Friday 31 July 2015
Friday 24 July 2015
Friday Fact
There is little international trade in onions - about 90% are consumed in their country of origin.
Saturday 18 July 2015
Is Flash safe?
Adobe's Flash software is now blocked by default on all versions of the Firefox web browser.
Mozilla, which develops Firefox, imposed the block because recently unearthed bugs in Flash were being actively used by cyber-thieves.
The bugs were detailed in a cache of documents stolen from security firm Hacking Team that was hit by attackers last week.
Adobe said it took Flash's security "seriously" and was planning bug fixes.
Flash is widely used on many websites for both multimedia and interactive elements.
On its support pages, Mozilla said the block would remain until "Adobe releases an updated version to address known critical security issues".
Attackers were known to use vulnerabilities in Flash to install malicious software on computers and steal data, it added.
The vulnerabilities in the documents stolen from Hacking Team have been quickly added to so-called exploit kits which are used by many thieves when they craft campaigns that seek to take over victims' computers.
Mozilla, which develops Firefox, imposed the block because recently unearthed bugs in Flash were being actively used by cyber-thieves.
The bugs were detailed in a cache of documents stolen from security firm Hacking Team that was hit by attackers last week.
Adobe said it took Flash's security "seriously" and was planning bug fixes.
Flash is widely used on many websites for both multimedia and interactive elements.
On its support pages, Mozilla said the block would remain until "Adobe releases an updated version to address known critical security issues".
Attackers were known to use vulnerabilities in Flash to install malicious software on computers and steal data, it added.
The vulnerabilities in the documents stolen from Hacking Team have been quickly added to so-called exploit kits which are used by many thieves when they craft campaigns that seek to take over victims' computers.
Friday 17 July 2015
Thursday 16 July 2015
British Gas has updated its range of Hive "smart home" products, with a new thermostat as the centrepiece.
The company hired Swiss designer Yves Behar to shape the look and feel of the device.
Mr Behar had previously designed popular consumer gadgets like the Jambox wireless speaker and Jawbone fitness band.
One expert told the BBC that consumers still needed convincing that they needed "smart home".
"I don't think aesthetics are the only barrier. The rival Nest thermostat looks absolutely fantastic, but hasn't taken off in the UK," said Chris Green, technology analyst at Davies Murphy Group.
The new device is Hive's second version of an internet-connected thermostat, that lets people remotely control their heating from a smartphone app.
Mr Behar said he did not build a touchscreen into the new thermostat because he found them a "distraction".
found on the BBC
Mr Behar had previously designed popular consumer gadgets like the Jambox wireless speaker and Jawbone fitness band.
One expert told the BBC that consumers still needed convincing that they needed "smart home".
"I don't think aesthetics are the only barrier. The rival Nest thermostat looks absolutely fantastic, but hasn't taken off in the UK," said Chris Green, technology analyst at Davies Murphy Group.
The new device is Hive's second version of an internet-connected thermostat, that lets people remotely control their heating from a smartphone app.
Mr Behar said he did not build a touchscreen into the new thermostat because he found them a "distraction".
found on the BBC
Wednesday 15 July 2015
UK spare electricity capacity to fall this winter
The risk of blackouts this winter has increased compared with a year ago according to National Grid.
It says the closure of some power stations would have left spare capacity on the system at just 1.2%, the worst for a decade.
It has secured extra supplies by paying tens of millions of pounds to have several plants on standby and by asking some industries to switch off power.
The move means overall spare capacity is now expected to be around 5%.
"It's clear that electricity margins for that coldest, darkest half hour of winter are currently tighter than they have been, due to power stations closures", says Cordi O'Hara, National Grid's Director of Market Operations.
To ensure the lights stay on, for the second year running, National Grid will pay firms like Centrica and SSE to keep power plants in reserve.
It is also paying large energy users, such as Tata Steel, to switch off.
A total of 2.56GW of power has been secured which National Grid says will increase overall margins to 5.1%.
That is still lower that spare capacity available last winter after similar measures.
The move will cost £36m and will add 50 pence to the typical household energy bill.
It says the closure of some power stations would have left spare capacity on the system at just 1.2%, the worst for a decade.
It has secured extra supplies by paying tens of millions of pounds to have several plants on standby and by asking some industries to switch off power.
The move means overall spare capacity is now expected to be around 5%.
"It's clear that electricity margins for that coldest, darkest half hour of winter are currently tighter than they have been, due to power stations closures", says Cordi O'Hara, National Grid's Director of Market Operations.
To ensure the lights stay on, for the second year running, National Grid will pay firms like Centrica and SSE to keep power plants in reserve.
It is also paying large energy users, such as Tata Steel, to switch off.
A total of 2.56GW of power has been secured which National Grid says will increase overall margins to 5.1%.
That is still lower that spare capacity available last winter after similar measures.
The move will cost £36m and will add 50 pence to the typical household energy bill.
Friday 10 July 2015
Friday 3 July 2015
Pre-pay meter energy users paid £226 a year more: Citizens Advice
Energy customers on pre-payment meters have been paying an average of £226 a year more than they would have done on the cheapest direct debit tariff, Citizens Advice has said.
The charity said the gap between the cheapest and most expensive tariffs widened by up to a third in six months.
Co-Operative Energy, which had the widest gap of £405, responded by saying it was cutting its pre-payment rates.
found on the BBC
The charity said the gap between the cheapest and most expensive tariffs widened by up to a third in six months.
Co-Operative Energy, which had the widest gap of £405, responded by saying it was cutting its pre-payment rates.
found on the BBC
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