News
Norton Is Bundling Cryptomining Software With Its Antivirus
While the feature is turned off by default and can be enabled only on computers that meet certain hardware requirements, it’s not exactly easy to remove it entirely.
Many users install an antivirus to protect themselves from cryptomining malware, such as KryptoCibule, which silently hijacks system resources and uses them to mine various cryptocurrencies.
The users of Norton 360 don’t have to wait for cryptominers to infect their computers because the company behind the popular antivirus software has generously included one with the application.
Called Norton Crypto, the cryptomining tool has been available in Norton 360 since June 2021, allowing users to painlessly mine Ether, the native cryptocurrency of Ethereum.
“As the crypto economy continues to become a more important part of our customer’s lives, we want to empower them to mine cryptocurrency with Norton, a brand they trust” explained Vincent Pilette, CEO of NortonLifeLock, the company that owns the Norton product line. “Norton Crypto is yet another innovative example of how we are expanding our Cyber Safety platform to protect our customer’s ever-evolving digital lives”.
However, not all users of Norton 360 welcome this innovation, and some have already canceled their subscriptions to put some weight behind their disapproval of the new feature. One common complaint users have is that the presence of a cryptominer could make them juicy targets in the eyes of cybercriminals, who have been actively going after cryptocurrency owners ever since Bitcoin became a well-known name.
Also Read: Young Arabs Are Embracing The Fintech Revolution
While the feature is turned off by default and can be enabled only on computers that meet certain hardware requirements (the presence of a capable NVIDIA graphics card is one of them), it’s not exactly easy to remove it entirely. To do that, it’s necessary to temporarily disable the tamper protection feature Norton 360 uses to prevent malware from disabling it.
What’s more, Norton Crypto is a blatant cash grab because it charges a fee of 15% in addition to the cost of Ethereum’s transaction fees. To put the number into perspective, most other Ethereum mining pools, which anyone can join without much effort, charge just 1 or 2%.
Clearly, someone at NortonLifeLock has decided to pursue what they must believe is a terrific opportunity to join the cryptomining mania, and they’re willing to see how their user base will react.
News
Samsung Smart Glasses Teased For January, Software Reveal Imminent
According to Korean sources, the new wearable will launch alongside the Galaxy S25, with the accompanying software platform unveiled this December.
Samsung appears poised to introduce its highly anticipated smart glasses in January 2025, alongside the launch of the Galaxy S25. According to sources in Korea, the company will first reveal the accompanying software platform later this month.
As per a report from Yonhap News, Samsung’s unveiling strategy for the smart glasses echoes its approach with the Galaxy Ring earlier this year. The January showcase won’t constitute a full product launch but will likely feature teaser visuals at the Galaxy S25 event. A more detailed rollout could follow in subsequent months.
Just in: Samsung is set to unveil a prototype of its augmented reality (AR) glasses, currently in development, during the Galaxy S25 Unpacked event early next year, likely in the form of videos or images.
Additionally, prior to revealing the prototype, Samsung plans to introduce…
— Jukanlosreve (@Jukanlosreve) December 3, 2024
The Galaxy Ring, for example, debuted in January via a short presentation during Samsung’s Unpacked event. The full product unveiling came later at MWC in February, and the final release followed in July. Samsung seems to be adopting a similar phased approach with its smart glasses, which are expected to hit the market in the third quarter of 2025.
A Collaborative Software Effort
Samsung’s partnership with Google has played a key role in developing the smart glasses’ software. This collaboration was first announced in February 2023, with the device set to run on an Android-based platform. In July, the companies reiterated their plans to deliver an extended reality (XR) platform by the end of the year. The software specifics for the XR device are expected to be unveiled before the end of December.
Reports suggest that the smart glasses will resemble Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in functionality. They won’t include a display but will weigh approximately 50 grams, emphasizing a lightweight, user-friendly design.
Feature Set And Compatibility
The glasses are rumored to integrate Google’s Gemini technology, alongside features like gesture recognition and potential payment capabilities. Samsung aims to create a seamless user experience by integrating the glasses with its broader Galaxy ecosystem, starting with the Galaxy S25, slated for release on January 22.
Samsung Smart Glasses Teased For January, Software Reveal Imminent
Jordan’s $45M Push To Boost E-Government & Digital Economy
Viasat Satellite Messaging Tech Showcased In Saudi Arabia
Saudi Innovator Secures Patent For Revolutionary Crypto Asset
Study Shows Gen Alpha’s Growing Impact On The Digital Economy
Galaxy Ring 2 May Launch Early As Apple Prepares Competing Device
Google To Launch AI Hub In Saudi Arabia, Aiming For $71B GDP Boost
Popcorn AI Raises $500,000 For “Conversational eCommerce”
Joby Begins Construction Of Dubai’s First Vertiport For Air Taxis
