Gaming is now more than just a personal recreation. It is no longer a niche market that serves only a particular aged customer base and segmented audience. Video games have evolved over the years and marked the dawn of a new age of gaming. The concept of SOCIAL seeped into the gaming and turned it into a community and network building entity. The advent of social media and its quick penetration in the world made this virtual connection among the players possible.
Social Media has been all kinds of things for gamers – to stay connected, to share the experiences, live streaming, etc. One of the key benefits of this is the increase in competitive streak among the players. It allowed gamers to compare their skills and compete directly among themselves. This has changed the overall dynamics of the relationship between social media and gaming. It has evolved from being a personal experience to more of a networking entertainment media.
With the exponential increase in the number of social media users, it didn’t take much time for the gaming industry giants to notice the impact that merging social media and gaming together can have. And why not, the number of social media users in India stood at 326.1 million in 2018. And the increase is not going to stop any time soon. This has led to the influx of huge amounts of money and the equivalent amount of technology as well. It is because of the fact that gamers are now interested in networking and chatting while they play.
This allows a common database where the results can be shared, compared and discussed. When there are a ton of users and giants competing for it, there should obviously be a huge revenue around it. That revenue here comes through promotions and advertising. The new normal is the synchronization of upcoming games to social media. This allows companies to show their recommendations to users who use that particular game. It also acts as a new way to communicate with potential customers about deals, new launch of games, etc.
The above-mentioned reasons are enough for companies to strengthen their social media presence by having a page and dedicate advertising budget to promote the same.
Online gaming and multiplayer gaming have brought a revolutionary change in the gaming culture altogether. It provided an opportunity of cross-marketing on social marketing and the consoles. It allowed players to brag about their high scores on social media and raise the competition. For example, there’s a lot of hype and pride that surrounds breaking records like Fortnite players’ longest win streak, Minecraft’s’ most consecutive two-block jumps, etc. It also allowed game viewers to see their favourite gamers play during the live streams.
Players can build their own communities now
Companies can analyze the pulse of people
Both of them can get prompt feedback from people
Industry giants like EA Sports and key outsourcing companies like RubixQ are creating some of the groundbreaking games that can be a great platform for social interactions and socialization in general with the integration of live chats, online communities, internet forums, etc to connect people who have never met before.
Earlier, it takes weeks for a new game to get going with magazine ads, reviews etc. Now, within the minutes of the genesis of the game idea, one can put up a social media marketing strategy to create buzz around it. Social media not only contributed to the circulation of information and promotion, but it also became a gaming platform.
It gives a broader reach to existing gamers and gets more new players by the day. And the biggest impact of all is that gaming is becoming a new social media platform when the experts expected otherwise. People started to communicate about different things while playing games in the chat rooms, making it all the more engaging and of course, keeps the users logged in for more time. With all these advancements in social media by the day, the future looks all the more interesting for gaming for sure.
We see cybercrimes every day, everywhere. Countries worldwide are facing the same doom. According to cybintsolutions.com, many companies take more than 6 months to figure out a major data breach.
It happens because most enterprises are still unfamiliar with the right cybersecurity tools. Businesses are still struggling to keep up with cybersecurity.
Luckily, their search is over because VPNs prove to be the best bet to maintain security online.
I will explain to you how these virtual private networks are shielding online privacy later in this blog.
First, let me show you how global businesses hit hard by hackers.
Examples of Cyber Attacks on Businesses
We all have faced an unprecedented situation during COVID-19. The shift from physical to remote work was quite a big move.
However, cybercriminals leverage this shift much more than any of us.
A lot of websites’ exploitation attempts were made during this period. One major example of an online threat was CryCryptor ransomware. The ransomware was intendedly designed to trick Canadian android users.
Reportedly, the CryCryptor campaign attempted to spread via a fake app. This app disguised users by pretending Canada’s Covid-19 official app.
This ransomware was supposed to lock users’ videos, photos, and other data from the infected devices.
Luckily, this malware wasn’t that strong, and soon a vulnerability was found. ESET researchers spot this issue, due to which it was easy to create a decryption key for all the infected devices.
Besides CryCryptor, various malicious attempts took place during the same pandemic period.
Since, enterprises shifted to remote work. Employees were supposed to use home networks. Home networks are vulnerable compared to the official networks. Therefore, cybercriminals launch a greater number of hacking and pharming attacks to continue data breach practices.
But, the best thing is that during this time, VPNs played a significant role in securing home network traffic. Now, I will highlight how VPNs defend network security.
How a VPN combats Cyber-Attacks?
When businesses started noticing a significant rise in cyberattacks, new work from home policies began to rollout.
The use of VPNs started to grow massively. VPN or virtual private network forms a private, encrypted network to route online traffic before entering the open web.
This encrypted connection not only hides network activities but also changes IP address that protects user identity at its best.
How VPNs Maintain Network Security
The VPN functionality is a whole science. It comprises several security protocols that help to curb security threats. I will explain its protocols one by one to help you comprehend the entire work.
VPNs and Respective Protocols
IPSec (IP Security)
IPSec is a major VPN protocol used to maintain internet communication security. It works through two modes—transparent mode supposed to encrypt data message packet while Tunneling mode encrypts complete packet.
Tunneling mode often combines with other protocols to maximize the security level.
L2TP- Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol
Together both L2TP and IPSec form a highly safe data environment. L2TP doesn’t involve any encryption, but it creates a tunnel. Meanwhile, IPSec manages the network encryption and assures that all data packets are encrypted and following a proper transmission channel.
PPTP- Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol
PPTP is the universal and the oldest protocol from the days of Windows 95. Just like the L2TP protocol, it also has nothing to do with encryption. However, it controls packet tunneling and encapsulation.
PPTP coordinates with some secondary protocols, like GRE or TCP, to keep the security level hidden. It is still deemed as one of the strongest protocol.
How VPNs Coping AI for Network Protection
Considering disrupted network security, VPN is not just a security tool. It’s a network stipulation now. In the distant future, AI will rule the world, and together with VPN technology, the website security level could reach 90% accuracy.
Machine learning algorithms better understand attacking patterns. These algorithms inform VPNs about potential threats. VPNs then work even smarter by recognizing attacks and their latent sources.
All in all, the AI-based router VPN is transforming digital security space while using the best self-learning practices.
How Network Leverages a VPN
The potential of network disruption lurks behind every click that you do online. If you’re not using a VPN, it means that you’re exposing your network to ISP, government, and hackers. Therefore, virtual private networks are significant than ever before.
Below I am shedding light on the obvious benefits your network will have while connecting to a VPN.
Remote Network Protection
Gone are the days when we used to sit at a table to continue work. With time, mobility has become a major part of the work. The best network benefit of a VPN is that it gets remote network access.
All your data and files can be accessed from anywhere. A VPN itself is a network that you can access even outside the office. Whether you’re physically present in the office or not, all your data remains protected and available to you 24/7.
Access to Global Content
Living in 2020 is indeed incredible, but if you’re still finding errors while watching your favorite international movies, then what’s the point of living? Luckily, a VPN gives back all the power to your hands.
VPNs have the capacity to change the network’s location. It enables you to access content from any region by replacing the IP address. In simple words, a VPN changes your virtual location and bypasses content restrictions.
Affordability and Efficiency
Affordability and efficiency are two significant factors, and a Virtual private network simultaneously offers both. Many VPN providers offer unlimited bandwidth that improves overall network performance. Similarly, after the drastic escalation in the VPN purchase, affordable and long-term VPN subscriptions began to hit the market. It makes it easier for small businesses to protect network security while staying within budget.
Is VPN a Necessity?
After the massive remote work adoption, the rate of cybercrimes shoots up, and now, VPNs are a necessity for every business operating online. If anyone is not using a VPN, then there are more chances for network exploitation.
The Future of VPN in Digital Space
The escalating popularity of VPNs is showing no signs of stopping. With time, the scope of VPN usage will be broader than ever before. Also, it is expected that home users also extensively switch to VPNs. It is no wrong to say that soon we will see VPNs as the pre-requisite for being online.
Have you ever calculated the speed at which mobile apps getting downloaded worldwide? Whether you are looking to develop a mobile application for healthcare, travel, or any other business of yours, you should always be concerned about keeping app security as prime criteria.
Having an out-of-the-box mobile app idea is great. Most of the app development focus stays on perfect designs, innovative features, and great functionality. When ignored, a Mobile app security breach can lead you to loss of trust forever. Developing a secure app requires multiple security layers in the backend, the mobile device, and the communication channel.
The mobile industry has progressed rapidly to become interminable. The mobile apps stores are loaded with a myriad of mobile applications, striving to attract users. However, the sheer volume of mobile apps has created fierce competition. Despite the growing usage numbers and increased adoption, the greatest threat to an app’s success is security.
Why Mobile App Security Issue is a Big Deal?
Users are very much concerned about the privacy of their data and safety. Data breach cases discussed widely, app security is a factor determining success. It is a measure that secures applications from specific external threats such as malware and digital fraud, risking critical financial and personal information from notorious hackers.
Even a small breach in the security system can give hackers free access to personal life in real-time to disclose data such as banking information, current location, personal information, and other vital data.
What Happens When Mobile App Security Is Weak?
Globally 5.19 billion people use a mobile phone and spend 90% of their time on apps. Mobile apps are significant revenue generators for many businesses; however, intellectual property or sensitive data of the app attracts hackers.
Users trust businesses and organizations to test their apps due to security reasons before making it available online. Nevertheless, 2020 Mobile App security Index revealed some shocking facts.
43% of companies have no budget for securing mobile applications.
39% of companies do not take the necessary steps to secure their mobile application.
33% of companies never test their apps to make sure they are secure for users.
The above facts and numbers are real. These are enough fuel for hackers to breach the security loopholes in apps and leverage all of the most vulnerable data.
Cybercriminals are creative. They can access a mobile phone’s camera, microphone, and location to build convincing apps’ clones. Hackers employ several strategies to gain access to personal information and exploit users.
Some of the standard mobile application security risks include:
#1: No Multifactor Authentication
Users are usually guilty of using one insecure password for multiple accounts. Consider the number of users your app has. Even if the password is secure, hackers test passwords across other apps that could lead to an attack on the business.
Multifactor authentication uses 2 out of 3 possible authentication factors. However, it does not depend on the password before certifying the identity of the user. With additional authentication, it becomes difficult for hackers to breach. Some examples are – answer to a personal question, SMS confirmation code, biometric authentication, etc.
#2: Poor Encryption
Encryption is very important for security. Encryption transposes data into a code that is hard to decipher. It is viewable only after it is translated back with a secret key. Simply put, encryption can change the sequence of any combination lock. Unfortunately, hackers have the gifted ability to pick locks.
Symantec data shows that 13.4% of all consumer devices and 10.5% of all enterprise devices lack encryption. Hackers can easily have personal data in plain text format if they can manage to gain access to any of those devices.
However, companies using encryption are equally vulnerable towards mobile application security risks. Developers make human errors, and hackers exploit that. When encrypting an app, it is important to assess how easily hackers can crack the app’s code.
This security threat can have serious consequences, including intellectual property theft, privacy violations, code theft, reputation damages, etc.
#3: Reverse Engineering – Anti-Tampering
Reverse engineering is an innate threat. Apps are exposed to this threat always due to the nature of coding and programming.
The amount of metadata available in the mobile app development code for debugging also assists attackers to understand how apps function.
Reverse engineering is a tool that reveals how apps function on their backend, reveal encryption algorithms, rectify the source mode, etc. Your code may work against you to make way for professional hackers.
#4: Malicious Code
Forms, comments, and other user-generated content are often overlooked for a potential threat to app security. For example, the login form – when users enter their username and password, the app communicated with the data on the server for authentication. Apps that do not restrict the use of characters used to run the risk of code injection to the server for access.
Even if one line of JavaScript is entered into the login form without guarding against characters like the colon or equal sign, they can easily access personal information.
#5: Storage
When data storage is insecure, it can lead to a breach. It can happen in several places within the app: cookie stores, SQL databases, binary data stores, etc. The cause may be a vulnerability in the operating system, compiler, frameworks, or jailbroken devices.
Hackers could modify the legitimate app and funnel information as soon as they access the device or its database.
Even the most sophisticated encryption system fails when a device is rooted or jailbroken. As a result, hackers can bypass the OS restrictions and even circumvent encryption.
Tips To Safeguard Your Device With Mobile App Security Best Practices
Mobile app security is a real-life challenge. We are facing it now and may continue to do so.
The tools app developers use to develop mobile apps are the same that hackers use to exploit them.
Despite this prolonged struggle to make apps hack-proof, some of the largest mobile apps companies deploy some of the following best practices to protect and use without any compromise.
#1: Server-side Authentication
In a given situation, the server-side grants multifactor authentication requests only when authorization is successful. If an app stores data on the client-side and is only made available on the mobile device, ensure the encrypted data is accessible only when the credentials are validated successfully.
If you have a persistent authentication, such as “remember me” functionality, do not store the device’s password. Create multiple authentication tokens for different mobiles.
#2: Cryptographic Algorithms
The only way to fend off any breaches related to encryption is to avoid sensitive data stored on the device, including passwords and hard-coded keys. These could be readily available to hackers in plain text or even used by attackers to access the main server.
Theoretically, iOS has the right protection tools to halt reverse engineering through coded encryption. However, it is not a definite solution. You have to assume that attackers are professional, and they can decrypt information easily.
Even the most powerful encryption algorithms cannot prevent a breach if you do not adopt proper key management strategies. Your app should be protected against vulnerabilities like binary attacks.
Do not use deprecated algorithms unless you are a security expert. Do not create your encryption protocols.
#3: Input Validation
Input validation is necessary to ensure it meets the standards of sanity check. Hackers are always looking for an opportunity when test input validation. They scour the site for the potential of malformed data.
Input validation ensures that only data expected is passed through the input field. For instance, when you are uploading images in a mobile application, the file should have a matching extension according to the standard image file extensions and reasonably sized at the same time.
If image validation does not specify parameters forbid unreasonable file size or pixel count, hackers can upload malicious files that claim to be an image.
All fields of input, including audio, video, form fields, and command-line inputs, are vulnerable. This caused the first iPhone jailbreak.
#4: Threat Modeling
Threat modeling builds data defenders. The method is used to understand the problem. A good threat model ensures that the team should understand how to operate differently on OS, platforms, external API transfer, frameworks, and store data. But, building these frameworks and connecting the third-party APIs could expose apps to the inefficiencies too.
#5: Disguise To Prevent Reverse Engineering
Is it possible to prevent reverse engineering?
In most cases, developers have the tools and skills to build convincing clones of mobile apps’ UI without gaining access to its source code. On the other hand, business logic requires more effort.
Some commercial-grade tools are available to make business logic indecipherable. Developers use different tools like indentation to make code that is easier for a human to read, though the computer may not bother about formatting. Hence, minification, or removing all spaces, allows maintaining functionality and making it difficult for hackers to read the code.
End Word
Penetration testing, like ethical hacking, is an important mobile app development tool, in which developers attempt to find one or more vulnerabilities to exploit as a hacker. Although it is best to be prepared for mobile application security risks right from the start, this concern shall likely remain throughout the business lifecycle. Compliance is another important consideration for mobile app security. It is incredibly critical to understand how the mobile app security would be handled under different conditions.
Developing a secure mobile application requires the collaboration of the entire team, between expert developers, marketers, security experts, and even C-level executives. Any security protocol for password strength and the use of analytics tracking pixels are some of the security strategies that need buy-in from an entire team.
Now there’s an alternative to get 7.1 surround that provides two side speakers, and choices exist outside 7.1, so make certain to explore it.
Together with all the 5.1 system, I adored displaying to my buddies how noise might travel on you in a circle such as the noise of a helicopter. Particularly for films, the audio can immerse you inside the atmosphere and make you feel as though you’re a part of this activity. Action is where lively surround sound shines.
Over time, I updated my own systems and proceeded to delight in my authentic surround sound. Cut to five decades back when my first kid was born. We had half a year or so before our eldest daughter began crawling, and that I understood that I would have to discover a means to create those speaker cables much more accessible to some toddler. We were leasing an apartment at Washington D.C. in the moment, and running cables through the walls was not an alternative. The alternate solution was to purchase wireless speaker adapters in order that my back channels and subwoofer can run with no wires tucked across the carpeting. The radio adapters were adequate, but not wonderful. Our speakers were infant proofed, however, the back sound would sometimes cut away. All in all, the wireless installation was worthwhile to keep child security and a committed back surround audio.
A few years back, we moved to our house in Southwest Minneapolis, Kingfield especially. The home is over 100 years of age and wireless signs simply don’t travel also through it. In addition to this, my house has a great deal of wireless apparatus all competing for bandwidth we have multiple smartphonestablets, laptops, a extender, along with WiFi IP cameras running on competing and wireless today with all the back wireless adapters along with the different wireless subwoofer jack. Obviously, what was hungry to your WiFi bandwidth. The back speakers were cutting and the subwoofer just was not even linking wirelessly the majority of the moment. It was a difficult choice, but because I wasn’t always receiving back sound anyhow, it was time to check at another alternative for our audio system.
I opted to go the path of a soundbar (or audio pub ). Soundbars are exactly what they seem — they’re very long, narrow speakers which are ordinarily placed beneath the TV. They have several speakers built into these to create multi channel audio. Some even include wireless rear speakers plus another subwoofer. Soundbars have the receiver/amplifier built in, thus there’s a great deal less gear on your own shelves. I opted for you with speakersit has front left and right speakers and a built-in subwoofer which offers some bass. On certain soundbars, a number of those individual stations have numerous (miniature ) speakers. )
Dependent on the space it’s used in, soundbars may produce a virtual 5.1 sound that pops sound from walls to seem more lively throughout the room. It does produce a more complete sound across the area. That said, a soundbar on no account reproduces the genuine sound of getting speakers . For the last few decades, I have been very happy with this particular audio. It’s an excellent alternative for limited distance, simplicity, and also a fast means to enhance a TV’s organic audio. (Note: Whenever linking to an external audio program or soundbar, don’t forget to fully switch off your TV’s natural sound.)
Lately I set up a guy cave and reconnected the old system I had with all the entire 5.1 surround audio, and it truly will make a big difference in audio quality. Having committed back speakers generates such a complete sound, and it truly does throw you further into the picture.
In the conclusion of the afternoon, best sound is sometimes not the perfect for a specific space installation, and that I stand with a soundbar for your household TV room. It actually does allow for easier, yet still pleasing noise.
You’ve got choices! Based in your area, your surroundings, your usage, and the degree of sound you’re wanting to reach, home theater systems may be tailored to satisfy your wants. Allow me to know exactly what works for youpersonally.
The sheir benefit of soundbar in workplaces
Sound bars provide enhanced audio at a package which is simple to install and controller, which that they operate reliably. Other sound bar benefits include:
1. Better speakers — that both the speakers built to a sound bar are bigger than the speakers located in a screen. Sound bars can also be designed with extra space for those speakers, which allows for much more technology liberty. The outcome is a greater quality output device that may create complete range sound in a compact bundle.
2. Forward facing speakers — Since space is at a top within a screen, built-in speakers are often placed on the screen’s bottom or back.
Sound bars are constructed with forward facing speakers, or so the noise is directed directly at the viewer.
3. Less noise transference — Strong sound pushes encounters, but it may also be a distraction if it flows into other chambers. Sound bars, with the design, don’t move as much noise to other areas. Because noise is led toward the viewers rather than unlike any other walls or flooring, it’s simpler to contain. Compare this with a screen’s built-in speakers, which could possibly be aimed in the wall supporting the screen.
Industrial sound bars are usually designed to ensure they output bass, that is the problem when sound shifting is present.
4. Advanced volume controls — on audio transference since it is a frequent issue in commercial settings. By way of instance, the sound bar might have a change which sets a cap on its own highest possible volume. If necessary, this change could be protected using a cover plate which prevents tampering, therefore quantity levels never exceed a specified maximum.
Another innovative feature of several sound bars is the capacity to get IR signals from many different remotes. These sound bars permit volume control in the screen or in the pub itself, plus they could”find out” a distant’s IR signs, even when the remote isn’t universal. This allows for quantity management from a number of apparatus.
5. Many mounting options — Sound bars have been made to be simple to work with, and it begins with mounting. Most sound bars may be mounted into a wall or in addition to a coating, and there is reasons to think about both. A wall mount seems compact and ensures that the sound bar stays perfectly positioned.
6. Permanent building — Consumer sound bars could possibly be produced out of lighter and cloth plastics, which restricts their durability. Industrial sound bars are constructed with enhanced materials, therefore they’re stronger, easier to clean and easier to keep up.