LG Xboom PK5 – Water Proof Portable Speaker

LG has recently announced its latest product, Xboom PK5 speaker. It is said to be water proof portable speaker in partnership with Meridian with a built in 5,200 Ah battery.XboomPK5 is considered to be an ideal speaker which can stream the tunes over high fidelity Bluetooth connection.

This speaker can provide a synchronised multi-colour light show and is an ideal speaker with its awesome audio effect. The LG Xboom PK5 comes at a cost of Rs.14,990. However the retailing comes at Rs 5,000 at Amazon India. With regards to design and portability, an LG Xboom PK5 speaker has been envisioned considering the portability. In size the portable Bluetooth measures around 220 x 129 x 119 mm.


A mesh grille features the front area of the speak providing a glimpse of the dual tweeters and woofer. This comprises of the LED lights surrounding the dual tweeters that tend to bink according to the rhythm of the music. The frequency, colors of the LED lights can be either designated, can be switched off totally or kept at random. One will find 8 controls inclusive of `Clear Vocal’, Enhanced Bass, towards the top of Xboom PK5. You will also find a trigger for voice assistant/LED control besides the standard power, volume high and low/pause buttons.

Good Music – Voice Command 

Total package is accommodated in 1.2 kg weight comprising of a built-in lithium-ion battery of 5,200 Ah. It provides 18 hours of music playback on an individual charge. The speaker can be utilised on any Type-C cable and a normal smartphone charging adapter of battery recharging. The LG Xboom PK5 has built-in microphone functionality enabling you to link to phone calls from the speaker. Moreover one can also perform voice search through these speakers without the use of the smartphone.

However with support of Google Assistant, the search can be activated from the smartphone. A voice search button is available on these speakers. You can activate the button on the speaker to trigger the smart assistant features on your phone. It tends to play good music utilising voice command.

The Xboom PK5 also provides good bass performance with the help of the double passive radiators. You can request a song, control music playback or even get involved with other voice interaction functions which is possible only on Android or iOS device. This is enabled with voice activation technology and music streaming service subscription.

The Xboom PK5 Default Settings – Balanced 

The speakers’ default settings of the mids, lows and highs seem to have a balance to the extent that all three can be identified with ease. This is seen when the volume seems to be at its maximum. LG states that the APT-X HD which in built-in, sustains the original quality of the sound on the Xboom PK5 speaker.

You can pair the smart device with the Xboom PK5 through Bluetooth to gain continuous streaming, wirelessly. With the built-in Multi Colour Lighting, you can relish a pulsating colourful display which automatically beats with the rhythm of the music. With the help of several customizable lighting modes, one has all the tools to enhance the party atmosphere for any given occasion

Google Docs API allows users to Automate many of the Things they did Manually

Google recently announced an API for Google Docs. This new Google Docs API will allow users to automate many of the things that they did manually in the company’s online office suite. The Google Docs API which had been in developer’s preview since last April has now been opened up to all developers. The last developer preview launched at last year’s Google Cloud Next 2018.

Google Docs API: 

The REST API allowed developers build workflow automation services for users, create documents in bulk and also build content management services. Developers could also set up processes that would manipulate documents after the fact in order to update them. The Google Docs API also features the ability for users to delete, insert, move, merge, as well as format text. Insert inline images, work with list among many other things.

Google Docs API’s import/ export function also allows you to use Doc in internal content management systems.

Companies that use Google Docs API: 

Many companies had built solutions on the new Google Docs API. Some of these companies include names such as Netflix, Zapier, Final draft and Mailchimp. Zapier had integrated the google Docs API with its own work flow automation tool in order to help users create their own offer letters which would be based on a template. While Zapier did this, Netflix used Google Docs API to build an internal tool that would help engineers in gathering data and automating documentation flows.

For those of you having to fill out forms or invoices, instead of doing it multiple times and changing the template every time you do, you can now have product info and numbers automatically filled in for you. This new Google Docs API will make life much easier for all and sundry. Google Docs API aims at removing much of the repetitive tasks by automating it.

Google Docs API allows you to read and write documents using programs. These programs then integrate your work across all Google Docs saving you a lot of time and hassle.

To help in getting things started with the new Google Docs API, Google has developer guides, reference docs and a quick start guide. The Developer guide helps you in learning how to implement some of the most important features in Google Docs. The reference Docs contains details about API types and methods.

Many at times at the work place we find ourselves copying the same thing over and over again, Google Docs API is aimed at removing that very thing. They do this by automating most of the repetitive functions, leaving us with a few tasks. Some of the things that google docs API helps at eliminating is copying information form one document to the other and filling out forms at work.

Google Docs API is primarily intended to help out with invoicing but can be adapted to do just about anything that you need done in docs. This new API will remove a lot of repetitive tasks at the workplace.

Rietspoof Malware on the Rise

Rietspoof malware a new malware discovered by  security researchers is spreading via instant messaging sites like Facebook messenger and Skype. Researchers have said that this new form of malware develops in stages. The rietspoof malware was first discovered in August of last year but had not been taken seriously. An uptick in distribution in the last month has got the rietspoof malware back in everyone’s attention.

Rietspoof malware and its role: 

The main idea behind the rietspoof malware is to infect victims and then persist on the host victim. The malware does this so that it can download other malware onto the host device depending on orders from a central command and control server.

The rietspoof malware gains persistence by downloading an LNK file which is a shortcut file onto the host computer. This tends to be a risky area for malware as most security/ antivirus products know to look at this folder when running security scans. But rietspoof malware has all the legitimate certificates allowing the malware to bypass any security scans.

The actual rietspoof malware consists of four stages. The malware itself is dropped onto the host computer somewhere in the third stage. The last stage is the stage when a more serious malware is downloaded. The last stage malware can cause serious disruption to the computer.

Rietspoof Malware known as a “dropper” or “downloader”: 

The rietspoof malware has come to be known as the “dropper” or “downloader” by those in the tech world. This is because the malware is being used to download other more serious malware onto the computer after it itself has taken root.

Since it is only meant to download a more potent version of malware, its functionality is also reduced. The Rietspoof malware can only download, execute, upload and delete files and in a more serious scenario delete itself when in emergency. However even with this limited functionality, it can still cause serious damage.

Avast the researchers behind discovering the rietspoofmalware, say that since they have discovered the malware, the malware has changed its C&C protocol and gone through some modifications. This had led them to believe that the malware was still being developed. Avast says that they are still not sure whether they’ve got to grasps with the entirety of the malware.

Rietspoof malware not the only “dropper” on the rise: 

“Dropper” or “downloader” malware is on the rise. Rietspoof malware is not the only malware that has developed in the previous months. A malware known as Vidar has helped criminals distribute ransomware and has also obtained passwords on their behalf.

The rietspoof malware downloads itself in stages and offers no information on what hosts it picks. Since its discovery back in August, it was initially thought of to be in its early or developmental stages, since then theRietspoof malware has really begun to pick up speed.

At present the end goal of the rietspoof malware, the choice of targets and exact infection chain remain unknown.

10 tricks that will make YouTube even more fun

YouTube is considered to be the second largest social media link with over a billion users and about a third of internet users. Watching over millions of hours of video daily has a tendency to rack billions of viewers each day. YouTube being the largest search engine in the world tends to provide SEO enhancement helping in audience growth. Google has now come up with some interesting new additions to YouTube making it more user-friendly. YouTube has made some additions in its Android and iOS app providing the users with new experience. The following tricks would provide more insight on how your YouTube watching could be more enjoyable.

1. Turn any YouTube video to a GIF with the use of URL 

GIFs areloved by all, though the knowledge of making them is not everyone’s cup of tea. In order to create a GIF from a YouTube video, it is essential to opt for a video to be watched on YouTube. On locating the URL towards the bottom of the browser, add GIF before the name of the domain, to read `www.gifyoutube.com/[your-video-tag]’ This will take you to gif.com. Your video will be uploaded and is ready for editing. Then you will find a display of menu options towards the left area together with a timeline bar at the bottom of your video wherein one can set the duration of the GIF. Moreover one can have the liberty of cropping its frame adding captions and much more. On clicking `create gif’ towards the top right it will prompt for a GIF title with set of tags. On clicking `next’, you then arrive at a landing page builder to share your newly created GIF. Viewers can only download the GIF to an offline by file only by signing with gifs.com

2. You can effortlessly see the written transcripts of people's videos. 

Many are unaware that YouTube tends to generate a written transcript for each video that is uploaded on its website. Any viewer has access to the transcript unless the user tends to hide it manually from viewers. Having a transcript handy saves the trouble of getting information without the need of manually doing it. To view any transcript of a video, you could open the video in YouTube. Then on clicking the `More’ tab below the video title, opt for `transcript from the drop-down menu. If the viewer does not see the options it means that the user had chosen to hide the transcript.

3. Can do things quickly with these keywords shortcuts 

Various keyboard shortcuts can be utilised on YouTube wherein `k’ could be utilised to play or pause a video, while `j’ is utilised to rewind 10 seconds. `I’ is used for 10 seconds fast-forward and `m; can be utilised to mute the video. Moreover on clicking any number from one to nine, tends to take the viewer to the section of the respective video displaying the percentage of the video which has been viewed.

4. End to the age – restriction 

Should you come across an age restricted video in You-Tube and still intend to view it, you can watch it by eliminating `/watch?v=’ from the URL of the video and thereafter open it without the need of logging in. If the video is liked by the viewer, the same can be downloaded which can be done with a simple URL trick. You could add `pwn’ before the URL of the YouTube video and click enter. This would navigate the user to a service enabling you to download the video in various formats. Though it seems an easy trick which can be utilised for any and every video, one needs to be cautious while downloading any copyrighted videos.

5. Playing video on indefinite loop 

One can play a video on YouTube in an indefinite loop by pressing the right button and selecting the `loop’ option. This will enable the video to begin repeating incessantly.

6. Do you have a slow internet connection? 

Set default video accordingly to suit it. If your internet connection tends to get slow, one can evade having to wait for the same to buffer. This can be done by going to `www.youtube.com/account playback’ and the click on `I have a slow connection. Never play higher-quality video’.

7. Look out for your preferred #Artist 

One will get an assortment of videos of preferred artist by navigating with a hashtag in YouTube search bar. This function can be done on desktop, mobile website and YouTube app.

8. Sing Karaoke 

If one would prefer to sing along YouTube video on some of their favourite songs and is unable to recall the lyrics, the option of Musixmatch is the solution. You could install this browser extension that will add lyrics to YouTube video as they begin to play. You can then have the lyrics accompanied with the video.

9.Use Google Trends to navigate and compare familiar YouTube search footings over time 

This could be a great marketing tool in creating smart keyword option. However many are unaware that it can be utilised in comparing the popularity of specific YouTube search queries. All that needs to be done is to open Google Trends and edit search footing in the `Explore topics’ search bar towardsthe top. On arriving at the page, you could click on `Web Search’ which gives way to a drop-down menu. Opt for `YouTube Search’ which filters YouTube searches.

10. Clear YouTube History 

YouTube search or watch history can be cleared. YouTube enables this by pausing your history so it can stop recording what is searched and watched from the point forwarded or goes through your history deleting certain videos. In order to delete the history on desktop or mobile device you could go to `Watch History’ menu. Here you can clear all watch history – permanently clear the record of videos watched , `pause watch history’ – stop recording videos watch going forward or individually remove videos from history by tapping the X or ellipses near the videos. For additional instructions on deleting items from your YouTube watch history, YouTube has a Help article which will provide the necessary assistance.

First Clipper Malware Discovered on Google Play

Android/Clipper.C impersonating MetaMask on Google Play

Clippper malware was discovered on Google Play, the official Android app store. This malicious malware was discovered in Feb 2019.

What is the clipper malware? 

Addresses of the online cryptocurrency wallets have a long string of characters that includes alphabets and numbers.These addresses are basically long for security reasons. The users generally copy and paste the addresses using the clipboard instead of taking the trouble to type them out.

The people who steal the cryptocurrency, take advantage of this lapse and replace the wallet address in the clipboard. This is the clipper malware.

The attacker intercepts the address on the clipboard and changes it to the address belonging to him.
The user then ends up with the wallet address that has been switched by the attacker.

Though the clipper malware is relatively new, where the cryptocurrency stealers alter the address, it is considered an established malware.

The origins of clipper malware

The clipper malware was first discovered in 2017 on the Windows platform.

Later it was noticed in the shady Android app stores in the summer of 2018.

In August 2018, the first Android clipper malware was discovered. It is sold on underground hacking forums and subsequently seen in shady Android app stores.

The clipper malware was also hosted on download.cnet.com. This is one of the most popular software hosting sites. This malware was discovered by ESET researchers.

In February 2019, the malware was found on Google Play, which is the official Android app store.

How does the clipper malware function? 

The clipper malware was detected on the Google Play store. This malicious malware was found out by ESET security solutions. The malware, Android/Clipper.C, impersonates a genuine service known as MetaMask.

The clipper malware basically steals the user’s credentials and private keys in order to access the user’s Ethereum funds. This malware can also change the Bitcoin or Ethereum wallet address of the user and replace it with the address of the hacker. The wallet address of the user is replaced by the wallet address of the hacker using the clipboard.

When and how was the clipper malware discovered? 

On 1st Feb 2019, the ESET security solutions discovered the clipper malware, Android/Clipper.C on Google Play, the official Android app store. This was then intimated to the Google Play security team. They immediately removed the app from the Store.

This hacking targets the users who make use of the mobile version of the MetaMask service. The MetaMask service runs Ethereum decentralized apps in the browser without any need of running a complete Ethereum node.

Currently, the MetaMask service is not offering the mobile app. They are available as add-ons for desktop browsers like Chrome and Firefox.

Previously too, malicious apps were discovered on Google Play impersonating MetaMask in order to access the victim’s cryptocurrency funds.

Security measures against clipper malware

Users should update their Android devices and use reliable mobile security solution.

Download apps from the official Google Play store.

For any Google Play search, stick to the official website of the app developer or service provider for the link to the official app.

For any sensitive transactions involving information or money, double check every step.