Norton Internet Security 2012 to help curb cyber crimes globally

By Dan Muhuni

Globally cyber crime has shocked the whole ICT fraternity worldwide if the resent Norton cyber crime report is anything to go by.

Cloud computing 

The biggest question that a common man will ask is how is cyber crime defined as? As an ICT specialist I can only categorize cyber crime in three ways: The computer as a target - attacking the computers of others (spreading viruses is an example). The computer as a weapon - using a computer to commit "traditional crime" that we see in the physical world (such as fraud or illegal gambling) and finally the computer as an accessory - using a computer as a "fancy filing cabinet" to store illegal or stolen information.

According to this Norton cyber crime report, Computer viruses or Malware usually appears on someone’s computer and when you respond to a Phishing message thinking it was a legitimate request then someone has already hacked into your social networking profile and pretended to be you.

Reports of alleged computer crime have been a hot news item of late. Especially alarming is the realization that many of the masterminds behind these criminal acts are mere kids. In fact, children no longer need to be highly skilled in order to execute cyber crimes. "Hacker tools" are easily available on the Net and, once downloaded, can be used by even novice computer users. This greatly expands the population of possible wrongdoers.

Speaking during the launch of Norton by Symantec (Nasdaq: SYMC) early this month, Kara Rawden, Senior Marketing Manager, Consumer - Middle East and Africa Symantec Corporation said “the released Norton Internet Security 2012, is designed to improve on the already industry-leading benchmarks for protection and performance, while enhancing the overall user experience.”

 “For the past few years we have witnessed an explosion of devices, platforms and applications for consumers to enjoy. However, with these exciting changes comes new digital dangers and an even greater need for consumers to be protected from cybercrime,” added Kara .

“As a world leader in security, Norton will continue striving to ensure that our customers are protected wherever they go, whatever digital experience they choose to have.”

Norton 2012 Security Product

Norton 2012 brings key new features to address emerging threats and powerful protection against one of today’s greatest consumer concerns: ensuring online personal information remains confidential. Additionally, Norton brings a powerful combination of reputation, file, behaviour and network based protection to provide our most comprehensive security to date. Key security technologies and usability improvements include:

Norton Identity Safe in the Cloud

 Protects personal and financial information from cybercriminals and keeps users protected from fraudulent websites. New streamlined interface, simplified login experience, and ability to store passwords in the cloud makes accessibility easy from any computer with Norton Internet Security 2012 installed.

Norton Management – New web-based functionality lets users manage their Norton products from anywhere in the world. Users can remotely add Norton products, manage security settings and update subscriptions, making it simple to check on the health of their devices or fix issues without needing to be there in person.

Norton Insight – Norton’s exclusive reputation-based security technology leverages the anonymous software adoption patterns of millions of contributing Symantec users to automatically identify and block never before seen malicious software. 

Download Insight – Checks every downloaded file for safety before installation and now provides users with additional data about the predicted stability of the application in their environment based on the stability experiences of millions of other Symantec users.

· SONAR – Improved SONAR technology monitors running applications for suspicious behavior to quickly detect and disable previously unknown threats. 

Norton User Experience – From the streamlined main user interface, Norton 2012 offers quick access to Norton Cybercrime Index, Norton Online Family and website ratings service Norton Safe Web.

 Pricing and Availability

Norton Internet Security 2012 is now available for purchase through various retailers and the Norton online store at www.norton.co.za. The RSP for Norton Internet Security 2012 is US$69.99 (Kshs Approx 6,650/-, which provides one year of protection for up to three PCs. Norton Internet Security 2007 or later users with a valid product subscription are eligible to receive the latest product updates via the subscription service model.

End.

M-PESA BECOMING A HARD NUT FOR SAFARICOM TO CRACK

By Dan Muhuni

When mobile phone usage gained popularity in kenya,  the financial services was revolutionized  with the introduction of money transfer using the mobile phones. Among the pioneers  of this revolution was the famous M-Pesa technology which gave a new dimension to money transfer, an option embraced by Kenyans  especially those with no access to banks in the rural areas or those ‘afraid’ to use banks.

Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore

Former Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph

Despite the success that has come along with the M-Pesa, Mobile Money Service in kenya since inception some years ago, maintaining this service has proved difficult to safaricom to an extent of contemplating recalling the former Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph with the key role been fixing the continuous problems facing M-Pesa.

M-Pesa has in the past been tauted as the the most successful of these systems, and the first to operate on a large scale. If the recent Mobile Money Reports in Kenya that  indicate that Over 50% of the adult population use the service to send money to far-flung relatives is anything to go by then its current technical hitches may be inconveniencing Kenyans.  

The report further says that It's not just for customers at the end of the chain. We've seen businesses adopt mobile money to offer various business to business services, for example suppliers collecting payments from distributors via the mobile channel.

M-PESA HEADACHE:www.danictkenya.blogspot.com

Despite safaricom having deployed several redaduncy for this lucrative service, Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore laments that the number of people using the service is growing in un anticipated rate that has proved difficult to be supported by the current platform thus forcing safaricom to seek to overhaul its entire M-PESA system and replacing it with another one that will put in place scalability factor.

This comes in the wake of the latest outages to hit M-PESA where a breakdown of connectivity between the local servers and the German data centre crippled this popular service early this week. Collymore says it has cost Safaricom millions of shillings since the service is highly relied on by the majority of Kenyans.

Collymore says its has not been a walk in the park for Safaricom since they are facing the blacklash from angry subscribers because of the inconvinienes Safaricom has caused to them in the resent past.

“ As you maybe aware this service was launched in the country by Michael Joseph who up to now remains very passionate about it and it goes without saying that he understands the M-Pesa platform and business implications of such service outages” Collymore said. We are looking at a new platform that will handle more than 200 transactions per second since the service is still not optimal for the current subscriber base.

This are some of the challenges that my predecessor never anticipated that they will hit us but we hope when he comes back he will be in a position to address this challenges.

M-PESA has received a lot of competition in the resent past following the launch of Tangaza money, airtel money  entrant to the Kenyan market.

End. send comments to danielmuhuni@yahoo.com  

Microsoft East and Southern Africa announced the launch of the Microsoft Virtual Academy

By Dan Muhuni
Microsoft East and Southern Africa has today announced its commitment to improve education services in Kenya by the launch of the Microsoft Virtual Academy, a fully cloud-based learning experience leveraging Microsoft Cloud Technologies. Dubbed "Open Door event"  this is a major technology event where Microsoft showcases its latest generation of technologies to Kenyan professionals and enthusiasts.
Targeting the student community as well as IT professionals, the Microsoft Virtual Academy is geared towards encouraging and promoting local innovation and improving employability.

Microsoft PR Manager stressing a point during the launch 

 Students have access to a variety of free online training content and are able to learn at their own pace, enabling them to build the necessary Information Technology skills critical to most careers.   Speaking during during the launch of this year’s Microsoft Open Door activities, Vincent Mugambi, Developer & Platform Manager, Microsoft East and Southern Africa said “Microsoft has stepped up its partnership with local universities to empower the students with the best technology tools to enhance their learning experience.”
“We are striving to develop a culture conducive to innovation. As we recognize that the potential to innovate must be nurtured early-on, Microsoft will continue to provide appropriate and superior learning tools to encourage innovation,” said Mugambi.
The Microsoft Virtual Academy complements the recently launched Microsoft Student Partner (MSP) programme, an educational and promotional program for undergraduate and postgraduate students majoring in technology related disciplines such as computer science, computer information systems, and information technology. It aims to enhance students' employability and increase students' awareness of Microsoft technologies. Student Partners are offered training especially in product-specific skills not typically taught in academia.

“It is a thrilling experience to study Microsoft technologies and advance my career,” said George Mbuthia, a student at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. “By earning points for downloading and studying materials and passing the self-assessment tests the program also keeps me motivated and encouraged, as I can constantly see my progress.”

Following completion of the program, Student Partners are expected to share their knowledge among the academic community through arranging courses, giving presentations and initiating projects. The tenure for the Microsoft Student Program is one academic year and can be renewed on acceptable performance.
Microsoft has already identified 15 student partners in Kenya drawing membership from Strathmore University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agricultural Technology-JKUAT, Methodist University, University of Nairobi and Kabarak University. These students have proven their technology prowess as well as their effective articulation of Microsoft technologies.
The Microsoft Virtual Academy and Microsoft Student Program are both driven by Microsoft’s belief that no other investment promises bigger return than an investment in skills – in the community, in the classroom, or in the workplace. By focusing on skills development, the company is not only improving employability, but contributing to the development of local knowledge economies, and arming African people with the tools to develop their own solutions to the continent’s challenges.