News - Thoromo Investment

09/05/202409/05/2024

Google AI New Feature to Enhance English Learning Unveiled.

Google has rolled out an innovative feature within Google Search to aid English learners. This Google AI new feature is available in Google Search. Why is this so innovative? Embarking on learning a new language is an exhilarating and challenging endeavor. Diving into the cultural nuances of a language through literature, and entertainment is an exploration in itself. However, the crux of mastering a language is engaging with its native speakers. The challenge arises when traveling to the native country. Understanding foreign media is daunting for learners.

This Google AI new feature is accessible to Android users in select nations, including Argentina, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and Venezuela. It allows users to perform translations to or from English on Google Search, offering interactive prompts, brief practice exercises, and tailored feedback to enhance learning.

Google AI New Feature, How It Works

Google Search provides constructive criticism to refine sentence construction and showcase model responses. It also aids users in grasping the translation of English words within the context of their sentences in their native language.

Leveraging advanced technologies like deep learning and machine learning, Google aims to bolster users’ grammatical and linguistic proficiency. Given the complexities of English, such as irregular verbs, numerous exceptions, and intricate grammar, mastering it can be daunting. Nonetheless, proficiency in English can unlock global opportunities, which is the impetus behind Google’s initiative.

Since its inception in 2006, Google Translate has been a valuable tool for straightforward translations. However, it encounters difficulties with complex dialogues that demand a profound linguistic comprehension.

Google Translate often grapples with conveying the subtleties of context, lexicon, syntax, and sentence construction. Currently, this Google AI new feature is exclusive to English for users in a handful of countries. There are plans in place for further expansion.

Google’s goal is to help language learners practice speaking and improve their skills. While Google doesn’t have a structured curriculum like some language learning apps, it aims to provide tools to help learners practice in real conversations.

06/05/202406/05/2024

Secure Yourself: How Cybercriminals Exploit Your Information for Profit

In today’s digital age, our personal information is more valuable than ever before. From banking details to social media profiles, we often share a treasure trove of data online. While this connectivity has its advantages, it also comes with significant risks. Criminals are constantly seeking ways to exploit our information for their gain, whether it is for financial profit or to commit other nefarious activities. Understanding how these criminals operate is the first step in securing ourselves from their schemes.

Identity Theft: One of the most common ways criminals use your information is through identity theft. With enough personal details, they can open credit cards, apply for loans, or even file tax returns in your name. The consequences can be devastating, leaving you with damaged credit and financial losses.
Financial Fraud: Criminals can also use your financial information to commit various forms of fraud. This includes unauthorized transactions on your bank accounts or credit cards, as well as setting up fraudulent accounts using your details. They may also target you with phishing scams, tricking you into providing even more sensitive information.
Online Scams: With the rise of e-commerce and online transactions, criminals have found new ways to scam unsuspecting individuals. They may create fake websites or online stores to steal your payment information, or they might pose as legitimate businesses to trick you into revealing personal details.
Blackmail and Extortion: In some cases, criminals may use sensitive information they’ve gathered about you to blackmail or extort money. This could include compromising photos or videos, private messages, or any other information that could damage your reputation if made public.
Cyberstalking and Harassment: With access to your personal information, criminals can also engage in cyberstalking and harassment. This could involve tracking your movements online, sending threatening messages, or even showing up at your home or workplace.
Impersonation and Social Engineering: By gathering enough information about you, criminals can impersonate you to gain access to secure systems or manipulate others into trusting them. This form of social engineering can be particularly dangerous, as it exploits human psychology rather than relying solely on technological vulnerabilities.
Drug Trafficking and Illegal Activities: In some cases, criminals may use your information to facilitate illegal activities such as drug trafficking or money laundering. This could involve using your identity to ship illicit goods or to launder money through your bank accounts.

Securing yourself from these threats requires vigilance and proactive measures:

Secure Your Personal Information: Be cautious about sharing sensitive information online, and regularly review your privacy settings on social media platforms and other websites.
Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication: Create unique, complex passwords for your accounts, and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible to add an extra layer of security.
Be Wary of Phishing Attempts: Exercise caution when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources, and never provide personal information in response to unsolicited emails or messages.
Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly monitor your bank accounts, credit reports, and other financial statements for any suspicious activity, and report any unauthorized transactions immediately.

Stay Informed: Keep yourself informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and scams, and educate yourself about best practices for protecting your personal information online.
By taking these precautions and remaining vigilant, you can reduce the risk of criminals exploiting your information for profit and crime. Remember, your personal information is valuable – guard it carefully.

03/05/202406/05/2024

Embracing Cyber Agility: Safeguard Businesses in a Digital Landscape

In today’s fast-paced digital world, the threat of cyber attacks looms larger than ever. As businesses continue to digitize their operations, safeguarding against cyber threats becomes paramount. But how can organizations stay one step ahead in this ever-evolving landscape?
The answer lies in embracing cyber agility.

🛡️ Constant Vigilance: Cyber threats are constantly evolving, making it essential for businesses to adopt a proactive approach to cybersecurity. Regular monitoring of systems, networks, and data can help identify potential vulnerabilities before they are exploited.

🔒 Secure Infrastructure: Building a robust cybersecurity infrastructure is the foundation of cyber agility. Implementing strong encryption, multi-factor authentication, and access controls can help mitigate the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.

🚀 Adaptive Response: In the face of a cyber attack, time is of the essence. Having a well-defined incident response plan in place ensures a swift and coordinated reaction to any security incident. Regular testing and refinement of this plan are essential to ensure effectiveness.

🤝 Collaboration and Information Sharing: Cybersecurity is a collective effort. Collaborating with industry peers, sharing threat intelligence, and participating in information-sharing initiatives can provide valuable insights into emerging threats and help bolster defenses across the board.

🔍 Continuous Learning and Improvement: The cyber threat landscape is constantly evolving, requiring businesses to stay agile and adaptable. Investing in employee training, staying abreast of the latest security trends and technologies, and conducting regular security assessments are vital for maintaining a proactive cybersecurity posture.

By embracing cyber agility, businesses can not only defend against existing threats but also adapt and respond effectively to the challenges of tomorrow’s digital landscape. Together, let’s build a more resilient and secure future for all. Visit our consulting division to see how we can partner in the fight against cybercrime, Thoromo Consulting

21/05/202021/05/2020

Spraying disinfectants can be ‘harmful’, says WHO

This photo shows members of a police sanitation team spraying disinfectant as a preventive measure against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Bozhou, in China.

This photo taken on February 18, 2020 shows members of a police sanitation team spraying disinfectant as a preventive measure against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Bozhou, in China’s eastern Anhui province. – (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Spraying disinfectant on the streets and walls, as we have seen practiced in some countries recently, does not eliminate the new CoronaVirus and even poses a health risk, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned.

In a document on cleaning and disinfecting surfaces as part of the response to the virus, the WHO says spraying can be ineffective. “Spraying or fumigation of outdoor spaces, such as streets or marketplaces, is… not recommended to kill the Covid-19 virus or other pathogens because disinfectant is inactivated by dirt and debris,” explains the WHO.

“Even in the absence of organic matter, chemical spraying is unlikely to adequately cover all surfaces for the duration of the required contact time needed to inactivate pathogens.”

Physically and psychologically harmful

The WHO said that streets and pavements are not considered as “reservoirs of infection” of Covid-19, adding that spraying disinfectants, even outside, can be “dangerous for human health”.

The document also stresses that spraying individuals with disinfectants is “not recommended under any circumstances”.

“This could be physically and psychologically harmful and would not reduce an infected person’s ability to spread the virus through droplets or contact,” said the document. Spraying chlorine or other toxic chemicals on people can cause eye and skin irritation, bronchospasm and gastrointestinal effects, it adds.

The organisation is also warning against the systematic spraying and fumigating of disinfectants on to surfaces in indoor spaces, citing a study that has shown it to be ineffective outside direct spraying areas.

Recorded under laboratory conditions

“If disinfectants are to be applied, this should be done with a cloth or wipe that has been soaked in disinfectant,” it says.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus, the cause of the pandemic that has killed more than 300 000 people worldwide since its appearance in late December in China, can attach itself to surfaces and objects.

However, no precise information is currently available for the period during which the viruses remain infectious on the various surfaces.

Studies have shown that the virus can stay on several types of surfaces for several days. However, these maximum durations are only theoretical because they are recorded under laboratory conditions and should be “interpreted with caution” in the real-world environment.

07/01/202007/01/2020

Top Fast Internet New Year Resolutions You Can Live By in 2020

As you get ready to face the new year with new resolutions, Galactic Hosting has come up with a list of simple and attainable internet resolutions that you can live by.

If you have fibre in your area and have the power of super-fast internet at your fingertips, then consider these top resolutions to get the most out of your fibre internet service in the new year. You will save money, time, expand your knowledge and learn new things, and find that essential downtime to just relax and shoot the breeze…

Top Galactic Hosting resolutions for 2020:

Save money on your data and connectivity costs – with the power of superfast, uncapped and reliable fibre connectivity rolling out in homes across the country, accessing these services now comes at a fraction of the eye-watering costs of mobile data, LTE-A and other wireless broadband connections. Having a reliable, fast and uncapped fibre internet connection means you can now get serious about containing expensive data packages and get a lot more mileage for your money with your ‘connected’ home.
Wifi-calling, Facetime and Video-calling: You can make video or audio calls over your fibre wi-fi connection via Whatsapp, Skype, Facetime (Apple devices) so you’ll save on telephony and mobile network costs and never have to worry about your data running out while you’re face-timing your bestie in New York or Holland. Set your mobile phone up to automatically switch to your wi-fi network at home and save by keeping your (more expensive) mobile data for when you’re not within the wi-fi range.

Video and audio on Demand – With fibre internet, you will be spoilt for choice with entertainment, news and sports channels. You can subscribe to multiple streaming services for music, video and entertainment at an absolute fraction of the subscription cost of a typical satellite pay-TV subscription – think Netflix, Showtime, Showmax and Classic Cinema Online to YouTube, Amazon Prime Video and so much more. Watch what you want, listen to what you want, when you want. You can also download content to watch later, so if you’re travelling or you have a power failure but you have a UPS, you can still watch on a laptop, tablet or TV. And as a last tantaliser, your fibre line is impervious to weather, so no annoying satellite TV interruptions in a downpour or waiting weeks for technicians to come and repair your ADSL line.
Online Shopping – Beat the queues and wasted time spent doing price comparisons – shop online, save time and avoid that ever tempting impulse buys that store retailer place in your path. Many grocery retailers allow you to draw up a handy online shopping list which you can revisit with every shop, and simply add to or deduct from for those regular monthly groceries – so you save time, money, petrol and only purchase what you really need. And who wouldn’t love the convenience of having it all delivered at your doorstep?

Safety and Security – Keeping our loved ones and homes safe is a top priority. With an uncapped fibre line, you can connect safety and security devices such as your alarm system and CCTV cameras to the web, allowing you to remotely log in and access these devices – you can check in on your cameras and see what’s is going on at home or the office. You can even arm and disarm your alarm remotely. If your vehicle tracking provider offers a portal login, you can use your internet connection to log in and check where your loved ones are travelling and that they are safe.

Learn something new – one of the most exciting developments that has come about with reliable fibre internet connectivity is online learning. And before you clock out thinking this is only for the academically-inclined, check out the likes of Udemy for a mind-blowing array of mind-stretching and very affordable educational experiences – from learning to play a new musical instrument, photography and design courses, to cooking and baking up a storm of the latest foodie trends, to fitness and health, meditation, travel, DIY, gaming, through to specific industry trades, academics and teaching content. The internet is the most extensive library of learning materials, and it’s all available to you courtesy of a high-speed, reliable internet connection. As they say in the classics – a mind once stretched by a new idea never returns to its original dimensions.
Music Streaming – Music streaming is the ultimate spoil when it comes to some well-deserved chill and relax time to your favourite tunes, or if you’re so inclined, some hectic cardio-pumping hits to get you and your gym workout lit. Think Spotify, Joox, iTunes, Youtube Music and Google Play Music – no one still forks out for archaic CDs and DVDs that take up space, scratch and deteriorate over time.

Get e-mail – Sign up for an e-mail account and stay in touch. There’s very little you can do today without an email address and internet connection – free e-mail services like Google’s Gmail are perfect if you don’t have access to subscription-based services such as Microsoft Office and Outlook. With symmetrical upload and download speeds – which basically means your line uploads files as quickly as it downloads them, those e-mail attachments will fly through for speedy communication.
Cloud-based storage and back-up – Make it your new year resolution to get serious about backing up your important data – providers like Google, who will offer up to a certain limit, free storage. The best part of being in the cloud is having access to your data and documents from any device, anywhere in the world, with a simple log in. Say goodbye to that filing cabinet and the days of your external hard drive crashing and you losing all your precious family photos and important documents.

Make it your 2020 new year resolution to get the most out of your fibre internet connection. Most people are surprised at just how much they rely on the internet for their everyday lives, and just how much they can save not only on hard costs but on time, effort and sanity with a reliable, fibre internet connection.

For more information go to https://www.galactichosting.biz

01/01/202001/01/2020

Digital Nomads- A career option to look into in 2020

Digital Nomads- Who are they?

Have you ever dreamed of working anywhere anytime, while you enjoy traveling? Are you tired of being stuck in the office from 9-5? Join the trend of mobile workers, Digital Nomads! This offers opportunities to work flexible hours, freedom from filling leave forms if you want to travel or take care of family matters. Anyone can do it, from a student who wants to take a sabbatical to a mom who wants to spend time with his kids at home while earning an income.

All you need is a skill and reliable internet connection to offer your services to individuals or organizations. Guess what? South Africa has been named as one of the countries ripe to take advantage of this on-demand service. Many companies are ready and are presently outsourcing their non-core services and you are there to pick and choose whatever suits you.

In as much as this may sound exciting for an adventure seeker, things like living expenses, weather, network coverage, and culture need to be taken into account. if it’s working from home, is there a way of controlling distractions, etc?

What Can You Do?

Many digital nomads work as freelancers and remote workers. it can be web developers, app developers, graphic designers, accountants, engineering consultants. There is a growing demand for online language tutors, translators. Many working parents may not have the skills to assist their children with homework. Why not offer to remotely work with their kids doing their school project and the like?

Don’t have a skill that can enable you to do work online? There are amazing courses in Udemy which can teach you valuable tech skills that don’t require you to step foot into an office. You can sign up for one of their developer courses to broaden your skillset and I fully believe tech is one of the best and most profitable industries for online work. See how many are doing it successfully in this video about Digital Nomads.

Don’t expect overnight success as a digital nomad. Take time to research on the demand for the kind of service you want to offer. Your references and work can make or break you. Build your client base from nearby contacts, some while you’re still working fulltime and in social circles. Build a strong relevant network and expand it. Make use of social media to get leads and referrals.

It can never be overemphasized how important to have a reliable high-speed internet connection. We have seen upward trends in affordable LTE-A and 5G service in South Africa, where you can get 20Gb LTE from as little as R250, with service providers like Galactic Hosting. Depending on the work you do, you may need a bigger package. It is important though to check network coverage before you decide to be locked in a reserve in Pilanesberg for example, or in Malelane, only to find that there’s no coverage! Also very important to have is buffer money. There will be months when you don’t earn much. Will you be able to pay rent, your day to day expenses and traveling? At least put aside 3 months’ earnings for such rainy days.

Yes, becoming a nomad can be richly rewarding. You can explore and see places you have always dreamed of while earning an income. make 2020, you pioneering year to being a Digital Nomad!

01/12/201901/12/2019

TymeBank- Keeps on soaring as it reaches a 1 million mark!

Tymeb

Digital-only bank TymeBank has signed up one million customers in nine months following its official launch at the end of February this year.

The bank made the announcement at its Rosebank offices on Thursday while updating the public about the latest milestone as well as providing updates on future products and services.

Dr. Patrice Motsepe’s investment holding company African Rainbow Capital (ARC) is the controlling shareholder of TymeBank. While it’s now standalone business, TymeBank made its start as Fintech company seven years ago, managing mobile money for MTN.

TymeBank has entered into a long-term strategic partnership with retail giant Pick n Pay and Boxer stores, where 780 kiosks have been deployed to allow its customers to bank at these retailers throughout the country.

Speaking at the event, Motsepe said TymeBank is all about technology. “To be able to reach a milestone of having one million clients is something to be proud of. The poor know when they get a good service and a quality service. Quality means it’s got to be world-class; it’s got to be cheaper than the competition; it must be reliable, compatible; it has to be consistent and add value.

“The excellent work and innovation at TymeBank and our competitiveness to provide banking services at the most competitive prices and most reliable services is something that all of us are proud of.

“We’ve reached a million today and we are confident that are many more millions to come,” Motsepe stated.

Dr Johan van Zyl, co-CEO of ARC, added: “Banking in SA is expensive but in TymeBank, we have a winner. Things are on track and we doing very well. We have high hopes and very high aspirations for this venture and we stand behind it as shareholders.”

TymeBank CEO Tauriq Keraan, who recently took over the chief executive post, also applauded the bank’s milestone, saying the partnership with Pick n Pay and Boxer stores has been massively valuable.

“The fact that our technology is hosted in the cloud brings a number of benefits, including elasticity, pay for what you use and leveraging a number of capabilities.

“Our operating model is one that is open that allows us to partner with other organizations to get access to assets that we don’t have to build.

“Nine months ago, we launched with 100 000 customers, but as of today, we have onboard one million customers. In terms of active customers, we have about 420 000 and we are quite pleased we have kept that run rate going.”

Responding to a question from the audience, Keraan indicated the bank aims to break-even by 2022, reaching three million customers during the same time