Fortinet with FortiGuard Labs Predict 2016 Cyber Threats

Wazzup Pilipinas!

I've recently been affected by a "ransomware" where the malicious "virus" encrypted our documents (including photos and videos) and required us to pay for a decryption key if we want to decrypt our files. It also comes with a time limit where the decryption offer would only last a few days, after that it won't be available anymore.

Unfortunately, our back-up is done on a weekly basis thus we lost all our files done in a week and could only restore from the backup the previous files coming from the backup storage drive.

The one week of files is still a big thing for us as we had several files saved throughout the past week. I could almost cry in desperation when I couldn't find any solution no matter how I Google for an answer.

I'm not sure if that particular "ransomware" already existed for a long time or if it's an updated version of the previous virus release. Sadly enough, no anti-virus developers have found a solution to this threat. The only solution for this instance is to have backed-up on a daily basis. It may mean a lot of hard work yet it's the safest way to ensure we won't lose our precious data. If only I knew about this virus in advance then I could have encouraged myself to back-up daily.

It's a great thing that companies like Fortinet is making initiatives in determining what could be the next virus threat. Though announcing, and learning about, possible upcoming threats may also work against us. The people who intend to make us suffer via their sophisticated or  "viruses."

DOE Awards Energy Efficiency Achievers

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Energy, along with its partners, successfully hosted this year’s Don Emilio Abello Energy Efficiency Awards at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria recognizing individuals and companies whose exemplary energy efficiency initiatives significantly reduce their energy consumption.

Celebrated every December since 1982 as part of the National Energy Consciousness Month, the DEAEEA was named after the former Meralco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Emilio Abello, who also held the position of Chairman of the Energy Conservation Movement in the country.

The energy efficiency initiatives of the DEAEEA companies have resulted to a total of 776.3 Million Kilowatt Hours of electricity equivalent to Php 6.34 billion (more than 202.6 Million Liters of Oil Equivalent) in energy savings. According to DOE data, the industrial and commercial sectors are among the top four highest consuming sectors in the country taking up more than 40% of Final Energy Demand in 2014.

Energy efficiency and conservation is also one of the DOE’s measures in ensuring energy security for the country. This is especially significant given the current power scenarios of the nation and in light of El Nino.

Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950 XL Launch

Wazzup Pilipinas!

At a media launch held at the Aracama restaurant in Bonifcaio Global City on the very first day of the month of December, the Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950 XL was announce to be available on December 14 and priced at Php 28990 and Php 32990 respectively.

It will be the first to come with Windows 10 OS. It also has new PureView cameras with 20 megapixel sensors and triple LED natural flash that shoot 4k video. Now that means mobile photography, and videography, at its best....well, so far. It's not surprising if after a month, another announcement will take it further up to a higher level.

That is the fascinating fact about smartphones in general. There will always be a new technology to be introduced making the next version a much sought after item that all those who would like to maintain personally having the latest gadgets would definitely watch out for new releases or models.

The difference between the 950 and 950 XL aside from the size? The processing speed and gorilla glass version is obviously better on the 950 XL but only the 950 makes use of liquid cooling technology.

Liquid cooling is not a new technology since PC players would install that feature that were previously done on gaming or multimedia desktops. The  installed so they can use the mileage everywhere where there's a lot of more beneficial thoughts.