This week was yet again filled with tech news stories that grabbed the headlines both across Africa and around the world.
The big news grabbing headlines worldwide was the take down of a major botnet operation known as Gamarue by ESET, Microsoft and a number of law enforcement agencies.
In South Africa, FORUS unveiled its new blockchain powered global digital exchange, which according to the founder, Sonny Fisher, could change the way business is conducted around the world.
This week the team at IT News Africa also compiled a number of feature including the top 10 Internet of Things startups to watch and are you going to invest in Bitcoin?
From all of us at IT News Africa, have a great weekend. The top stories of the week can be found below.
News
FORUS unveils blockchain powered global digital exchange
On Wednesday 6 December 2017 at an event hosted at the historic Rand Club in Johannesburg, South Africa, FORUS unveiled its Global Digital Exchange which essentially is a public utility blockchain and ecosystem solution that will aim to provide a single, global, universal, trusted, user-authentication platform for both mobile and web-based transactions, for the banked and the unbanked. FORUS, which was made by South African engineers, is set for global launch in South Africa, the USA, and the Caribbean in March 2018. Read More.
ESET, Microsoft and FBI take down cybercrime operation
On Tuesday 5 December 2017, security researchers at ESET, in collaboration with Microsoft and law enforcement agencies – the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Interpol, Europol, and other stakeholders in cybersecurity – revealed that they have taken down a major botnet operation known as Gamarue which has been infecting victims since 2011. Read More.
Kenya: Mobile ordering and payment solution launched for small kiosk owners
Mastercard on Wednesday, 06 November 2017 unveiled Kionect, a digital ordering system that enables small kiosk owners in Nairobi, Kenya to order and pay for products from wholesalers via SMS. Orders submitted via a feature phone help create a digital record for kiosk owners to get access to micro-loans to stock inventory and grow their business. Read More.
Google launches Files Go worldwide
On Tuesday December 5 2017, Google launched Files Go, a new app for freeing up space, finding files and sharing them with others. Files Go is now globally available on the Google Play Store for all phones running Android 5.0 (Lollipop) and higher. Read More.
Kenya’s Direct Pay Online Group buys EFT firm to grow e-payments
The Direct Pay Online Group (DPO) has announced the acquisition of Setcom (Pty) Ltd, which operates SID Instant EFT, an instant electronic funds transfer (EFT) solution in South Africa. The deal will complement DPO’s payment solutions across the continent, which currently includes processing for all major cards, mobile money and e-wallets. Read More.
Top Opinions & Features
Top 4 tips on how you can save your data this holiday season
The holiday season is upon us and while Santa’s elfs are bringing the presents and South Africa’s Wireless Application Service Providers’ Association (WASPA) is bringing mobile data saving tips for consumers this December holiday season. Read More.
Are you going to be purchasing Bitcoin?
Many compare the success of Bitcoin as a bubble ready to burst, however, Bitcoin keeps proving them wrong. Will you be buying it soon? Read More.
What South Africans watched on YouTube in 2017
On Thursday 7 December 2017, YouTube released its annual Rewind. This is essentially a list looking back at the most-watched videos for the year in South Africa and globally. Read More.
Top 10 African Internet of Things startups to watch
IoT is growing and will continue to grow beyond 2017. IHS Technology predicts that there will be 75 billion connected devices by 2020. Read More.
Hackers love public Wi-Fi more than you do
Public Wi-Fi is great in so many ways. It costs nothing, saves on mobile data, and is often faster when it comes to downloading. However, as much as we love the convenience, hackers love public Wi-Fi too, and for different reasons. Read More.
Gadgets and Gaming
FNB reveals iPhone X deals
On Thursday 7 December 2017, FNB in partnership with iStore revealed its iPhone X deals. The deals will be available to FNB Gold, Premier, Private Clients, Private Wealth and RMB Private Bank credit card holders who will be able to purchase the iPhone X 64GB (30 months) and iPhone X 256GB (29 months) at R749 and R899 per month respectively. Read More.
Rugby 2018 Review
Since the famous edition of Rugby 08, developed by EA Games, ten years ago no one has quite managed to replicate the on-field excitement of one of the most popular sports in the world. So as a fan of the sport and obviously being a gamer, I was thrilled to hear that Eko Software was developing a new rugby title, Rugby 18. The game, which was released in late October 2017, however, did not live expectations. Read More.
Destiny 2 – Expansion I: Curse of Osiris Launch Trailer
Continue your Destiny 2 journey with Expansion I: Curse of Osiris. Travel to Mercury, unravel the mysteries of the most notorious Guardian in Vanguard history, and battle the time-travelling Vex in new cinematic campaign missions. Read More.
South Africa: Festive season gaming deals you just can’t miss
In the lead up to Christmas, Ster-Kinekor Entertainment has put together great deals to make this an epic season for gaming! Starting on the 4th December 2017, the following deals will be available. Read More.
By Dean Workman
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