The security of users' devices is a growing worry due to the rise in malware assaults and frauds. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has released a number of free bot removal programmes to address this issue and help people protect their cellphones.
To disseminate awareness, the government is constantly contacting individuals via SMS messages and has taken the initiative with the Cyber Swachhta Kendra portal
Also read: 5 major ways Apple Safari’s privacy settings are better than Google Chrome browser
What is Botnet Malware?
A botnet is a collection of computers, smartphones, or other electronic devices that have been joined together by 'bot' malware. Malware provides hackers power over infected computers after a device has been compromised and joined the botnet. This power gives them the ability to engage in a variety of nefarious behaviours, such as sending spam, preventing incoming and outgoing texts and calls, and even accessing private data like usernames, passwords, and net banking information.
You might have recently gotten a text message from the government saying, "Stay Cyber Safe! The Government of India, through CERT-In, advises downloading the "Free Bot Removal Tool" at csk.gov.in to safeguard your electronic gadget from botnet infections and malware.
How does the malware inject your PC?
1) An infected attachment in your email
2) A malicious link in your email or on a website
3) Downloaded file from an untrusted source
4) Use of unsecured public Wi-Fi network
How to remove malwae from your device?
1) Search www.csk.gov.in
2) Click on the ‘Security Tools’ tab and choose an antivirus company with a botnet removal tool.
3) Download the tool by clicking download
4) For Windows users: eScan Antivirus, K7 Security, or Quick Heal among others will be listed
5) For Android users: 'eScan CERT-IN Bot Removal' tool or 'M-Kavach 2' developed by C-DAC Hyderabad you can find these on Google PlayStore
6) Run the app on your device and the process of scanning the malware and removing them will begin.
Also read: Google removes 32 Chrome extensions suspecting malicious intent
In addition to the tools for removing bots, the CSK portal also provides other security programmes like "USB Pratirodh" and "AppSamvid." To improve their security, users have the choice to download these programmes.
A desktop programme called "USB Pratirodh" is intended to control how detachable storage devices, such as phones and pen drives, are used. Users must enter a username and password each time a new USB device is attached in order to be authenticated. This programme also encrypts data, changes read/write permissions, and analyses USB drives for viruses.
AppSamvid' is a programme for Windows users that restricts the operating system to only running authorised files. It enables users to make trustworthy Java files and executables lists. The software can also be password-protected by users. 'AppSamvid' guards the computer against malware such as viruses and trojans
PUBG Mobile came back to India as the Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI). It was banned earlier in 2022 because of different reasons. Majorly because parents were concerned that the children were hooked on the game for hours, which was impacting their studies and other outdoor activities.
So, now Krafton has introduced a new feature for BGMI where parents have some control over what their children are playing, how long they are playing and different reasons. Basically parental control has been introduced. Let's have a deeper look at what this Parental Control is all about.
BGMI Parental Control, what is it?
Through this control, parents can keep the gaming hours of the kids under control. So, this includes making customisations and receiving OTP confirmations and other things that puts a check on Gaming responsibly. This feature is applicable for gamers under 18. So, a consent from parents will be necessary while minors want to play BGMI.
Also read: BGMI Streaming Isn’t Very Popular, People Don’t Like Chicken Dinner Anymore?
BGMI Parental Control set-up
Step 1) Launch the BGMI gaming app Step 2) Next, go to the settings Step 3) Next on the extreme right, scroll down to Others Step 4) Then tap on Gameplay Management Window option Step 5) Then it will ask if the gamer is 18 or not, there for the minors you have to select no. Step 6) Enter the parent's phone number and tap on SMS verification Step 7) When the verification code comes in on the number given, enter the number in the bar and uta done.
BGMI Parental Control Key features
OTP: Whenever a minor is about to start playing BGMI, they will have to get the SMA verification done by sending an OTP every time on the registered number of the parent. Gameplay time limitations: For minors, the game is limited to 3 hours only. Hence, the game will stop after 3 hours immediately when a minor is playing. Reminding about breaks: There are reminders to take breaks while playing the game. To ease the eye for a while. Daily expenditure limits: Gamers won't be able to purchase anything on BGMI in a day for above ₹7,000.
Also Read: 5 gaming phones under 20000 for playing BGMI
WhatsApp Channels was recently introduced as a private broadcasting feature. When you join a WhatsApp Channel, you are part of a group of WhatsApp users who share a similar tastes. But, this is different from WhatsApp Groups. Here’s how.
Channels vs Groups: How they differ from each other
1, WhatsApp Groups support up to 1024 members. WhatsApp hasn't revealed the number of subscribers to a Channel, ie., if there is one.
Well, the channel admin will have the right to allow/decline entry.
2. WhatsApp will feature a searchable directory of all Channels. There is no such feature for Groups as they are created and maintained for a more private reason.
You wouldn’t want your family or office group to be searchable by anyone. But, a channel that shares/discusses tech news should be accessible to anyone.
Having said that the admins can restrict their channel’s discoverability and who gets to follow it.
3. WhatsApp Channels are not end-to-end encrypted as it is aimed at reaching a broader audience (but the company may add this to limited audience channels like a non-profit organization or important institution.
Also Read: WhatsApp Channels regulation: Meta should look to Telegram for lessons
4. The profile photo and phone number of Channel admins won’t be shown to followers but there is no restriction on Groups.
5. Unlike Groups, the Channel admin can’t see the phone number when you join it. So people can follow whichever Channel they want without disclosing their identity.
6. Channel admins can block screenshots and forwards from their channel while such a power doesn't exist with Group admins.
Also Read: WhatsApp HD image sharing is in the works: 5 ways it can be useful
7. Whatsapp also says channel history will be kept on the servers for up to 30 days only. In the case of WhatsApp Groups, there is a Disappearing Messages feature (with 24 hours, 7 days and 90 days duration) Also, there is the View Once feature wherein If the sender sends a View Once message/content, then that would be viewable one time.
The newly launched WhatsApp feature called Channels could be dangerous if not regulated properly. WhatsApp Channels looks inspired by the Telegram feature with a similar name. So you see the concern buds from the way some Telegram Channels propagate illegal and copyright-infringing content. Bots and misinformation are also problem areas that WhatsApp should pay attention to.
Let’s first understand how WhatsApp Channels work and in what way it is similar to Telegram Channels.
What is WhatsApp Channels? How is it similar to Telegram Channels?
WhatsApp Channels is described as a “private broadcast service” to follow all topics you care about. Well, the channels around the themes you like could be run by people or organizations. These WhatsApp Channel admins will get to monetize the service they provide thanks to the integration of WhatsApp Pay.
Also Read: WhatsApp HD image sharing is in the works: 5 ways it can be useful
This is similar to how the Telegram Channels work in some respects. There is the broadcast part and the Telegram Payments 2.0 part.
However, Telegram Channels has been around since 2015 and over the years, scores of Channels around a myriad of topics and themes have cropped up. While many of these are useful and indulge in fair content and practices, there are some that don’t.
One could easily find Telegram Channels that distribute pirated content, bots and shortcuts for growth hacks on social media platforms like Instagram. In the even darker alleys of Telegram, you may come across extremist groups and dangerous elements.
Also Read: WhatsApp banned 74 lakh accounts in India over safety concerns
In 2022, the Indian judiciary mandated Telegram to disclose the channels that are involved in copyright infringement. Time and again, the app has faced the ire of authorities across the world including India, Brazil, etc.
Even when it claims it has banned a channel, it’s not known whether that means it has taken down the content also or not. You can read more about this in Yale University’s The Tale of Telegram Governance report.
So, it seems WhatsApp can look to Telegram for lessons on regulation: Both what to do and what not to do.
Google took another step forward with Android 14’s Beta 3 version towards a stable version of the developed operating system yesterday. The OS is expected to be released for pan OEM brands’ use by the end of this month or the next the latest. Currently, users with Google smartphones can install the Beta 3 version and check out the new features that the system has to offer.
Google has recently shifted to naming the systems in numerical order however, previously it had the systems named after sweet treats. However, an internal connection for sweet treat still continues and Android 14 is called ‘Upside Down Cake’
When will the stable Android 14 be released?
The operating system is speculated to release in Q3 like the previous versions have and a stable version of the operating system for OEMs will still take a long time. The beta 3 version has just reached Google phones so there is still for the OS to go pan devices.
With iOS17 being released recently, the focus on Android 14 has intensified. Having said that, here’s the list of some of the top features that the latest version of Android has to offer.
Also read: 3 key iPadOS 17 features that Android 14’s tablet version should also offer
Android 14: Upcoming Accessibility Features
Android is working towards making the user experience more holistic and efficient wherein the users can easily access the applications and features on the system. These are a few changes that you will experience in the Android 14 version.
Larger Fonts Get ready to have the biggest changes for the OS, literally, as the system will be giving the option to increase the font size to 200% topping Android 13’s 130%. The new version will also give the option of non-linear scaling where the text size which is already large won’t be affected.
Notification Flashes In addition, the latest Android version will also allow its users to enable notification flashes where the camera flash will go off when a notification is received on the device. The users can toggle the changes in the settings and can also change the colour of the flash light which seems interesting and customised.
Regional and Language Preferences The Android 14 will see developments in the language setting especially for gendered languages such as French and German. Basically, they are heavily structured on gender nouns which can often lead to bad transcription. Hence, the system will use Grammatical Inflection API to make the changes.
Moreover, the users can make changes around the device on the basis of the region they are living in. For instance, if you're from India living in the US, certain scales and time zones would not fit well for you. Hence, the system will align with your preferences of region and time.
Android 14: Upcoming Battery Features
The features that are seeing a few changes may not create a huge impact on the overall battery power however, will make certain changes that will have a better impact in hindsight.
Job scheduler and foreground services The major element that the system will be focusing on to have a battery efficiency is incorporating certain activities and tasks to ease out the background activities and downloading of large files. In addition, it will also enhance the internal broadcast system basically, bringing all the elements of the device on the same page to work seamlessly.
New permissions for battery efficiency The system will be bringing back a long lost feature 'screen time since last full charge’. This will be able to give you a better idea of how long your cell phone actually lasts on full capacity and then make changes to the system. The system will also allow scheduling exact alarms for applications which are not innate clocks and calendars. This feature might not necessarily create that big of an impact.
Android 14: Upcoming Cross-device Features
There haven’t been any major changes in the system for cross-device functionalities however, the system has worked on making the apps work more efficiently. And the changes will benefit the developers.
Build Preview The Android 14 system will enable the user to build apps by providing a preview of its device's cross-device SDK. This will help the developers put their apps together seamlessly.
Developer Focused Additions Google has been working on cross-device features for a long time now and now the system has received developer focused additions wearing the users can see changes in window size classes and sliding pane layouts making the apps adaptable to different screens.
Android 14: Upcoming Privacy Features
Google has been focusing on privacy features for all its software services with the recent removal of 32 extensions from Chrome. We can understand that the tech giant means business when it comes to the privacy of its users.
Blocking older apps Now this is where the system is stepping up and making grave changes to the operating cycle for the Android system. Google is working on blocking older applications, precisely apps built for the Lollipop APIs (Android 5.1).
The primary reason for taking this step is to make sure that no malware attacks the device as most of them target older applications. Now, the result of this change would be that the users won’t be able to use older games or any specific niche application in the Android 14 system. However, it goes without saying that this won’t be the case for users using Android 14 out-of-the-box.
Partial media and data sharing Previously, when an application on the Android cell phone would ask if you want to share any media and photos with the application you would have the options of choosing ‘yes’ or ‘no’. However, with Android 14 you can now choose to share a part of the media and this will enable the user to have more control on their media basically what should be shared with the application and what shouldn’t be.
In addition, the system will also inform you when the application makes any changes in their terms and policies once you have accepted them. For instance, if you accept the terms today and data sharing changes tomorrow you will receive a notification stating that there has been a change in the app’s terms.
Passkey and PIN Privacy Google is extensively working on malware for intent systems and dynamic code loading. Now the system also allows the user to use passkeys instead of passwords making the system more secure. There has also been change in the animation effects in the smartphone for PINs making them less evident and more tricker to identify for any sneak peekers.
Also read: 5 major ways Apple Safari’s privacy settings are better than Google Chrome browser
Android 14: Upcoming Customization/Cosmetic Features
There are multiple new features that can be expected when it comes to making your device customisable and these features will help the user reflect their preferences.
Custom Lock Screen and Wallpaper While previously the device has offered multiple options for custom widgets and wallpapers as well they have had their limitations. With the latest version you can play around the theme of the device and experiment to find the best option for yourself. You can change font style, size, colour, shortcuts and the wallpapers of course.
Audio and Image Features The system will provide new changes for audio with lossless audio feature when using wired headphones and will also develop on 10-bit HDR to retain more information form the sensor making the image more vibrant and have great contrast. The Camera2 and CameraX extensions will enhance the processing time with the new updates.
Wait there's more...
Cloned Apps You can now clone apps on your devices and run two accounts at the same time. Basically, if you have two SIMs and both run on WhatsApp you can install two WhatsApp icons which will run two different accounts. The same can be done with apps that do not provide an option for having two simultaneous accounts such as Instagram.
Satellite Connectivity In the last six months there have been multiple announcements for satellite communication functionality from Qualcomm, HUAWEI, and T-Mobile and there is a chance that Google will be bringing this technology with native satellite communication support with Android 14. This feature might not impact the Indian users but will definitely be helpful for the countries it will be releasing in as it will provide a two way communication array and multimedia formats.
App Pair Saves The system will create App Split screens for the apps the user uses quite frequently and provide the user the option of saving the App Pair and then creating a shortcut for the same so you can visit that pair again with ease.
Predictive Back Gesture Mishaal Rahman, journalist and a renowned coder, gave the information that the system will now show the user where the back gesture feature will be taking you visually and not just let you think where the UI is headed. This will truly help the user in having a better user experience with their devices.
Bloatware Finder This feature gives us a ray of hope that we no longer have to deal with unwanted and forced applications on our device. Google is working on the feature which is currently named as ‘Apps installed in the background’. The feature will let you uninstall the bloatware quickly when it is being downloaded secretly. The best example of bloatware would be the unwanted application when you insert a SIM card, Google is working towards the feature however, we do not know if it will come for Android 14 or the next threat.
Which Android 14 features do you find the most interesting and what else are you expecting from the OS now that iOS17 has come out? Let’s us know ateditor@digit.in
Yesterday marked the launch of Android 14 Beta 3. In case you are wondering, Android 14 majorly focuses on privacy, security, performance, developer productivity and customisations. It aims towards improvement of the large screen devices like tablets, foldables and so on.
Now let's have a look at what all it has to offer.
Also Read: Google releases first beta version of Android 14
New features Android 14 Beta 3 is bringing in
Android 14 will allow you to scale your font to a huge size of up to 200%. People who have trouble with the eye and can't see anything without their spectacles, for them it would be really helpful.
Now, you can also give partial access of your media library to third party apps when they asks permission. So, in this way Android is trying to make your experience much more secure.
Also, Google terms this Android version has reached 'platform stability' and it means that developer APIs and other app-facing behaviours won't be able to change anymore until Android 14 is openly available in the market.
Phones compatible with Android 14 Beta 3 As of now only selected Pixel devices are compatible with Android 14 Beta 3. They are as follows: Pixel 4A 5G Pixel 5 Pixel 5A Pixel 6 Pixel 6 Pro Pixel 7 Pixel 7 Pro
These are the devices which are compatible with Android 14 Beta as of now. More will be added to this list. Also the newly launched Pixel 7A is supposed to join the list soon as well.
What Google has to sayabout the Android 14 Beta 3
Google dropped a blog post today about the release of Android 14 Beta 3. They have mentioned that the testing version will help fix bugs. Also, there will be one more Beta version launch of Android 13 around July, after which the main version will be available in the market by the third quarter of the year. Google also notes how Android 14 will cater to large-screen devices as well.
Also Read: Want to try Android 14 Beta 2? Check full list of supported smartphones
Realme 11 Pro+ is the highest-end model in the Realme’s numbered series this year. Realme launched it alongside the Realme 11 Pro at the brand’s “The Next Leap” launch event. As part of the promotions, Realme touted the 200MP sensor and Zoom to the next level capability of the Pro+ variant. Here, we will learn about these camera features in detail. And since camera is a key selling point for the Realme 11 Pro Plus, you would want to know what its camera setup is all about before the phone goes on sale in a couple of days from now.
Realme 11 Pro Plus cameras: Optics and specifics
1. One of Realme 11 Pro Plus’s standout feature is its 200MP camera. This is the leader of the pack. Well, it’s a trio that consists of this Samsung ISOCELL 200MP HP3 sensor. Realme claims this is “the biggest sensor and aperture in the price segment”.
It brings support for both OIS and PDAF. In case you don’t know, the former stands for Optical Image Stabilization and lets you get a more stable and clear photos. You can avoid jittery and shaky videos. Also, in darker light situations, the OIS enables your phone to capture better exposed photos. In case of the Realme 11 Pro+, there is hardware-level SuperOIS which brings the benefits of hardware-level OIS and some software algorithms to enhance the final output.
On the other hand, Autofocus helps you take crisp shots of moving objects. It’s good to have both of these features.
2. Now taking things a step further in darker settings is the pixel binning tech which turns the 0.56μm 200MP mode into a 1.12μm 50MP mode better for dark lighting conditions, or a 2.24μm 12.5MP mode if you are clicking in an even darker ambience.
3. Speaking of which, you can take full 200MP (presumably crispier) photos with 200 million details. Now, this is definitely an overkill for most users. The file size woud be consuming a lot more space than the 12.5MP standard shots. So beware of that too.
Also Read: Realme 11 Pro series launched in India: Here are 5 amazing features of the Realme 11 Pro Plus
4. Hardware-wise, you get to record up to 4K30 fps videos from the back and up to 1080p 30 fps from the front. Besides the 200MP camera, the rear setup also consists of an 8MP 112-degree ultrawide shooter for wide perspective and a 2MP macro sensor for close-up shots. For selfies and video calls, you get a 32MP camera on the front.
5. Rest, there are plenty of software goodies in the mix like Moon mode, Super Nightscape, Handheld Starry Sky Mode (using OIS and algorithms for exposure and noise management), Super Group Portrait (up to 10 persons in the frame), One Take (AI will select several "best composition" photos from various perspectives), and Street Photography Mode with Lonely Planet filters.
In our review, we shall be testing all these features to guage how well the Realme 11 Pro+ cameras work. The phone is set to hit the stores starting June 15 at 12 PM.
Also Read: Realme 11 Pro vs Realme 11 Pro+ compared: Is Plus worth the extra money?
