Techiee9 | Free Softwares, Windows Themes

Top 10 Must-Have Free Softwares for Your New PC in 2026: The Ultimate List

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 14:05:49 +0000

Just got a new PC? Don't pay for subscriptions! Discover the 10 best free softwares in 2026, from AI tools to video editors and productivity suites, to supercharge your Windows or Mac.

1. Introduction: Your New PC, Your New Free Arsenal!

Hook: Congratulations on your new PC! The excitement of unboxing is quickly followed by the dread of installing software and, worse, paying for it.
The Problem: Subscription fatigue is real. Why pay for basic functions when incredible, free alternatives exist?
The Solution: This ultimate list curates the top 10 essential FREE softwares for 2026 that will supercharge your new Windows or Mac, covering everything from AI to video editing.
Bonus Tip: Introduce Ninite.com early on as a life-saver for bulk installations.
Call to Action: Let's dive in and transform your new machine into a productivity powerhouse, completely free!

2. The AI Revolution: Smart Tools for a Smarter You

2.1. ChatGPT Desktop / Google Gemini Desktop (AI Assistant)
- Why it's a must-have: Integrated AI for writing, coding, brainstorming. Native desktop apps offer faster access and better system integration (e.g., "screen search").
- Key Features: Quick access via hotkey, voice input, context awareness.
- How it helps: Boosts productivity, helps overcome writer's block, instant answers.
2.2. Ollama / LM Studio (Local AI Runtime)
- Why it's a must-have: Run powerful AI models (like Llama 3) privately on your own PC, no internet needed after download. Critical for privacy and custom use.
- Key Features: Offline capability, supports various open-source models, full data control.
- How it helps: Ultimate privacy for sensitive data analysis, custom AI agents, learning about AI.

3. Essential Utilities & Security: The Foundation of a Great PC

3.1. Microsoft PC Manager (System Optimizer)
- Why it's a must-have: The official, free tool from Microsoft. Cleans junk, manages storage, boosts performance, and keeps your system lean.
- Key Features: One-click boost, storage sense, health check, process management.
- How it helps: Keeps your new PC running fast and smooth without needing third-party bloatware.
3.2. Bitwarden (Password Manager)
- Why it's a must-have: Top-rated, free, and open-source. Securely store all your passwords and sync them across all devices (PC, phone, tablet) for free.
- Key Features: Password generation, two-factor authentication support, cross-platform syncing.
- How it helps: Boosts online security, eliminates password reuse, saves time.
3.3. 7-Zip / NanaZip (File Archiver)
- Why it's a must-have: Essential for opening and creating compressed files (ZIP, RAR, 7z). NanaZip offers a modern Windows 11 interface.
- Key Features: Supports all major archive formats, strong encryption, lightweight.
- How it helps: Manages downloads, shares large files easily, saves disk space.

4. Creative & Productivity Powerhouses: Free Alternatives to Paid Giants

4.1. CapCut Desktop (Video Editor)
- Why it's a must-have: The most popular free video editor for social media. Incredibly intuitive with powerful AI features (auto-captions, green screen).
- Key Features: AI captions, rich effects library, multi-track editing, easy export.
- How it helps: Create stunning videos for YouTube, TikTok, or family memories without a subscription.
4.2. LibreOffice (Office Suite)
- Why it's a must-have: The best free, open-source alternative to Microsoft Office. Includes a word processor (Writer), spreadsheet (Calc), presentation tool (Impress), and more.
- Key Features: Compatible with MS Office formats, robust feature set, regular updates.
- How it helps: Full office productivity suite for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, saving you annual subscription fees.
4.3. Photopea (Web-Based Photo Editor)
- Why it's a must-have: A free, browser-based photo editor that looks and feels almost identical to Photoshop. No installation required.
- Key Features: Supports PSD, AI, XCF, Sketch, and other formats; layers, filters, masks.
- How it helps: Professional-grade photo editing, graphic design, and image manipulation without the hefty price tag.
4.4. OBS Studio (Screen Recorder & Livestreaming)
- Why it's a must-have: The industry standard for free screen recording and live streaming. Perfect for tutorials, gaming, or presentations.
- Key Features: Multi-source recording, scene switching, audio mixer, professional output.
- How it helps: Create high-quality video content, record meetings, or stream your gameplay for free.

5. Conclusion: Your Supercharged, Subscription-Free PC Awaits!

Recap: You've now got a powerful arsenal of free tools that can compete with, or even surpass, many paid solutions.
Reinforce Value: Your new PC is now optimized for productivity, creativity, and security, all without costing you a dime.
Final Call to Action: Which of these will you install first? Share your favorite free software discoveries in the comments below!
SEO Boost: Encourage comments for engagement.

Why You’re Always Tired (And How to Fix It with Water Tracker: Daily Hydration)

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 13:57:00 +0000

Are you struggling with mid-day brain fog? Do you find yourself reaching for a third cup of coffee just to stay awake at 3 PM?

Most people don't realize that dehydration is the silent thief of energy. By the time you feel "thirsty," your body is already running on empty. To help you reclaim your focus and health, I’ve developed a solution that makes staying hydrated effortless.

The Hidden Benefits of Proper Hydration

Staying hydrated isn't just about quenching thirst. When you drink enough water consistently, you’ll notice:

Clearer Skin: Flush out toxins for a natural glow.
Weight Loss Support: Water boosts your metabolism and helps you feel full.
Peak Brain Power: Hydration improves concentration and reaction time.
Better Mood: Even mild dehydration can make you feel irritable and anxious.

Introducing: Water Tracker: Daily Hydration

I built Water Tracker: Daily Hydration to solve the "I forgot to drink" problem once and for all. It’s not just an app; it’s your personal hydration coach.

Key Features You’ll Love:

Smart Reminders: Get gentle nudges throughout the day so you never go hours without a sip.
Personalized Daily Goals: Your water needs aren't the same as everyone else's. Get a goal tailored to you.
Easy Logging: A simple, 1-tap interface to log your water intake in seconds.
Progress Tracking: Watch your daily and weekly streaks grow as you build a life-changing habit.

How to Get Started

Stop living at 60% capacity. It’s time to give your body the fuel it needs to thrive. You can download the app directly from the Google Play Store and start your journey to a healthier you today.

Click the button below to download for free:

Download Water Tracker: Daily Hydration on Google Play Store

The Rise of Artificial Intelligence: Transforming the Future Today

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 13:20:00 +0000

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a buzzword of the future — it's the reality of the present. From virtual assistants in our phones to predictive algorithms in healthcare and finance, AI has firmly embedded itself in everyday life. As we enter a new era driven by data, automation, and innovation, understanding how AI works, where it’s heading, and how it impacts our lives has never been more important.

In this article, we’ll explore the essence of AI, its applications across industries, benefits, risks, and what the future may hold.

What Is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence refers to the capability of a machine to imitate intelligent human behavior. At its core, AI enables computers and systems to perform tasks that would typically require human intellect, such as problem-solving, decision-making, language translation, and visual recognition.

AI is built on several foundational technologies:

Machine Learning (ML): Allows systems to learn from data and improve over time.
Deep Learning: A subset of ML that mimics the human brain using neural networks.
Natural Language Processing (NLP): Enables machines to understand and respond to human language.
Computer Vision: Allows AI to interpret and analyze visual data from the world.

Applications of AI in Real Life

AI is no longer confined to research labs and tech giants — it’s everywhere. Here are key sectors where AI is making a major impact:

1. Healthcare

AI is revolutionizing healthcare by making diagnoses faster and more accurate. AI algorithms analyze medical images, predict disease outbreaks, and even assist in robotic surgeries. Apps powered by AI help individuals monitor their health and access virtual consultations.

2. Finance

Banks and financial institutions use AI to detect fraud, assess creditworthiness, and execute algorithmic trading. AI chatbots provide 24/7 customer support, helping users with account information, transactions, and investment tips.

3. Retail and E-Commerce

AI enhances user experience through personalized recommendations, inventory management, and chat-based support. Retailers like Amazon and Flipkart use AI-driven data to predict buying behavior and tailor promotions accordingly.

4. Education

AI-powered tools provide personalized learning experiences, grading automation, and smart tutoring. Students get customized content based on their performance, and educators can track progress more effectively.

5. Transportation

AI powers autonomous vehicles, optimizes traffic flow, and predicts maintenance needs. Ride-sharing apps like Uber use AI to match drivers with riders and determine pricing dynamically.

How AI Enhances Our Daily Lives

Even outside professional industries, AI is deeply integrated into our daily routines:

Voice Assistants: Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri respond to commands, manage schedules, and play music.
Smart Homes: AI adjusts lighting, heating, and security based on usage patterns.
Social Media: Algorithms curate feeds, suggest friends, and moderate content.
Search Engines: Google Search uses AI to deliver accurate, context-aware results.

These technologies, once futuristic dreams, now define convenience and productivity for billions worldwide.

Benefits of Artificial Intelligence

The rapid growth of AI brings several benefits to individuals, businesses, and society as a whole.

✅ 1. Automation of Repetitive Tasks

AI automates mundane tasks like data entry, email sorting, and scheduling — saving time and boosting efficiency.

✅ 2. Data-Driven Decision Making

AI can analyze large volumes of data to uncover trends and patterns that humans may miss, leading to smarter decisions in business and research.

✅ 3. Improved Accuracy and Precision

In healthcare and manufacturing, AI systems can operate with precision, minimizing human error and improving outcomes.

✅ 4. 24/7 Availability

Unlike humans, AI systems don’t need breaks or sleep. They can operate round the clock to support users or maintain processes.

Ethical Challenges and Concerns

With all its benefits, AI also presents important ethical and practical concerns that society must address.

⚠️ 1. Job Displacement

Automation through AI may lead to the loss of jobs, particularly in sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and customer service.

⚠️ 2. Bias in Algorithms

AI systems trained on biased data may reinforce existing inequalities, especially in hiring, policing, and credit scoring.

⚠️ 3. Privacy Invasion

AI’s dependence on large datasets can lead to concerns about how personal information is collected, stored, and used.

⚠️ 4. Lack of Transparency

Some AI models function as “black boxes,” meaning their decision-making processes are hard to understand or explain — which is a problem in areas like law enforcement and healthcare.

The Future of AI: What Lies Ahead?

The future of Artificial Intelligence holds immense potential. As the technology evolves, so do its possibilities:

AI in Climate Change: AI can model climate patterns, track emissions, and optimize energy usage to combat environmental challenges.
Human-AI Collaboration: Rather than replacing humans, future AI will assist professionals — like doctors, teachers, and scientists — making them more effective.
Emotion AI: Research is ongoing to help machines understand human emotions and respond empathetically, transforming customer service and therapy.
General AI: Unlike today’s narrow AI (task-specific), General AI would be capable of understanding and reasoning broadly — like a human. Though still far from reality, this is a major goal of AI research.

Governments and organizations worldwide are also working on AI regulation to ensure ethical development, transparency, and accountability.

SEO Keywords You Should Know (For Readers and Bloggers)

To improve your blog visibility on search engines, here are relevant SEO keywords from this article:

Artificial Intelligence explained
What is AI technology
AI applications in daily life
Benefits of Artificial Intelligence
AI future predictions
Ethical concerns of AI
AI in education and healthcare
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Include some of these naturally in your post titles, headings, image alt-text, and meta description to enhance ranking.

Bhagavad Gita Hindi App – Your Spiritual Companion, Now in Your Pocket

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 11:20:00 +0000

Looking for peace of mind, clarity in life decisions, and daily inspiration?

Download the Bhagavad Gita Hindi App – a beautifully designed mobile application bringing the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita to your fingertips, fully in Hindi.

👉 Download Now:
Bhagavad Gita Hindi – Android App

🕉️ Introduction

The Bhagavad Gita Hindi App is a complete, easy-to-use Android application that presents the sacred verses of the Bhagavad Gita in Hindi with detailed translation and explanation. With daily shlokas, offline access, and a clean user interface, the app is built for spiritual seekers, students, and anyone who wants to read and understand Gita's teachings in simple Hindi.

🌟 Key Features of the App

📖 1. Complete Gita – All 18 Chapters and 700+ Verses

Each verse (shloka) is presented in original Sanskrit
Hindi translation and meaning are provided for better understanding

🔔 2. Daily Shlok Notifications

Receive one inspiring shloka every morning
Start your day with clarity, peace, and positivity

📴 3. Offline Access – No Internet Required

Access all content anytime, even without a data connection
Ideal for travel, meditation, or quiet reading time

📚 4. Easy Navigation and Chapter-wise Index

Browse verses by chapter or number
Continue reading from where you left off

📤 5. Share Shloks with Friends & Family

Share inspirational quotes or verses via WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, or email
Spread spiritual awareness with just a tap

🎨 6. Clean, Modern Design with Hindi Focus

Purple-themed, distraction-free layout
Comfortable reading experience using Material 3 design

🙏 Why Read the Bhagavad Gita?

The Bhagavad Gita is not just a religious scripture. It is a life guide. Spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, the Gita answers some of the deepest questions of human existence:

What is my duty (Dharma)?
How should I face fear, confusion, and indecision?
What is true happiness?
How can I live peacefully in a chaotic world?

This app helps you explore these teachings in your own language – Hindi, making ancient wisdom accessible and relatable.

👤 Who Should Use This App?

Students seeking clarity and confidence
Professionals facing stress or tough decisions
Homemakers who want daily peace and mindfulness
Elderly readers looking for easy access to spiritual content
Anyone who wants to walk the path of self-discovery

📊 Technical Details

Feature	Description
Language	Full Hindi (Sanskrit + Translation)
App Size	Lightweight and fast
Ads	Minimal, non-intrusive
Compatibility	Works on most Android phones
UI/UX	Simple, clean, purple-themed design

💬 Real User Reviews

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This app changed my mornings. Every day a new verse helps me stay positive and calm. A must-have!”
— Anil Kumar

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Very easy to use. No ads interrupting. Gita in Hindi with full meaning and clean design. Loved it.”
— Neha Verma

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Offline Gita with clear translations. Even my parents use it daily. Thank you for this great app.”
— Rajat Sharma

Bhagavad Gita Hindi App, Free Gita Shloka App, Daily Gita Quotes Hindi, Bhagavad Gita in Hindi Offline, Spiritual Android App in Hindi, Hindi Religious Apps, Best Bhagavad Gita App for Android, Offline Hindu Scripture App

Artificial Intelligence: The Power Behind the Digital Revolution

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 10:56:00 +0000

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant concept from science fiction — it's now a key driver of innovation in nearly every industry. From healthcare and finance to education and entertainment, AI is changing the way we live, work, and think. As nations and corporations invest heavily in AI development, its presence in our daily lives is set to become even more profound.

This article takes a comprehensive look at what AI is, how it works, where it's used, and the challenges and opportunities it presents.

What Is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn. At its core, AI enables machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence — such as understanding language, recognizing patterns, solving problems, and making decisions.

AI is a broad field that includes subfields like:

Machine Learning (ML): Systems that learn from data to improve performance over time without being explicitly programmed.
Natural Language Processing (NLP): Enables machines to understand, interpret, and generate human language.
Computer Vision: Allows machines to interpret and make decisions based on visual inputs like images and videos.
Robotics: AI-powered robots that can perform physical tasks and navigate real-world environments.

These technologies are often powered by large datasets and complex algorithms capable of identifying patterns far beyond human ability.

A Brief History of AI

The concept of artificial intelligence dates back to ancient myths of automatons. However, the formal study of AI began in the 1950s when Alan Turing proposed the idea that machines could simulate human intelligence. The term “Artificial Intelligence” was coined in 1956 at the Dartmouth Conference.

Early AI research was ambitious, but limited by the computing power of the time. Over the decades, AI experienced periods of rapid growth followed by “AI winters” — periods of disillusionment due to unmet expectations.

It wasn’t until the 2010s that AI experienced a major resurgence, driven by:

The rise of Big Data
Inexpensive and powerful computing (GPUs)
Advances in deep learning and neural networks

Today, AI is used in everything from recommendation engines to autonomous vehicles.

Real-World Applications of AI

AI is not a standalone technology. It is integrated into the infrastructure of numerous applications and services we use every day. Here’s how AI is transforming key sectors:

1. Healthcare

AI is revolutionizing medical diagnostics, patient care, and drug discovery. Algorithms can analyze X-rays, MRIs, and pathology slides faster and more accurately than humans in some cases. AI systems like IBM Watson assist doctors in diagnosing diseases by processing vast medical literature and patient records.

AI is also used in predictive healthcare — identifying individuals at risk of chronic illnesses and suggesting preventive measures.

2. Finance

Banks and fintech companies use AI to detect fraudulent transactions, manage credit risk, and provide personalized financial advice. Algorithmic trading — where AI makes split-second trading decisions — has become a norm on global stock exchanges.

Chatbots powered by NLP help customers with their queries 24/7, improving customer experience and reducing costs.

3. Retail and E-commerce

Ever wonder how Amazon or Netflix seems to know exactly what you want? That’s AI. Recommendation systems use your browsing and purchasing history to suggest products, shows, and services. AI also helps with inventory management, pricing strategies, and customer sentiment analysis.

4. Transportation and Logistics

AI powers the navigation systems in autonomous vehicles and optimizes delivery routes for logistics companies. It predicts traffic patterns, reduces fuel consumption, and improves overall efficiency in supply chains.

Self-driving car companies like Tesla and Waymo are heavily investing in AI for autonomous decision-making and accident prevention.

5. Education

AI-driven tools offer personalized learning paths for students, helping them study at their own pace. Platforms like Duolingo use AI to adapt lessons based on a learner’s performance. AI also assists educators by automating administrative tasks like grading and attendance.

Everyday AI: Closer Than You Think

AI is not just for corporations or tech giants. It’s already part of our personal lives:

Smart Assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant
Voice-to-text transcription and real-time translation
Face recognition on smartphones
Spam filters in email services
Smart home devices that adjust lighting, temperature, and security based on your habits

Even social media platforms use AI to recommend content, detect harmful posts, and target advertisements.

Benefits of AI

Artificial Intelligence brings numerous advantages that are reshaping industries:

Efficiency and Speed: AI can process and analyze data exponentially faster than humans.
Accuracy: In fields like healthcare and manufacturing, AI reduces human error.
Cost Savings: Automation reduces labor costs and improves productivity.
Personalization: AI tailors content, services, and advertisements to individual users.
Scalability: AI can manage tasks at a scale that is impossible for human teams.

Challenges and Ethical Concerns

Despite its promise, AI also raises critical questions and concerns:

1. Job Displacement

Automation threatens to replace human jobs, especially in sectors like manufacturing, customer service, and transportation. While new jobs will emerge, the transition may be painful for millions of workers.

2. Bias and Discrimination

AI systems can reflect and even amplify human biases if trained on biased data. There have been cases where facial recognition algorithms showed lower accuracy for people of color or where hiring algorithms favored male candidates.

3. Privacy Issues

AI relies on vast amounts of data — much of it personal. Without strong regulation, this opens the door to surveillance and misuse of private information.

4. Lack of Transparency

Many AI systems, especially deep learning models, operate as "black boxes" — it's difficult to understand how they reach certain decisions. This lack of explainability is a challenge in high-stakes environments like healthcare or criminal justice.

5. Autonomy and Control

Who is responsible when an AI makes a mistake? As AI systems become more autonomous, ensuring accountability becomes complex.

The Future of AI: What’s Next?

The future of AI is full of possibilities — both exciting and uncertain. Some of the major trends expected in the coming years include:

General AI: Beyond narrow tasks, future AI may possess more generalized reasoning abilities, closer to human intelligence.
AI in Climate Science: AI models can help predict climate changes, monitor emissions, and develop sustainable solutions.
Human-AI Collaboration: Rather than replacing humans, future AI systems may enhance human capabilities, creating symbiotic relationships.
Legislation and Ethics: Governments worldwide are beginning to create AI frameworks to ensure responsible use, with the EU’s AI Act being one example.

Leading voices in tech and philosophy — including Elon Musk, Sam Altman, and the late Stephen Hawking — have warned about the risks of uncontrolled AI growth. However, with the right balance of innovation and regulation, AI can remain a tool that benefits society rather than threatens it.

Conclusion

Artificial Intelligence is one of the most transformative forces of the 21st century. While it offers immense benefits in terms of productivity, efficiency, and innovation, it also presents challenges that require thoughtful navigation.

As AI continues to evolve, public awareness, ethical scrutiny, and global cooperation will be key to ensuring its development benefits humanity. For individuals, understanding AI is not just for tech professionals — it’s a necessary step toward being an informed citizen in a rapidly changing world.

The age of AI isn’t coming. It’s already here.

How to get AIRCEL MNP code / UPC code without Network / from airtel, vodaphone or jio sim card

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 03:00:00 +0000

How to get AIRCEL MNP code without Network / from airtel, vodaphone or jio sim
#Share2All

Before Aircel BANKRUPTCY Every Aircel customer is trying to Port out their number to other network operators like Jio, Airtel & Vodafone but for porting out or MNP from Aircel you need Aircel MNP number or Aircel port out number or Aircel UPC Code,u r at techiee 9, as there is no network in most of the Aircel customers mobile phone and they are also not aware how to connect Aircel sim to Aircel network or to other networks. It is impossible for them to Portout from Aircel. In this video one Process & number of IVR of Aircel shared by which you can Port Out/MNP or get the UPC code of Aircel from any telecom operators number.
Questions answered:-
1) How to change or port out or MNP from Aircel to other networks?
2) how to get port number, MNP number, UPC number from airtel?
3) how to get AIRCEL MNP code or UPC code?
4) how to connect to Aircel customer care & network to get UPC, MNP & Portout code?

STEPS TO GET MNP OR UPC CODE

1) Dial any no. available at the end of post(state wise customer care numbers.)
2) choose you language.
3) Now it will ask to dial 1 to generate UPC code
4) it will ask to enter your AIRCEL no. that toy want to post and last 5 digits of your sim Number. (written on your sim card)
5) Listen carefully the auto generated UPC PORT code and note it down.

STATE WISE CUSTOMER CARE NUMBERS
Jammu & Kashmir: 98580 12345
Bihar & jharkhand : 9852012345
Delhi : 9716012345
Andhra Pradesh : 97000 12345
Assam : 98540 12345
Kolkatta : 98040 12345
Tamil naidu : 97509 99209 /9551299210
Chennai : 98410 12345
Haryana : 98020 12345
Himachal Pradesh : 98570 12345
Karnataka : 97380 12345
Kerala : 98090 12345
Madhya Pradesh : 98060 12345
Maharashtra : 97620 12345
Mumbai : 97680 12345
Orrisa : 98560 12345
Punjab : 98030 12345
Uttar Pradesh : 98080 12345
West Bengal : 98510 12345

SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS....

Finally Indian government BANS bull-bars on cars and SUVs: Serious action to start soon

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 16:10:00 +0000

Indian government BANS bull-bars on cars and SUVs

The government’s Ministry of Highways and Road Transport (MORTH) has just banned bull-bars on cars and SUVs running on roads of India. The ministry has sent out a letter to the transport commissioners of all the states of the country, urging them to act against those vehicles running bull-bars.

The ministry has also indicated that bull-bars are illegal according to the Section 52 of the Motor Vehicles Act. It has also pointed out that using bull-bars on vehicles attracts penalties under the Section 190 and 191 of the Motor Vehicles Act.

In the next few days, we may see RTOs and traffic police personnel across India acting against bull-bars, heavily penalizing drivers for running them, and also getting these hazardous accessory removed from vehicles. This drive may be similar to the one that was conducted a few years ago, after a Supreme Court judgment made window tints illegal on cars running in India.

First of all, fitting a bull-bar on a car equipped with airbags may impede the deployment of the airbags during a crash. Such a scenario could result in grevious injuries to you. Another big disadvantage of the bull-bar is that, during major crashes, it could damage the chassis of the car heavily, and prevent crumple zones of the car functioning properly. This can result in the force of the crash not being absorbed by the crumple zones of the car, and instead being transferred to the passengers. Serious injuries, or even death could be the result. Thirdly, bull -bars cause immense injuries/death to pedestrians even during minor crashes.

If you have a car or SUV equipped with a bull-bar/bull-guard, it is advisable that you get it removed at the earliest. Bull-bars/bull-guards may protect your vehicle’s bumpers from minor scrapes but they have multiple disadvantages, some of them very dangerous to your personal safety, and safety of fellow road users like cyclists, two wheeler riders and pedestrians.

Via CarToq

Four deadlines for Aadhaar linking that need not to miss.

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 05:07:00 +0000

Failing to adhere to Aadhaar linking deadlines may mean cutting off of essential services such as mobile number and bank account.

Four deadlines for Aadhaar linking

Important Deadlines:

Aadhaar-PAN linking Deadline December 31, 2017

Aadhaar-Bank Account Linking Deadline: December 31, 2017

Aadhaar-Mobile Linking Deadline: February 6, 2018

Aadhaar-Social Security Schemes Linking Deadline: December 31, 2017

Not adhering to the government's Aadhaar push may leave many Indians bereft of important daily services such as mobile phone numbers and bank accounts. It is, therefore, important to remember these 4 deadlines for Aadhaar linking.

Aadhaar-PAN linking Deadline — December 31, 2017

The CBDT has issued a revised deadline to link Aadhaar with PAN to "to facilitate ease of compliance by the taxpayers". Failure to meet the deadline will render taxpayers unable to file income tax return (ITR).

The government has said that ITRs filed after July 1, 2017 would be accepted only after taxpayers link their PAN with Aadhaar. It later revised the deadline to August 5, before extending it to December 31 citing that PAN and Aadhaar details were not matching in many cases.

Recommended Article: Using UPI for banking? Be wary of crooks who will cheat you out of your money.

Aadhaar-Bank Account Linking Deadline: December 31, 2017

As per the new rules, the government has asked all financial institutions and banks to ensure that all customers are KYC compliant. This means that, to obtain a loan or to make investments, or even to keep a bank account running you will need to verify your Aadhaar with banks before December 31, 2017.

An amendment has been made in the ‘Prevention of Money Laundering Rules’ Act, 2005. If this is not one till 31st December 2017, the account will be suspended till the required documents are submitted.

Recommended Article: List of Android Secret Codes / Secret codes for Android mobile operating system.

Aadhaar-Mobile Linking Deadline: February 6, 2018

The Department of Telecommunications has asked all the telecom operators to re-verify the numbers of prepaid and postpaid mobile users via Aadhaar-based e-KYC. It has also become mandatory to provide Aadhaar details while buying new mobile SIM cards.

Mobile numbers not linked to Aadhaar by February 6, 2018 will be deactivated.

Recommended Article: Best anti-ransomware tools: How can I remove ransomware from my computer?

Aadhaar-Social Security Schemes Linking Deadline: December 31, 2017

The government has extended to December 31, 2017, the deadline for providing Aadhaar details for utilise the benefits provided by the social schemes. These schemes include benefits to schemes such as subsidy on LPG cylinders, HRD ministry’s scholarship schemes, availing pensions etc.

via moneycontrol

Plz Like and Share this Post..

Upto 50% OFF on Recharge + Wallet Offers on PhonePe India's Payments App by FLIPKART

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 10:25:00 +0000

Wallet Offers on PhonePe India's Payments App

50% CASHBACK ON FIRST RECHARGE
Rs. 5/- ON 2nd and Rs. 15/- ON 3rd RECHARGE

Before a month, Flipkart had introduced new payment option ‘PhonePe’ in addition to FK wallet. It seems like Flipkart is planning to break the monopoly that Paytm & Freecharge have created in Indian market.

Download PhonePe Wallet App for Android / iOS.

PhonePe app lets you transact on your favorite shopping sites including Flipkart, Jabong, Myntra & many more. Likewise paytm, you can also recharge your mobile number, DTH easily with a tap of button. Cool part is, they have 1 lac monthly transaction limit which is much higher than rival sites.

PhonePe Offers

How to start using the PhonePe app?

Download the all-new PhonePe Wallet App for Android / iOS.
Open App > Enter Mobile Number > Verify (SMS charges apply).
NOTE: The mobile number should be linked to your bank account.
Enter some other needed details like Name, Email and more.
Set a 4-digits password for unlocking your wallet later.
Then, select your bank and enter details to link your account.
Now, you are ready to use your PhonePe for all your payment needs.

Major cyberattack sweeps globe, India affected, Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai hit.

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 04:46:00 +0000

Major cyberattack sweeps globe, India affected, Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai hit.

A major global cyber attack on Tuesday disrupted computers at Russia's biggest oil company, Ukrainian banks and multinational firms with a virus similar to the ransomware that last month infected more than 300,000 computers. India was also among the countries affected by the ransomware with the country's largest port Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust in Mumbai shutting down operations at one of its three terminals. News agency PTI reported that operations at one of the three terminals of the country's largest container port were impacted as a fallout of the global ransomware attack, which crippled some central banks and many large corporations in Europe.
The rapidly spreading cyber extortion campaign underscored growing concerns that businesses have failed to secure their networks from increasingly aggressive hackers, who have shown they are capable of shutting down critical infrastructure and crippling corporate and government networks. It included code known as "Eternal Blue," which cyber security experts widely believe was stolen from the US National Security Agency (NSA) and was also used in last month's ransomware attack, named "WannaCry." "Cyber attacks can simply destroy us," said Kevin Johnson, chief executive of cyber security firm Secure Ideas. "Companies are just not doing what they are supposed to do to fix the problem." The ransomware virus crippled computers running Microsoft Corp's Windows by encrypting hard drives and overwriting files, then demanded USD300 in bitcoin payments to restore access. More than 30 victims paid into the bitcoin account associated with the attack, according to a public ledger of transactions listed on blockchain.info.
Microsoft said the virus could spread through a flaw that was patched in a security update in March. "We are continuing to investigate and will take appropriate action to protect customers," a spokesman for the company said, adding that Microsoft antivirus software detects and removes it. RUSSIA AND UKRAINE MOST AFFECTED Russia and Ukraine were most affected by the thousands of attacks, according to security software maker Kaspersky Lab, with other victims spread across countries including Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the United States. The total number of attacks was unknown. Security experts said they expected the impact to be smaller than WannaCry since many computers had been patched with Windows updates in the wake of WannaCry last month to protect them against attacks using Eternal Blue code. Still, the attack could be more dangerous than traditional strains of ransomware because it makes computers unresponsive and unable to reboot, Juniper Networks said in a blog post analyzing the attack. Researchers said the attack may have borrowed malware code used in earlier ransomware campaigns known as "Petya" and "GoldenEye". Following last month's attack, governments, security firms and industrial groups aggressively advised businesses and consumers to make sure all their computers were updated with Microsoft patches to defend against the threat. The US Department of Homeland Security said it was monitoring the attacks and coordinating with other countries. It advised victims not to pay the extortion, saying that doing so does not guarantee access will be restored. In a statement, the White House National Security Council said there was currently no risk to public safety. The United States was investigating the attack and determined to hold those responsible accountable, it said. The NSA did not respond to a request for comment. The spy agency has not publicly said whether it built Eternal Blue and other hacking tools leaked online by an entity known as Shadow Brokers. Several private security experts have said they believe Shadow Brokers is tied to the Russian government, and that the North Korean government was behind WannaCry. Both countries' governments deny charges they are involved in hacking. 'DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME' The first attacks were reported from Russia and Ukraine. Russia's Rosneft, one of the world's biggest crude producers by volume, said its systems had suffered "serious consequences," but added oil production had not been affected because it switched over to backup systems.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Pavlo Rozenko said the government's computer network went down and the central bank reported disruption to operations at banks and firms including the state power distributor. Danish shipping giant AP Moller-Maersk said it was among the victims, reporting outages at facilities including its Los Angeles terminal. WPP, the world's largest advertising agency, said it was also infected. A WPP employee who asked not to be named said that workers were told to shut down their computers: "The building has come to a standstill." A Ukrainian media company said its computers were blocked and it was asked to pay USD300 in the crypto-currency bitcoin to regain access. "Perhaps you are busy looking for a way to recover your files, but don't waste your time. Nobody can recover your files without our decryption service," the message said, according to a screenshot posted on Ukraine's Channel 24. Russia's central bank said there were isolated cases of lenders' IT systems being infected. One consumer lender, Home Credit, had to suspend client operations. Other companies that identified themselves as victims included French construction materials firm Saint Gobain , US drugmaker Merck & Co and Mars Inc's Royal Canin pet food business. JNPT AFFECTED India-based employees at Beiersdorf, makers of Nivea skin care products, and Reckitt Benckiser, which owns Enfamil and Lysol, told Reuters the ransomware attack had impacted some of their systems in the country. AP Moller-Maersk, one of the affected entities globally, operates the Gateway Terminals India (GTI) at JNPT, which has a capacity to handle 1.8 million standard container units. "We have been informed that the operations at GTI have come to a standstill because their systems are down (due to the malware attack). They are trying to work manually," a senior JNPT official told PTI tonight. The official explained that JNPT is trying to help the company, but there is little that others can do as the problem s with the systems. Fearing some clogging up of cargo, additional parking space is being made available, the official said, promising to help in any way that is possible. Western Pennsylvania's Heritage Valley Health System's entire network was shut down by a cyber attack on Tuesday, according to local media reports.
WANNACRY
Last's month's fast-spreading WannaCry ransomware attack was crippled after a 22-year-old British security researcher Marcus Hutchins created a so-called "kill switch" that experts hailed as the decisive step in slowing the attack. Security experts said they did not believe that the ransomware released on Tuesday had a kill switch, meaning that it might be harder to stop. Ukraine's cyber police said on Twitter that a vulnerability in software used by MEDoc, a Ukrainian accounting firm, may have been an initial source of the virus, which researchers including cyber intelligence firm Flashpoint said could have infected victims via an illegitimate software update. In a Facebook post, MEDoc confirmed it had been hacked but denied responsibility for originating the attack. An adviser to Ukraine's interior minister said earlier in the day that the virus got into computer systems via "phishing" emails written in Russian and Ukrainian designed to lure employees into opening them. According to the state security agency, the emails contained infected Word documents or PDF files as attachment. Indiatoday

PhD, engineers, Mphil among recruits who joined militancy in Kashmir after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani’s death

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 11:12:00 +0000

PhD, engineers, Mphil among recruits who joined militancy in Kashmir after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani’s death

PhD, engineers, Mphil among recruits who joined militancy in Kashmir

Here we have profiled the education qualification and age of new crop of militants in Kashmir after the death of Hizbul commander Burhan wani

Nearly 67 local recruits have joined militancy since renewed insurgency fuelled by the death of Hizbul Mujaheddin commander Burhan Wani in July last year. Of the total recruits, 63 are below the age of 30 including two 16-year-olds and one 15-year-old, Indian Express reported citing data compiled by security agencies.What is more striking is that these new set of militants are young and well-educated. Apart from a PhD, an M Phil degree holder and two post-graduates, there are six graduates and five who were pursuing engineering and technical courses: two B Tech, one BE (Computer Science), one Polytechnic student and one diploma student in computer science. Also there are eight who were pursuing a Bachelor’s degree. Ten others have completed Class 12; a dozen have completed matriculation; three have studied in madarssa, including a Hafiz/Imam; and, the rest have studied until high school. Of them, only three have never gone to school.

Of the total militants, 50 are from south Kashmir, Wani’ native region- including nine from Pulwama district, nine from Awantipora (including Tral), 13 from Kulgam, 11 from Shopian, eight from Anantnag while 8 fresh recuits have joined militancy from North Kashmir: two from Kupwara, one from Handwara, three from Bandipore and two from Sopore, five have joined from central Kashmir, the daily said in the report. The security agencies also disclosed that 47 among these new local recruits have joined Hizbul Mujahideen, 18 are with Lashkar and the allegiance of two is unknown.

Here we have profiled the education qualification and age of new crop of militants

Youngest

Sajad Ahmad Wani, a 15-year-old Class 9 student from Bandipore, is the youngest among the new crop of militants. Police say he went missing on October 17 and is suspected to have joined militancy.

Recycled militants

There are three recycled militants also. Mohammad Ashraf Khan (36) of Tangpawa, Kokernag in Anantnag, and Showkat Ahmad Dar from Awantipora rejoined the militancy in September 9 last year.

Doctorate

The one Phd holder (Arabic language) in this group was Azhar-ud-din Khan, a 27-year-old from Kupwara. He was killed in a police operation on February 4, 2017. Azhar was a lecturer on contract at a higher secondary school in Handwara but went underground in April last year.

M.Phil

29-year-old Sabzar Ahmad Sofi from Anantnag has an M Phil degree. He joined the LeT on August 21, 2016.

Double MA

Then there is 25-year-old Mohammad Younis Lone from Hawoorah Qaimoh, who had two Master’s degrees (Sociology and Islamic Studies). He joined Hizbul Mujahideen in February 2017 but got killed within a month in an encounter at Yaripora.

Techies

22-year-old Asif Nazir Dar of Awantipora, a BE student in Computer Sciences, joined Hizbul Mujahideen on January 4. Mohammad Qasim Shah, 23 a final-year B.Tech student in Ambala, Punjab also joined Hizbul Mujahideen on March 3, Rayees Ahmad Dar (21), of Dangar Mohalla Kakpora Pulwama had completed his B.Tech when he joined LeT on October 7, 2016. He was killed in an encounter in Kakopora in November last year. Then there is Basit Rasool Dar (22) of Magraypora Marhama, Bijbehara, who was pursuing a BE in Civil Engineering when he joined the militancy on October 21, 2016. Inuth Report News Stalker

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Man Fined 4,000 for 'Liking' Facebook Comments

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 14:11:00 +0000

Man Fined $4,000 for 'Liking' Facebook Comments

Reacting to content on Facebook can be achieved by commenting, sharing or probably the most popular method: hitting that Like button. However, a court in Switzerland just convicted a man on defamation claims simply for "Liking" libelous comments posted on the social network.

The comments posted on Facebook referred to an animal rights activist who was accused of "antisemitism, racism and fascism." To be clear, the man in court did not write these comments, he simply hit the Like button for them. These Likes were made between July and September 2015. That's before Facebook expanded the Like button to include several other reactions.

According to CNN, the court in Zurich decided to convict the man on several counts of defamation for hitting the Like button. The reason given was his clicking of the Like button constituted "indirectly endorsing" the comments. But further to that, the court also recognized the act of liking the comments as "further distribution" of them. A statement made by the court said, "The defendant clearly endorsed the unseemly content and made it his own."

Although the defendant has the right to appeal, his punishment for being found guilty amounts to a $4,100 fine. As for Facebook, they are declining to comment on the court case beyond stating the social network sees "no direct link" to the company.

Regardless of what comments were made on Facebook, should the act of hitting the Like button result in a lawsuit? What's more clear is, if the comments are libelous, then the person who wrote them can be pursued for prosecution.

However you feel about this court case, it's important to keep in mind such action can be taken against an individual. Does the expansion of the Like button to include several types of reaction to a comment make the situation better or worse? I guess we won't know that until another Facebook Like button lawsuit happens. PCMag

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New Nokia 3, 5, 6 Launch is Expected on June 13

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 12:46:00 +0000

Nokia 3, 5, 6 India Launch Date

Nokia 3, 5, 6 India Launch Date Expected on June 13

HIGHLIGHTS

The smartphones were launched at MWC 2017

Nokia 3, 5, and 6 have been confirmed to receive Android O update

HMD Global recently launched Nokia 3310 in India

After the launch of Nokia 3310 in India last month, it seems HMD Global, which currently holds the right to manufacture and sell Nokia branded devices, is all set to launch its Nokia 3, 5, and 6 Android smartphones in India. HMD Global on Friday started sending out the press invites for a Nokia event in India on June 13, and all the currently available information indicates that the company is planning to launch its 2017 smartphone lineup in the country.

Must Know: SBI New Rules

HMD Global launched the Nokia 3, Nokia 5, and Nokia 6 Android smartphones globally at MWC 2017 in Barcelona earlier this year. To recall, Nokia 6, the best-specced of the new Nokia Android phones, has a 5.5-inch full-HD screen with 2.5D design and Gorilla Glass protection, and a fingerprint sensor below the display. The smartphone was priced at EUR 229 (approximately Rs. 16,000) and runs Android 7.0 Nougat. It is powered by Snapdragon 430 SoC, packs 3GB RAM, features 32GB internal storage, comes with microSD card support up to 128GB, and houses a 3000mAh battery.

In terms of optics, the Nokia 6 comes with a 16-megapixel rear sensor, while the front camera's resolution is 8-megapixel. There's also a Nokia 6 Arte Black special edition model with glossy black body, 64GB built-in storage, and 4GB RAM.

Nokia 5, positioned as a handset for those who want a compact smartphone, was priced by the company at EUR 189 (about Rs. 13,250) and features a fingerprint sensor. It comes with a 5.2-inch HD screen and Android 7.1.1 Nougat operating system. It is powered by the Snapdragon 430 SoC coupled with 2GB of RAM, and comes with 16GB inbuilt storage; it supports expandable storage via microSD card (up to 128GB). When it comes to camera, Nokia 5 has a 13-megapixel unit on the back and 8-megapixel unit in front. Other features of the smartphone include Micro-USB 2.0, NFC, 3000mAh battery, and 4G LTE support.

Announced as a smartphone for those who want a premium-looking handset at a budget, Nokia 3 is priced at EUR 139 (about Rs. 9,750), and has a polycarbonate body and metallic frame on the sides; however, it does not have a fingerprint sensor. It has a 5-inch HD screen, Android 7.0 Nougat operating system, 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek 6737 SoC, 16GB internal storage, up to 128GB microSD card support, Micro-USB 2.0, NFC, 2650mAh battery, and 8-megapixel cameras on the front and back.

Notably, HMD Global this week also confirmed that the Nokia 3, Nokia 5, and Nokia 6 smartphones will be receiving the latest Android iteration, Android O, when it's available. NDTV

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Must Know: SBI New Rules Effective From 1st June 2017

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 05:27:00 +0000

SBI New Rules Effective From 1st June 2017

Must Know: SBI New Rules Effective From 1st June 2017

After a gap of almost five years, the country’s largest lender, State Bank of India, has come up with new rules for its savings and salary account holders. The new rules will be implemented from 1st June, 2017.

Here are the changes to the existing rules that you should know about.

How much minimum balance do I need to maintain in my account?

The bank has increased the Monthly Average Balance (MAB) requirement for Savings Accounts to as much as Rs. 5,000 for branches in metro cities. For urban, semi-urban and rural areas it has been fixed at Rs. 3,000, Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 1,000, respectively.

Earlier, the MAB for a savings bank account was capped at Rs. 500 without cheque book facility and Rs. 1,000 with cheque book facility. This was consistent across the country. However, the bank has now decided to fix separate MABs for metro, urban, semi-urban and rural areas from the beginning of this financial year.

Am I liable to pay any charges if I don’t have the required amount?

In case you fail to maintain the monthly balance limit, the bank will be liable to charge a penalty fee of Rs. 100 for metro cities, Rs. 50 for semi-urban and Rs. 20 for rural areas. However, such penalties are not applicable to Surabhi, Basic Savings Bank and PM Jan Dhan Yojana accounts.

What are the new charges on cash withdrawals?

All cash withdrawals from ATMs will now attract a charge of Rs. 25 per transaction. Only the RuPay Classic card will be issued for free.

If the number of transactions exceeds four in a month, the service charges applicable will be Rs. 50 plus service tax per transaction at the branch, Rs. 20 plus service tax at other bank ATMs, and Rs. 10 plus service tax for SBI ATMs.

However, the limit of four ATM withdrawals in a month only applies to the basic savings bank deposit accounts and the Jan Dhan accounts. For other savings bank accounts, the limit is capped at eight free ATM transactions i.e. five SBI ATMs and three other bank ATMs in metros and 10 free transactions in non-metros (five SBI ATMs and five other bank ATMs) apart from the bank transaction.

Cash withdrawal of up to Rs. 2,000 (multiples of 100) through any banking correspondent will be charged at 2.50% of the transaction value (minimum of Rs. 6) plus service tax.

However, SBI will not levy any charge on withdrawals from its own ATMs if the balance exceeds Rs. 25,000. In case of withdrawals from other bank ATMs, there will be no penalty if the balance exceeds Rs. 1 lakh. The aim of this move is to compensate for operational costs incurred while managing Jan Dhan accounts and operating ATMs.

What are the charges for depositing cash in my account?

You are allowed to deposit cash in your savings bank account three times a month, free of charge. Post that, a fee of Rs. 50 plus service charge will be levied on every transaction.

Cash deposits of up to Rs. 10,000 (in multiples of 100) through a banking correspondent will be charged at 0.25% of the total value with a minimum applicable charge of Rs. 2 and a maximum charge of Rs. 8, excluding service tax.

Are there any other charges that I should be aware of?

Yes, there are a couple of other charges that you should keep note of before availing SBI’s banking services.

Online Transfers: IMPS fund transfer charges via internet banking/UPI/IUSSD will now be charged at Rs. 5 for amounts up to Rs. 1 lakh, Rs. 15 for amounts above Rs. 1 lakh and up to Rs. 2 lakhs, and Rs. 25 for amounts above Rs. 2 lakhs and up to Rs. 5 lakhs. Keep in mind that these charges don’t include service tax.

Increased Locker Rent: The bank has increased locker rent and reduced the number of locker transactions that are free in a year. After 12 transactions, the customer will now have to pay Rs. 100 excluding service tax for visiting his or her locker.

Cheque Leafs: As far as cheque books are concerned, the first 50 cheques will be provided free in a financial year for a current account holder. Thereafter, it will cost Rs. 3 per leaf. A 10-leaf cheque book will cost Rs. 30, a 25-leaf cheque book will cost Rs. 75 and a 50-leaf cheque book will set you back by Rs. 150 excluding service tax.

Exchange of Soiled Notes: Service charges for the exchange of soiled or imperfect notes up to 20 pieces and with a value of Rs. 5,000, will extract no charge. For more than 20 pieces, Rs. 2 per piece will be charged on the entire tender excluding service tax.

For values above Rs. 5,000, Rs. 2 per piece or Rs. 5 per Rs. 1,000 plus service tax, whichever is higher on the entire order, will be charged.

Enrolment Fee: SBI will now charge Rs. 20 as an opening fee including enrolment for a savings account.

SMS Alerts: The bank will charge Rs. 15 for SMS alerts per quarter for Debit Card holders who maintain an average quarterly balance of up to Rs. 25,000 during the three month period. Also, there will be no charge for UPI/ USSD transactions of up to Rs. 1,000.

Even customers of the six affiliate banks that merged with SBI, including State Bank of Jaipur and Bikaner, State Bank of Hyderabad, State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Patiala and State Bank of Travancore, will have to follow these rules. So, if you have a bank account with any of these banks, brace yourself. You might have to shell out a little extra from this financial year.

Wish Protesters Used Weapons, Not Stones, Says Army Chief On Kashmir

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Sun, 28 May 2017 15:01:00 +0000

The Indian Army is facing a "dirty war" in Jammu and Kashmir which has to be fought through "innovative" ways, Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat has said, stoutly defending the use of a Kashmiri as a 'human shield' by a young officer.

The Army tied a protester to a jeep in Jammu and Kashmir to prevent stone-pelting from a mob.

General Rawat said army is facing a "dirty war" in Jammu and KashmirHe defended the use of a person as 'human shield' by Majur Leetul GogoiMajor Gogoi received a commendation medal from the army chief.

The Indian Army is facing a "dirty war" in Jammu and Kashmir which has to be fought through "innovative" ways, Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat has said, stoutly defending the use of a Kashmiri as a 'human shield' by a young officer.

In an exclusive interaction with PTI, Rawat said the main objective of awarding Major Leetul Gogoi, when a Court of Inquiry was finalising its probe into the incident, was to boost the morale of young officers of the force who are operating in a very difficult environment in the militancy- infested state.

"This is a proxy war and proxy war is a dirty war. It is played in a dirty way. The rules of engagements are there when the adversary comes face-to-face and fights with you. It is a dirty war... That is where innovation comes in. You fight a dirty war with innovations," Rawat said, in what were the General's most comprehensive comments yet to the media on the issue.

The Army Chief's Commendation medal to Gogoi, who had tied a man to an army jeep and used him as a human shield from stone throwers last month was criticised by human rights activists, Kashmiri groups and by a few retired army generals. A video of the incident had triggered a row with many condemning it.

Gogoi was awarded for his sustained efforts in counter- insurgency operations.

"People are throwing stones at us, people are throwing petrol bombs at us. If my men ask me what do we do, should I say, just wait and die? I will come with a nice coffin with a national flag and I will send your bodies home with honour. Is it what I am supposed to tell them as chief? I have to maintain the morale of my troops who are operating there," Gen Rawat said.

Talking about the complexity of the security challenge in the state, he suggested it would have been easier for the armed forces if the protesters were firing weapons instead of throwing stones.

"In fact, I wish these people, instead of throwing stones at us, were firing weapons at us. Then I would have been happy. Then I could do what I (want to do)," he said.

Gen Rawat, who had served in Jammu and Kashmir extensively, said if people in any country lose fear of the army, then the country is doomed.

"Adversaries must be afraid of you and at the same time your people must be afraid of you. We are a friendly army, but when we are called to restore law and order, people have to be afraid of us," he said.

At the same time, he asserted that maximum restraint is being maintained while handling the situation in the Valley.

Gen Rawat said that as the Army chief, it was his duty to lift the morale of the army personnel in Jammu and Kashmir and he did it by awarding Major Gogoi.

"As Army Chief my concern is morale of the Army. That is my job. I am far away from the battle field. I cannot influence the situation there. I can only tell the boys that I am with you. I always tell my people, things will go wrong, but if things have gone wrong and you did not have malafide intent, I am there," he said.

Gen Rawat said there was a ploy to break the trust between various security forces, and Major Gogoi could not have refused to provide security when polling agents had sought security assistance.

"Tomorrow elections have to be held in Anantnag and similar things may happen. If the army does not respond to call for assistance, then the trust between the people whom we are protecting, police and army will break.

"That is something I cannot allow to happen. This is what the militants want. It can create a divide between the army and other security forces," he said.

The Army Chief said he had a broad idea about what was going on in the Court of Inquiry into the Gogoi incident, and that is why he went ahead with awarding the Major. "I know what is happening in the COI. It is being finalised. What do we punish him for."

He said armed forces have the right of self defence and Major Gogoi could have opted for firing at the crowd but he chose not to resort to it.

Farooq Dar, who was tied to the jeep, says he is not a militant or a stone thrower, and was only returning home after casting his vote in the by-election when he was hauled away.

He says he still suffers from physical and mental trauma after being paraded on the jeep's bonnet with a sign slung around his neck, warning stone pelters of the consequences.

The Army Chief said just four districts of South Kashmir were disturbed and it was incorrect to say that entire Kashmir has gone out of control.

"It will have to be a composite solution. Everybody will have to get involved. Army's role is to ensure that violence does not take place and the common man who is not indulging in this (violence) is protected," he said, when asked about the solution to the Kashmir issue.

He also emphasised on the need for taking harsh measures to stop infiltration and counter-terrorism.

The Army Chief also wondered why not much noise was made when young army officer Lt Umar Fayaz was killed by militants when he was on leave.

Asked whether there should be a political initiative to reach out to the Kashmiri people, the Army Chief said it was for the government to decide, adding such initiatives were taken in the past as well.

"Has political initiative not been taken in the past? What was the result, you had Kargil...," he said.

To a separate question, the Army Chief said he does not anticipate a "limited war" with Pakistan. PTI

Role reversal: Motorola name to be on smartphones again as Lenovo fades out

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Sat, 27 May 2017 17:39:00 +0000

After purchasing Motorola from Google back in 2014, Lenovo decided that it would slowly phase out the Motorola name. But how do you eliminate the name of the company that invented the cellphone? By using the name Moto by Lenovo, the latter was able to inject a bit of Motorola's legacy into Lenovo's` growing popularity in the East. Throw in the iconic batwings logo, and you have a device that still can be recognized as a Motorola product throughout the world.

Take a look at the current Moto flagship, the Moto Z Force. The only identifying marks include the Moto name above the fingerprint scanner, and the logo etched on the back of the handset. Even the peculiar television ad for the Moto Z and Moto Z Force that rhetorically asks "Did Moto just make the smartest smartphone yet?" made it clear that Moto by Lenovo was the new name that Lenovo was going to use on smartphones.

But something has changed inside Lenovo. According to comments from Motorola's chief marketing officer Jan Huckfeldt that were published today, the Motorola brand is not only coming back, but will be stronger than ever. Huckfeldt says that the Lenovo name is being faded out on handsets everywhere but India. It actually is a smart move by Lenovo. If you want to sell a large number of smartphones, you need to employ all of the assets you have available at your disposal. The Motorola name and batwings logo are assets that can be used to generate sales.

"We want everyone to immediately recognize a Motorola phone," says Huckfeldt. To that end, a recently leaked road map shows that in 2017, the Moto line will consist of 5 lines (Z, X, G, E, C), all with a very similar look and style. The Motorola executive states, "Where they zig, we're going to zag. When less is more, we want 'more is more.'"

source: AndroidCentral

Paytm Payments Bank Launched: Here's What It Means for Paytm Users.

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Tue, 23 May 2017 12:09:00 +0000

Paytm Payments Bank Launched: Here's What It Means for Paytm Users

Paytm Payments Bank Launched

HIGHLIGHTS

Paytm payments bank was officially launched on Tuesday.
The wallets business has been transferred to the bank
Paytm will pay an interest rate of 4 percent on bank deposits

Paytm on Tuesday launched the Paytm Payments Bank in India, announcing the new unit via a public notice in newspapers and a blog post. After Vijay Shekhar Sharma secured an in-principle approval to start a payments bank in 2015, the Paytm bank was scheduled to commence operations around Diwali last year, but got delayed by several months. But with the Paytm Payments Bank finally operating, there are a few changes consumers would be introduced to, primarily the wallets business being transferred to the newly-incorporated entity Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL).

In case you're a Paytm wallet user - and that number has grown a lot since November - and you're wondering how this change will impact you, here is everything you need to know.

All Paytm wallet accounts will automatically be migrated to the new Paytm Payments Bank. If you don't want to continue with the bank, you have to opt out by emailing help@paytm.com or visiting paytm.com/care to opt out and redeem your balance by transferring it to your bank account.
Your account will remain a wallet account with PPBL, not a bank account. Accounts that have been inactive for six months, and have zero balance, will not be transferred to PPBL without opting-in. In addition to the wallet account, you will also be able to open a Paytm payments bank savings or current account. Although both will have the same login, you will need to open a bank account separately.
The Paytm Payments Bank accounts are being rolled out as a beta, for employees and associates. Other people can also request an invite to become account holders in the bank. These accounts have a limit of Rs. 1 lakh per customer, and are different from wallets because they can offer debit cards, and interest.
To get a Paytm Payments Bank account, you have to visit Paytm's Bank page, and then click on Request an Invite. This will ask you to sign in to your Paytm account, and once you do that, automatically log your interest in becoming an account holder.
If you transfer more than Rs. 25,000 into your Paytm payments bank account, you will get a cash back of Rs. 250 (1 percent), up to four times.
There is no minimum balance requirement for the bank account. Also, online transactions (such as IMPS, NEFT, RTGS) will not have any charges.
A big difference between a wallet and a payments bank is that the latter can offer interest. Paytm will be paying 4 percent per annum. This is lower than the 7.5 percent interest that Airtel payments bank is offering, and in line with what you get from Axis, ICICI, and HDFC.
Also, unlike wallets, payments banks can offer debit (but not credit) cards. According to Paytm's website, physical services such as a chequebook, demand drafts, and debit cards, will be available from the Paytm payments bank, at a nominal fee. Interestingly, Airtel isn't offering a physical debit card, but a virtual one to use online.
The Paytm bank will issue a Rupay debit card, which will be free, but it will charge Rs. 100 + delivery as an annual fee; a lost card replacement will also be Rs. 100 + delivery. A 10-leaves chequebook will also cost you Rs. 100 + delivery charges.
Paytm isn't bringing out its own ATMs. However, its debit card can be used with no charges five times at any non-metro ATM, or three times at metro ATMs. After that there will be a Rs. 20 cash withdrawal charge, while other transactions such as balance checks will cost Rs. 5.

Notably, Paytm Payments Bank is not the only one of its type, or even the first, as the RBI had awarded the approval to set up payments bank to 10 others as well. So far, Airtel has gotten its payments bank running, with Paytm following suit now. via gadgets360

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Linkin Park - One More Light (2017) LYRICS (All songs lyrics in one post )

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Fri, 19 May 2017 10:23:00 +0000

Linkin Park - One More Light (2017) Lyrics

1. Nobody Can Save Me by Linkin Park Lyrics

2. Good Goodbye by Linkin Park Lyrics

3. Talking to Myself by Linkin Park Lyrics

4. Battle Symphony by Linkin Park Lyrics

5. Invisible by Linkin Park Lyrics

6. Heavy by Linkin Park Lyrics

7. Sorry for Now by Linkin Park Lyrics

8. Halfway Right by Linkin Park Lyrics

9. One More Light by Linkin Park Lyrics

10. Sharp Edges by Linkin Park Lyrics

1. Nobody Can Save Me by Linkin Park Lyrics

[Verse 1]

I'm dancing with my demons

I'm hanging off the edge

Storm clouds gather beneath me

Waves break above my head

Headfirst hallucination

[Pre-Chorus 1]

I wanna fall wide awake now

You tell me it's alright

Tell me I'm forgiven, tonight

[Chorus]

But nobody can save me now

I'm holding up a light

I'm chasing out the darkness inside

'Cause nobody can save me

[Verse 2]

Stared into this illusion

For answers yet to come

I chose a false solution

But nobody proved me wrong

Headfirst hallucination

[Pre-Chorus 2]

I wanna fall wide awake

Watch the ground giving way now

You tell me it's alright

Tell me I'm forgiven, tonight

[Chorus]

But nobody can save me now

I'm holding up a light

I'm chasing out the darkness inside

'Cause nobody can save me

[Bridge]

Been searching somewhere out there

For what's been missing right here (I wanna fall wide awake now)

I've been searching somewhere out there

For what's been missing right here (I wanna fall wide awake now)

I wanna fall wide awake now

So tell me it's alright

Tell me I'm forgiven, tonight

[Outro]

And only I can save me now

I'm holding up a light

Chasing out the darkness inside

And I don't wanna let you down

But only I can save me!

Been searching somewhere out there

For what's been missing right here

2. Good Goodbye by Linkin Park Lyrics

[Chorus: Chester Bennington]

So say goodbye and hit the road

Pack it up and disappear

You better have some place to go

'Cause you can't come back around here

Good goodbye

(Don't you come back no more)

[Verse 1: Mike Shinoda]

Live from the rhythm, it's

Something wild, venomous

Enemies trying to read me

You're all looking highly illiterate

Blindly forgetting if I'm in the mix

You won't find an equivalent

I've been here killing it

Longer than you've been alive, you idiot

And it makes you so mad

Somebody else could be stepping in front of you

And it makes you so mad that you're not the only one

There's more than one of you

And you can't understand the fact

That it's over and done, hope you had fun

You've got a lot to discuss on the bus

Headed back where you're from

[Chorus: Chester Bennington]

So say goodbye and hit the road

Pack it up and disappear

You better have some place to go

'Cause you can't come back around here

Good goodbye

[Verse 2: Pusha T]

(Wooh!)

Goodbye, good riddance

A period is after every sentence

Did my time with my cellmate

Maxed out so now we finished

Every day was like a hail date

Every night was like a hailstorm

Took her back to my tinted windows

Showin' out, she in rare form

Wings up, now I'm airborne

King Push, they got a chair for him

Make way for the new queen

The old lineup, where they cheer for 'em

Consequence when you ain't there for him

Were you there for him?

Did you care for him?

You were dead wrong

[Chorus: Chester Bennington]

(Don't you come back no more)

So say goodbye and hit the road

Pack it up and disappear

You better have some place to go

'Cause you can't come back around here

Good goodbye

(Don't you come back no more)

Good goodbye

(Don't you come back no more)

[Verse 3: Stormzy]

Let me say goodbye to my demons

Let me say goodbye to my past life

Let me say goodbye to the darkness

Tell 'em that I'd rather be here in the starlight

Tell 'em that I'd rather be here where they love me

Tell 'em that I'm yours this is our life

And I still keep raising the bar like

Never seen a young black brother in the chart twice

Goodbye to the stereotypes

You can't tell my kings we can't

Mandem we're linking tings in parks

Now I got a tune with Linkin Park

Like goodbye to my old hoe’s

Goodbye to the cold roads

I can't die for my postcode

Young little Mike from the Gold Coast

And now I'm inside with my bro bro's

Gang

[Chorus: Chester Bennington]

So say goodbye and hit the road

Pack it up and disappear

You better have some place to go

'Cause you can't come back around here

Good goodbye

(Don't you come back no more)

Good goodbye

(Don't you come back no more)

3. Talking to Myself by Linkin Park Lyrics

[Verse 1]

Tell me what I've gotta do

There's no getting through to you

The lights are on but nobody's home (nobody's home)

You say I can't understand

But you're not giving me a chance

When you leave me, where do you go? (Where do you go?)

[Pre-Chorus]

All the walls that you keep building

All this time that I spent chasing

All the ways that I keep losing you

[Chorus]

The truth is, you turned into someone else

You keep running like the sky is falling

I can whisper, I can yell

But I know, yeah I know, yeah I know

I'm just talking to myself

Talking to myself

But I know, yeah I know, yeah I know

I'm just talking to myself

[Verse 2]

I admit I made mistakes

But yours might cost you everything

Can't you hear me calling you home?

[Pre-Chorus]

Oh, all the walls that you keep building

All this time that I spent chasing

All the ways that I keep losing you

[Chorus]

The truth is, you turned into someone else

You keep running like the sky is falling

I can whisper, I can yell

But I know, yeah I know, yeah I know

I'm just talking to myself

Talking to myself

Yeah I know, yeah I know, yeah I know

I'm just talking to myself

[Pre-Chorus]

All the walls that you keep building

All this time that I spent chasing

All the ways that I keep losing you

[Chorus/Outro]

The truth is, you turned into someone else

You keep running like the sky is falling

I can whisper, I can yell

But I know, yeah I know, yeah I know

I'm just talking to myself

Talking to myself

Yeah I know, yeah I know, yeah I know

Talking to myself

4. Battle Symphony by Linkin Park Lyrics

[Verse 1]

I got a long way to go

And a long memory

I been searching for an answer

Always just out of reach

Blood on the floor

Sirens repeat

I been searching for the courage

To face my enemies

When they turn down the lights

[Chorus]

I hear my battle symphony

All the world in front of me

If my armor breaks

I’ll fuse it back together

Battle symphony

Please just don’t give up on me

And my eyes are wide awake

[Bridge]

For my battle symphony

[Verse 2]

They say that I don’t belong

Say that I should retreat

That I’m marching to the rhythm

Of a lonesome defeat

But the sound of your voice

Puts the pain in reverse

No surrender, no illusions

And for better or worse

When they turn down the lights

[Chorus]

I hear my battle symphony

All the world in front of me

If my armor breaks

I’ll fuse it back together

Battle symphony

Please just don’t give up on me

And my eyes are wide awake

[Bridge]

If I fall, get knocked down

Pick myself up off the ground

If I fall, get knocked down

Pick myself up off the ground

When they turn down the lights

[Chorus]

I hear my battle symphony

All the world in front of me

If my armor breaks

I’ll fuse it back together

Battle symphony

Please just don’t give up on me

And my eyes are wide awake

For my battle symphony

5. Invisible by Linkin Park Lyrics

[Verse 1]

I've got an aching head

Echoes and buzzing noises

I know the words we said

But wish I could've turned our voices down

This is not black and white

Only organized confusion

I'm just trying to get it right

And in spite of all I should've done

[Pre-Chorus]

I was not mad at you

I was not trying to tear you down

The words that I could've used

I was too scared to say out loud

If I cannot break your fall

I'll pick you up right off the ground

If you felt invisible, I won't let you feel that now

[Chorus]

Invisible, invisible

[Verse 2]

You didn't get your way

And it's an empty feeling

You've got a lot to say

And you just want to know you're being heard

But this is not black and white

There are no clear solutions

I'm just trying to get it right

And in spite of all I should've done

[Pre-Chorus]

I was not mad at you

I was not trying to tear you down

The words that I could've used

I was too scared to say out loud

If I cannot break your fall

I'll pick you up right off the ground

If you felt invisible, I won't let you feel that now

[Chorus]

Invisible, invisible

[Bridge]

This is not black and white

There are no clear solutions

I'm just trying to get it right

And in spite of all I should've done

[Pre-Chorus]

I was not mad at you

I was not trying to tear you down

The words that I could've used

I was too scared to say out loud

If I cannot break your fall

I'll pick you up right off the ground

If you felt invisible, I won't let you feel that now

[Chorus]

Invisible, invisible

6. Heavy by Linkin Park Lyrics

[Verse 1: Chester Bennington]

I don’t like my mind right now

Stacking up problems that are so unnecessary

Wish that I could slow things down

I wanna let go but there’s comfort in the panic

And I drive myself crazy

Thinking everything's about me

Yeah, I drive myself crazy

'Cause I can’t escape the gravity

[Chorus: Chester Bennington & Kiiara]

I'm holding on

Why is everything so heavy?

Holding on

So much more than I can carry

I keep dragging around what's bringing me down

If I just let go, I'd be set free

Holding on

Why is everything so heavy?

[Verse 2: Kiiara]

You say that I'm paranoid

But I’m pretty sure the world is out to get me

It’s not like I make the choice

To let my mind stay so fucking messy

I know I'm not the center of the universe

But you keep spinning 'round me just the same

I know I'm not the center of the universe

But you keep spinning 'round me just the same

[Chorus: Kiiara]

I'm holding on

Why is everything so heavy?

Holding on

So much more than I can carry

I keep dragging around what's bringing me down

If I just let go, I'd be set free

Holding on

Why is everything so heavy?

[Bridge: Chester Bennington & Kiiara]

I know I'm not the center of the universe

But you keep spinning 'round me just the same

I know I'm not the center of the universe

But you keep spinning 'round me just the same

And I drive myself crazy

Thinking everything’s about me

[Chorus: Chester Bennington & Kiiara]

Holding on

Why is everything so heavy?

Holding on

So much more than I can carry

I keep dragging around what's bringing me down

If I just let go, I'd be set free

Holding on

Why is everything so heavy?

7. Sorry for Now by Linkin Park Lyrics

[Verse 1: Mike Shinoda]

Watching the wings cut through the clouds

Watching the raindrops blinking red and white

Thinking of you back on the ground

There with a fire burning in your eyes

I only halfway apologized

[Chorus: Mike Shinoda]

And I'll be sorry for now

That I couldn't be around

Sometimes things refuse

To go the way we planned

Oh I'll be sorry for now

That I couldn't be around

There will be a day

That you will understand

You will understand

[Verse 2: Mike Shinoda]

After a while you may forget

But just in case the memories cross your mind

You couldn't know this when I left

Under the fire of your angry eyes

I never wanted to say goodbye

[Chorus: Mike Shinoda]

So I'll be sorry for now

That I couldn't be around

Sometimes things refuse

To go the way we planned

Oh I'll be sorry for now

That I couldn't be around

There will be a day

That you will understand

You will understand

[Bridge: Chester]

Yeah, stop telling 'em to pump the bass up

Tried to call home but nobody could wait up

Switch your time zones can't pick the pace up

I just passed out by the time you wake up

Best things come to those who wait

And it's bound to get rough on any road you take

But don't you ever have a doubt and make no mistake

I can't wait to come back when I'm going away

[Outro: Mike & (Chester)]

So I'll be sorry for now

That I couldn't be around

There are things we have to do that we can't stand

Oh I'll be sorry for now

That I couldn't be around

There will be a day that you will understand

Oh I'll be sorry for now

That I couldn't be around

There are things we have to do that we can't stand

(Things we have to do that we can't stand)

Oh I'll be sorry for now

That I couldn't be around

There will be a day that you will understand

You will understand (x3)

8. Halfway Right by Linkin Park Lyrics

[Verse 1]

I scream at myself when there's nobody else to fight

I don't lose, I don't win, if I'm wrong, then I'm halfway right

Used to get high with the dead end kids

Abandoned houses where the shadows lived

I never been higher than I was that night

I woke up driving my car

I couldn't see then what I see right now

The road dissolving like an empty vow

Couldn't remember where I'd been that night

I knew I took it too far

[Pre-Chorus]

All you said to do was slow down

I remember, now I remember

All you said to do was slow down

But I was already gone

[Chorus]

I scream at myself when there's nobody else to fight

I don't lose, I don't win, if I'm wrong, then I'm halfway right

I know what I want, but it feels like I'm paralyzed

I don't lose, I don't win, if I'm wrong, then I'm halfway right (halfway right)

[Verse 2]

Told me "Kid, you're going way to fast

You burn too bright, you know you'll never last"

It was bullshit then, I guess it makes sense now

I woke up driving my car

Said I'd lose you if I lost control

I just laughed because what do they know?

Here I am, standing all alone

Because I took it too far

[Pre-Chorus]

All you said to do was slow down

I remember, now I remember

All you said to do was slow down

But I was already gone

[Chorus]

I scream at myself when there's nobody else to fight

I don't lose, I don't win, if I'm wrong, then I'm halfway right

I know what I want, but it feels like I'm paralyzed

I don't lose, I don't win, if I'm wrong, then I'm halfway right , halfway right

[Bridge]

Na na na na na na na na

Nana nana, na nana nana

Na na na na na na na na

But I was already gone

[Outro]

I scream at myself when there's nobody else to fight

I don't lose, I don't win, if I'm wrong, then I'm halfway right

Na na na na na na na na

Nana nana, na nana nana

Na na na na na na na na

But I was already gone

I scream at myself when there's nobody else to fight

I don't lose, I don't win, if I'm wrong, then I'm halfway right

9. One More Light by Linkin Park Lyrics

[Verse 1]

Should've stayed, were there signs, I ignored?

Can I help you, not to hurt, anymore?

We saw brilliance, when the world, was asleep

There are things that we can have, but can't keep

[Chorus]

If they say

Who cares if one more light goes out?

In a sky of a million stars

It flickers, flickers

Who cares when someone's time runs out?

If a moment is all we are

We're quicker, quicker

Who cares if one more light goes out?

Well I do

[Verse 2 ]

The reminders, pull the floor from your feet

In the kitchen, one more chair than you need, oh

And you're angry, and you should be, it's not fair

Just 'cause you can't see it, doesn't mean it, isn't there

[Chorus]

If they say

Who cares if one more light goes out?

In a sky of a million stars

It flickers, flickers

Who cares when someone's time runs out?

If a moment is all we are

We're quicker, quicker

Who cares if one more light goes out?

Well I do

[Instrumental + Bridge]

(I do)

[Chorus/Outro]

Who cares if one more light goes out?

In a sky of a million stars

It flickers, flickers

Who cares when someone's time runs out?

If a moment is all we are

We're quicker, quicker

Who cares if one more light goes out?

Well I do

10. Sharp Edges by Linkin Park Lyrics

[Verse 1]

Mama always told me don't you run

"Don't you run with scissors, son

You're gonna hurt someone"

Mama told me look before you leap

Always think before you speak, and watch the friends you keep

[Pre-Chorus]

Stay along the beaten path, never listened when she said

[Chorus]

Sharp edges have consequences, I

Guess that I had to find out for myself

Sharp edges have consequences, now

Every scar is a story I can tell

[Verse 2]

Should've played it safer from the start

Loved you like a house of cards

Let it fall apart

But all the things I couldn't understand

Never could've planned

They made me who I am

Put your nose in paperbacks

Instead of smoking cigarettes

These are years you're never getting back

[Pre-Chorus]

Stay along the beaten path, never listened when she said

[Chorus]

Sharp edges have consequences, I

Guess that I had to find out for myself

Sharp edges have consequences, now

Every scar is a story I can tell

[Bridge]

We all fall down

We live somehow

We learn what doesn't kill us makes us stronger

We all fall down

We live somehow

We learn what doesn't kill us makes us stronger

Ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh

Stay along the beaten path, never listened when she said

[Chorus]

Sharp edges have consequences, I

Guess that I had to find out for myself

Sharp edges have consequences, now

Every scar is a story I can tell

[Outro]

We all fall down

We live somehow

We learn what doesn't kill us makes us stronger

We all fall down

We live somehow

We learn what doesn't kill us makes us stronger

Ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh

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Best anti-ransomware tools: How can I remove ransomware from my computer?

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Tue, 16 May 2017 12:30:00 +0000

Best anti-ransomware tools: How can I remove ransomware from my computer?

Having Ransomware on your PC is an emergency. Here we name some tools that might help.
You’re a home or small business user and a dialogue box has just appeared telling you that your Windows PC's files are now encrypted and you have 48 hours to pay £350 ($500) in Bitcoins to get them back. Fail to meet that deadline and the price will rise.

Now what?
Crypto ransomware targeting Windows turned into a mass phenomenon about five years ago. And by the time you saw the ransom demand, it was too late to pull the plug on the PC to stop further compromise. Your only option was to haul out backups, assuming you had them.

Today, the situation has improved a bit, although the right kind of backups (see below) is still the number one defence. Today’s antivirus programs are now better tuned to block ransomware, usually by watching for the actions of specific variants while a few even claim they can clean up the mess after the fact. This the second priority – making sure that the system is free of infection before reinstating data.

Beyond that, it’s about preparing better defences for future attacks which might be easier than some assume. Although ransom malware almost always uses unbreakable public key encryption to lock files, the number of variants is relatively small at any one time. It is possible that a security programme can be tuned to spot the most active ransomware by watching for known behaviour such as interacting with the filesystem

This article lists the small but slowly growing list of dedicated tools that can be used to achieve clean-up, detection and even – in a very small number of specific cases – decryption.

Our top picks are:

- AVG's ransomware decryption tools
- Trend Micro lock screen ransomware tool
- Avast anti-ransomware tools
- BitDefender anti-ransomware
- Kaspersky anti-ransomware tool

Obviously, no product can offer 100 percent ransomware removal, not even a fraction of that if we're honest. Businesses and individuals should still operate carefully online, abide by a security best practice and back up their data. But a lot of them will help protect your systems and help you recover as fast as possible with minimal damage to your systems and networks.

It needs to be underlined in bold that competent backup is still the single most important defence against ransomware. Without that on hand, simply removing the infection is just a way of getting back the system, not the data that was on it.

Anti-ransomware Tools - Overview

Ransomware clean-up tools are one of three types. Number one are disinfection tools for PCs that need to be certified clean before data is restored after an incident, a feature that is integrated into a small number of mainstream anti-virus programmes. A second rarer category will help with decryption of specific ransomware attacks although these tend to be very limited and depend on researchers recovering individual key databases after police action against the criminals. A third are protection tools, not strictly clean-up but interesting all the same. These use behavioural analysis to spot the sorts of events that suggest ransomware is on a system and intercept it before it can do any damage.

Disinfection tools are aimed at consumers on the assumption that businesses and larger organisations have other ways of dealing with malware infection, usually by wiping the infected machine and reinstalling the operating system. That is an option for technically-confident consumers too although it is a lot more time consuming and might not be convenient.

Paid alternatives
Most tools are usually free. A number of alternatives are available that scan for infection before asking for a fee to perform removal. We ignored these products - the idea of paying to remove something that can be removed for nothing using other products strikes us as a bad deal.

We didn’t test the effectiveness of tools against real ransomware samples. Such a test would be incredibly difficult to conduct and, of course, some of the tools are also specific to particular ransomware campaigns that ran in the recent past and might no longer be active. If you’re been affected by ransomware, this list is still a good place to start researching clean-up and prevention.

IMPORTANT: before using any removal utility record the Bitcoin wallet address used to demand payment and, if possible, the filelist of encrypted data. Both of these should be visible in the ransomware screen. Doing this will give the user a chance of recovering encrypted files (see below) should the private keys used by the criminals are discovered by researchers at some point in the future.

Best ransomware removal tools 2017

1. AVG ransomware decryption tools

With the tagline 'Hit by ransomware? Don’t pay the ransom!', you'd expect a lot from AVG's decryption tools. And it does seem to deliver.

AVG provides decryption tools for a variety of ransomware, while also offering lots of resources and guides to walk you through a typical ransomware attack (depending on the type of ransomware, of course)

Here are AVG's decryption tools:

Take a look and download here.

2. Trend Micro Lock Screen Ransomware Tool
Trend Micro’s tool is designed to detect and rid a victim of 'lock screen' ransomware, a type of malware that blocks users from accessing their PC or systems, and like with all ransomware, attempts to force the victim to pay to get their data back.

Trend Micro lays out two situations in which its tool will be effective. Firstly, when your PC's normal mode is blocked, but its 'safe mode' is still accessible and secondly when lock screen ransomware is blocking both 'normal mode' and 'safe mode'.

In the first scenario, users are required to install the software using keyboard sequence after bypassing the malware by booting the PC into safe mode. The screen should then appear offering a scan and clean option followed by a reboot.

In the second scenario, where safe mode is impossible to access, Trend Micro allows its removal tool to be loaded onto a USB drive using an uninfected computer and executed from there during a boot.

Download here.

3. Avast anti-ransomware tools

Not all ransomware are the same or work in the same way. In fact, in most cases, you'll have to find a decryptor that is specifically made for a certain type of ransomware.

Avast provides 16, which are listed here.

All of Avast's decryptors are free and check for viruses at the same time.

Additionally, Avast provides an installation and decryption wizard. It will then ask you for two copies of your files, one encrypted and one not in order to compare and determine the password. This is much quicker if you've got backups, but if not Avast will recommend locations on your system that uninfected files may be.

Download here.

4. BitDefender Anti-ransomware

BitDefender’s tool is intended to act as a protection against being infected by CTB-Locker, Locky, Petya, and TeslaCrypt ransomware.

The company doesn’t explain how the program works but once loaded it should detect an infection as it commences, stopping it before any files are encrypted. The splash screen is clean and basic in feel, featuring a section that stops executables from running from certain locations and an option to turn on protection from boot. The company emphasises that the program is not intended as a replacement for antivirus but should be used in conjunction with it.

Download here.

5. Kaspersky anti-ransomware tool

Kaspersky's tool is designed for small to medium sized businesses and like Bitdefender, it comes with a tool to prevent ransomware attacks before they demobilise your systems.

Kaspersky's anti-ransomware tool will run along in the background and monitor network activity for anything that matches known ransomware behaviour or patterns. This tool is ideal for businesses as it is free for commercial use and simple to navigate while also offering a good level of protection.

However, it can be quite simplistic, only offers preventative protection.

Download here.

6. Malwarebytes anti-ransomware (formerly CryptoMonitor)

Previously one of the most dedicated utilities out there, CryptoMonitor was another real-time protection product that used two techniques to do its job, ‘entrapment’ and ‘count protection’.

CryptoMonitor was acquired by Malwarebytes and was as a result renamed Malwarebytes anti-ransomware. The idea is that it prevents ransomware from actually encrypting your computer's files in the first place.

Like many products listed Malwarebytes will run in the background and monitor activity on your network to determine suspicious patterns.

Download here.

7. Kaspersky Lab decryptors

Kaspersky Lab hosts a wide range of decryptors claiming to decrypt lots of nasty types of ransomware. We've listed them with the ransomware they can decrypt. All listed are free and can be downloaded here.

Rakhni Decryptor

Decrypts files affected by Rakhni, Agent.iih, Aura, Autoit, Pletor, Rotor, Lamer, Cryptokluchen, Lortok, Democry, Bitman and Dharma ransomware.

Rannoh Decryptor

Decrypts files affected by Rannoh, AutoIt, Fury, Cryakl, Crybola, CryptXXX (versions 1, 2 and 3) and Polyglot.

Wildfire Decryptor

Decripts file infected with Wildfire ransomware, which previously infected large groups in Holland and Belgium.

CoinVault decryptor

Created in cooperation with The National High Tech Crime Unit (NHTCU) in the Netherlands, the CoinVault decryptor decrypts files affected by CoinVault and Bitcryptor ransomware.

Shade Decryptor

Decrypts files affected by Shade version 1 and 2.

Take a look and download here.

6-inch worm was making baby’s liver sick, pulled out in a rare operation.

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Tue, 16 May 2017 06:39:00 +0000

New Delhi: Doctors at Delhi's GB Pant Hospital recently removed a six-inch long roundworm from the liver of an 18-month-old infant. Roundworms are parasitic organisms, which get into the human body through ingestion of contaminated food and water.

Commonly, they are found in the intestine but this was a rare case in which the parasitic organism managed to travel to the liver via bile duct of the baby boy, doctors said. "This is perhaps the second such case in the world," Dr A S Puri, professor and head of gastroenterology department of the hospital, said. He added that in older children, above three years of age, roundworm has been found in liver previously.
The first case was reported in Brazil. There, Puri said, the doctors removed the parasite using a paediatric endoscope of 9mm in diameter from the liver of a one-and-a-half-year-old patient. However, GB Pant did not have this equipment, so they had to use an adult endoscope, which is bigger in size.
"We took a chance because if the child wasn't operated upon in time, he could have died. Thankfully, the procedure was uneventful," the doctors said. The endoscope is a flexible tube with a camera attached to it.
During the procedure, which was conducted on Friday, doctors inserted it into the child's food pipe via mouth. It went up to the small intestine. Then, an endoscopic knife was inserted into the bile duct, which had to be cut to extract the roundworm.
"The whole procedure took us 20 minutes. But we had to do a lot of brainstorming before making this attempt. The food pipe is next to windpipe and any complication could have proven fatal," said one of surgeons. The GB Pant doctors are happy at their feat—they successfully removed a roundworm from a small child's organ using adult endoscope. And the parents look much relieved to see their son regain his health.
"For the past one and a half months, Dawood had been in pain and crying incessantly. He used to pass worms in stool and vomit. We took him to local doctors, but medicines failed to bring him any respite since a roundworm had reached his liver," Farheen, the infant's mother, told TOI. Doctors said roundworm infestation is common in urban slums where sanitation is not proper and children often consume contaminated food and water.
"The government has been conducting de-worming programme but many children still have the problem. To prevent this, we need to improve hand hygiene and create awareness about importance of eating freshly-cooked food," said a doctor. The worms, mostly found in intestine, affect a child's ability to grow—both intellectually and physically—and develop into a fully functioning adult, capable of contributing to wider society, according to World Health Organisation. TOI

Using UPI for banking? Be wary of crooks who will cheat you out of your money.

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Tue, 16 May 2017 04:53:00 +0000

Unified Payments Interface (UPI)

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) may not be as safe as the government has said it is. Citing police sources, Mail Today on Tuesday reported that criminals were exploiting loopholes in the UPI mobile app to steal money from banking customers.

Digital security concerns have assumed greater importance as the Modi government steers India towards a less-cash, digital economy. The UPI, being one of the foundation stones of such an endeavour, needs to be airtight when it comes to security. However, according to the report, cops say that the new trend among cybercriminals is to fraudulently withdraw money by gaming the UPI system and exploiting its weaknesses.

How does the crime take place

According to police sources cited by the report, the criminals are tipped off about potential target accounts by bank officials, who pass on their client information in the form of screengrabs over apps such as WhatsApp.

The leaked information consists the bank customer's name, address, account and card details, PAN number and mobile number. The colluding bank officials get paid based on the data they provide.

Subsequently, the cited police sources explain, the criminals contact their intended target while posing as telecom operators and ask him or her to apply for a 4G SIM free of cost. Once the customer sends an SMS to the operator authorising such a SIM upgrade, the crooks collect a 4G SIM and have it activated in the target's name.

What happens next? According to the source cited by the report: "Mostly, our banking accounts are linked to our mobile number. All the notification, password and pin reset details are received on the phone. So, as soon criminals get access to a new mobile SIM, they download UPI or the BHIM app and fill the banking details which they have already gathered and start transferring money."

The crucial loophole here is the lack of verification or know-your-customer procedures involved in such SIM upgrades.

From no vulnerabilities to leaking vessel?

In March this year, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) had assured that there was "no vulnerability of loopholes" reported in the Bharat Interface for Money or the UPI applications.

"We have done intensive testing, robust design of security controls and continuous monitoring of its UPI infrastructure," NPCI Managing Director and CEO A P Hota had said.

In fact, Hota had said that the environment in which UPI is run by NPCI was highly secure and certified with best global practices like PCI DSS ISO 27001. Furthermore, it had been audited by reputed IT security firms.

Despite such reassurances, in January this year, the Times of India had reported that police in Aurangabad, Gujarat, had booked hree people on charges of illegally transferring money from Bank of Maharashtra to a private bank via the UPI app.

Speaking to the national daily, the investigating officer in the case had said, "The case is sensitive in nature and the alleged cheating has been committed by using loopholes in UPI, which is newly introduced and most advanced form of digital payment." Bs

BharatQR launched by Indian Govt. All you need to know about BharatQR transactions.

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 08:53:00 +0000

All you need to know about BharatQR transactions.

India has reached a new milestone in cashless transaction by launching BharatQR, the world's first interoperable payment acceptance solution. This is the second big ticket initiative from the Centre, after BHIM, towards pushing digital transactions.

How to use BharatQR and how will it change the way you transact? Answers to all your questions are here:

What is QR code?

Quick Response Code (QRCode) is a two-dimensional machine-readable unique patterns attached to carry out specific tasks. A common example is QR code printed on newspaper advertisements or billboards. When scanned using a smartphone, it will direct you to the advertisers website.

In case of retail payments, QR code eliminates the need of a Point of Sale (POS) machine for carrying out electronic transaction.

What is BharatQR code?

BharatQR code is the world’s first interoperable payment acceptance solution. Jointly developed by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), Mastercard, and Visa, BharatQR code would require merchants to only display one QR code instead of multiple ones.

How will it change the way I transact?

Traditionally electronic payments are done using a PoS machine. A customer will have to swipe debit or credit card and provide PIN and/or a one-time password to approve the transaction.

In case of payments using QR codes, the merchant and customer should have the same payment application to carry out the transaction. For example, if the merchant uses a PayTM app and the customer has a Oxigen mobile wallet, transaction using QR code is not possible.

But after BharatQR, transactions can be carried out immaterial of the bank or mobile wallets.

How is it different from Bhim app?

BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money) is a mobile app linked to the Uniform Payment Interface that allows you to make e-payments directly from linked bank accounts.

BharatQR facilitates you to carry out such transactions by acting as a link between the merchant's account and the payment app in your mobile.

BHIM can be connected to only one of your bank accounts at a time. But with BharatQR you can even use credit/debit cards, provided it has been connected with a mobile wallet or payment app already.

Which banks are using BharatQR code?

All banks associated with the NPCI are already operationally ready to deploy BharatQR. This includes SBI, Axis Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Citi Union Bank, Development Credit Bank, Karur Vysya Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI, IDBI, RBL Bank, Union Bank of India, Vijaya Bank and Yes Bank.

Persons using MasterCard, Visa, AmericanExpress or Rupay can also transact using BharatQR.

What about mobile wallets?

Currently, only HDFC Bank's Payzapp and ICICI's Pockets app have been integrated with BharatQR code. So the code won't work with other mobile wallets. But talks are on with other banks and payment services and more companies are likely to deploy BharatQR.

Do I need to pay extra for using BharatQR?

Most merchants have done away with charging additionally for electronic transactions, especially after demonetisation. However, if a merchant is passing on the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) to the customer (petrol stations, for example), it is likely to continue.

How safe is my transaction?

There a two ways BharatQR can work. Option 1: A merchant generates a single QR code for the outlet. The customer makes payment by scanning the code and using his/her PIN.

Option 2: The merchant can create a unique code for every transaction. In such a case, the PIN won't be prompted.

In both scenarios, the transactions are secure as sensitive data such as bank account details and PIN are never stored.

I don't have a smartphone. Can I still use it?

The BharatQR is currently rolled out only for smartphone users. But the NCPI is working on Aadhaar-based and UPI address-based payment services. It will be available soon. (The Hindu)

Google and Nokia might finally make the Android phone fans are dying for

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 05:46:00 +0000

Image Source: Chris Smith, BGR

HMD Global, the company that will sell Nokia-branded smartphones for the following ten years, has big plans. It aims to restore the Nokia brand to what it once was, and it thinks Google’s Android can help. But unlike other Android device makers that are all churning out the same black rectangles, the new Nokia has something else in mind. But it will only work with Google’s help.

Nokia said during its press event at MWC that its Android phones, including the Nokia 6, Nokia 5, and Nokia 3 that are about to launch, will run a clean version of Android — or as close to vanilla Android as possible, the kind of Android OS some fans crave.

Furthermore, Nokia said on stage that it plans to issue swift updates to Android, a feat no other smartphone maker can brag with.

Talking to Gulf News, HMD Global’s vice president for the Middle East and North Africa Per Ekman reiterated some of those goals, revealing that Google might be the key to making Nokia great again.

Apparently, HMD Global clinched some important strategic partnership with Foxconn and Google.

“Most of the smartphones in the market do not have the Android OS in the way it should be,” the exec said. “Vendors are adding a skin on top of the OS. Consumers have the right to have the latest version of the OS, and we will be pushing the latest version and the patches as soon as it is available from Google.”

“We and Google will jointly enhance the Nokia brand to put the right kind of inputs into the phone, including Google Assistant,” he said.

That sounds amazing, at least in theory. But running pure Android on a phone also sounds like something not even Google is doing anymore. For the first time since Android’s inception, Google last year confirmed that it wants to further customize its own Android smartphones. The Pixel that followed was a Prime example of that, sporting some features that were not initially available on older Nexus models.

On the other hand, Google’s primary Android partner has just taken the first significant anti-Android move. Samsung’s Bixby is a direct competitor to Google’s Assistant and a potential threat to Google in the long run. Working closely with a company that can sell Nokia-branded Android phones, a brand still loved by millions of people, might be in Google’s best interest.

HMD Global’s next major test comes soon. The first Nokia Android phones are tipped to launch in 120 markets in late May or early June. BGR

Kashmiri cricket club wears Pakistani jersey, sings ‘Pak sarzamin shad bad’

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 11:28:00 +0000

New Delhi: A local Kashmiri cricket club has triggered a huge controversy after a video surfaced on the social media showing its players wearing Pakistani cricket team’s uniform. The team members also sang the Pakistani national anthem before the start of the match.
As per reports, the match was held at the Wayil grounds in Ganderbal on April 2 – separatists had called for a hartal that day to protest against PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir for the Chenani-Nashri tunnel.
The team that wore the Pakistani green is named after Baba Darya Ud Din, a popular saint whose shrine is situated in Ganderbal. Their opponents wore white.

InUth reports that prior to the start of the match, the commentator announced through loudspeakers that Pakistani national anthem would be played before the match as a ‘mark of respect’. The report adds that the playground is located next to the local police station.

“We wanted our team to look different and also wanted to show fellow Kashmiris that we haven’t forgotten Kashmir issue, so we found this particular theme as most appropriate and catchy,” InUth quoted a player as saying. Zee Report.

Now pay and send Money with Truecaller 8 (New Feature)

noreply@blogger.com (Rahul) — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 06:04:00 +0000

New Features in the latest Truecaller (Truecaller Pay, Truemessenger, Airtel TruecallerID and many more )

Remember the days when the phone rang and you didn’t know who it was? If it was the company you always dreamt working for. Your hometown hospital trying to tell you someone close to you got sick. Or just that stubborn sales guy.

Truecaller was born out of this uncertainty. Truecaller makes possible for you to know who’s trying to contact you, and also tell you when not to pick up. It remove all uncertainty and separate the important stuff from the noise.

We have been able to build a mobile identity platform and ecosystem that more and more people are relying on a daily basis to build safe and meaningful services on top of it – and today we’re finally able to showcase the true potential of Truecaller – Alan Mamedi, CEO and co-founder, Truecaller

The following features and partnerships will be launched for Truecaller 8.

Truecaller Pay (India only)

Truecaller may look like just an app to our users; but behind the scenes we have gone beyond just something you download. Truecaller builds a mobile identity platform and ecosystem that more and more people are relying on a daily basis to build safe and meaningful services on top of it.

While the Truecaller journey is full of new features to help you solve your daily communication needs, for the first time, we are venturing into a territory that goes beyond knowing who is calling, but once again, it’s an adventure that touches everyone in India.

Utilizing the Truecaller Mobile Identity Platform, we’ve partnered with ICICI bank to launch a peer-to-peer payment solution for our Indian users. Together, we’re solving a daily life problem that continues to stay relevant; whether it’s from facing demonetization or to businesses coming online. We will help provide a safe solution for users to send payments (via phone number) to where they need to go.

Truecaller users will be able to create their unique Virtual Payment Address (VPA) in the app, and can instantly send or receive money using any Unified Payments Interface (UPI) supported bank. The transaction will be handled by ICICI with Bank Grade Security and Truecaller will not park any money or handle sensitive data such as account details, credit/debit card information of it’s users.

Take control of your SMS inbox

We launched Truemessenger in 2015, because we were dedicated to solving a problem that has been technically plaguing SMS: unidentified numbers and spam. We’ve watched Truemessenger grow into an instant problem solver; stopping millions of spam messages everyday.

Now we’re excited to make Truemessenger an integral part of the Truecaller experience. Android users will have the same spam blocking capabilities for text messaging by integrating SMS directly into the Truecaller app. This means identifying who you don’t know, sending more emojis to who you do, and sending those who bother you straight to the spam inbox.

Truecaller’s new smart SMS features:

Automatically identify every unknown SMS
Automatically block spam and telemarketing SMS
Block by name and number series

Flash Messaging

Life changing events can take place in a flash, and communication needs to be quick and direct in those moments. We are launching a new way to send pre-defined messages to friends and family to let them know if you’re in distress, you’re on your way, your location, or that you’ve reached home. Or perhaps, just an emoji indicate you’re safe and sound.

Truecaller and Google Duo

We come together with Google to improve video calling for millions. In the coming month we’ll introduce Google Duo, a high quality video calling service within the Truecaller app. This communication layer will strengthen the value to our users for their Truecaller dialer, caller ID, and spam blocking options.

Truecaller integration with Google Duo will be available in the coming months for Android & iOS as a permission-based service, where users will be able to opt-in and out at any time.

Airtel Truecaller ID (India only)

We are proud to introduce a first of it’s kind partnership with Airtel to launch Airtel Truecaller ID to extend our caller ID feature of Truecaller to Airtel’s non-data users that use feature phones. The identify of unknown numbers will be delivered to users via Flash SMS before the call hits the user’s mobile.

All feature phone users in India with Airtel mobile service can now use “Airtel Truecaller ID” to see who’s calling. This first of its kind service is set to provide online experience to offline users, helping them take the right call and to make their communication safer and more efficient.

This subscription based service that will ease a user’s life from unwanted spam calls without having to subscribe to data service or buy a smartphone.

via Truecaller blog