Popcorn Time Ransomware Offers to Restore Your Files for Free — If You Infect Two Friends

Instead of luring users into clicking on the link and then asking for money hackers has come up with an innovative approach. Ransomware has been in vogue for almost a decade where modus operandi has become standardized. This has helped hackers in doing way with billions of dollars in last decade by taking way the control over the files or networks and devices leaving user’s at hacker’s wisdom. Most of the time user decides to pay upfront and get back the critical data or simply lose it by wiping up the machine. With constant campaign against such malpractices and attacks people have vigilant and the ransomware cases started to die down but didn’t went way at all.

Hackers have come up with an innovative alternative wherein the ransomware offers an opportunity to recover the files by simply making your two friends victim of the same.

New Ransomware ‘Popcorn Time’

This new ransomware has been named ‘Popcorn Time’ which offers a lucrative deal to the victims by asking them to infect two other friends in order to safeguard their own data. This ransomware is designed to find all the files present on the desktop along with the files present in My Documents folder and encrypt them using the AES-256 encryption.

Like every other ransomware this one also asks users to pay up in Bitcoin in order to salvage their files and the price is set at just 1 Bitcoin which amounts to $780. Secondly the warning screen also lays down the instruction for paying in the Bitcoins in case a user is not so familiar with this popular cyrpto currency. Even after paying the money users should understand that entering the decryption key wrongly for more than four time will result in losing all the data.

Apart from it this malware also offers an opportunity to get back the files by simply infecting any two of your friend’s system. Victims are simply required to click on the link containing the unique ID which will help in downloading the malware. Simply forward it to your friends and save your files is the modus operandi here.

Hackers living up to their bargain

Most of the promises made by the hackers are not kept but this ransomware originators are showing never seen before honor among the hackers attitude. When a user pays the ransom then he gets a decryption key which helps in restoring the files and it is old school. If ransom is unpaid then that data is lost forever. In a number of cases affected users even after paying up the ransom users were unable to get their data back.

Security analysts and firms are actively working towards finding decryption keys for some of the popular ransomware infections which will offer a free way of getting back the files to the victims. But such initiatives will become obsolete if hackers start using Popcorn Time or its enhanced variants in future which encourage towards making other infected in order to save their skins.

5 Gifts Tech Fans Will Love This Holiday Season

Since it seems the whole world's gone high-tech, it's no surprise that Christmas lists are full of the latest gadgets designed to make life easier and more efficient. From tech jewelry to the latest smart technology, there are scores of gifts that get the adults just as excited as the kids because, in addition to making life run a bit more smoothly, tech toys and gadgets are entertaining regardless of age. Consider all the good girls and boys on your list this year, and if you're at a loss for what to buy, consider going high-tech this holiday season.

Lose the Forgetfulness With a Bluetooth Tracking Tag

Bluetooth technology is extraordinarily helpful, especially for folks who either get lost easily or lose their possessions in the blink of an eye. With a Bluetooth-enabled tracking tag, nothing will ever get lost again. You can attach the tag to your keys, the TV remote, your luggage, your phone, a purse, or a person. There are dozens of brands available that are compatible with every type of phone and operating system. Using the app associated with the tag is arguably one of the best parts, as typically it's like playing Pokémon Go, except you find your own stuff.

Live in the Future With the Amazon Echo Dot

Amazon is serious about allowing people to finally live in a Jetsons-style future. The Echo Dot basically controls the entire house, and it's voice-controlled, which is perhaps even cooler. Imagine telling the lights to go on, and they do it. Picture queuing up your favorite song and having it play through your headset like magic. The Echo Dot can wake you up, remind you to take your biscuits out of the oven, or play the perfect mood music with but a word. Who wouldn't love to live in a home where they never had to flick a light switch again?

Get Smart With the iPhone 6s

There's almost always a new iPhone on the market, but you can give the gift that keeps on giving without a second thought. For example, gifting the iPhone 6s from T-Mobile gives the recipient the opportunity to trade and upgrade whenever they like, as well as the ability to save on accessories and additions, such as extra space, exclusive apps, and compatible gadgets. Mind you, this is the gift you give to someone with whom you don't mind being in a group chat. You're welcome.

Any Type of Wearable Tech

It all seemingly started with the Apple iWatch, but wearable tech is its own niche now. Sleek smart watches still top wish lists, and they're especially popular gifts for guys, but for the most stylish and discerning tech lover, the jewelry choices are endless. Instead of a watch, why not present someone with a sleek unisex bracelet, such as the Misfit Ray? A quick peek at any gadget or tech shop reveals a surprising selection of chic, fashionable jewelry that can count steps, pay for purchases, sync with your phone, receive calls and texts, and surf the web.

Try a 3D Printing Pen

The person who receives this gift will adore you forever. It's ideal for both tech lovers and artists, as well as anyone with an inventive mind and a creative imagination. 3D pens work by putting out a warm thermoplastic material in a stunning range of colors, so whatever you dry basically comes to life. The best part is that, unlike 3D printers, these are easily affordable — you can generally find them for $100 or less. This is one tech treasure that's perfect for kids as well as adults. Anyone who enjoys drawing or creating will love this present.
Tech gifts make it easy to buy something even for the impossible-to-please recipients on your list because there's literally something for everyone, depending on their needs, wants, and hobbies. Keep in mind that there are also accessories and add-ons galore, including Bluetooth-enabled showerheads and app-driven security systems. Have you thought about going the gadget route for your loved ones this year?

5 Common Internet Marketing Mistakes and How to Fix Each One

Internet marketing can be a tricky endeavor. There is no official strategy or guidebook that guarantees automatic success. This means it’s entirely up to you to take chances and hope your efforts are rewarded.

That being said, there is one way you can at least guarantee the odds of your success in internet marketing will be higher than they would be otherwise, and that is to avoid simple mistakes that other website owners commonly make. By avoiding these mistakes, your website will be in a much better position to rank higher on search engines and receive more daily traffic.

Here are the five of the most common internet marketing mistakes to avoid:

1. Believing That SEO Strategies Will Have An Immediate Effect

Many internet marketers perfectly understand the importance of SEO and even how to apply it correctly, but the mistake they make is they believe the SEO strategies they utilize will immediately have a positive effect on their website.

The reality is that you need to be patient. If you use proper SEO techniques, you will see positive results, but not overnight. Instead, you will witness those results slowly but steadily as you create more content and continue to use good SEO practices over the next few weeks and months.

2. Researching SEO Keywords Only Once

Many internet marketers also understand the importance of integrating popular SEO keywords and phrases into their content and researching what those keywords are. The problem is they conduct this research only one time and consider themselves good.

Researching SEO keywords needs to be an ongoing process because the specific keywords that are popular today are the not the ones that were popular yesterday. Make it routine to research keywords at least once per week.

3. Not Using an SEO Checker to Analyze Your Marketing Campaign

The old saying goes that there’s always room for improvement, and that could not be more true with internet marketing. Every once in a while, you would be wise to use an SEO page analysis checker, which will provide you with reports telling you each of the errors in your website’s SEO to fix, as well as marketing checklists of what you need to do to improve your site’s rankings.

4. Ignoring Social Media 

Hopefully your website has a page on each of the social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram already. You’ll want to be updating these pages on a daily basis so you can reach out to users you otherwise couldn’t have. Social media provides you with an excellent opportunity to share your articles, gain followers, hold contests, and spread the word about your site in general, so it’s an opportunity you can’t afford to miss.

5. Having Low Quality Content 

Low quality content isn’t just content that’s poorly written. It’s also content that doesn’t help or provide value to the reader.

When someone visits your website, they’re doing so for one primary reason: they need solutions to their problems. Not only does your website need to be visually appealing and well written, it also needs to be packed with content that your visitors will find value from.

Get Ahead Of The Game 

By simply avoiding the mistakes that we have outlined and discussed in this article, you will make it easier for everyday internet users to find your website. Since it’s possible that many of your competitors are using at least one of these mistakes right now, the fact that you’re avoiding them gives you a significant advantage.

Quick Draw: Interactive Drawing Game Guess What You're Doodling in 20 Seconds

Google’s Pictionary Style Experiment – Quick Draw’

A terrifying game developed by Google tends to utilise artificial intelligence to guess what one could be drawing from sketches. The Pictionary style experiment known as `Quick Draw’ tends to prompt users in drawing a famous object or phrase in around 20 seconds by using a mouse cursor on a desktop or by utilising their finger on a mobile device.

 Google’s new AI tools are impressive and the game is built with machine learning according to a tutorial site. It informs that one can draw and a neural network tries to guess what one is drawing though at times it does not seem to work. However the more one plays with it the better understanding they gain from it. It is just an example of how one could use machine learning in an amusing way wherein the computer game adopts artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to assist the user and shows the user how good they can be at it.

The software tends to guess what the player intends drawing depending on machine learning which can be tried by the user. Developed by using neural networks, the software tends to improve as it progresses, functioning in the same way to handwriting recognition software. Performers are invited to draw a series of six sketches and are provided with 20 seconds for each of it.

Impressive Image Recognition Software

The software tends to begin with words or phrases which it presumes the user would be utilising in illustrating till it obtains the appropriate one. These suggestions are portrayed towards the bottom of the screen and it also tends to call them out. Jonas Jongejan, creative technologist at the Google Creative Lab had mentioned in a video accompanying the game that it does not always work which is because it’s only seen a few thousand sketches.

The more one tends to play with it, the more it will learn and improve at guessing.The impressive image recognition software tends to identify also the reduced quality sketches offering a clue at what AI could be capable of.

The game achieved to guess six out of six Mail Online’s sketches that had been of blueberry, scissors, church, squirrel, swan and Eiffel Tower. Jonas Jongejan, Henry Rowley, Takashi Kawashima, Jongmin Kim together with friends at Google Creative Lab and Data Arts Team were responsible for its construction and the challenge has been a part of the newly released AI Experiment site of Google.

Thing Translator

The site comprises of several machine learning experiments which also includes one that permits users to take a picture of something in order to identify how it is said in another language. The intention is that anybody could attempt the experiment though the site also tends to inspire coders to give in their own contribution. Google’s AI Experiments – Quick Draw had been designed to show the amusing side of artificial intelligence and machine learning to users. Besides this other experiments comprise of the Thing Translator that informs you what the image of the object taken is called in another language together with the AI Duet that enables you to collaborate with the playing melodies on the computer.

A Camera without a Lens? Hitachi is on It

Hitachi Camera – Without Lenes

Hitachi has been working on developing cameras which does not seen to have lenses and the company claims that the images taken with the camera would be refocused after they are captured. They have announced the progress of a technology for digital camera which has the potential of capturing images without the use of a lens.

The intention is to make cameras much thinner as well as lighter, suitable for cars and mobile devices which could take minimum space. Another aspect is that of the robots – technology and Hitachi would be providing fewer limitations in placing of the cameras. As to Apple’s claim that eliminating the headphone jack permits bigger batteries as well as other parts to be placed in it. Hitachi states that the camera which utilises lensless tech would be much slimmer and lighter.

The lensless cameras are possible due to a pattern development technique known as `Moiré fringes’. Hitachi intends to utilise these cameras that tend to use this technology by 2018. The company also expects to use lensless photography in automated driving, vehicles as well as robotics.

Fourier Transform

With the help of investigation tech like CCTV, the images of individuals often tend to be blurred owing to low focal ranges. For instance, with Hitachi’s lensless camera tech, the still images would theoretically get adjusted on the fly from a range of depths in identifying individuals clearly.

The sensor has a film placed before it comprising of a pattern of concentric and when an image of the pattern is taken, it tends to cast a shadow due to the light which strikes it, on the sensor. Thereafter the shadow is captured by the sensor and overlaid on another pattern concentric just like the one place before the sensor at the time of the image process.

This tends to develop a moiré effect which is a kind of interference resulted by the two patterns touched. There is a possibility of using these data to reconstruct the concluding image by using the Fourier transform.

Capture Angle/Pattern of Light

Hitachi technology also tends to provide other benefits. In fact when the shutter tends to capture all the information connected to depth, it is capable of changing the point of focus after one has captured an image. The design of the Hitachi camera is unique since it tends to do double duty wherein it not only captures the images without the use of the lens but also captures depth information and focus that image after the fact.

Basically it tends to capture the angle and the pattern of the light which comes in the sensor that enables to change what is in focus after the detail by overlaying a another pattern over the captured shadow during processing.

We already other products which tend to provide the same function, for instance, the Lytro Illum and the difference in this case is the size which is more compact. The small range Xperia tends to have a bigger space. Sony Xperia Z5 Compact on offer from Amazon Marketplace to 369 euro or from Amazon at 419 euro.