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Top IT News of the Week (06/2022)

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IT news #1: BT deploys mobile broadband on London underground.

Topic: Mobile broadband, unified communications

BT and BAI Communications have announced their collaboration to bring 4G and 5G mobile services to the London Underground by late 2024, including ticket halls, platforms and tunnels. The communications infrastructure provider currently holds a 20-year concession deal with TfL, allowing them to roll out the new “neutral host” mobile network for operators to access via wholesale. BAI are also implementing a new full-fibre network to help connect to the new infrastructure to also benefit local homes and businesses. As part of the agreement, BT Wholesale provides BAI Communications with data centre space in London and high-bandwidth connectivity, using 100% renewable power for all sites.

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IT news #2: Users lose over £65,000 in latest ‘family member’ WhatsApp scam.

Topic: Phishing, cybersecurity

A new phone scam is on the rise in Northern Ireland and targeted users have lost over £65,000 as a result, the police have revealed. It involves a WhatsApp message, sometimes a text or a call, pretending to be a family member, asking to transfer money. Police have issued a warning to the public about the rising cases, particularly involving the elderly. According to police information, the attack first appeared in September 2021 and there has been 110 reported cases so far. It was described as “despicable”, taking advantage of people’s willingness. In some of these cases, targets have been careful enough to check with the relatives before sending any money and realising after it’s a scam. The amount of money lost differs from user to user, sometimes as low as £20, up to £15.000. Police ask people to spread the word and alert their families, specifically the older members.

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IT news #3: Cisco launches applications to improve enterprise networks.

Topic: Network security, unified communications

The networking hardware company has announced a range of services and products to support hybrid working. It includes Wi-Fi access points, switches and a private 5G service tailored for enterprise campus environments. Cisco aims to bolster on-site enterprise networks in an attempt to improve performance and accessibility for hybrid workers when returning to their offices. Cisco said the initiative targets network infrastructures supporting emerging business applications, including higher-resolution video traffic and immersive interfaces. The private 5G service incorporates both 5G radio and Wi-Fi capabilities. The solutions are offered on a pay-as-you-go subscription model. It is designed to decrease customer investment, as it’s done by working with third-party providers to scope out customer environments and create more tailored packages. Cisco will be managing the cellular part of the solution and customers will use a Cloud-based management platform in order to monitor and manage policy and enterprise networking devices.

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IT news #4: Avast adds new firewall feature in Avast Free Antivirus.

Topic: Cybersecurity, antivirus

Avast has announced an update to its Avast Free Antivirus and Avast Premium Security product versions for Windows. The update includes a brand-new Firewall in Avast Free Antivirus which shields people from network attacks and reaffirms Avast’s commitment to providing sophisticated and effective security and privacy products for all, free of charge. In Avast Premium Security, Avast has added new advanced Firewall features for even stronger protection from data leaks, spoofing attacks, and malicious devices scanning for open ports on the user’s PC. Vita Santrucek, Chief Product Officer at Avast, said, “Research conducted for our Digital Citizenship Report showed that since the start of the pandemic the internet has become even more important for two thirds of 18-44 year olds and for about half of older generations around the world. As our world is becoming more digital, people’s privacy can be at risk on many levels, often simply by connecting to a public or local online network. The complexity of threats today can make it difficult for people to keep up and understand how to best protect their digital lives. We have bolstered our core Avast Antivirus product with a free Firewall to make it easier for people to keep their online lives secure.”

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