Is Your Phone Overheating? Mobile Spyware Could Be to Blame!

Staff Writer / 10-02-2020 / Apps

Ever held a smartphone after short use or a charge to find it extremely hot? This seems to be a problem experienced by more and more people these days, especially as phones become more advanced. This could just be a factory fault If you experience this problem when your phone is brand new, but if your phone starts overheating after a few weeks or months of usage, there could be a few other not-so-obvious reasons, including mobile spyware and cryptocurrency mining!

Apps & Spyware

Apps, especially those that run in the background, drain battery life and cause devices to overheat. When installing apps, users often tend to grant all “permissions” requested by the app instead of reading them carefully. By doing this, you open the door for mobile spyware to infiltrate your smartphone, leaving it vulnerable not just to overheating but also to theft of sensitive private data. For example, a simple calculator app from the Google Play Store could request permissions to access your microphone or contacts. Other permissions requested by apps can even be hidden by the app developer, such as access to system files that can then become infected by mobile spyware and malware.

Mining Cryptocurrencies

In more serious cases, hackers can now use an infected smartphone to act as a rig to mine cryptocurrencies. Early last year, software company Opera added anti-cryptocurrency mining features to their mobile browsers since finding that hackers can mine cryptocurrency using a network of smartphones to form a cryptocurrency rig, unbeknownst to the owner of the smartphone. Opera said that the mining of cryptocurrency is estimated to be affecting more than a billion people worldwide, causing their devices to overheat, lose efficiency and drain batteries. Internet security experts caution smartphone users to thoroughly scrutinise the apps they download and be vigilant when visiting websites. It’s also a good idea to download antivirus software from trusted software developers such as Kaspersky Labs, Avast and McAfee.

TECH NEWS

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Pros and Cons of Buying a Refurbished Phone

If you’re considering buying a refurbished phone, it’s your lucky day because we’ve unpacked the pros and cons you need to consider to help make your decision easier. But first, here’s a quick explanation of the difference between second-hand and refurbished devices, as these often get confused.A second-hand phone is usually sold by a private seller and usually isn’t covered by a warranty so you take a gamble on the condition of the device.Refurbished phones, also called pre-owned and sometimes labelled CPO (certified pre-owned), have been restored to almost new after use. Customers return these to service providers or tech manufacturers due to a fault or at the end of a contract. These devices can even be brand new or lightly used and in perfectly functional condition without exterior defects. Refurbished phones in top condition are usually returned during the cooling-off period.It’s time to check out the pros and cons of refurbished phones to help you decide if this is a smart option for you.Pro: Fresh out of the box, almostBefore a phone is refurbished, a qualified technician from a trusted service provider or manufacturer will thoroughly inspect and test it to see if it’s in working order. These can include battery tests, checking if the buttons and cameras function correctly, verifying the audio quality and screen responsiveness, and much more.If a phone qualifies for refurbishment, the trusted seller will repair or replace faulty parts using genuine components before resale. Refurbished phones can be restored to almost fresh out of the box with new batteries and screens, the latest software updates, and so much more, depending on the condition of the phone.Con: Small imperfections existAlthough refurbished phones work like new, you may have to make some compromises in the name of saving some cash. The major one that might be hard for some buyers to overlook is these phones usually have minor marks or scratches not covered by the warranty. Reputable sellers disclose the information in the product description so you can buy with peace of mind. Pro: Keeps you in budgetIt’s no secret that refurbished phones are affordable - it’s probably the main reason you’re considering this option right now. If so, you’re on the right track. Discounts on refurbished phones are at least 15% off the normal price. The exact discount depends on the model and any possible exterior defects.Con: Add-ons get droppedAnother factor to consider is that refurbished phones don’t guarantee add-ons or accessories that were originally bundled with the phone, such as earphones. However, they do include a charging cable or charger.Pro: 12-month warranty keeps you coveredPerhaps the biggest benefit is that trusted sellers have you covered with a 12-month warranty. It includes repairs on internal components, ensuring you have peace of mind if any faults arise. Besides repairs, a warranty allows you to return the phone for a money-back guarantee or replacement.Con: Missing the bus on software updatesIf you’re buying an older refurbished phone, you may not be guaranteed long-term security updates and support. Without these security patches, your vulnerabilities online can be detected by hackers, resulting in perfectly usable phones becoming obsolete. However, there is some good news with manufacturers like Samsung and Apple now offering longer security support with a minimum of 5 years on many devices. Tip: Before buying a refurbished phone, research when security updates are scheduled to end. Pro: Good for the environmentThankfully, there are now many ways companies and everyday consumers can help reduce the impact of tech on the environment. Extending the life of an existing product is one such way, and this is where refurbished phones truly shine. For example, Vodacom recently joined the refurbishment movement, offering certified refurbished iPhones approved for resale. The network provider is committed to reducing e-waste by refurbishing and recycling 200 000 devices from customers by 2025.Refurbished phones are no doubt an excellent choice if you want a newer, high-end smartphone at a lower price while also getting peace of mind and helping the environment too. Mondo is proud to offer a range of refurbished phones [E to our customers, because we believe in real choice.

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Disney+ in South Africa: Everything You Need to Know!

Disney+ has officially launched in South Africa and brought with mass entertainment at the lowest streaming price in the country right now.The Price of Good EntertainmentYou can use Disney+ for either a monthly cost of R119 or R1,190 per year. The streaming service allows you to upgrade or downgrade your account at any time, making it easy to test it out first by choosing the monthly option, and if you enjoy it, you can easily switch over to an annual subscription.Multiple Profiles On One AccountThe app lets you stream on four devices at the same time and setup up to seven unique accounts! It also allows unlimited downloads on up to 10 mobile or tablet devices, ensuring you have plenty to watch when loadshedding kicks in.Signup With Your CellCreate your account on the Disney website using your email and phone number. Your cellphone number will give you access to your account whenever you require it. For security purposes, Disney+ sends you a code to your cell number when you're signing up and logging in, so you don’t need to remember a password. This also means that when friends or family want to share your account, they first need to get the code from you, giving you control over who has access.What To WatchSouth African subscribers have been given access to thousands of movies and series owned by Disney. Some of these include:Pirates of the Caribbean franchiseThe Star Wars franchiseThe Pixar and Classic Animated Disney movie catalogueThe Marvel Cinematic UniverseNational Geographic documentariesThere’s also plenty of content from studios outside Disney with popular shows like The Simpsons, Grey’s Anatomy and Black-ish on the platform.There’s also some homegrown flavour on site in the form of two exclusive animated series currently in production – Kizazi Moto and Iwaju.Compatible devicesYou can stream Disney+ on most devices, including web browsers, iOS, Android, Android TV, Samsung TVs, Chromecast and LG WebOS. Sign up today and enjoy the best of Disney, from years gone by to the latest box office hits.If you’re in search of an A+ device or data deal to get your Disney+ fix, visit our top deals page.

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Apple Event 2022: The New iPhone SE is Here!

Apple held their first event for 2022 on 8th March, and like many people hoped, they announced a brand-new edition of the popular, pocket-friendly Apple iPhone SE 2022. Check out all the juicy details below.PRESS RELEASE FROM APPLE INC.Apple announces the new iPhone SE: a powerful smartphone in an iconic design.The most affordable iPhone features the powerful A15 Bionic, 5G, better battery life, improved durability, and a new camera system with advanced features like Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, and Deep FusionCupertino, California Apple today announced iPhone SE, a powerful new iPhone in an iconic design, with exceptional capabilities and performance at an incredible price. iPhone SE comes in a compact and durable design, and together with iOS 15, delivers a seamless user experience. The new iPhone SE features impressive upgrades including the performance of A15 Bionic, which powers advanced camera capabilities and makes nearly every experience better, from photo editing to power-intensive operations like gaming and augmented reality. Along with 5G, longer battery life, and improved durability, iPhone SE comes in three stunning colors — midnight, starlight, and (PRODUCT)RED. iPhone SE will be available for pre-order this Friday, March 11, with availability beginning Friday, March 18.“iPhone SE has been an incredibly popular choice with our existing users and for new iPhone customers, thanks to its iconic design, exceptional performance, and affordable price. This year we’ve built the most powerful and durable iPhone SE yet, with better battery life thanks to A15 Bionic, the same chip as our iPhone 13 lineup that also unlocks advanced camera features like Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, and Deep Fusion,” said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing. “And with 5G, iPhone SE gives users faster downloads and uploads, higher quality video streaming, real-time interactivity in apps, and much more. Delivering the latest generation of technology and performance at this price is something only Apple can do.”Iconic Design with a 4.7-inch DisplayiPhone SE is as durable as it is beautiful and features an aerospace-grade aluminum and glass design, now with the toughest glass in a smartphone on the front and back — the same as on the back of iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13. Rated IP67 for water and dust resistance, iPhone SE is designed to protect against spills. iPhone SE features the familiar Home button with Touch ID — an easy, private, and secure alternative for logging in to apps, authorizing App Store purchases, making Apple Pay transactions, and more.A15 Bionic: The Ultimate Smartphone ChipThe power of Apple silicon delivers industry-leading performance and cutting-edge capabilities to iPhone. The lightning-fast A15 Bionic — introduced with iPhone 13 — comes to iPhone SE and makes nearly every experience better, from launching apps to handling demanding tasks with ease. A15 Bionic packs a powerful 6-core CPU, the fastest CPU in a smartphone, with two high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores, making iPhone SE up to 1.8x faster than iPhone 8, and even faster compared to older models. The 16-core Neural Engine is capable of 15.8 trillion operations per second, enabling faster machine learning computations for third-party applications, as well as unlocking features for iPhone SE like Live Text in the Camera app with iOS 15 and on-device dictation. Perfect for photography, gaming, and augmented reality experiences, A15 Bionic makes every action feel fluid.Built for efficiency, A15 Bionic works in conjunction with the latest-generation battery chemistry and tight integration with iOS 15 to enable better battery life on iPhone SE. Even with its compact form factor and new technologies like 5G, iPhone SE has longer battery life than the previous-generation and older 4.7-inch iPhone models. iPhone SE is compatible with Qi-certified chargers for wireless charging, and also supports fast charging.New Camera Experience Powered by A15 BioniciPhone SE features an all-new camera system powered by A15 Bionic, with a 12-megapixel ƒ/1.8 aperture Wide camera that offers incredible computational photography benefits, including Smart HDR , Photographic Styles, Deep Fusion, and Portrait mode.4 Introduced with iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13, Smart HDR 4 uses intelligent segmentation to apply different adjustments for color, contrast, and noise to the subject versus the background. This ensures faces are properly exposed in challenging lighting, and renders people in the same photo individually, with different adjustments optimized for lighting and skin tone for each person. Photographic Styles allows users to bring their personal photo preferences to every image while still benefitting from Apple’s multiframe image processing. Preset and customized preferences work across scenes and subjects, and unlike a simple filter, intelligently apply the right adjustments to different parts of the photo to ensure the important elements, like skin tones, are preserved. Deep Fusion uses advanced machine learning to do pixel-by-pixel processing, optimizing for texture, details, and noise in every part of the photo. The image signal processor in A15 Bionic delivers significantly improved videos with reduced noise, particularly in low light, with better white balance and truer skin tone.5G Comes to iPhone SE5G allows users to take advantage of the latest generation of wireless technology, with faster uploads and downloads, lower latency, and better experiences in more places — like seeing family with higher-quality HD FaceTime calls, even when on cellular data and not on Wi-Fi.5 With iOS 15, SharePlay on 5G unlocks powerful shared experiences such as watching HDR movies or TV shows in sync with friends while on a FaceTime call. And Smart Data mode will intelligently conserve battery life by automatically shifting iPhone to LTE when 5G speeds are not needed. Support for 5G worldwide is growing, with more than 200 carriers in over 70 markets and regions supporting it by the end of the year.Featuring iOS 15iOS 15 enhances the iPhone experience with more ways to stay connected, powerful updates that help users focus and explore, and intelligent features to get more done with iPhone. Now FaceTime calls feel more natural with spatial audio and a new Portrait mode, SharePlay delivers a way for users to share experiences with friends and family while on a FaceTime call, Focus helps users reduce distraction, notifications have been redesigned, and Live Text uses on-device intelligence to recognize text in a photo and allows users to take action. Apple Maps brings beautiful ways to navigate and explore the world with a three-dimensional city-driving experience and walking directions in augmented reality. Weather is redesigned with full-screen maps and more graphical displays of data, Wallet adds support for home keys and state IDs, and privacy controls in Siri, Mail, and more places across the system further protect user information.iPhone SE and the EnvironmentLike iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13, iPhone SE is designed to minimize its impact on the environment. iPhone SE is made with recycled materials, including 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in the Taptic Engine and audio magnets, 100 percent recycled tungsten in the Taptic Engine, and 100 percent recycled tin in the solder of the main logic board. Redesigned packaging eliminates the outer plastic wrap, bringing Apple closer to its goal of completely removing plastic from all packaging by 2025. iPhone SE meets Apple’s high standards for energy efficiency and remains free of numerous harmful substances.Today, Apple is carbon neutral for global corporate operations, and by 2030, plans to have net-zero climate impact across the entire business, which includes manufacturing supply chains and all product life cycles. This means that every Apple device sold, from component manufacturing, assembly, transport, customer use, charging, all the way through recycling and material recovery, will be 100 percent carbon neutral.The above excerpt is from Apple’s official Press Release.

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