An investigation by an anti-fraud firm Secure- D, owned by UpStream, has revealed that Africa’s largest phone manufacturer, Tecno is shipping phones into the continent with “Click Ad Fraud” malware that is pre-installed into Tecno handsets.
According to Secure – D, malicious code known as xHelper/Triada comes pre-installed in Tecno phones with code that is said to find subscription based services in the phones and then submits fraudulent requests on behalf of the users without their knowledge and in the process robbing them of their money by taking pre-paid airtime.
The malware also downloads subscription-based apps and then users are signed up for the services without their consent. It is reported that the transaction requests might be coming from a family of applications called com.mufc as its source in the phones remains unknown and cannot be downloaded from Android app store.
Over 19.2 million suspicious transactions were discovered from over 200,000 Tecno devices that were used in the investigation that started in March 2019 and ended in August 2020. Phones from Ethiopia, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana and South Africa and 14 other countries were reviewed for malicious code.
Sometime in July this year, Guru8 published a story where an NGO the Unwanted Witness accused rider hailing app, Safe Boda of personal data breaches under the Ugandan data protection laws, especially the recently passed Data Protection and Privacy Act, 2019 (DPPA). The allegations included that the company was and is sharing user data with third parties in violation of the above laws.
Guru8 has this week received a letter dated 24th August 2020 revealing that the government has been petitioned about the allegations.
In the letter titled “Petition Against Guiness Transporters Limited Trading as Safe Boda Sharing Uganda’s Personal Data With Big American Tech Companies”, the speaker of parliament of Uganda Rebecca Kadaga, is forwarding a complaint that was raised by Obedgui Sammy about the violations to the National Information Technology Authority (NITA – U), that she says is the relevant Authority to handle the complaint.
“I received a complaint… alleges that Guiness Transporters Limited Trading as Safe Boda was implicated for sharing its application users’ personal data with third parties without the knowledge or consent of those users” reads the letter in part.
She adds that she believes that the complaint “falls under the purview of (NITA – U)” as it is the organ that is empowered to enforce adherence to the DPPA and has been asked to take action regarding the allegations and report to parliament within 3 weeks after receipt.
We are yet to see how the government responds to the accusations, however, under the Act, the Authority is required to conduct its own investigations and in its own discretion may direct the alleged violator to remedy any of its breaches or take any action as the Authority may determine.
MultiChoice, the parent company of DStv and GOtv satellite TV brands yesterday, the 19th August 2020, held a majorly virtual #DSTVShowcase wherein the company announced several products (hard and soft -ware) that are yet to be made commercially available to the public.
Some of the products announced include two new decoders, DStv Explora Ultra, and the DStv Streama decoders that will allow for the customers to access third party streaming services. The streaming services will enable users to watch content that is available on the DStv bouquet without using a satellite connection to access the service.
It is said that the company even signed deals with Netflix and Amazon prime videos to enable access of these platforms on DStv packages to be available on the Explora Ultra decoders.
The DStv Streama set-top box allows subscribers to view DStv content and shows from other streaming services without a satellite dish. Customers will be able connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable and connects to your TV through HDMI. They will also be able to “seamlessly switch between applications like DStv, Showmax, and YouTube” where they will need to login.
Customers will need a DStv login to use a DStv Streama, but no active DStv subscription is required.
No dates for the commercial availability of the products has been confirmed, so the actual release dates and the prices for the same remain unknown.
The company also launched a standalone streaming service accessible only via DStv app to allow customers to sign up for DStv and be able to stream content exclusively though its platforms. The DStv app is available on PC, phone, gaming console, browser and on smart TV where users can access instant entertainment, sports, news and stream even on the go, with a maximum of four devices supported and two for concurrent streams.
The satellite TV giant will be partnering with Internet Service Providers (ISP)s and telecommunication companies to provided package bundles with uncapped internet for the DStv streaming packages.
An eCommerce store with a major focus on empowering young creatives in the fields of art and crafts has launched in Uganda.
With COVID-19 still affecting most parts of the continent, online shopping has continued gaining momentum even after some countries easing their lockdown measures. eCommerce stores have increasingly been established amid the different lockdowns in hopes of reducing in-person visits.
The timely launch of Big + Box couldn’t be any better as the trend for online sales boomed with the help of the coronavirus.
Despite so many ecommerce platforms being opened up, Esther Ndagire, the founder stated that the company’s commitment to connecting young people ensuring everyone finds pride and joy in wearing local brands is what differentiates them.
The new platform is meant to showcase the artisans and their exceptional workmanship to a global audience by profiling every single entrepreneur that has their products hosted on Big + Box. The founder makes an emphasis on this by having a separate tab for all the featured artisans and their stories on what inspired their work.
Big + Box offers a variety of products in categories such as local comic books, bags, face masks, pillows, furniture, dresses, accessories, mats and so much more. The platform is also putting in place the option for customers from across the globe to order online and receive these products swiftly no-matter the location.
With the pandemic happening around the world, most people aren’t taking any chances of leaving the house and going to the mall to buy things they need. You won’t know the items you’ve touched may have been handled by someone else who has the virus. It would be ideal to look for other options rather than going to the mall.
Nowadays, businesses have made it possible for customers to shop through their online department store because it’s frankly hassle-free. It’s good to know that you have the power to shop online without ever leaving your house, especially at a time like this. You should try buying things online rather than stepping outside and getting exposed to the virus.
Time-Saver
You might happen to live really far away from a department store. Driving will take you some time to get to the store. It’ll be even harder to get there if you don’t have a car, so the best option is to shop at an online department store. Not only can you save time travelling from your home to the store, but you also have quick and easy access to all the items at the department store.
Usually, you would ask a salesperson to help you look for a specific item. With an online store, all you need to do is type in the search bar of the site, and it’ll tell you straight away whether the product is available. All the item details you’re searching for is already posted on the website, so you don’t have to ask anybody.
Shop Anytime You Want
You might feel bored in the middle of the night, so you search for items you could find useful for your room or the house. After you’ve seen an item you want, you can buy it right then and there. The “shopping cart” feature definitely helps keep track of what you bought to prevent unnecessary backtracking. And if you’re lucky enough, the store might deliver it to your doorstep in the morning or afternoon.
You can never shop at those times at a physical department store because of the designated store hours. For people who have a habit of staying up late and want to shop to their heart’s content, the online department store can make that happen.
Tons of Variety
When talking about a department store, they would have different products such as phones, watches, furniture, appliances, tools, auto accessories, etc. You can also experience the same in an online department store. The only difference between the online and physical stores is you can view the products on your phone or computer online, while the physical store lets you actually hold the item.
In an online store, you can even view new and upcoming international releases, letting you know about those products before anyone else and buy them at a moment’s notice once they release.
Technology makes it convenient for people to do most things they like while staying at their homes’ comfort. Because of that, businesses have created online department stores for their customers to view the entire list of items with a full description of each one. Make use of it!
MTN Group today announced that the current group CFO of MTN Group, Ralph Mupita, has been appointed as the new group president and CEO with effect from 1 September 2020. Ralph has served as the MTN Group CFO since April 2017 and has played a critical role in the development and execution of the group’s strategy, capital allocation processes, financial performance as well as in the resolution of a number of complex regulatory matters.
MTN Group chairman Mr Mcebisi Jonas said: “After a rigorous and extensive search process, we are pleased to have appointed someone of Ralph’s calibre, experience and ability to fill the group president and CEO position.Ralph’s experience as the group CFO, strong knowledge of our businesses and markets, as well as successful background in financial services, M&A and emerging markets, place him in an excellent position to lead the growth and sustainability of the business going forward.”
Ralph is a graduate of the University of Cape Town with a degree in Engineering and an MBA. Prior to joining MTN Group, Ralph was the CEO of Old Mutual Emerging Markets for five years, a business that provided financial services to individuals and corporates across 19 countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia, managing over R1 trillion of customer assets under management at the time.
Commenting on his appointment, Ralph said: “Leading a business with MTN Group’s history, scale and socio-economic impact is a privilege and honour, and I look forward to working with the group board and executive committee in driving growth and unlocking value for shareholders and broader stakeholders.”
“MTN Group is well positioned to take advantage of the digital acceleration shifts and opportunities across our markets, and we are well placed to play an important and leading role in digital and financial inclusion of the African continent, working with our stakeholders and partners.”
The current group president and CEO, Rob Shuter, will step down from his executive responsibilities on 31 August 2020 and will thereafter support Ralph as required until the end of his fixed-term contract early next year.
An update regarding the GCFO position will be made on or before 1 September 2020.
The company behind NordVPN called NordSec, that also runs NordLocker a file encryption tool has introduced a cloud storage add-on. The service sets new guidelines for the way cloud storage providers will treat client data later on. The encryption tool has its own cloud storage feature offering all-around encryption of users’ data.
“NordLocker took a challenge to revise and turn round existing cloud storage practices. Encrypting files first and uploading them to the cloud of the same provider helps to avoid the involvement of third-party vendors. All that can be done with a single move of drag and drop,” says Oliver Noble, an encryption specialist at NordLocker.
User privacy is enhanced on both the device and in the cloud, as both share the same encryption standards. Moreover, the files are synchronized across all the devices of the user, but nobody besides the owner can access the data.
“NordLocker is not just another cloud storage. It is an encryption tool that offers cloud storage for your files. We believe it’s better. Most cloud storage solutions encrypt only the storage itself, leaving files behind,” says Oliver Noble.
Why one needs NordLocker
NordLocker is perfect both for personal use and handling work-related data. In the wrong hands, private files, such as photos, videos, cryptocurrencies, notes, and other types of data, can be viewed or stolen.
“In 2017, pictures of A-list celebrities were leaked from their iCloud. No compromising pictures would have reached the public eye if the files had been encrypted,” said Oliver Noble.
Beside personal use, NordLocker is a must-have for companies storing their clients’ financial, legal, or medical records or deal with any other confidential information. In case of a breach, the encrypted data remains safe and private. That’s because NordLocker’s cryptosystem uses the most advanced ciphers and principles, featuring Argon2, AES-256, and ECC (with XChaCha20, EdDSA, and Poly1305).
NordLocker features zero-knowledge privacy. “Your data is not our business. Our encryption system is designed in a way that prevents us from seeing what you keep,” says Oliver Noble.
NordLocker’s main features:
Drag-and-drop encryption
Protection with a single master password
Confidential cross-platform synchronization
Encrypted files can be stored on the computer or in the cloud
Running on both Windows and macOS, NordLocker supports files of any type. With a free version of NordLocker, users get 3GB of cloud storage. Premium users can enjoy 500GB of encrypted cloud storage. NordLocker’s business solution has free and paid versions as well.
With the introduction of cloud storage in its file encryption tool, NordSec strives to provide an all-around cybersecurity package. Last year, the company launched a business VPN solution NordVPN Teams and a password manager NordPass.
In a blog post yesterday, Microsoft announced that Microsoft 365 apps and services will no longer support Internet Explorer 11 (IE 11) in favour of the revamped Microsoft Edge browser. IE 11 is the last update to the memorable browser from 2013 that windows introduced to us some 25 years ago. Microsoft 365 apps and services includes all windows apps.
“Today, we’re announcing that Microsoft 365 apps and services will no longer support Internet Explorer 11 (IE 11) by this time next year” reads the announcement which further reveals that beginning November 30, 2020, the Microsoft Teams web app will no longer support IE 11, and beginning August 17, 2021, the remaining Microsoft 365 apps and services will no longer support IE 11.
For the individuals or devices that will still have the application installed in their computers, the blog post assures that they will have what they have called a “degraded experience” where new features will not be available or existing features will not work. They will also not be able to connect to Microsoft 365 apps and services.
“While we know this change will be difficult for some customers, we believe that customers will get the most of Microsoft 365 when using the new Microsoft Edge” it reads.
According to the announcement, the decision to abandon IE 11 results from the fact that the internet is more sophisticated today, with open web standards and newer browsers that have “enabled better, more innovative online experiences.”
For many years now, many Ugandans have been fans of purchasing and importing goods from abroad but because of the various hindrances associated with it, many have been discouraged from purchasing the things they love, when they love them and had resorted to sending friends, family and colleagues that often travel.
This has been the case especially when it comes to shopping from stores like Amazon, Fashionova, eBay, and Walmart among others. These stores don’t ship to Uganda, and that had become a very big problem to perpetual shoppers of authentic goods, but not any more.
With 2Gule, that hustle is over with as they provide you with a cheap, fast, and reliable way to shop from your best International store(s) and have your goodies shipped in with the click of a button.
The 2GULEplatform is here to help you buy what you want, when you want, at the best price & have it delivered straight to you in Uganda. There is no need to give up & settle for counterfeit products on the market because you can’t get what you want from the USA, UK or Canada so get around shipping restrictions once and for all.
How 2Gule works
Go online & look for the products you want to buy, and then visit the 2Gule website www.2gule.com where you can send them a link to your product or just a simple description of the items you want to buy from stores in the USA, UK & Canada.
Afterwards, they will send you a quotation with the total cost including; Cost of product, shipping costs, and taxes on arrival. After which, you can then pay 60% of the total price for which they buy, ship & pay taxes on arrival, all in under 14-21 days upon receiving the goods at their 2GULE warehouse in the US.
You can then pay the 40% after receiving your product from #2GULE. You receive an email you as soon as your purchased goods have arrived at their offices in the US and you can then either choose to let them know whether you want them delivered to you when they get to Uganda, or to pick them up from their offices at Kirabo Complex, Level 2, room 222.
In the event that you already bought your goods OR have items still stuck in the USA/UK or Canada, they can still help you ship them into Uganda, pay the customs fees and deliver them safely to you. Their fees range from $8 to $9 per pound of weight (includes shipping fees & tax on arrival), the cheapest on market at the moment.
Pricing for goods to be shipped
Let’s assume you want to purchase an item at $110 from Amazon. On checking out, Amazon will charge you a $15 USA tax making the total price of the good $125. 2Gule uses a dollar rate of 3850-3900 per Ugx. This makes a $125 product cost about Shs487,500.
So, planes charge about $8 per pound. Assuming your item weighs 12 pounds, it would bring the price to Shs861,900 however, this is before the URA taxes that vary from item to item, music equipment attracts about 30% tax at Customs. Remember, you will have your item in Uganda within 14-21 days from date of purchase.
Suubula.com alias Suubula Store SMC has today released a statement to reveal that the “online marketplace for brands, fashion, home decor, Art and others” as it describes itself, has been rebranded.
The process for the rebrand involved the making of changes to the company trademarks and a new design for the website among others that have been in works for the past three (3) months
“Suubula Stores SMC (www.suubula.com), Uganda’s leading marketplace, has this Friday morning unveiled its new e-commerce website following a 3-months rebranding process” reads part of the statement.
Old and New Logo
The statement further adds that the rebrand is intended to give the public a renewed experience with a variety of products including “arts and craft, books, foodstuffs, garments, beverages, home use supplies and electronics”, as priorities.
Their service is a “multi – vendor platform” that allows a trade, manufacture, creator of a product or service provider to list their range of offered products and services on their store and avail them to the several customers that are expected to flock the website.
According to the statement, it is free of charge for a vendor to open up a shop with the e-commerce platform after which one will be given access to an admin panel to be able to “add products, process orders, enter store data, monitor your sales and manage transactions”. Both sellers and buyers will also be able to access a messaging service on the platform where they will engage to be able to realise the best prices for the products on sale.
“This means a boutique owner, painter, wholesaler, beautician or gym instructor can create a store on Suubula.com to sell their products/services,” reads a quote from the marketplace’s Chief Executive Officer, Camble Hope, as it also allows for the “unemployed youth who can bake or pack honey or run a garden of rose flowers can list their products in a store and sell to millions of customers online”. Suubula also hopes that their platform will be able to encourage creativity among the youth and in effect reduce on the rate of unemployment in the country.
The e-commerce “platform is partnering with professional logistics firms to deliver purchased products” from the company’s home office in Ntinda to be distributed to the buyers, within Uganda and in the future, to the entire East African community. They are also working with Shopify, an international e-commerce platform to allow creators access to more visibility and better ecommerce tools to sell their products.
Some of their partners also include Fine Spinners, a local garment manufacturer, Coca Cola, Long Horn (publishers), Africa Queen, Nexus Lounge, Zenith (distributors of household items) among others.
The platform can be accessed on the company website and are located on Plot 2 Bukenya Mall, Room 4, Kimera Road, Ntinda
