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Finding a hotspot can be one of the most annoying things when you’re out and about. An Android app called WiFi Finder — downloaded by thousands of users — was meant to make that entire process easier. By simply typing in an address, people would be able to find the Wi-Fi in a “cafe, restaurant, airport, or any other places.” However, it seems that this popular app ended up exposing the Wi-Fi network passwords for more than two million networks, as reported by TechCrunch . The database — which anyone could access and download — was discovered by Sanyam Jain, a security researcher and member of the GDI Foundation . TechCrunch was unable to contact the developer after more than two weeks. The host, DigitalOcean, ended up taking down the database. A spokesperson told the outlet, “We notified the user and have taken the [server] hosting the exposed database offline.” Along with network passwords stored in plaintext, TechCrunch reported that the records contained the Wi-Fi network name,...
Piersten Gaines wants to bring luxury to the textured hair community. Her mission stems from several trips to the salon and not receiving proper care. She describes some visits as even “traumatic” after losing all her hair under the care of two licensed stylists. Gaines would later attend Harvard Business School and conceptualized Texas-based silk blowout bar Pressed Roots following a class presentation that allowed her to pitch the concept to “ Shark Tank” judge Kevin O’Leary. “Once I matriculated into business school, I became hyper-aware that there was a huge underserved market who were searching for the same hair care experience that I had been searching for for years — one that was reliable, affordable, luxurious, and one where the stylists actually understood the needs of my hair texture,” she said in email interview with AFROTECH™. “That is how Pressed Roots was conceptualized. I envisioned a chain of luxury, silk blowout bars that celebrate and specialize in the specific...
Holidays and major events all introduce the need for traveling and recreational fun. With planning happening in group chats across the globe, all good planning must include organizing the trips’ logistics. Traveling and lodging are mandatory, but they don’t have to be cumbersome. Marriott is stepping up with its technological offerings to ensure patrons can easily book and enjoy their stays. Global Chief Technology Officer at Marriott International, Naveen Manga is confident in the future direction of Marriott’s technology and its impact on its consumer base. The global lodging provider is creating innovative solutions for its consumers and establishing itself as a workplace of choice, leading the way in the future of travel. “At Marriott, we have made a concerted effort to identify opportunities to address pain points and delight customers across all experiences via technology innovation. The impact of these technologies vary across the target personas,” Manga described. A part of...
For years, Expedia Group has powered and influenced some of the most unforgettable travel experiences, and their brands are among the best-known names in global travel. The company is at the cutting edge when it comes to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), with those tools enabling customers to discover new destinations, plan and structure their trips without hesitation. That’s all by design according to Candice Tang, Vice President of Technology, Developer Experience with Expedia Group. “AI covers everything from booking to shopping to how travelers change their flights,” she says about the importance of AI platforms. “We’ve been using AI for years building on our platform’s capabilities to simplify our traveler’s experience.” Candice, who has been in the position for a year, focuses on the developer experience and leads a team that streamlines and automates routine tasks, so developers can focus on what they do best– solving tough tech challenges. Her team has...
NFL Blitz Legends has returned to recapture the hearts of gamers and NFL fans. According to a press release, Arcade1Up, an at-home gaming entertainment company, has launched NFL Blitz Legends to bring remastered games from the ’90s back into your home. For the first time in Blitz franchise history, the company will introduce an arcade machine for at-home. In addition, it will feature three of their most popular titles: NFL Blitz, NFL Blitz ’99, and NFL Blitz 2000: Gold Edition. Also, players will compete online with Wi-Fi multiplayer and leaderboards.
Charles Barkley is making a difference in his hometown of Leeds, AL. According to Southern Living Magazine, he’s donated over $3 million in scholarships to the graduates of Leeds over the years. Plus, he also donated laptops and cleaning supplies, worked to ensure students would have Wi-Fi hotspots, and gave every school system employee $1,000.
For over a year now, the connectivity gap in American homes and schools has been jarring to see as many students all over the country have struggled to gain access to educational tech devices and strong internet connections. In an effort to close the connectivity gap amongst U.S. students, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced the launch of a $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund to help schools and libraries purchase technology and resources like laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers and broadband connections for schooling. According to a press release, this marks the agency and country’s largest effort to close the homework gap and connect American students to the tools they need to support their education. “Even before the coronavirus pandemic upended so much of day-to-day life, seven in ten teachers were assigning homework that required access to the internet,” FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel shared in a press statement. “But data...
If your household — or your business — either has trouble paying for or otherwise has no access to broadband Internet, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has some connectivity aid for you. According to TechCrunch, the $10 billion initiative to give access to broadband Internet — thus putting it one step closer to having the Internet recognized as an essential utility — has begun after months of deliberation. The outlet is also reporting that if you qualify, you can get some much-needed connectivity aid through one of two programs. The first program is called the Connectivity Fund. According to the acting chairwoman of the FCC, this fund is designed to “close the homework gap.” That means that if your child, specifically, had difficulty accessing their virtual classes (or anything else related to their schoolwork) because you didn’t have broadband Internet in your house, this connectivity aid program is designed to help you. Wi-Fi hot spots, tablets, and laptops are also...
Have you ever been in a situation where your devices are in need of a charge, but all the outlets inside the coffee shop are occupied and you forgot to pack your power bank? Well, SolGreen has created a solution. As the first to invent, engineer, and patent a solar workstation, their Evodia Solar Workstation generates power to charge cellphones, laptops, lighting, and Wi-Fi. Akron, Ohio native, Matthew Portis, founder of SolGreen and inventor of the Evodia, thought of the idea to create an outdoor solar-powered workstation, after visiting a bookstore and wondering why none of the patrons were using the outdoor seating. Portis came to the conclusion that most people stayed inside the bookstore because there was no access to power to charge their devices outdoors. The solar-powered workstation provides adequate seating for crowded facilities and is built to withstand harsh outdoor environments. “It withstood Hurricane Irma back in 2017, we had a fleet of units in Miami at Florida...
A huge concern for many protesters and activists on the frontlines is digital privacy. With law enforcement having access to more surveillance tools, they have the power to use such tools to track protesters and silence their movements. According to Wired , there are two aspects of digital surveillance that people should be mindful of when protesting — data that can be obtained from your cellular device and law enforcement surveillance, which includes wireless interception of text messages tracking tools, and facial recognition. Police have been documented for being violent and aggressive toward civilians during these recent protests and haven’t hesitated to attach or arrest peaceful protesters, so it’s safe to assume any digital evidence they obtain can and will be used against people. The best way for protesters to combat digital surveillance from law enforcement is to use safe practices for devices when participating in demonstrations. Follow the below tips to better equip...
As hospitals all over the country overcrowd with COVID-19 patients, small startups are stepping up to do their part for the community and 4D Healthware happens to be one of them. The Black-owned healthcare startup has developed a monitoring platform to help treat COVID-19 patients at home. The Chicago-based company created a tech-based method using its original software that allows remote monitoring, at-home treatment, and physician and lab supported diagnoses. According to ChicagoInno , the technology equips patients with pulse oximeters — which measure the oxygen levels in the blood — and Wi-Fi-enabled digital tablets programmed with the company’s software to collect biometrics including temperature, oxygen levels, and other vital data. 4D Healthware then uses this data to evaluate and treat patients without forcing them to go to hospitals for treatment, unless in the event of extenuating circumstances. “Healthcare is now recognizing the value of virtually caring for patients,”...
Internet service providers AT&T , Verizon Communications Inc., and Comcast Corporation are all providing internet services for the next 60 days to customers who are unable to pay their bills due to the coronavirus outbreak, reports Black Enterprise. Not only has the trio agreed to not suspend subscribers’ services, but Comcast Xfinity, Charter , and AT&T are also providing free public Wi-Fi for 60 days, according to The Washington Times. While Comcast’s free public Wi-Fi is limited to public hotspot points and does not include home-based hotspot subscriptions, Charter is offering free broadband for students of college age who are not currently enrolled in a subscription. Mobile service provider, T-Mobile has announced that it will remove data caps for smartphone users and expand data allowances to students and schools. Ajit Pai, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), announced the Keep Americans Connected Pledge which calls on telephone and broadband service...
Standing in front of a group to deliver a presentation can feel like every wall in a room is closing in around you. Next thing you know, you’re ready to make a run for the door before you even get started. Maybe you’re nervous about the way you look or maybe you’re dealing with the stress of uncertainty. Whatever you’re worried about, recognize this, preparation breeds confidence. For anyone looking to persuade people to take action, public speaking is a skill you need to master. As a leadership trainer, I’ve delivered talks and workshops in cities in the United States and Africa, here’s what I know for sure: things will happen that you can’t control. However, knowing your content, anticipating audience questions, and practicing delivering your presentation can minimize the impact of a surprise. Ready to rock your next presentation? Here are a few tips to help you feel confident and leave a lasting impression. Challenge and Change Your “What if” Story No matter how many times I...
Though Amazon reportedly experienced another record-setting holiday season , it also suffered its share of challenges. Among the holiday favorites for many Amazon shoppers was Wyze, the economical, smart home camera system launched by former Amazon staff. Though the top-selling item provided a major boost for Amazon’s holiday revenue, a new data breach may change that record success. A Wyze security breach confirmed in late December is said to have affected more than 2 million customers , according to Fortune. Though the full extent of the breach has yet to be revealed, it involved account information, such as email addresses, Wi-Fi information, and security tokens. According to Wyze, no financial data or passwords were compromised . The latest breach places Amazon at the epicenter of another security glitch. Wyze likely became a viable alternative for wary shoppers shying away from Amazon’s controversial Ring home camera system. Amazon and Ring were recently named in a class-action...