UK students between the ages of 13 and 17 took part in a four-day digital security programme designed to encourage young people into the industry.
The government-recognised CyberFirst scheme is developed by GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre and run by Energus in west Cumbria.
Around 45 teenagers took part in the programme, where they worked alongside industry specialists in a cyber lab environment.
It included sessions on security devices, understanding networks, dealing with insecure devices, and securing yourself.
Amsterdam shop evacuated after ‘exploding’ iPad
An Apple store in Amsterdam was forced to evacuate after an iPad battery reportedly exploded.
Various reports suggest that three employees breathed vapours released when the battery caught fire and were treated for minor injuries.
The tablet was reportedly placed by employees inside sand-filled bin.
Firefighters were called to the shop in Amsterdam’s Leidseplein on Sunday 19th August to deal with the incident.
Apple said it was now “investigating” the matter.
EU cracks down on terrorist content
Tech platforms have been trying to plug the flow of terrorist content online with varying success, but they may have to step up their game as the EU has said that self-policing isn’t enough.
The EU’s commissioner for security has said it’s likely it will start fining companies that fail to remove terrorist content within an hour of posting.
How websites and social media companies will respond to that – and whether they’ll ramp up the use of cutting-edge tech like AI to help – remains to be seen, as does how the EU plans to enforce the rule should it become compulsory.
Back up your WhatsApp
WhatsApp users are currently able to back up their chats and media online to Google Drive. From 12 November however things are changing, meaning WhatsApp data won’t clog up your Google Drive storage quota, but some backups might be lost too.
If WhatsApp backups haven’t been updated in more than a year it will all be wiped from Google Drive’s storage. WhatsApp recommends backing everything up before then – which can be done through the app’s settings.
“We recommend connecting your phone to Wi-Fi prior to backing up your chats via Google Drive, as backup files can vary in size and consume mobile data, causing additional charges,” WhatsApp adds.
The death of the binge watch?
Netflix has announced that it’s started testing promos for its own content between show episodes – and it’s going down like a lead balloon.
Users took to social media to express their frustration – including the fact that as a paid service, they shouldn’t be subjected to ads – but the site has reassured everyone that it tests hundreds of ideas like this and not all end up happening.
The promos – if they do go ahead – will also be skippable, so if anything it might end up making users actually think about whether they want to watch the 25th episode of Queer Eye for a Straight Guy in a row.
What do you think – an interesting way to hear about new content or a pretty shameless way to sneak in ads?