Is Android still secure?

Laws, flaws and chores. We look at the latest issues surrounding mobile security.

Right now, it seems as though everyone wants a piece of whatever goes through your mobile device — everyone from the federal government, right down to the code-junkies unleashing new malware. Australia’s controversial data retention scheme will affect mobile device owners even more than desktop users, with phone call, email and internet metadata said to be stored for a two-year-period from the date of transaction. Elsewhere, the claimed total amount of mobile malware has risen from 1.5 million at the end of March 2013 to just over six million by the close of 2014, according to the latest McAfee Labs Threat Report (tinyurl.com/k8m2f3g).

But it’s not all bad news — when it comes to mobile malware infections, Australia has the lowest rate of infection in the world at around 5%, beating Europe on 7%, nearly 8% in North America, while Africa and Asia top the list at 10% a piece, according to the report.

Make yourse hack-proof in five easy steps

That's it. You’ve finally heard enough hacking horror stories — even been involved in one yourself — to finally commit to actually doing something to protect yourself against them.

We’re not gonna lie — you’re probably going to be a little inconvenienced. And yes, you’ll have to stop opening every email attachment that drops into your inbox, not download any app that takes your fancy and stop oversharing on social media. Still, it’s absolutely worth it to take the time. Just ask anyone who has ever lost their entire video and photo collection, had their credit card information jacked or been the victim of an online scam — you’ll bet they wished they had taken some reasonable steps.

So, without further ado, we’ll look at our top five techniques for avoiding the worst.

The cost of privacy

Jim Killock analyses the Privacy and Security report from the UK's Intelligence and Security Committee

The mammoth Privacy and Security report from the UK's Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) is an object lesson in how the establishment works. Faced with overwhelming evidence of a vast extension of surveillance powers, it’s a call for rationalised laws and greater explanation of what GCHO is doing.

It’s a remarkable report. The ISC might never admit it, but the report owes its existence to Edward Snowden. Faced with detailed information about precisely what GCHO is doing, the ISC has been forced to respond with its own description, including a lot of reassuring words that explain that its work is necessary, proportionate and lawful, in between, it makes some startling admissions:firstly, that 'bulk personal datasets' exist and are largely legally unregulated; and secondly, that the choices of technologies that underlie GCHO’s Internet break-ins lack any democratic oversight.

Phanteks Enthoo Mini XL

Phanteks makes some excellent full towers, but has only more recently turned to small form factors, although the confusingly named MiniXL is hardly small, with dimensions more akin to a large midtower. What this space offers you,however, isn’tonly heaps of water-cooling support, but also the ability to house a second, full mini-ITX system inside with the purchase of a £23 upgrade kit.

The weighty Mini XL is definitely costly, but you get lots of high-quality metal for the money. It’s also aesthetically pleasing,with sand-blasted aluminium front and roof panels, and dual side windows. Meanwhile, its glossy trim section up and along the right houses LED strips, which can be toggled between one of ten colours using a button on the roof’s I/O panel.You can also buy extra LED strips  to add internally, which will match the external colour.

eLECTION 2015. Why can’t we vote online?

You can do pretty much anything online these days, but voting has barely changed since the 19th century. As Britain prepares to go to the polls again, Simon Handby considers the case for casting your ballot online

It’s unlikely to have escaped your notice that on 7th May we’ll be heading to the polls for the 2015 general election. The issues, personalities and policies may (arguably) change, but the way we vote in the UK certainly hasn’t. We’ll be marking our choice on the ballot paper in the usual way - yet these days we can do everything else online. So why aren’t we choosing governments from the comfort of our laptops? In this feature we look at the technology of voting, and at the changes technology is bringing to elections and politics.

Canon EOS 5DS

There’s a new pro body on the block in the shape of Canon’s latest version of its revered 5D. Roger Payne gets hands-on with a pre-production sample and gives an introduction to a camera that’s created quite a stir

There are few cameras that have endeared themselves to the professional audience as much as Canon's 5D. The original model was the first relatively affordable full-frame DSLR in town, while the legendary Mark II version virtually single-handedly kick-started the low-end film-making market. The Mark III built on that solid foundation and developed the HD video facilities, making it more of a model intentionally aimed at the filmmaker than one that slipped almost by accident into that role.

Nikon D7200: Pro quality at big value

Is the D7200 the best APS-C sized camera ever made? Matthew Higgs puts Nikon’s brand new enthusiast model through its paces to find out...

Straddling the line between affordability and professional features, the enthusiast-level market is one of the most competitive sectors of the DSLR industry. Nikon’s new D7200 is the brand’s highest specced APS-C model, sitting between the advanced beginner level D5500 and the FX-format D610. It’s designed to tempt experienced photographers looking for excellent handling and outstanding image quality, but who don’t require a full-frame sensor. While its body looks identical to that of its popular predecessor, the D7100, internally the camera has seen some major changes. Most notably a new 24.2MP sensor has been fitted alongside a new AF system based on that found in Nikon’s flagship D4S. On paper these features firmly place the camera towards the top if its class, where its main rivals are the Canon 7D MkII and Sony A77 MkII. Add Wi-Fi, NFC, a bigger buff er size, a wider ISO range and improved video capabilities into the mix, and it’s clear that while this camera doesn’t deviate too much from its forbear’s winning formula, nearly all important features have received a healthy boost. Whether these changes have gone far enough to push Nikon ahead of the pack though, is more open for debate...