E-Business
IBM Promotes Safe & Secured Computing, Releases Advanced Security Software Application
The era of complex, disaster-prone computing might just be over, or perhaps, around the corner. These days, computing is as much about people (the soft issues) as it is about devices (hard issues).
Our personal habits, our income levels and resources, our education of certain things (or ignorance, as the case may be), our work place practices, our social norms and the way we live and engage with the larger society generally all help to define how we make use of the available ‘software’ and ‘hardware’ tools in the environment.
The changing global demographic is also a key factor. In a few years, “Generation Y” (those born beginning in the mid-1970s) will make up half of the workforce worldwide.
This population is marked by an increased familiarity and reliance on communications, media and digital technologies — they came of age in a connected world.
In a measured response to this trend, scientists and inventors at IBM began to actively promote the concept of BYOD (bring your own device) many years ago.
BYOD has enormous implications on work place productivity, how companies support alternate work schedules and preferences and even who they are able to recruit.
In Nigeria, Africa’s most populous economy, the dynamic of how people live and work is also changing, albeit slowly. Work used to be a “place”.
Now, work can be any place and everywhere, and the tools to enable these new work practices are increasingly available.
New technology is helping to attenuate some of the key infrastructure issues and challenges facing the country, and companies operating in Nigeria will have to dump their analogue era habits and procedures to embrace this emergent work-life ethic if they are desirous of making full use of employee skills and capabilities.
In this era of social and business networks, connectivity and content creation and consumption is only a click or two away.
The integrity of electronic or digital information and raw data, encompassing data generation, protection and security, is increasingly a major headache for device makers and users alike.
As data consumption habits change – with more and more individuals developing content on mobile devices, and communicating within local and international boundaries with these devices – the question, “how safe and secure is your software environment / infrastructure?” becomes very pertinent.
According to Gartner, a global technology research consultancy, more than 45.6 billion mobile applications were downloaded in 2012.
As the rate of application use on mobile devices increases, securing smartphones and other endpoint devices is a top priority for organizations and Chief Information Security Officers.
The proliferation of consumer and enterprise mobile applications also adds to the dilemma. Organizations cannot always control or restrict the applications installed on user devices, so they must test how applications send and save data.
One of the technology firms at the forefront of solving and embracing this new way of work is IBM, the 101 year old company based in Armonk, New York, USA. IBM recently announced the release of its new security software – the IBM AppScan Source 8.7 for iOS – that can automatically identify where data enters and leaves a mobile application, helping to prevent mobile data leakage.
This new software release builds on IBM’s MobileFirst initiative and expands the company’s strategy to provide organizations with a mobile platform that spans application development, integration, security and management.
Consequently, companies and internet software developers globally can better protect each mobile application release in the face of constant updates. IBM previously announced IBM AppScan for applications running on the Android platform.
Taiwo Otiti, IBM’s country general manager for West Africa said the IBM AppScan Source 8.7 for iOS will be available in markets globally as from March 25..
Otiti acknowledged that for many companies, the pace of mobile application releases and updates can be overwhelming as they try to maintain strict security guidelines and policies. “IBM AppScan Source 8.7 for iOS provides the ability to improve security quality without sacrificing time-to-market of mobile application projects.”
As always with IBM, business-friendly innovations like this new security software often begin life incubating as prototypes and projects in any or several of IBM’s 12 labs located around the world. IBM products therefore undergo rigorous design, development and testing cycles by IBMers beginning with its scientists, engineers, staff and business partners.
This culture of scientific rigor and excellence is one of the reasons IBM has remained at the apex of innovation for decades.
IBM developed its own mobile apps store — WhirlWind — created exclusively for IBMers, many years ago.
WhirlWind currently supports Apple iOS, Google Android and Blackberry devices. It is designed to help employees unleash the power and potential of their smartphones as a productivity tool. The store currently offers more than 500 apps and recently passed the 40,000 download mark.
At the moment, some 120,000 employees access the IBM network through mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops).
Of those, 80,000 are using devices they have purchased on their own, while the remaining 40,000 employees are using company issued devices.
IBM is always mindful of security and how it needs to stay ahead of malware and other threats to its data and that of its clients.
The company has tools in place to protect its data from being compromised, and is implementing other tools on an ongoing basis, realizing that this will always be a moving target.
Organizations need to be able to seize the business potential that mobility promises, said Caleb Barlow, IBM’s director of Application, Data and Mobile Security. He therefore counsels firms to incorporate security into their infrastructure and solutions from the design, development and testing phases rather than leaving security to become an afterthought.
Employees play a significant role in security by employing common sense practices and avoiding risky sites or untrusted networks. IBM has outlined advised practices in its “Secure Computing Guidelines,” similar to what it has in place for social computing and business conduct in general.
The bottom line is IBM will not compromise it network. That means that some devices and applications will be enabled inside of IBM more quickly than others, and some may never be enabled at all.
Nigerian firms and their employees would do well to a take a cue from this global technology company.
Over the past four years, gold has risen by more than 400%. The precious metal has long been one of the most traded assets in global financial markets. From its role as a traditional store of value to its sensitivity to inflation, interest rates, and geopolitical uncertainty, gold continues to attract traders seeking efficient and predictable trading opportunities during a period of global uncertainty and high volatility.
JustMarkets
For traders looking to effectively access gold markets, choosing the right trading environment is as important as timing their entry. One of the most popular and effective gold trading platforms is JustMarkets, offering the tools, conditions, and infrastructure to enable traders to achieve their most ambitious gold trading goals.
Tight Spreads on XAU/USD
Cost efficiency is a critical factor in gold trading, especially for active day traders. JustMarkets offers extremely competitive XAU/USD spreads, allowing traders to open and close positions with reduced transaction costs. Lower spreads can significantly impact short-term strategies, where precision and timing are key to effectively entering a trade. By minimizing trading costs, JustMarkets helps traders focus more on market analysis and finding the ideal entry point, and less on overhead.
Fast and Reliable Execution
Gold is recognized for its volatility, especially during the day, especially with economic announcements or geopolitical events. Speed is of the essence in volatile markets. JustMarkets provides high-speed execution of orders, which helps minimize the risks of delays, especially during periods of high volatility. This ensures that traders are able to respond better to market conditions, thereby having better control over trade management.
Flexible Trading Conditions
Each trader has their own approach to gold, ranging from intraday trading to position trading. JustMarkets offers flexible leverage and account types, enabling traders to adjust their exposure based on their risk tolerance and trading style. This flexibility is suitable for both conservative and aggressive traders while still allowing them to access the same global gold market.
Advanced Platforms and Tools
Successful gold trading is based on thorough technical and fundamental analysis. JustMarkets provides access to industry-standard trading platforms equipped with advanced charting tools, multiple timeframes, and a wide range of indicators for recognizing divergences and clear entry points. These features help traders analyze price trends, identify key levels, and plan their trades with greater confidence.
Accessibility via mobile devices and computers via the JustMarkets Mobile Trading app also ensures traders can monitor positions and market movements from anywhere and at any time.
Education and Market Support
Gold is also affected by factors such as inflation rates, central bank policies, and currency fluctuations. Understanding these factors is important for developing a structured trading strategy.
JustMarkets offers resources for traders, which provide information on how global events can impact the price of gold like case studies, daily, bank and weekly analysis. This is a knowledge-based system, which enables the trader to make more informed decisions rather than relying on the price movements of gold.
Trading Activities That Keep Gold Traders Engaged
In addition to the competitive trading environment, JustMarkets also runs various special activities and campaigns that aim to make the trading experience more interesting. At certain intervals, the special activities may include trading contests on specific trading instruments, such as gold, which are highly sought after by traders. This will give the traders an added impetus to keep trading.
The special activities are designed to encourage trading, consistency, and skill-building among the traders, along with the additional motivation for the trading strategies. This is also in line with the overall philosophy of JustMarkets to create a dynamic trading environment where trading, learning, and motivation are linked together.
A Trading Environment Built for Gold Traders
Gold is still one of the most dynamic markets with the greatest number of opportunities in the world. With tight spreads on XAU/USD, fast execution, flexible trading terms, and access to advanced analytical tools, JustMarkets creates an optimal trading environment for those who want to trade gold efficiently.
In addition to the comprehensive educational assistance, JustMarkets continues to position itself as a strong competitor for traders who are looking for professional trading conditions combined with growth opportunities.
Microsoft is stepping up its push to expand artificial-intelligence adoption across Africa as competition intensifies with Chinas DeepSeek for influence in one of the worlds youngest and fastest-growing digital markets.
The company plans to train 3 million Africans on its AI technologies this year through partnerships with schools, universities and other institutions, with a focus on South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Morocco.
The effort reflects Microsofts broader attempt to accelerate adoption of its AI ecosystem across emerging markets where developers and enterprises are increasingly experimenting with generative AI tools.
Alongside the training initiative, Microsoft is working with MTN Group (MTNOY), Africas largest telecommunications company, to distribute Microsoft 365 and its Copilot digital assistant to about 300 million subscribers.
The Elevate program is designed to expand AI literacy and reduce cost barriers that might otherwise limit adoption, according to regional leadership.
The push comes as Chinese technology firms expand their footprint across the continent, with DeepSeeks open-source models accounting for roughly 11% to 14% of chatbot use in several African markets and reaching about 20% in countries such as Ethiopia and Zimbabwe following investments tied to digital infrastructure and telecom networks.
Microsoft is also increasing its infrastructure investment in the region.
In South Africa, the company plans to invest 5.4 billion rand, or about $330 million, to expand its cloud and AI capacity by the end of next year, while it is also exploring plans for a geothermal-powered data center in Kenya.
Early corporate adoption is emerging across the continent, with South African grocer Spar Group using Copilot in ways that save more than 700 employee hours annually and Nigerias Access Holdings integrating AI into daily workflows.
Regional leadership has suggested broader AI adoption could potentially contribute up to $1.5 trillion to Africas gross domestic product by 2030 if governments and businesses continue investing in digital infrastructure and AI skills.
Kaspersky Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) has uncovered a new Android malware campaign in which cybercriminals distributed the BeatBanker Trojan under the guise of the Starlink application for Android.
Threat actors primarily target users from Brazil; nevertheless, Kaspersky experts don’t rule out that users from other countries may also face this threat.
The Trojan employs a Monero cryptocurrency miner and additionally installs a BTMOB remote administration tool (RAT) on the infected devices. To maintain its persistence, BeatBanker uses an uncommon mechanism involving a nearly inaudible looped audio file.
“At first we saw BeatBanker being distributed under the guise of a public services app; it installed a banking Trojan in addition to a cryptocurrency miner. However, our recent detection efforts uncovered a new campaign with another BeatBanker variant that deploys the BTMOB RAT instead of the banker module.
The attackers appear to be using a fresh lure with the Starlink app to reach more victims from different countries. Therefore, it is important for users to stay vigilant and use advanced solutions to protect their smartphones,” comments Fabio Assolini, Head of the Americas & Europe units at Kaspersky GReAT.
Initial vector of infection
Kaspersky experts believe that cybercriminals distribute a fake Starlink application containing the BeatBanker Trojan through phishing pages that mimic the Google Play Store. After execution on a compromised device, the Trojan displays a user interface that also mimics Google Play. Cybercriminals trick victims into granting installation permissions, thus allowing the download of additional hidden malicious payloads.
Crypto mining and BTMOB RAT module
When a user clicks UPDATE on the fake Google Play page, a Monero cryptocurrency miner deploys. BeatBanker monitors battery percentage and the temperature of an infected smartphone, as well as user activity after which a hidden cryptocurrency miner is started or stopped.
The Android Trojan also installs a BTMOB RAT on the compromised device. BTMOB enables full remote control and is sold as Malware-as-a-Service.
It is capable of automatic granting of permissions, hide system notifications and has mechanisms designed to capture screen lock credentials, including PINs, patterns and passwords on compromised devices. The malware also gives cybercriminals access to the front and rear cameras, GPS location monitoring and constant collection of sensitive data.
To ensure persistence and hinder uninstallation, BeatBanker maintains a fixed notification in the foreground and activates a foreground service with silent media playback. This tactic is designed to prevent the operating system from removing the malicious process.
Kaspersky’s products detect this threat as HEUR:Trojan-Dropper.AndroidOS.BeatBanker and HEUR:Trojan-Dropper.AndroidOS.Banker.*.
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