IGP: Nigerians should optimise cybercrime reporting via NPF portal - ITREALMS

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The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has charged members of the public, who are strategic partners in security and policing of the country, to report all forms of cybercrimes including identity theft, child sexual exploitation, cyber-stalking, cyber-bullying, credit card fraud, internet fraud and other forms through the Nigeria Police Force Cybercrime Reporting Portal, reports ITREALMS.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Force headquarters, Abuja, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a press statement available to ITREALMS Wednesday night, said the public an also report through the "electronic mail (email), interpolnigeria@npf.gov.ng, via WhatsApp on 07043797900, and via call/SMS on 08094557845."

Five ways to optimise your mobile data

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Detailed analysis of mobile data usage suggests that connectivity rates remain comparatively pricey in Nigeria. According to the Research and Development Unit of Yudala, Nigeria’s pioneer online and offline e-commerce outfit, data has thus become a very critical commodity that must be efficiently maximized, especially in view of the tiered data plans currently used by service providers.

With the growing popularity of social media, we are in age of information overload; one in which content is not only king but also predominantly ubiquitous. In addition to music streaming, watching videos online and other activities that drain your data, most smartphones are also loaded with tons of data-hungry apps.

If not checked, you might find your mobile data bills burning a huge hole in your expense sheet on a monthly basis. The following tips from Yudala will come in handy for maximizing data usage on your smartphone:

1.Monitor your data usage: Most users live in fear of exhausting their mobile data before the expiration date, but with the help of some useful apps, you can now monitor and limit the amount of data used. The best way to save data is to be aware of the activities or applications that drain your cellular data.  Most smartphones are equipped with data usage setting that enable you manage your data. Usually located in the Settings menu, you can set up alerts for when you exceed data usage for your most notoriously data-consuming apps.

2.Exercise caution with online video streaming: This is a known fact. But as much as we hate to admit it, the fun things consume most of your mobile data. Excessive streaming of videos, music, high quality images or GIF files, are things you need to avoid if you really want to maximize your internet usage. While we know these things are not entirely avoidable, there are some other ways to stay entertained responsibly. If you can’t avoid the entertainment your smartphone brings, you can set the quality at lower rates or decrease resolution in the settings menu of your smartphone.

3.Use Wi-Fi connection for updates or downloading heavy content: Wi-Fi is often regarded as a blessing by most smartphone users. While access to unlimited Wi-Fi connection is still rather limited in Nigeria, there are certain locations you can count on for free Wi-Fi. One of the most sensible ways of maximizing your mobile data usage is by setting up your smartphone for automatic updates only when on Wi-Fi connection. This way, you get to save some significant volume of the data drain that comes with auto-updates. Furthermore, downloads of heavy contents such as videos, high-resolution images and music files should also be done when on a secure Wi-Fi connection.

4.Restrict background data: Some applications use up a lot of data even when the phone is not in use.  This is a brilliant feature of the smartphone: allowing background data to keep the applications on your phone updated. However, not every app needs to stay active at all times. You can stop the constant update by going to your settings option to select the app you want restricted or simply disable background app refresh in your settings. This helps reduce data consumption and also preserves the battery life of your device.

5.Preload and Cache: Despite the anxiety over cellular data, developers have made things easy and included options that make smartphone apps less demanding. A very good example is a cache, a hardware or software component that stores data so future requests for that data can be served faster. The data stored in a cache might be the result of an earlier computation, or the duplicate of data stored elsewhere These days, certain apps allow you to store data temporarily so you can cache as much content as possible. Caching is enjoyable on a Wi-Fi network which enables you enjoy preloaded content at any time, without using your cellular data. 

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Six ways to optimise your smartphone

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Smartphones are amazingly useful machines. Indeed, they are not just called smart for nothing. That device in your hands could do so much more than you know it is capable of, yet most of us miss out on some of these incredible functionalities.

Interestingly, research shows that the majority of smartphone users explore less than 40% of the utility of these devices. Whereas the majority are comfortable with making calls, watching online movies or taking that occasional selfie; there is a lot more benefits locked in your smartphone.

Yudala – Nigeria’s fastest growing composite e-commerce outfit – shares six new things you could do with your smartphone.

1. Speak any language: You probably didn’t know this but with your smartphone, you can easily speak and understand any language – a task that some of the world’s most prolific linguists will struggle at. If you are using an Android phone, all you need to do is use Google Now to translate a word, phrase or sentence for you from any language of your choice. The most interesting part is that, you can even get both a spoken and written response. Amazing, right? You can also use the app –  iTranslate which can be downloaded on iOS, Windows Phone and Android, for the same purpose.

2.Measure your heart health: With the growing cases of heart-related ailments, the importance of monitoring one’s heart health cannot be over-emphasized. Your smartphone can help you achieve this without taking a trip to the doctor. With apps such as Cardiio or Blood Pressure Companion, you can measure your heart rate blood pressure and overall level of cardiovascular health and fitness. Some of these apps can also take voice memos for symptom tracking and help you take note of any drastic changes or readings that may be a cause for concern.

3.Prevent drunk driving (and potential accidents): You are probably out for a party, had a few drinks and not too sure you can comfortably drive yourself home. Not to worry! You can know for sure if you are too inebriated to get behind the wheels with a smartphone app. A very good example is the Smartphone Breathalyzer which can measure the alcohol on your breath in just five seconds, then wirelessly sends your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) reading to your iOS or Android smartphone. Through this and similar apps, you can predict how long it will take for your BAC levels to return to zero percent. The most interesting part of this is you can even use them to book an Uber ride!

4.Find out what song is playing: You have just heard that memorable tune on the radio or on a stranger’s device and wish to find out the artiste or song title. That’s an easy task. With apps such as Shazam or SoundHound installed on your smartphone, you’ve got all you need to identify a song as it's playing. Furthermore, a number of platforms such as Google, Apple and Microsoft have song identification tools built right into their respective virtual assistants, so you can just use Google Now, ask Siri or tap the Music Search icon inside Cortana for the same purpose.

5.Scan a document: These days, you don’t need to invest in a large flatbed scanner to scan that urgent document. With your smartphone, you have the perfect, convenient tool for this. Just open your smartphone camera which effortlessly becomes a makeshift scanner. Once you snap the document, you can save it as an image and share with the intended recipient. The higher the resolution of your smartphone camera, the better the quality. With Google Drive and apps such as CamScanner and Evernote, you can go further by converting scanned images into PDF files and read the text in them.

6.Remote lock or wipe your lost phone: The pain of losing one’s phone is often excruciating. The possibility of unauthorized access to your data and sensitive information makes this loss even more depressing. If you are using an Android smartphone, you can use the Android Device Manager to track and take control of your phone, in the event that you lose it. What’s more, you can use the Android Device Manager to ring your phone, remotely lock it or even factory reset it if you know you're never getting it back.

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