Tag: tech lovers
Every 12 Seconds Britons Fall Victim To Scams
MNK Blog
Every 12 Seconds Britons Fall Victim To Scams
Don’t Be A Victim – Protect Your Privacy
Hello Tech Lovers!
Over £1.2Billion was stolen through fraud in 2022 and Britons lost more than half a billion pounds in the first six months of 2023. According to a new report by UK Finance, criminals stole an, ‘absolutely staggering’, £580million through fraud. This amounts to one theft every 12 seconds.
Unauthorised fraud losses across payment cards, remote banking, and cheques, reached £340.7 million in the first half of 2023 – a three per cent drop compared to the same period in 2022.
The number of unauthorised fraud cases was, 1.26 million – down two per cent on the same period in 2022.
Authorised fraud losses – also known as authorised push payments or APPs, accounted for £239.3million of total fraud, down one per cent compared to the same period in 2022.
Although scammers took slightly less money, the total number of cases was up 22 per cent to 116,324.
The main driver behind this, according to UK Finance, is purchase scams – where people are tricked into paying for goods that never materialise.
Social media also plays a huge part, with the report showing three quarters of fraud started online. Another 17 per cent started through phone calls and text messages.
UK Finance’s director of economic crime, Ben Donaldson, called on tech and telecoms companies to do more to tackle the scam epidemic. ‘We need to see much more effort from the social media and telecommunications sectors. If we are going to see a real difference we need them to work with us,’ he said.
Paul Davis, director of fraud prevention at TSB, had this to say, ‘It’s clear from the big spike in push-payment fraud cases that online companies and telecoms firms must urgently introduce measures to protect the public from scams on their platforms.’
Fraud is divided into two categories, according to UK Finance – Authorised and Unauthorised.
Authorised fraud:
When someone is tricked into paying money into a scammer’s account, or handing over a password. In other words, they take some kind of action or volunteer information which makes the fraud possible.
Unauthorised fraud:
Refers to cases where the victim is not directly involved, for example purchases being made on a stolen credit card. When this happens, banks and credit card companies are legally obliged to protect them from losses – whereas authorised fraud victims may find it harder to get their money back.
Donaldson said, ‘In addition to the financial losses, these crimes often involve callous manipulation of the victim which can cause psychological and emotional harm.’
As the UK Finance report shows, criminals are increasingly using social media, online platforms, screen gleaning, texts, phone calls and emails to deceive victims into giving up their personal details and their money.
The only way we will prevent fraud is if other sectors do much more to help us deal with the criminality which is increasingly taking place on their platforms.’ Concluded Donaldson.
45% of visual hacks occur in under 15 minutes. Often a hacker only needs one piece of valuable information to unlock a full scale data breach.
What do you use to protect your privacy when using your laptop in public places?
Protect your confidentiality with our PROHOOD® the quick and easy to install privacy hood for laptops, iPads, and tablets.
Read the full story, via UK FInance here
Don’t forget to check out the blog archive below for more posts from me and why not subscribe to the blog to be the first to hear when a new post is available, also get the low down on new product arrivals.
Adam – MNK Founder
#ProtectYourTech
Scientists Use Bacterial Cellulose To Develop Alternative To Plastic
MNK Blog
Scientists Use Bacterial Cellulose To Develop Alternative To Plastic
Is This The End To Plastic Food Packaging?
Hello Tech Lovers!
Researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong have created a biodegradable material, that could be used for food packaging instead of plastic
To make the material transparent, biodegradable, and an edible material. The team worked with bacterial cellulose – an organic compound derived from bacteria. However, bacterial cellulose does not react well to moisture in the air. To solve the issue, the scientists added soy proteins to the material and coated it with an oil-resistant composite.
Chemistry professor at the university, and study author, To Ngai – told Phys.org, “This approach offers, a promising solution to the challenge of developing sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging materials – that can replace single-use plastics on a large scale.”
The material can completely degrade in two months, and since it is edible, is safe for wildlife.
Read the full story, via Phys.org here
Don’t forget to check out the blog archive below for more posts from me and why not subscribe to the blog to be the first to hear when a new post is available, also get the low down on new product arrivals.
Adam – MNK Founder
#ProtectYourTech
11 Of The Best Laptop Sun Shades – Glamour UK Magazine
MNK Press
PROHOOD® by MNK
11 of the best laptop sun shades to maximise productivity outdoors in summer 2023 Got to keep the tan up.
Glamour Magazine
One of the best inexpensive options, this fold-up sun shade is easy to transport, and water resistant for those inevitable poolside splashes. WFH in Monaco, Mykonos or Milan? Yes, please.
Read the full article via Glamour Magazine UK here
Plastic Eating Microbes Found In The Alps
MNK Blog
Plastic Eating Microbes Found In The Alps
A Chilling End To Plastics
Hello Tech Lovers!
In the Alps, microbes that can east plastic at low temperatures have been discovered.
Microorganisms capable of destroying plastic polymers have previously been discovered and as a result, scientists and businesses have latched onto bioengineering enzymes found in bacteria and fungi, as a means to tackle plastic pollution.
However, since the majority of those found require high temperatures to function, the industry has been limited due to the process been costly and not carbon neutral.
The most effective performers are two fungi discovered by the Swiss Federal Institute, which work at just 15 degrees Celsius. They are capable of digesting biodegradable polyester-polyurethane (PUR), and two commercially available biodegradable mixtures of polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and polylactic acid (PLA.)
PUR is commonly used in artificial textiles, PBAT is used widely in industries for packaging, and PLA is found in biomedical applications.
A total of nine fungi, and eight, bacteria species from multiple genera found, are able to digest PUR. And a total of 14 fungi and three bacteria, managed to eat mixtures of PBAT and PLA
During the hunt for a microbe capable of digesting in the cold, the team studied 19 strains of bacteria and 15 fungi growing on plastic that had been left behind, or intentionally buried in Greenland, Svalbard, and Switzerland.
Scientists let isolated microbes grow as single-strain cultures in a dark laboratory at 15 degrees Celsius. Molecular techniques were used to identify them.
In the study published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology, in total, 59% of strains, including 11 fungi and eight bacteria, could digest PUR at 15 degrees Celsius
Read the related blog post, ‘Scientists Use Mushrooms To Make Biogradable Computer Chips’ here
Don’t forget to check out the blog archive below for more posts from me and why not subscribe to the blog to be the first to hear when a new post is available, also get the low down on new product arrivals?
Adam – MNK Founder
#ProtectYourTech
Scientists Use Mushrooms to Make Biodegradable Computer Chips
MNK Blog
Scientists Use Mushrooms to Make Biodegradable Computer Chips
The Future Of Computer Chips
Hello Tech Lovers!The skin from the stems of a mushroom could potentially offer a sustainable alternative to insulative substrates in computing chips.
Scientists are looking at alternatives to common components like the mircochip, as production of electronic devices increases. Peeling the skin from the mycelium of a mushroom can protect chips from heat up to 392°F (200°C.)
Scientists from Johannes Kepler University in Austria, discovered that once dried, the skin was found to be not only heat resistant, but lasted for years – withstanding being bent and folded thousands of times without wearing or tearing.
The fungus, Ganoderma lucidum grows on dead rotting wood in European mountains. As it reaches maturity, it creates a fibrous skin to protect its own substrate which if peeled, can be used to protect microchips.
Currently computing chip bases tend to be made with un-recyclable plastic materials and the increase of electronic devices has not been paired with an increase in their lifespan. Throwing them away is more economical for users than replacing individual parts. “The vast number of devices produced every day along with the decrease of their lifetime inevitably results in the generation of enormous amounts of electronic waste,” wrote the authors of a paper published in Science Advances.
“Circular economy and recycling concepts alone cannot solve the growing waste crisis. Electronics research, and especially electronic materials research, thus must shift its focus from strictly high-functionality concepts to sustainable, cost-effective approaches.”
Read the full report here
Read the related blog post, ‘Over 50 Million Tonnes Of Electrical Waste Is Produced Each Year here
Don’t forget to check out the blog archive below for more posts from me and why not subscribe to the blog to be the first to hear when a new post is available, also get the low down on new product arrivals?
Adam – MNK Founder
#ProtectYourTech
MNK Launch PROHOOD® – All-in-one Laptop Case, Privacy Shield, Sun Shade & Germ Blocker.
MNK Press
MNK Launch PROHOOD®
All-in-one Laptop Case, Privacy Shield, Sun Shade & Germ Blocker.
Press Release
MNK, Tech Protection. Announce the release of their long-awaited PROHOOD®. A splash-proof, water repellent, quick-drying, shock-absorbing laptop protector with an integrated splash resistant, water repellent, dark hood. Developed in the UK and inspired by his worldly travels, MNK founder – Adam Gibbs designed PROHOOD® to offer you the ultimate laptop accessory. It protects your device, your privacy and you.
- Fed up with knocks, bumps, scratches and dirt on your expensive machine? PROHOOD® can help protect it.
- Annoyed with the sun and other light sources causing glare on your laptop? PROHOOD® can block it – reducing screen glare by 80% – 90%
- Your laptop is the dirtiest device you use. Hiding on your laptop is a whole host of harmful bacteria, around 25% of which is bacilli – a bacteria that can cause meningitis and food poisoning. Keyboards contaminated with a mix of harmful germs could potentially make you very ill – Use the wipe clean, protective canopy of PROHOOD® to cover your laptop from straying cough and sneezes.
- A Visual Hacker only needs one piece of valuable information top unlock a large scale data breach. PROHOOD® conceals your screen – keeping your sensitive data safe.
- By donating your old laptop case to MNK you could help reduce landfill waste and claim a discount.
Shop PROHOOD® as featured in the article here
Read the full article via PRFire here
The innovative products to improve your work from home experience
MNK Press
Outdoor Working
With warmer weather and sunnier skies, getting outside with your laptop can seem very inviting.
The challenges are often poor visibility due to sun glare, and overheating. One of the best products for working from home has to be the new PROHOOD® laptop case.
This is a splash-proof, water repellent, quick drying, shock absorbing laptop case. Magnetic fasteners let you attach the canopy which blocks direct sunlight. The hood also acts as a privacy shield (ideal if you work with confidential material), covers from germs and protects from spills. Add a cold drink and sunscreen and you’re ready to get out working in the sunshine.
Shop PROHOOD® as featured in the article here
Original article by Louise Goss – The Homeworker Magazine
Read the full article on the Homeworker here
Maldon based MNK launches new all-in-one laptop case
MNK Press
Maldon based MNK launches new all-in-one laptop case
A small business owner has launched a unique new product which aims to be the ultimate laptop accessory.
The new laptop accessory was a lockdown project for Maldon resident Adam Gibbs. Adam founded MNK after being inspired by his travels across the globe.
He says he’s always had an eye for design and a passion for problem-solving.
Over the past few years he has decided to transform his ideas and branch out on his own. With his business, the 46-year-old aims to provide high quality, lightweight and robust solutions to protect tech and reduce landfill waste.
He has now revealed his debut product which is an all-in-one laptop case, privacy shield, sun shade and germ blocker. The product, designed and developed by himself, claims to be splash-proof, water repellent, quick-drying, shock-absorbing and slim. It boasts an integrated splash resistant and water repellent dark hood which also conceals the screen.
Adam says PROHOOD® the new laptop case, can reduce screen glare by 80 to 90 per cent. If not in use the hood can be hidden by magnetic fasteners.
The all-in-one has been developed to cut down on the need for replacements and therefore reduce landfill waste.
Adam said: “It is with great pleasure that I announce the release of PROHOOD® – When you don’t want to pay for expensive repairs or upgrades and want to protect your laptop from knocks and bumps, scratches and scrapes, dust and grime, spills and germs and keep your privacy, this new and versatile case offers protection from all that and then some.”
The businessman has also teamed up with Computers For Charity to collect old laptop cases which the charity then passes on with its computer donations. By donating their old laptop case to MNK, customers could help reduce waste and claim a discount.
Shop PROHOOD® as featured in the article here
Original article by Jessica Day-Parker
Read the full original articlehere
Over 50 million Tonnes Of Electrical Waste is Produced Each Year
MNK Blog
Over 50 million Tonnes Of Electrical Waste is Produced Each Year
The Scale Of EWaste
Hello Tech Lovers!According to the Global E-waste Monitor, in one year, a staggering 44.7 million metric tonnes of e-waste are generated. That is the equivalent to just over six kilograms for every person on the planet. Europe and the US alone contribute to almost one-half of the total e-waste generated annually.
One-half of all e-waste is personal devices, such as computers, screens, smartphones, tablets and TVs – that’s equivalent to a mass of 4,500 Eiffel Towers! 40 million tonnes of e-waste are discarded in landfill, burned or illegally traded and treated in a sub-standard way every year.
The reason I set up MNK, was to help reduce landfill waste of laptops and tablets. I provide robust protection so consumers can better protect their devices, also reducing expensive repair bills and or costly renewals. I have also partnered up with the charity, Computers For Charity whereby I collect old and unused laptop cases, sleeves and covers and pass them onto the charity when they donate their laptops.
One huge cause of ewaste is, technology being discarded early – way before it’s depreciated or, even near the end of it’s lifespan.
Every year new mobile phones, laptops, and tablets, are released with consumers acting quick to snap up the latest gadget. They are only too quick to throw away their “old” devices. Electrical equipment can last longer than the twelve month period people have them for, yet they swiftly adopt the, ‘out with the old and in with the new’ attitude as soon as the big tech giants announce a new product.
So far, smartphone and laptop manufacturers have done little to react to the environmental waste problem. To avoid further mountains of waste, tech companies could act by offering cheaper and quicker repairs, extending the time between new product releases, better access to repair parts, and the products could also be designed to be repaired easily.
Better protection too of technology devices will help reduce costly repair bills, premature renewals and reduce landfill waste. Such as the shock absorbing, splash proof and water repellent laptop case pictured below.
View our range of robust and lightweight tech protection here including the PROHOOD® Laptop Case with its protective privacy screen / sun shade.
Read the full report here
Find out more on Computers For Charities here
Don’t forget to check out the blog archive below for more posts from me and why not subscribe to the blog to be the first to hear when a new post is available, also get the low down on new product arrivals?
Adam – MNK Founder
#ProtectYourTech