user community as the stats went up from almost twelve percent to thirteen percent. Whereas Edge came down from ten percent to 9.91 percent.

The decline in Microsoft Edge’s market share could be attributed to several factors. One possible reason is the increasing competition from other browsers, such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, which have managed to capture a larger share of the market. Additionally, the perceived performance issues and compatibility concerns associated with Microsoft Edge may have played a role in its dwindling user base.

In contrast, Safari’s continued growth can be attributed to Apple’s thriving ecosystem. The built-in web browser, Safari, is automatically installed on every Apple device, including iPhones and Macs, giving it a significant advantage in terms of user adoption. With Apple’s strong customer base and seamless integration with its other products and services, Safari has managed to attract a loyal user community.

Similarly, Mozilla Firefox was also unable to increase its numbers. Instead of going up, the engine went further down, from almost 5.6 percent to 5.3 percent. As compared to last year, the engine had a share of around eight percent.

Shifting to the engines available on mobile phones, Google Chrome leads the table with an almost 61 percent share, followed by Safari, which holds 27.81 percent. Samsung’s own Samsung Internet gained almost 0.14 points and earned a share of approximately 5 percent.

The browser market remains highly competitive, with different players contending for a larger slice of the user base. Each browser offers unique features, security measures, and compatibility options, leading users to make choices based on their preferences and requirements.

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Android Users Need to Act Fast to Safeguard Their Devices From Malicious SpinOk Malware

Attention Android users, be cautious as a fresh surge of malicious apps has been identified, housing the harmful SpinOk malware. In a recent investigation, security experts revealed that more than 100 apps for android, with an astonishing total of 400 million downloads, were tainted with this insidious spyware. To make matters worse, an extra 92 apps have now been discovered to be compromised, intensifying the danger to unsuspecting individuals.

Originally introduced as an advertising tool in the form of a software development kit (SDK), SpinOk was unknowingly integrated by developers into their apps to offer users enjoyable "other games" and enticing "daily gifts." However, these seemingly harmless features masked a dangerous form of malware. Dr. Web, an antivirus company, uncovered the SpinOk module, which operates discreetly in the background and carries out a range of malicious actions. These actions include searching, uploading, replacing, listing files, and copying. Unfortunately, such functionality poses a significant risk, potentially leaking personal videos, documents, and images without authorization. Furthermore, the malware can exploit the device's clipboard to pilfer sensitive information like passwords and credit card data.

After Dr. Web's initial discovery of 101 apps infected with the malware called SpinOk, CloudSEK cybersecurity company has revealed an addition of 92 more infected apps at this point. These apps have amassed an astonishing 30 million downloads. Alarmingly, 43 of these infected apps were still accessible on the Google Play Store when the report was made, although Google is expected to take prompt action to remove them.

SpinOk has had a significant impact on various popular apps, including Macaron Match, Macaron Boom, Jelly Connect, Tiler Master, Crazy Magic Ball, Happy 2048, and Mega Win Slots. These apps have amassed millions of downloads, but it's crucial to highlight that the malicious SDK probably incorporated the into their apps without the creators knowing, mistaking it for a harmless advertising library.

If you happen to be an Android user with any of these apps installed, It is advisable to uninstall them immediately. Taking precautions with the security of your device is crucial, even if the malicious SDK is to be removed. Once the SpinOk module has been completely eradicated, you can consider reinstalling the apps.

Google has addressed the issue and emphasized the importance of developer and user safety. A spokesperson for Google stated that they have carefully examined the reports regarding the SpinOk SDK and are actively implementing measures against apps that breach their policies. Furthermore, Google Play Protect, a service provided by Google, acts as an additional layer of security by notifying users about apps that demonstrate malicious behavior, even if they are obtained from sources other than the official Play Store.

To ensure protection against Android malware and potentially harmful apps, it is recommended to exercise caution when installing new applications. Take the time to carefully evaluate the app's ratings and read user reviews, keeping in mind the possibility of fake reviews. Seeking out external reviews and watching video demonstrations can provide valuable insights.It is important to be cautious when you come across apps that request unnecessary permissions. For example, a photo-editing app should not require you to grant access to your contacts or call history.

To enhance your defense against mobile malware, it is recommended to contemplate the installation of a top-rated antivirus application designed for Android devices. Many Android phones come pre-installed with Google Play Protect, a built-in feature that offers the benefit of free scanning for both apps you already have and those you download in the future.

With the ongoing expansion of the list of apps contaminated by the malware of SpinOk, it is anticipated that Google will issue an official statement soon. In the interim, Android users are strongly advised to remove any affected apps from their devices as a precautionary measure to protect their personal data and maintain a secure mobile environment.

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by Ayesha Hasnain via Digital Information World

Former TikTok Executive Exposes Chinese Communist Party's Alleged Data Breach and TikTok's Involvement

Yintao Yu, a former executive at ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok has made a significant accusation in a legal document. During his tenure as the head of ByteDance's US engineering team from 2017 to 2018, Yu claimed that officials at the Chinese Communist Party had obtained personal data from civil rights activists residing in Hong Kong, who were users of TikTok. This allegation surfaces at a moment when lawmakers have been expressing mounting apprehension regarding the app's potential security risks.

In a wrongful termination lawsuit filed in May, Yu voiced his grievances against his former company. In a recent court filing, a new allegation came to light. As per the filing, the committee of the Chinese Communist Party reportedly acquired and compiled the communication data, IDs of their SIM, and IP addresses of individuals in Hong Kong, specifically targeting political activists.

TikTok has refuted the claims made by Yu and has expressed its disagreement with what it considers to be unfounded accusations. The company highlighted that Yu took 5 years after the wrongful termination to bring up these concerns, suggesting that they lack credibility.

Earlier this year Yu's lawyer made a decision to initiate the legal claim following Chew, the TikTok CEO's testimony before Congress. Chew denied any connection between the app and the leaking of any personal data that the government of China might've acquired. This compelled Yu to come forward and contradict Chew's statements. Currently, Forbes' attempts to obtain a comment from TikTok have been met with silence as the company has chosen not to respond.

In the midst of increasing worries regarding the protection of TikTok's data, particularly among lawmakers in the United States, a noteworthy development has emerged. Yu, a former employee who was dismissed from TikTok in 2018, has made allegations in a separate legal filing related to his wrongful termination case. According to Yu, his termination was a result of voicing concerns about a scheme intended to unlawfully appropriate and gain financial benefits with the misuse, and leaking of intellectual assets of various organizations. Furthermore, the legal complaint alleges that Beijing-based ByteDance's offices engaged with individuals linked to the Chinese Communist Party who actively supervised the company's applications and held the power to fully deactivate them at their discretion.

Lawmakers in the United States have displayed significant skepticism towards TikTok, raising doubts about the safety of American users' data. During a congressional hearing in March, TikTok's CEO, Shou Zi Chew, faced intense scrutiny as he consistently refuted allegations of the Chinese Communist Party's access to TikTok data in the US. Experts have voiced apprehensions regarding the potential national security risks posed by the app, its data collection practices, and the potential influence it may have on the content shown to American users.

Moreover, the concerns surrounding TikTok's security have not been limited to the federal level alone. Last month, the state of Montana took measures to ban the app citing concerns related to data privacy, leading to legal actions initiated by TikTok and its users.

In summary, Yintao Yu's accusations of Chinese Communist Party access to TikTok user data in Hong Kong have heightened concerns about the app's security. TikTok has denied the claims, but lawmakers and experts remain skeptical. The state of Montana has even banned the app due to data privacy concerns, leading to legal disputes. The issue of TikTok's data security continues to be a subject of scrutiny and legal action.

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by Ayesha Hasnain via Digital Information World

As Earth Overshoot Day Approaches, These Countries Act as Role Models

Earth Overshoot Day refers to a time of the year when the resources that we use end up exceeding the amount that the Earth can create on an annual basis. Each year, Earth Overshoot Day draws closer and closer to the start of the year. That highlights just how excessive our resource consumption can be with all things having been considered and taken into account.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that Earth Overshoot Day this year is falling on August 2nd. This marks the earliest overshoot day since it first began in the year 1970 when humanity exceeded Earth’s annual resources on the last day of the year.

In spite of the fact that this is the case, there are still plenty of countries that don’t have an Earth and Overshoot Day. This is largely due to their low resource consuming nature, and virtually all of these countries can be found in Asia and Africa with a few examples in South America as well.

The subcontinental nations of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka along with their northern neighbor of Afghanistan stand out quite a bit. Countries across Eastern, Western and Southern Africa, with the notable exception of South Africa itself, also serve as role models.

More people need to start living like the citizens of these countries because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up keeping the impending climate catastrophe at bay. On the other end of the spectrum are European nations like France and Germany which use twice as many natural resources on an annual basis.

America, of course, uses far more natural resources and if everyone lived like Americans the world would collapse faster than might have been the case otherwise. It will be interesting to see how much closer Earth Overshoot Day comes in 2024, since it is already edging far too close to the first half of the year and it might start occurring in the second quarter by the end of the decade.

H/T: Statista Blog

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by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

Don't Let Your Passwords Get Hacked: NordPass Reveals the 10 Most Common Passwords to Avoid in 2023

NordPass recently released a list of most common passwords used by people around the world to help users avoid them in 2023.

Online authentication is here to stay, but hackers always find new ways to crack passwords. To help users stay safe online, NordPass recently released a list of 200 commonly used passwords worldwide and estimated the time hackers take to crack them.

This compilation features the ten most commonly used passwords worldwide and vital facts on their prevalence and vulnerability to hacking. Among them, "password," "123456," and "123456789" top the list of frequently used passwords and can be cracked in a matter of seconds, posing a severe risk to your online security.

Stay safe online by avoiding these weak passwords and following recommended password guidelines. Upgrade your online security by switching to a password manager and authentication app instead of relying on common passwords.

These programs don't only make life easier; they can also make difficult, one-of-a-kind passwords for you and automatically input your login information, saving you time and lessening the aggravation of signing in.

The ability to save and access your credentials across several platforms is another benefit of password managers. Password managers will help you avoid using the same password across several accounts, check your accounts frequently to maintain their security, and always come up with a complex and strong password. Using obsolete or weak passwords puts your online security at risk.

As an extra layer of protection against cyber attackers, users should always opt for two-factor authentication when available and use strong passkeys with unique characters and numbers instead of common words or phrases such as password or qwerty, which are easily cracked by hackers in seconds or minutes, depending on their computing power available.

Protect yourself and your data now by choosing a secure password that can't be easily guessed or hacked. Remember to avoid the passwords on NordPass' list for 2023, and remember: the stronger the password, the safer you'll be online. Keep updated with security best practices and stay one step ahead of hackers.

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Trouble For Reddit As Popular Subreddits Will ‘Go Dark’ By Next Week

The popular social media app Reddit has a lot of things to worry about right now. And one of those is linked to trouble for its Subreddits.

The platform’s subreddits are gearing up to ‘go dark’ as early as next week and that is another way of it showing great discontent regarding the new and increased API price plans.

This past month, the platform mentioned how it would be increasing the pricing for the API access so that it could make a whole lot of funds through the likes of developers that had big names. They are the ones who have been making use of the app to fuel systems.

It should be added how so many generative AI tools were making use of other apps like Twitter and even Reddit for the sake of carrying conversational data so that they could design their models. Now, those enterprises are selling it out to their own clients, making close to billions and most of it has to do with chats taking place on both Twitter as well as Reddit.

Remember, Twitter ended up raising the prices so that those who wished to attain API access for the app would need to pay more. Tech billionaire Elon Musk made it very clear that no one would be getting anything for free anymore and would have to pay for exclusive access.

Therefore, Reddit appears to be following in those same footsteps that Twitter took this year in March. They wish to design a system that they refer to as more equitable.

This change is going to affect plenty of small-scale clients arising from third parties of the app, including tools that a lot of people are making use of to get access to the platform.

One of the biggest examples, in this case, is Apollo. The latter is the name given to a reader platform of Reddit that gives a new and different Reddit experience. It is made use of by so many people and gives more functionality including the best compatibility for screen reading while ensuring more people gain entry to the application.

The new range of charges for API access has gotten an estimated figure of $2 million each month and that would ensure the app continues to run. And when that takes place, it could take the app out of the competitive market of today and would hence create a major rumble across Reddit’s community.

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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Researchers Discover Piles of Explicit Images Displaying Child Abuse On Twitter Despite Elon Musk Vowing To Remove Such Content

Twitter chief Elon Musk has long been mentioning how the app’s top priority remains the safety of young audiences on the platform.

But recently, an array of shocking images displaying child abuse and explicit material was located online from the app, moments after he took on the firm. Moreover, such content of this kind was being posted over the last couple of months and it was located by researchers through various platforms.

Many find the news really hard to believe, especially when the firm’s head vowed to delete and even restrict such graphic material from appearing on the app, just days after he acquired the organization.

Clearly, Musk has failed at staying true to his promise and ridding the app of explicit material. The report shows how a staggering 40 different pictures were found on the app between the period of March 12 toward the end of May. This type of content was flagged as per reports from researchers at Standford University but it was appealing how it was never removed, confirmed a recent report by the Wall Street Journal.

The team of researchers spoke about spotting such pictures on the app and proved how it was a major deal and lacked the right kind of enforcement. Remember, Elon Musk has already gotten rid of nearly 90% of his company’s staff and the app has witnessed plenty of outages and major issues too. This entails a whole array of technical glitches that included Flordia’s Governor Ron DeSantis unveiling officially that he was running for President in the upcoming elections.

The news led to outrage and after the matter was publicized, we saw Twitter sent out a response to researchers in the past week. He indicated that it was making great advancements to the whole CASM system and that researchers were noting how the app resolved the matter in the past month.

Then in February, the app revealed how it was moving at a fast pace and even in an aggressive manner to overcome things like child exploitation within the app. It also took great pride in getting rid of evidence in the form of images by restricting so many accounts which published and communicated with such explicit content.

During the start of this year, the app says that it ended up suspending nearly 40,000 accounts that it produced, engaged with, and even passed on featuring this content. And as you can imagine, it’s a massive 112% rise in suspensions for CSE since the start of November.

Twitter on the other hand seems to be staying the same when it comes down to transparency. And that might affect researchers in terms of finding more breaches of a similar kind.

Remember, Twitter’s chief has spoken about raised pricing tiers for API so why would anyone wish to pay extra to attain access, right? We’re talking about a staggering rise in costs where researchers might need to spend $42k or more to attain Twitter’s access and make it a wildly affordable ordeal.

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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World