Android Security Annual report details current state of Android ecosystem

Recently Google reported annual report of android security which reveals how Google protects the Android ecosystem. Previous year when a report was revealed it analyzed billions of data gathered. And in this year, the goal was increased. The company says that it scanned 400 million devices daily, although it is not clear that, this scan were automated scan or the scans done by the user or the combination of both.

Google has been enhancing its service daily to protect Android users and identifying the harmful behavior. Google says that over the course of 2016, less that 0.15 PHA (potential harmful apps) were installed and if we include the third party apps than overall ratio comes to 0.5%. Additionally, Google Chrome's Safe Browsing feature was also mentioned to have protected the hundreds of millions of users of the Internet browser on Android devices.

When Android Marshmallow was introduced it included the high-security features to protect devices. Google also highlighted that security enhancements include, the requirement of full disk encryptions, updates to the app permission that allow the users to manage their data being shared and more. All these securities made sure that device is running perfectly.

Android’s security features are progressing, since when Google joined the Google’s vulnerability reward program. In these programs, researchers were paid when they found any bug and report to Google. It fixed 100 vulnerabilities that were revealed by them in Google bug joining program. Few goals to improve Android protection are transparency and security decisions. This annual android security report was developed to reveal that, the company is not just watering away deep public security threats. One of the instance: Stagefright exploit that would allow hackers to take over Android devices remotely in a matter of seconds.

Android lead security engineer Adrian Ludwig reported that "There is a fairly big disconnect between what's in the data and what's in the public discussion," He further added that part of what Google has been going to improve security is making improvements to the security updates process. According to the blog, recently Google launched public security update program, to the open source project and security life cycle update for nexus devices.

However, much of the efforts being forth by the Google for improving Android security, it is reported that millions of active Android devices are running on the versions of the operating system are not supported by the security patches that was released. If they continue to refuse for an update of the latest Android version, especially those users of such devices it would remain vulnerable to cyberattcks. Hence it seems on android that security researchers job is never done.

Comprehensive Microsoft .Net development

The NET framework is a technology that supports creating and running of next generation applications. The framework by Microsoft is designed to accomplish various objectives. It has a plethora of features blended with a visually stunning user experience. 

The .NET framework hosts a plethora of features that are blended with a user experience that is visually stunning. Additionally, it also offers secure and seamless communication and the ability to replicate a wide range of business processes.

.NET as a framework is a technology which supports the creation and the running of the next generation of apps as well as XML Web services. Furthermore, it is designed to accomplish several objectives. The objectives of Microsoft .NET includes the following:

1. Provide a consistent object-oriented programming environment, regardless if object code is locally stored and executed, executed locally yet internet-distributed or remotely executed.

2. Provide a code-execution environment that will minimize software development as well as versioning conflicts.

3. To offer a code-execution environment that promotes safe code execution. This includes code created by an unknown or semi-trusted third party.

4. Provide a code-execution environment which eliminates problems performance of interpreted or scripted environments.

5. To make a consistent developer experience across a wide range of applications, like web-based and Windows-based applications.

6. Build all communication on industry standards. This helps ensure that the code based on .NET could integrate with any other code.

.NET consists of a common language runtime or also known as CLR and the class library. The CLR or common language runtime is the foundation of the framework. It could also be considered as an agent that manages code during execution, provide core services like thread management, memory management and remoting. Moreover, it also enforces stringent type safety and other code accuracy forms which promote robustness and security. As a matter of fact, the concept of code management is the runtime’s fundamental principle. Code that targets the runtime is known as managed code. On the other hand, code that does not target runtime is considered as unmanaged code. The class library is an extensive, object-oriented collection of reusable types that could be used to develop apps that range from traditional command-line or graphical user interface or GUI apps to apps that are based on the current innovations offered by ASP.NET, including web forms and XML web services.

.NET could be hosted by unmanaged components that load the CLR into their processes and also initiate the execution of manage code, thus creating a software environment that could exploit managed and unmanaged forms. The comprehensive framework could keep up with the prowess of Java and equally suited for developing web solutions, Windows 8, desktop apps and Windows Phone apps too. .NET allows developers to develop dynamic web apps and are experienced in carrying out complicated and big scale web applications for different themes. There are many service providers that provide application development services that include .NET application.

The .NET framework hosts a plethora of features that are blended with a user experience that is visually stunning. Additionally, it also offers secure and seamless communication and the ability to replicate a wide range of business processes. The Microsoft framework offers numerous advantages that translate into lower costs, acceleration time of development and greater maintainability.

NET provides a lot of benefits which translate into accelerated development time, lower costs and greater maintainability. Some of the benefits of Microsoft app development with .NET are the following:

1. It exhibits optimized coding while creating huge scale apps
2. High development speed
3. Cross-platform migration availability
4. Increased reliability, productivity, and security
5. Provides an IDE environment that facilitates the use of all tools simply by drag and drop actions.

Top Project Management Tools in 2016

Attempting to manage a software project without a project management software could turn into a chaos fast. Even with the best strategy and intentions, a wrong turn could rapidly demolish months of work. Taming a project gone bad could be a horror, particularly when you need to pay a lot of money in order to do it.

One of the high-responsibility tasks in modern organizations is project management. It is used by a lot of types of projects that range from software development to the development of the next generation fighter aircraft. To successfully execute a project, the project manager or the project management team must be supported by a set of tools. The tools could be specifically designed ones or regular productivity tools which could be adopted for a project management work. Usually, the use of tools makes project managers work easily. Furthermore, it also standardizes work and the project manager’s routine.

With the introduction of computer technology, there have been several software tools that are developed particularly for project management purpose. MS Project is one of these tools that has won the hearts of project managers worldwide. There are several project management tools that are used and the following are the top tools for 2016.

1. MyCollab. It is a multi-purpose tool with features of CRM or customer relationship management, project management, and document management. MyCollab-Project includes various features, such as milestones and Gantt chart, issue management and time tracking. Furthermore, it also supports agile development models. The project comes in three editions, wherein the community edition is the open source and free option. The recent 5.2.9 version is licensed under AGPLv3, needs Java runtime and MySQL stack. Furthermore, the source-code is available on GitHub.

2. Odoo. Is a full-suite of business apps, wherein project management is only one. It is a multi-platform solution that supports Windows, various Linux distributions as well as other operating systems. The community edition is a free and open source but has limited features than the enterprise version. The Odoo project management has several interesting features, like Kanban views, Gantt charts, graphs, tasks and issues and much more. Noteworthy assets are community resources and the official Docker image. It’s licensed under GPLv3 and needs Python and PostgreSQL. The latest 9.0 release is available for download and as a source on GitHub.

3. Taiga. Is an open source platform for beginners, agile designers, and developers. It focuses on agile development methodologies and has all the features needed such as backlog, tasks, sprints, Kanban board and issues. Noteworthy pros are integration with GitLab, GitHub, and Bitbucket, which make it an interesting project management tool for developers. The tool could also be extended via plugins and contains a REST API. It’s licensed under GNU Affero GPLv3 and needs a stack that includes Python, Nginx, and PostgreSQL. The latest 1.10.0 release Dryas Octopetala is available on GitHub.

4. OrangeScrum. Is a tool for agencies, freelancers and small to medium businesses. The features include a scrum task board, progress tracking, scrum task board, Kanban and Gantt chart views, progress tracking and resource planning. Notable is the new skin that is based on the Google Material Design. iOS and Android mobile apps 2.0 version were released in June. OrangeScrum is licensed under GPLv3 and based on the CakePHP framework. The latest 1.5.9 release is available for download and the source code could be found on GitHub.

5. Tuleap Open ALM. With a focus on software development projects, Tuleapoffers a feature rich platform that includes project management features such as Kanban and Scrum support, document management, tracking and other collaborative tools. The pros for the tool include support for agile, hybrid, traditional or custom processes for project management. Moreover, it supports sprints, planning, tasks, reports and more. The tool is very suitable for open source development organizations, as the tools also incorporate with SVN, Git, Jenkins and much more. Also, the tool provides an app installation or virtual machine or installation via Ansible. It is licensed under GPLv2 and the latest release 8.12 version could be downloaded from the website.

6. Agilefant. Focuses on agile approaches that involve Scrum and Kanban. Furthermore, it could also be bent to support traditional approaches such as the waterfall method. The tools provide a free and open source product which could be downloaded and deployed into one’s own private cloud. Called a solo plan, one could also sign up for a free cloud offering. Agilefant runs on Tomcat, Java, and MySQL. The source code and license are found on GitHub.

Google makes it easier to switch from iOS to Android with Google Drive backup tool.

In the Play Store, Apple has a switch tool which helps the Android users to switch to iOS. Unlike Google, this would be approved by the Apple bots in the App Store. With this, one can take the backup of your iPhone data to Drive, then restore it all on Android.

One can check out the new backup option in the iOS Drive app which is found under menu > settings > backup. On uploading all the backup on the Drive, it can grab your contacts, calendar events, and photos/videos. If you have lot of media files with more GB’s it will obviously take a lot more time to upload. For that Wi-Fi is needed for the backup to take place and the Drive app has to stay open. Unfortunately, there’s no option for backup.

The data from iOS will automatically be accessible in the corresponding apps, when one logs into their Google Account on a new Android phone. Unlike Pixel exclusive cable transfer tool, this process works with any Android phone.

WordPress for Business

Originally launched as a blogging platform, WordPress now has become an integral part for any business. Business owners today are integrating WordPress to build their business.

Launched originally in 2003, WordPress has turned out to probably become the most popular CMS or content management system in the world. These days, it is used by over 74 million websites that publish new posts each second. Regardless of the size of the blog or website, wordpress is one of the most widely used content management system and has become a favorite among businesses due to its being a powerful tool.

REASONS WHY A BUSINESS SHOULD SWITCH TO WORDPRESS

1. FREE: Whether one is a blogger or launching a new business online, the fact that WordPress is one hundred percent free is indeed beneficial. Most of all, it is also open source, meaning that one could boost or change the source code to build the right website that meets one’s needs.

2. FLEXIBLE: WordPress’ flexibility is another feature that could not be topped. Regardless if one is using it for a personal blog or a popular eCommerce website, wordpress development is versatile enough to meet any and all one’s requirements via the extensive extensions and features.

3. SEARCH ENGINE FRIENDLY: In actuality, the most popular search engines prefer websites that are powered by WordPress. This is because the framework is easy to crawl. As a matter of fact, Matt Cutts of Google endorsed WordPress during the WordCamp of 2009 in San Francisco.

4. POWERFUL OUT-OF-THE-BOX: Unlike other CMS’s WordPress is ready to use right away after it is installed. This means that there is no need to hunt down, install and configure a long list of add-ons to have most of the features that the platform considers core, such as RSS feeds, comments, revisions and more.

5. EASY TO USE: Another wonderful perk of WordPress is how easy it is to use. It is intuitive, user-friendly and easy to learn as well. One could even learn how to use WordPress within minutes. It’s no surprise it is known for its famous ‘5-minute install’.

6. PLENTY OF SUPPORT: WordPress comes with unprecedented support. This is in part to the extensive community wherein one could troubleshoot any query or concern via the forums.

7. SECURE AND SAFE: Because WordPress is such a popular content management system, it comes as no surprise that it is a target for hackers. Nonetheless, the platform takes the security of the users very seriously. It constantly updates software to prevent attacks. It has an automatic update feature ever since the version 3.7 release.

8. HOSTS MULTIMEDIA: The addition of images, audio or video files is a wonderful way of boosting the user experience. Luckily, WordPress makes it easy to insert multimedia into a post or page. It is not only easy to upload multimedia files, one could also edit files and like images while in the Media Library screen.

9. CUSTOMIZABLE: Due to the thousands of themes and plugins that WordPress has to offer, one could customize the website with one just one click to look and function as one likes. Moreover, because of the endless number of features, one could make the blog or website that one always wanted.

10. MORE THAN JUST A BLOG: Although the platform earned its reputation as a great blogging platform that could be inserted into a website, in itself it could be used as a website. Since it contains a page and post structure, one could have daily blog posts and static pages as well, like About or Contact pages.

11. MOBILE FRIENDLY: More than ever, it’s more important for a website to be mobile friendly in order to accommodate tablets and smartphones. However, with WordPress, there is no need to be concerned about that. It is already mobile friendly, thanks to most of the responsive themes.

12. ESTABLISHES A COMMUNITY: Whether sharing blog posts on social media networks or through communication with visitors in the comments section, the platform has the plugins and features to make community establishment easy and convenient.

13. VARIOUS E-COMMERCE SOLUTIONS: In using WordPress for business, it is happy to know that there are several eCommerce solutions that would convert the website into an all-out digital shop. By using plugins such as WP eCommerce, WooCommerce or Shopp, one could easily start to make money online.

14. KEEPS A WEBSITE FRESH LOOKING: Whether one needs to update a theme because it has been around for too long or looking to take advantage of something such as the holidays, there are hundreds of thousands of free themes to choose from. Doing this keeps the WordPress website looking fresh for the customers.

15. SAVES MONEY: WordPress is free. Nevertheless, that is not the only aspect wherein one could save money. Since it is open source as well as user-friendly, one need not hire technicians or web designers to launch or maintain the website.

16. MULTI-USER CAPABILITY: There is a good chance that one has to rely on several people to keep a website up and running. The platform is aware of this and has made assigning different roles for various people easy.

17. UNIVERSAL PLATFORM: WP features a universal platform. The dashboard always appears the same, regardless of what the platform is used for. There is no need to hire experts or spend a lot of time configuring the platform. Anyone with some kind of general MySQL and PHP experience could use it right away.

18. SCHEDULE POSTS: Running a business is very time-consuming indeed. Nonetheless, the platform frees up some more time by giving the ability to schedule posts ahead of time. Meaning that when completing a post, one could schedule it any time that suits the business and the customers. For instance, if most traffic comes to the website between 12 to 1 pm during weekdays, then posts could be scheduled around that time.

19. PUBLISH CONTENT WITH ONE CLICK: After writing amazing content, one could publish it right away with just one button click. Moreover, there are even several mobile applications that enable one to publish WordPress content regardless of the location.

It could not be denied that managing a website is easy with WordPress. The platform has become a vital part of most businesses all over the world at present.

The Top Outsourcing Trends of 2016

The fast evolving technology and customer expectations changes are rapidly changing the way that organizations use outsourcing to offer services. The new outsourcing strategies are creating new opportunities for businesses globally.

The rapidly evolving technology, as well as the customer expectations, are quickly changing the way companies use outsourcing to offer services that they find it difficult to deliver via in-house resources alone. The outsourcing advantages, in turn, are creating other new opportunities and challenges for businesses all over the world.

Where organizations previously farmed out specific services mainly for money savings, at present, they are embracing outsourcing for several other reasons as well. They are also working with a larger variety of service partners since the digital business demands are getting more complex than ever. IT and business always have been in a constant state of enhancements, with current Information Technology trends undergoing dramatic changes through the years in a successful attempt of improving services and exceed customer expectations. With the IT outsourcing field starting to be more of a common business strategy worldwide, people would continue to expect the growth of several trends that would most likely cause considerable shifts in outsourcing companies operations.

The following are some of the top outsourcing trends of 2016 and how organizations use outsourcing to boost services and operations.

1. Rising Complexity. Nowadays, businesses are finding that outsourced services could help them do much more than just reducing work costs or ramping up new employee teams faster. The complicated digital transformation programs lead companies to create more strategic and collaborative relationships with outsourcing partners. The trend is building a convergence in the technology of the outsourcing field as digital requirements permeate engagements with management agencies, consultants, system integrators as well as product development services companies. All of the prospective outsourcing partners scramble to either train, hire or acquire the skill sets that they lack for the digital transformation projects to meet customer needs.

For outsourcing service providers, this could mean growing pressure to diversify and broaden the services that they offer. The most successful outsourcing organizations could provide end-to-end services to the clientele from business strategy and ideation through an implementation of technology and management.

2. New Political Pressures. Political events worldwide also drive changes in the service sector. For instance, the recent decision of UK to leave EU, known also as Brexit would lead to changing markets for outsourced services. In a survey data, it indicated that British organizations are likely to suspend plans of hiring new employees, which increases the chance that they would opt for contingent labor services. The journey of stable employment depends on the hart of disenfranchisement, a lot of people feel. Organizations should rethink the social contract since too many people are left behind by the fast changes in technology and globalization. It is imperative to help individuals acquire skills to play an active role in a changing work scenario or face bigger uncertainty and more situations like the Brexit.

3. Enabling Innovation. As the capabilities of outsourcing providers’ grow, customers are finding new and more strategic benefits of utilizing their services. Value, instead of cost, is the new watchword today. Furthermore, it will likely be measured by how outsourcing providers help empower the growth of business via innovation. Businesses gain new competitive advantages from working with outsourcing organizations with wide service capabilities. As service providers seen as key business enablers, service providers become purveyors of innovation, enabling transformation instead of simply providing a source of price arbitrage. Additionally, innovation is a major component of the value that is derived from an outsourcing relationship.

4. Digital Transformation. While a lot of retailers tapping into technology and becoming more tech-savvy could be considered as a good thing, for the most part, it’s considered the main disadvantage to firms that offer IT outsourcing services. If more enterprises continue being familiar with scalable, automated and affordable solutions, there is less need to outsource a workload. That is why outsourced service providers should rethink their brand image and how to build value to their name to still be considered a viable option.

5. Security Issues, Development Opportunities. As more business services are provided via outsourced partners through cloud services, IT security would remain a major concern. This means that businesses relying on outsourced services must be certain to include security requirements in their contracts. Customer systems and data are only as secure as the weakest link in the ecosystem of a vendor. The customers’ risks are twofold: Not only the customer increase risk of data breach, it could also increase the risk that it would be in breach of its contractual or regulatory obligations if vendors are unable to comply with these obligations. As the capabilities of service providers become more advanced, businesses would increasingly turn to them for even vital services such as the development of minimum viable products for instance, new and innovative offerings focused on early adopters. There will be new and innovated ways of combatting security breaches and protect sensitive and confidential information.

Microsoft rolls out first SharePoint Server 2016 Feature Pack

It was recently reported that Microsoft includes new functionalities and features for the administrator and end-user customers. From the sight of administrators, Feature Pack1 adds more granular administrative-action logging and new MinRole capabilities goal at smaller user environments. 

End users enable an updated OneDrive for Business interface, custom files in the SharePoint app, a preview of SharePoint hybrid, and hybrid taxonomy, and OneDrive API for on-premises SharePoint. This is completely free for the SharePoint users, but some features like new OneDrive for Business support are for the Software Assurance Customers only.

This feature pack was available to MSDN and volume licensees starting in May. During that time, officials said that they planned to make at least one feature pack with the new updates for the SharePoint available in 2017.

Company officials revealed that SharePoint Server 2016 won’t be the last on-premises release of SharePoint. In between the two to three years likely between full-blown releases, the company is expected to update the on-premises version with Feature Packs.

Impact of mobile technology at workplace

There is no doubt that technology has radically changed the way that company does business, improve the quality and efficiency in our day to day operations. Over the years, now mobile technology has left no stone to turn in proving that, devices are ruling human-beings. In this digital era, mobile technology has become the must-have device for every individual owing to the convenience, speed and efficiency. With the increase in mobile tech, the corporate sector is also much accelerated with smartphones and tablets for their work-related activities.

As the technologies are expanding; corporate firms are also growing huge, and as a result, there is always a massive need for employees. Hundreds of mobile applications and other services have gingered to address these requirements.

Below are some of the major impacts of mobile technology at a workplace:

Upgraded convenience

Portable innovation includes a blend of remote gadgets that have organizing abilities and web-based collaboration applications and devices. Owing to the expanded convenience, representatives can carry their tablets to work for the presentations and not the massive piles of documents, thus making it a more advantageous choice.

Workers can get information and assets of the organization to finish their online exercises and operations without being tied to a solitary area. At the end of the day, with the utilization of versatile innovation, employees can carry around their office with them.

Expanded flexibility 

Today's workforce is more versatile than any time in recent history. Truth be told, it is anticipated that by 2017, the aggregate number of cellular telephone clients will ascend to 4.77 billion.

Versatile innovation gives employees the advantage of working at a soul go. This builds efficiency significantly since employees can stay connected at all times, expanding laborer accessibility network and era of work.

This has prompted the rise of adaptable working hours. This implies fewer costs for block and mortar workplaces and diminished worker migration costs. Subsequently, the center will move totally to ability of work rather than area.

Consumerization of IT 

With the continuous changes in innovation, it is turning out to be progressively troublesome for organizations to stay aware of the up gradation procedure. Subsequently, the pattern of representatives conveying their own particular gadgets to work has been on the ascent. This has prompted organizations capitalizing the consumerization patterns.

Organizations that execute the capability of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) can give free WiFi to their employees which they can use on their cell phones. Such independence can enhance profitability and produce more income for organizations.

As indicated by Mark Coates, EMEA VP of Good Technology, "By empowering representatives to safely and effectively get to corporate information all alone gadget, profitability levels will actually increment."

Mobile Recruiting trends 

With the versatile use of Internet on cellphones, the rise is estimated to 63.4% by 2018, and its effect is as of now being felt everywhere.

Truth be told, it was found in an online review that 90% of job seekers use cell phones to search for openings for work. Thus, organizations are progressively improving their employing procedures to suit the mobile requirements.

As indicated by Jeff Mills, Director of Solution Marketing for Recruiting and Onboarding at Success Factors/SAP, "Mobile platforms provide a way of capturing their interest and remarking it back to them for ongoing targeted campaigns to your talent community.”

Development of Global Businesses 

All organizations begin with clear systems for development. Growing organizations to different nations and expanding the business sectors require a solid methodology that can prompt profitability and a degree for expanded income. This is the place portable innovations have entered in.

It permits the instant access to customer and worker information at any location. Hence, organizations are no more confined by worldwide boundaries. This has prompted the rise of the global workforce. And because of it, employees can stay connected all day.

The effect of portable innovation has been felt over all areas of business. With an expanded computerization, this pattern is anticipated to keep forming business choices and opening up further roads to change the way of work.