E-Business
Twitter Offers Fast, Cheap Earthquake Alerts
Twitter could provide a quick and affordable way of detecting earthquakes and warning people of coming disaster, according to a study.
Japanese scientists have developed an earthquake-reporting system, Toretter, which, they say, works faster than their country’s official earthquake warnings and could be adapted to warn of other disasters.
Based on data from more than 1,000 earthquakes between 2009 and 2011, they showed that their system detected 93 per cent of Japan’s strong earthquakes by monitoring tweets — although this included a large number of false alarms.
Fine tuning the system allowed it to detect 80 per cent of the strong earthquakes with three-quarters of the alarms being accurate.
The system uses computer-based semantic analysis to classify tweets based on keywords, such as ‘shaking’ or ‘earthquake’, and their context.
It also uses information about when and where each tweet is sent to pin down an earthquake’s time and location, and then emails an alert within two minutes of an earthquake.
Official broadcasts by the Japan Meteorological Agency typically six minutes, according to the paper, published in the April issue of IEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineering.
“We proved that a social media user could be treated as a sensor and could be applied to earthquake observation,” lead researcher Takeshi Sakaki, from the University of Tokyo tells SciDev.Net.
He adds that tweets could be used in the developing world as the basis of low-cost observation systems for typhoons, tornados, tsunamis and even heavy traffic.
Some earthquake-prone countries in the developing world, such as Indonesia, also have a high density of Twitter users — necessary for the system to work accurately.
Adam Acar, professor of communication and social media at the Kobe City University of Foreign Studies, Japan, says that a Twitter-based system would be an affordable tool in developing countries that lack comprehensive early-warning systems.
“Having an algorithm that constantly checks for sudden increases in the use of certain words — such as quake, shaking, flood, fire — on Twitter is certainly cheaper than hiring many people or building a number of facilities,” he says. “It may not be 100 per cent reliable, but it’s definitely better than nothing.”
However, Acar says Twitter “should be used to supplement existing official information rather than replace it”.
Nicholas Sitar, professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, in the United States, says he doubts the system would benefit developing nations because a very sophisticated network of sensors and high-speed data processing are needed to ensure the delivery of useful warnings.
“Twitter is just one in a suite of information-delivery systems. The real issue is whether the information can be analysed, interpreted and forwarded sufficiently fast,” he says.
“This is not some kind of a magic bullet that makes up for the lack of safe construction practices in seismically active parts of the developing world,” Sitar concludes.
Twitter could provide a quick and affordable way of detecting earthquakes and warning people of coming disaster, according to a study.
Japanese scientists have developed an earthquake-reporting system, Toretter, which, they say, works faster than their country’s official earthquake warnings and could be adapted to warn of other disasters.
Based on data from more than 1,000 earthquakes between 2009 and 2011, they showed that their system detected 93 per cent of Japan’s strong earthquakes by monitoring tweets — although this included a large number of false alarms.
Fine tuning the system allowed it to detect 80 per cent of the strong earthquakes with three-quarters of the alarms being accurate.
The system uses computer-based semantic analysis to classify tweets based on keywords, such as ‘shaking’ or ‘earthquake’, and their context.
It also uses information about when and where each tweet is sent to pin down an earthquake’s time and location, and then emails an alert within two minutes of an earthquake.
Official broadcasts by the Japan Meteorological Agency typically six minutes, according to the paper, published in the April issue of IEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineering.
“We proved that a social media user could be treated as a sensor and could be applied to earthquake observation,” lead researcher Takeshi Sakaki, from the University of Tokyo tells SciDev.Net.
He adds that tweets could be used in the developing world as the basis of low-cost observation systems for typhoons, tornados, tsunamis and even heavy traffic.
Some earthquake-prone countries in the developing world, such as Indonesia, also have a high density of Twitter users — necessary for the system to work accurately.
Adam Acar, professor of communication and social media at the Kobe City University of Foreign Studies, Japan, says that a Twitter-based system would be an affordable tool in developing countries that lack comprehensive early-warning systems.
“Having an algorithm that constantly checks for sudden increases in the use of certain words — such as quake, shaking, flood, fire — on Twitter is certainly cheaper than hiring many people or building a number of facilities,” he says. “It may not be 100 per cent reliable, but it’s definitely better than nothing.”
However, Acar says Twitter “should be used to supplement existing official information rather than replace it”.
Nicholas Sitar, professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, in the United States, says he doubts the system would benefit developing nations because a very sophisticated network of sensors and high-speed data processing are needed to ensure the delivery of useful warnings.
“Twitter is just one in a suite of information-delivery systems. The real issue is whether the information can be analysed, interpreted and forwarded sufficiently fast,” he says.
“This is not some kind of a magic bullet that makes up for the lack of safe construction practices in seismically active parts of the developing world,” Sitar concludes.
E-Business
Study Reveals Majority of IT Professionals Show Openness to Cyber Immunity

The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, with organisations seeking more robust ways to protect their digital assets. A recent global study conducted by Kaspersky reveals a growing shift toward proactive security strategies, particularly the adoption of Secure by Design development and Cyber Immunity – an innovative approach that embeds resilience directly into system architecture.

The study highlights that 90% of cybersecurity professionals surveyed in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region are familiar with Secure by Design development. This methodology integrates security into the very fabric of a system from its inception, rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Such an approach is already employed in high-stakes industries like aerospace, where security cannot be bolted on later – it must be intrinsic. Despite its advantages, however, adoption has been slow due to challenges related to standardisation and cost.
Cyber Immunity is the next frontier in cybersecurity
Building on Secure by Design principles, Cyber Immunity takes cybersecurity a step further by creating systems that inherently resist attacks without the need for constant patching or additional security layers. The study reveals that most experts are familiar with Cyber Immunity but interpret it differently.
When asked what they associate with the term, 64% of respondents in the META region linked it to Secure by Design systems that remain resilient under attack, while 56% viewed it as a combination of technology and policy measures that block cybercriminal access. Another 48% connected it to highly skilled cybersecurity teams, indicating that while awareness is high, a unified understanding is still developing.
The growing demand for proactive security
One of the most striking findings is the optimism surrounding inherently secure systems. Over half of respondents in the META region (63%) believe it is already possible or definitely achievable to design systems capable of withstanding cyberattacks without relying on additional security solutions.
Another 32% think it might be possible, reflecting openness to this idea despite some uncertainty. This shift in mindset aligns with a broader industry trend: traditional reactive security measures are no longer sufficient.
With AI-powered threats and increasingly sophisticated attacks, organisations need solutions that do more than just detect breaches—they must prevent them by design.
Integrating Cyber Immunity into security strategies
The study emphasises that resilience, expertise, and flexibility will define the next generation of cybersecurity. While Secure by Design provides the methodology, Cyber Immunity represents the ultimate goal—systems so robust that they minimise reliance on external defences.
“For companies looking ahead, Cyber Immunity offers more than just protection — it brings clear business benefits. When systems are built to be secure from the ground up, there’s less need for constant updates, patches, and extra security tools. That means fewer costs, less strain on IT teams, and stronger, more reliable protection over time,” said Dmitry Lukiyan, Head of KasperskyOS Business Unit.
Most importantly in today’s threat landscape, Cyber Immunity offers robust protection against next-generation challenges — including AI-driven attacks capable of outmaneuvering traditional security measures.
When security becomes an intrinsic property of system architecture rather than an external addition, businesses gain more than just protection—they secure a competitive market advantage.
This proactive approach future-proofs critical infrastructure, enabling organisations to operate confidently even as threats evolve. It transforms cybersecurity from a defensive necessity into a strategic differentiator that accelerates digital transformation while mitigating risk.
As the cybersecurity environment becomes more complex, Cyber Immunity is emerging as a vital strategy. Organisations that adopt it now will not only enhance their protection but also position themselves ahead of the curve in an increasingly volatile digital world.
E-Business
Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform, has launched its inaugural 2026 shopping campaign, Konga Jara, offering 25 per cent discount on Starlink internet kits alongside free nationwide delivery.

Konga
The campaign, drawing from the Nigerian concept of “jara” — the extra value traders add to purchases — aims to deliver exceptional deals across categories, helping shoppers turn new year aspirations into reality through affordable technology and value-driven shopping.
To qualify for the Starlink discount, customers must purchase kits on Konga.com, activate them at starlink.com/activate, and email activation details to [email protected] for verification against Starlink’s records. Discounts are subject to terms and conditions.
Konga said spotlighting Starlink underscores reliable internet’s role in Nigeria’s digital economy, supporting work, learning, entrepreneurship and communication for households and businesses.
Mr Onochie Melvin, Head of Commercial Planning at Konga, said: “We listened carefully to what Nigerians said they needed to truly kickstart 2026 on the right footing. Reliable internet connectivity emerged as the foundation upon which other aspirations depend.”
He added: “Students need it for online learning, entrepreneurs need it to scale digital businesses, and professionals rely on it for remote work. This Starlink offer is not just about selling products; it is about removing barriers that prevent Nigerians from fully participating in the digital economy.”
Beyond connectivity, Konga Jara provides genuine products from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with transparent pricing, warranties and authenticity guarantees.
As a composite e-commerce ecosystem, Konga integrates shopping, payments and logistics for seamless nationwide access, with exclusive deals shared via its social media channels throughout the campaign.
Shoppers can explore offers at www.konga.com and follow Konga’s official pages for updates across the Konga Group.
E-Business
Firm Identifies Global Scam Activity Linked to the Release of Avatar 3

The premiere of Avatar 3 has taken place in several countries and has been accompanied by a noticeable increase in online interest. Amid the heightened attention surrounding the release, Kaspersky experts identified an increase in cyber-scam campaigns that exploit the movie’s launch and users’ desire to watch it online. The fraudulent websites target users across multiple regions, indicating attempts by attackers to reach a global audience.

The scam operates as follows: cybercriminals create suspicious websites that offer online access to the Avatar 3 movie. Attackers place particular emphasis on localisation, publishing the sites in multiple languages to attract users from different countries. However, the translations are often poorly executed and contain grammatical errors and inconsistencies, which may serve as indicators of fraudulent activity.
When users attempt to start the video, they are presented with a fake media player and prompted to register in order to obtain “full” or “unlimited” access to the film. As part of the registration process, users are asked to provide personal information, including an email address and mobile phone number.
At later stages, scammers may request additional data, including payment details, under the guise of activating a “free trial.” This creates risks of credential compromise, particularly if users reuse passwords across multiple services, and may also lead to financial losses.
“Cybercriminals consistently exploit major movie premieres to capture users’ attention and increase the effectiveness of their schemes. We advise accessing films only through official platforms and exercising caution when encountering websites that request personal or payment information. It is also important to use reliable security solutions to protect all devices, including mobiles,” comments Olga Altukhova, Senior web content analyst at Kaspersky.
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