If you’re looking for a highly secure and safe messaging service for data sensitive conversations, it’s time to revisit BBM Enterprise.

For over 10 years, BBM Enterprise has offered security to real-time messaging for some of the most recognizable names in government and highly regulated industries.

Last week, BlackBerry announced some enhancements that allow users access to BBM Enterprise directly from their Windows and macOS PCs and devices.

Other features in this update include:

• Better controls for group chat administration, better status message functionality, and improved contact search.
• A new “delete chat history” setting that allows users to control what happens when a chat ends.
• Enhanced IT Policies that allow greater control over user actions within BBM Enterprise.
• Retracting a chat now deletes both the existing chat and encryption keys for that chat from your device.

Here’s what BlackBerry had to say:

“Whether you’re a business owner trying to protect intellectual property or a medical professional trying to stay HIPAA compliant, BlackBerry has you covered. BBM Enterprise allows you to do everything you need to with your messages, without sacrificing security. It’s a seamless collaboration platform, supported by industry-leading security and proven infrastructure – one that hammers home the difference between secure and BlackBerry Secure.”

Purchase the BlackBerry Motion, BlackBerry KEYone and BlackBerry KEYone Black Edition today.

Four years after making the  revolutionary finger print sensors mainstream, Apple are taking biometric security up a notch with Face ID.

What is Face ID?

Apple’s advanced facial recognition system uses VCSEL (vertical-cavity surface-emitting) laser diodes and machine learning.  The  TrueDepth camera system in the notch (the area at the top of the iPhone X) is comprised of several components: a flood illuminator, IR camera and a dot projector alongside the standard elements.  It projects and analyses more than 30,000 invisible dots to create a precise depth map of your face.

In basic terms, it means that you can unlock your iPhone X by simply looking at the device. Apple claims that it’s incredibly accurate, and that only 1 in 1,000,000 faces will be able to unlock your iPhone, and the device will even recognise you with or without your glasses/hat.

What do you use Face ID for?

Face ID offers so much more than simply unlocking your phone with just a look. You’ll also be able to approve Apple Pay transactions with your face and mimic your facial expressions with Apple’s Amimoji in real time and more.

Apple have also confirmed that third-party developers will be able to make use of the Face ID technology in their apps. Watch out for iPhone X updates on Snapchat, Instagram and many more of your favourite apps.

Pre-order the iPhone X today, available worldwide with UK and international delivery. 

BlackBerry Password Keeper app on the BlackBerry Dtek60 Sim Free allows you to store your password records, including passwords, usernames, notes, and lists, in one safe and secure place. Encrypting your information using AES-256, all of your passwords are protected by a single password that you choose. BlackBerry Password Keeper can even generate random passwords that are more difficult to guess.

Whilst BlackBerry are boasting the ‘most secure’ handset on the market with the Dtek50 and upcoming Dtek60, there are ways to make your iPhone 7 more secure and security minded (N.B. most of these tips will work on any iOS10 device.)

Here’s 7 ways to ensure your iPhone is protecting your personal information, data and media:

1. Use a Custom Alphanumeric Code

The default security passcode for the iPhone 7 is a six-digit number, but the more security minded amongst us may chose to swap this for an alphanumeric code (which have been proven to be the hardest passwords to hack).  Simply click through to  ”Touch ID & Passcode” in the settings,  ”Change passcode,” then onto the “Passcode Options” once you have entered your old passcode for verification.

2. Enable the ‘Erase Data’ option after 10 incorrect Password attempts

This one is pretty self explanatory. Once again found in the ”Touch ID & Passcode,” an ‘Erase Data’ toggle gives you the option to delete all the data on your iPhone after 10 failed attempts. Perfect for those carrying sensitive data for work, not so good for those with young children who like to try and ‘crack the code’.

3. Limit the amount of Lock Screen Activity available without a Passcode

iOS 10 brings about the first major overhaul to the lock screen since the iPhone launched in 2007. Thanks to 3D Touch-enabled iPhones, you can  use quick actions to jump directly into your favourite apps direct from your Lock Screen, which is great for speed and efficiency but can throw up some security red flags. Head to ”Touch ID & Passcode” and limit the activity you allow before the handset requests a passcode (preferable alphanumeric.)

4. Disable ‘Raise to Wake’

With ‘Raise to Wake’ enabled, it is extremely easy for anyone to glance at all the information available on the lock screen. Disable the feature to make sure that the lockscreen doesn’t light up when the handset is moved around. Head to ’Display & Brightness’ via ‘Settings.’

5.  Block third-parties from tracking you via ads

Ad-blocking isn’t a new feature to iOS (we first saw it in iOS9), but you previously had to use a third-party app to browse the web ad-free. However, Apple have made some changes to allow you to block third party ads in the standard Safari browser. Head to the ‘Settings’ area again, hit ‘Privacy’ and then ‘Advertising.’ From here you’ll be able to limit adds, and with iOS 10 reseting the identifier to 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000 you’ll be almost impossible to track.

6. Ask before joining a Network

Connecting blindly to unknown Networks can be a risky business, so it’s time to limit yourself to trusted networks and ensure your handset asks before it logs on to a network. Go to ‘Settings’ and ‘Wifi’ and hit the ‘Ask to join Networks’ toggle over to green.

7. Lock Down your Location

As with previous versions of iOS, iOS10 tracks your location as long as you are connected to Wi-Fi. Stop your phone or tablet from logging your most “frequent locations” and up your security game. Head to ‘Settings’ > ‘Privacy’ > ‘Location Services’ > ‘SystemServices’ and then Frequent Locations. For added privacy, hit the Clear History button.

Purchase the iPhone 7 Plus Sim Free and iPhone 7 Sim free today with UK and International Shipping.

Both Samsung and BlackBerry have upped the security game with their latest handsets, the BlackBerry DTEK50 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. With the majority of shopping, banking and payments now being done online, security is a hot topic in the mobile world.

What’s interesting is that both manufacturers have gone down rather different routes for added security, both of which offer their own benefits. We take a look in a little more detail.

BlackBerry DTEK50: DTEK Security

BlackBerry are renowned for taking security seriously, and the DTEK50 doesn’t disappoint.  World-renowned security experts have created a hardware root of trust is built in to the processor, whilst the DTEK50 secure boot process ensures each stage of the secure boot chain is verified.

BlackBerry also integrated their DTEK  app into the handset. DTEK by BlackBerry encrypts data on your device and “will automatically monitor your OS and apps and let you know when your privacy could be at risk and how you can take action to improve it. With a quick glimpse of your DTEK50 you’ll  be able to track the overall security rating for your device and take advantage of BlackBerry’s quickest ever security patches. Read more bout DTEK here.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7: Iris Scanner & KNOX

Last week we hinted that Samsung Pay may be utilising Iris scanning for added security to online payments, but why exactly should we trust it?  Samsung state that “The patterns of our irises are incredibly complex and no two irises are the same—even on the same person. And because iris authentication leaves no physical mark on the Galaxy Note7 it’s impossible to replicate, making it one of the most secure ways to protect your data.” Iris scanning will remove the hassle of passwords by letting you log in to websites on the Samsung Internet browser.

You’ll be able to unlock your phone with your iris, but also via your fingerprint or pattern, and you’ll be able to utilise Samsung KNOX to store private information that can only be accessed by you. Advertised as Samsung’s defence-grade system, KNOX will make sure all your data stays private.

Purchase the BlackBerry DTEK50 or Samsung Galaxy Note 7 today.

The Galaxy Note 7 will offer us the next step in biometrics, the ability to pay for items and in app purchases with a glimpse.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 includes an iris scanner which is being developed for the opportunity to work as an additional way to authenticate a purchase made via Samsung Pay (in a similar way to our current fingerprint sensors).

But why should we use the iris scanner in this way? Simply put the Iris scanner undeniably adds another layer of security to the handset. But it’s interesting to note that unlike other payments via Google or Apple, Samsung Pay does not use NFC chips to take the payments, making it a more secure method.

Further in the future we can see the Iris scanner being used to open up payment or banking apps like PayPal, especially as leaks suggest Samsung are currently working alongside major financial companies in the USA for integration of this security to popular banking apps.

Other handsets that feature Iris Scanners include Samsung Galaxy 950 and Samsung Galaxy 950XL.

Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 today to be the first to get your hands on this innovative device.

The BlackBerry OS was the first in the mobile market to provide secure emails and apps by pioneering app permissions and personal data control. This meant that BlackBerry has long been the first choice for users looking for first rate security, whether it be at work or at home.

When news hit that BlackBerry were migrating to Android, it was understandable that questions were raised about the continuation of that security protection. However, BlackBerry’s Priv does exactly what the name suggests and puts privacy at the heart of everything it does. We’ve outlined some of the new features which keeps your confidential information safe and secure.

The BlackBerry Hardware Root of Trust is a process which builds cryptographic keys into the hardware of the Priv that work hand in hand with the Verified boot and Secure BootChain to securely  authenticate hardware and software components. The handset also encrypts all data stored by the user automatically in a process that is FIPS 140-2 compliant.

Allowing users to separate work and personal data by using Google’s Android for Work features, the Priv provides added security in a similar way to previous BlackBerry handsets. Building upon this, the new Android Vulnerability Patch Program also allows the circumvent carriers and directly apply critical security updates as quickly as possible. Blackberry Enterprise Service also provides more control over which software updates are applied.

With 52% of smartphone users with bank accounts in 2014 primarily use mobile banking, security issues and worries are obvious. The BlackBerry Priv promises to deliver the most secure mobile banking experience thanks to the DTEK by BlackBerry feature. This includes a dashboard to display how you have secured your private information and what device functions are access by your apps.

Further security enhancements include these two popular password features:

Picture Password: Unlock your device using a number sequence distributed on a randomised grid, protecting against several common attack methods which can include smudge patterns, overseeing your password or brute force.

Password Keeper: This Android for Priv app allows you to store confidential information, such as your passwords, in a single secure location. Simply create a master password and enter your login credentials for each site or app. The Password Keeper also includes a handy password strength meter to improve the overall strength of your passwords.

For further technical details on the Priv’s security check out the 36-page guide from BlackBerry themselves.

Purchase the BlackBerry Priv Sim Free today and enjoy next day delivery.