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TECHNOLOGY

Kaspersky predicts key cybersecurity threats targeting children in 2024

January 18, 2024 5:06 p.m.

With most children able to access or own a smartphone or tablet, the age at which they begin their acquaintance with the digital world and technology keeps decreasing.

Therefore, it’s crucial for parents to stay informed about the latest cybersecurity threats targeting kids to better protect them from potential harm. In this post, Kaspersky experts explore some of the key cybersecurity trends parents should be aware of, and provide tips on how to safeguard their children’s online activities.

  1. Children will increasingly use AI tools that, so far, are not ready to provide the necessary level of cybersecurity and age-appropriate content

    According to a UN research, about 80 percent of young people claimed they interact with AI multiple times a day. With the development of AI, numerous little-known applications have emerged with seemingly harmless features, such as uploading a photo to receive a modified version. However, when children upload their images to such applications, they never know which databases their photos will ultimately remain, and whether they will be used further.

    Moreover, AI apps, specifically, chatbots can easily provide age-inappropriate content when prompted. For instance, there is a multitude of AI chatbots that are specifically designed to provide an “erotic” experience. Even though some require a form of age verification, this is dangerous since some children might opt to lie about their age and the prevention of such cases is insufficient.
  2. The growth of malicious actors’ attacks on young gamers

    According to the latest online statistics, 91 percent of children aged 3-15 play games on any device. For some games, unmoderated voice and text chat is a large part of the experience. With more young people online, criminals can virtually build trust in the same way they would in person. Firstly, cybercriminals gain the trust of young players by luring them with gifts or promises of friendship. Once they have the confidence of a young gamer, they then obtain their personal information by suggesting that they click on a phishing link, which downloads a malicious file onto their device disguised as a game mod for Minecraft or Fortnite, or even grooming them.
  3. The development of FinTech industry for kids marks the appearance of new threats

    An increasing number of banks are providing specialized products and services tailored for children, including banking cards designed for kids as young as 12. Yet, with the introduction of banking cards for children, the latter also become susceptible to financially motivated threat actors and vulnerable to conventional scams, like promises of a free PlayStation 5 or other valuable assets after entering card details on a phishing site. Using social engineering techniques, cybercriminals might exploit children’s trust by posing as peers and requesting the sharing of card details or money transfers to their accounts.
  4. The number of smart home threat cases with children being potential targets, will increase

    Despite the increasing number of cases of threats to smart home devices, manufacturers are not rushing to create cyber-immune tech that preemptively prevents potential exploits of vulnerabilities. However, this also means children can become tools for cybercriminals in an attack. For instance, if a smart device becomes a fully functional surveillance tool and a child is home alone, cybercriminals can contact them through the device and request sensitive information such as their name, address and time, when their parents are not at home — or even their parents’ credit card number. In such a scenario, beyond just device hacking, there is also a risk of financial data loss or even a physical attack.
  5. Children will demand their personal online space is respected

    As children mature, they develop greater self-awareness, encompassing an understanding of their personal space, privacy, and sensitive data, both offline and in their online activities. Consequently, when a parent firmly communicates the intent to install a parenting digital app on a device, not all kids will take it calmly. This is why parents now require the skill to discuss their offspring’s online experience and the importance of parenting digital apps for online safety while respecting personal space. This involves establishing clear boundaries and expectations and discussing the reasons for using the app with any child.
  6. Children are eager to download apps that are unavailable in their country, but stumble upon malicious copies

    If an app is unavailable in your region, young users will look for alternatives, which is often a malicious copy. Even if they turn to official app stores like Google Play, they still run the risk of falling prey to cybercriminals. From 2020 to 2022, Kaspersky researchers have found more than 190 apps infected with Harly Trojan on Google Play, which signed up users for paid services without their knowledge. A conservative estimate of the number of downloads of these apps is 4.8 million, but the actual figure of victims may be even higher. 

“As we can see, many of the trends that are playing out in society are also affecting children, making them potential targets for attackers. This includes both the development and popularity of AI and smart homes, as well as the expansion of the world of gaming and FinTech industry. Therefore, it is crucial to teach children the basics of cybersecurity from an early age, how not to fall into the trap of cybercriminals, what cyberthreats can occur during gaming, and how to properly protect your personal data. All this is now a must-have knowledge not only for adults, but also for the youngest users,” comments Andrey Sidenko, security and privacy expert at Kaspersky.

To learn more about cybersecurity threats targeting kids in 2024, read the full post on KDaily.

Kaspersky experts are convinced that protecting children from cybersecurity threats in 2024 requires proactive measures from parents: 

  • By staying informed about the latest threats and actively monitoring their children’s online activities, parents can create a safer online environment for their kids. 
  • It’s crucial for parents to have open communication with their children about the potential risks they may encounter online and to enforce strict guidelines to ensure their safety.
  • To help parents introduce their children to cybersecurity amidst the evolving threat landscape, Kaspersky experts have developed the Kaspersky Cybersecurity Alphabet with key concepts from the cybersecurity industry. In this book, your kid will get to know new technologies, learn the main cyber hygiene rules, find out how to avoid online threats, and recognize fraudsters’ tricks. After reading this book together, you’ll be sure that your kid knows how to distinguish phishing websites, how VPN and QR-codes work, and even what honeypots and encryption are and what role they play in modern cybersecurity. You can download the pdf version of the book for free and go through the basics of cybersecurity with your child, building their cybersafe future. 
  • To secure your child from downloading any malicious files during their gaming experience, we advise to install a trusted security solution on their device. 
  • With the right tools such as Kaspersky’s digital parenting app Safe Kids, parents can effectively safeguard their children against cyber threats in the digital age.
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TECHNOLOGY

OPPO Reno16 Series 5G coming soon to capture every ‘barkada’ moment

7:11 a.m. July 26, 2026

Every barkada starts with a first. Your first spontaneous café hop with new college friends, your first weekend road trip together, or your first concert with people who soon become your favorite memories.

These shared experiences deserve more than a quick snapshot. They deserve photos everyone will want to save, share, and remember.

That’s why OPPO is bringing the OPPO Reno16 Series 5G to the Philippines. Built around its Pocket Studio imaging experience and the all-new OPPO Bubble with Camera Remote View, the upcoming smartphone is designed to help every barkada capture their first moments together without leaving anyone out of the story.

Professional-level imaging for every first barkada moment

The OPPO Reno16 Series 5G is designed to make everyday photography feel more effortless and expressive. At the heart of its Pocket Studio experience are a 200MP Main Camera, a 50MP Ultra-Wide Selfie Camera, and Dual View Video, giving users the tools to capture group adventures, everyday moments, and creative content with professional-quality results.

So whatever moment you are capturing, be it a barkada food crawl, a weekend getaway, or your first day on campus, the OPPO Reno16 Series 5G is designed to make memorable group photos easier to create than ever.

A smarter way to get everyone into the shot

One of the biggest challenges of group photography is making sure everyone, including the person behind the camera, gets to be in the shot.

The OPPO Reno16 Series 5G introduces OPPO Bubble with Camera Remote View, a first-of-its-kind innovation from a smartphone brand that reimagines the way people take group photos together. Working wirelessly with compatible OPPO devices, OPPO Bubble lets users preview the OPPO Reno16 Series 5G camera frame from another device and remotely trigger the shutter, making it easier to capture group shots without rushing back and forth to beat a timer.

It also opens up new possibilities for selfies and groufies by allowing users to take advantage of the OPPO Reno16 Series 5G’s powerful rear camera system while still seeing exactly how the shot is framed. Whether you’re taking a family portrait, gathering your barkada for a travel photo, or documenting a concert or special celebration, OPPO Bubble transforms the way shared moments are captured, making professional-looking group shots easier, smarter, and more inclusive than ever before.

Designed for today’s generation of creators

Designed for today’s on-the-go creators, the OPPO Reno16 Series 5G combines a sleek, premium design with advanced camera hardware and intelligent creative tools. Together with OPPO Bubble with Camera Remote View, it is designed to make group photography and collaborative content more intuitive, whether users are meeting friends at a café, traveling with their barkada, or documenting a concert or celebration, all while delivering professional-looking results without relying on a complicated camera setup.

Because every first barkada moment deserves to be remembered.

The OPPO Reno16 Series 5G is arriving soon in the Philippines, bringing its Pocket Studio imaging experience and OPPO Bubble with Camera Remote View to help users capture every first barkada moment together.

Visit the nearest OPPO store to check it out yourself. For more details about the OPPO Reno16 Series 5G, visit  OPPO Philippines’ official website at www.oppo.com/ph/ or OPPO Philippines’ official social media pages on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok  for  more updates and be among the first to discover the next evolution of smartphone photography.

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TECHNOLOGY

Alibaba Cloud unveils Agent-Native Innovations at WAIC 2026

12:19 p.m. July 22, 2026

At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026, Alibaba Cloud introduced a suite of agent-native technologies aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of AI agents across industries. 

Key announcements include the Agent-Native Cloud suite, designed to govern, optimize, and orchestrate multi-agent workflows while improving large-model inference efficiency. The company also expanded its open-source efforts with the release of the T-Head SAIL software stack, alongside new products such as the team version of its AI development tool Meoo and its first Qwen-powered earbuds, Qwen Clip. 

These updates reflect Alibaba Cloud’s continued focus on building a full-stack AI ecosystem spanning silicon, infrastructure, platforms, and applications. 

Alibaba unveiled the Qwen 3.8-Max-Preview on its Token Plan, Qoder, and QoderWork platforms. Boasting 2.4 trillion parameters, the model delivers impressive performance comparable to leading frontier AI models, with initial tests ranking it second only to Fable 5. The company has also announced the Qwen 3.8-Max will be open weight soon. 

Cloud Infrastructure: From AI-Native to Agent-Native 

Alibaba Cloud is advancing toward an agent-native architecture, providing a managed environment for building, deploying, and operating autonomous AI agents. 

At WAIC, the company introduced two new products—AgentLoop and AgentTeams—expanding its existing AgentRun platform. Together, these offerings support the full lifecycle of enterprise AI agents, with built-in governance and control. 

AgentLoop enables real-time tracing, evaluation, and optimization of agent performance. AgentTeams supports coordination and governance across multiple agents, allowing organizations to manage complex workflows. AgentRun provides lifecycle management, covering development, deployment, and operations. 

Alibaba Cloud also introduced TokenWorks within its Platform for AI (PAI), available through PAI-EAS. The new service integrates request routing, inference execution, compute reuse, and scheduling into a single system, helping improve performance, reduce costs, and increase reliability for large-model inferences. 

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TECHNOLOGY

Peace of mind for busy pet parents: Xiaomi Smart Ecosystem keeps your pets safe, nourished

7:29 p.m. July 16, 2026

For most Filipino households, pets are (rightfully) considered full-fledged family members. Owners aren’t just owners anymore; they’re fur-parents now, they call pets their “fur-babies,” celebrate their birthdays, and worry about them constantly when we are away—just like real parents do and should.

But as the world moves faster and we find ourselves balancing office days, social lives, and daily errands, maintaining a flawless pet care routine can feel like a precarious tightrope walk. Are they eating on time? Are they drinking enough water? Is the house smelling a little too much like a pet sanctuary?

Fortunately for many Filipino fur-parents, raising a healthy, happy pet doesn’t have to conflict with a busy modern lifestyle. In the digital age, smart home technology is stepping up to bridge the gap, helping them provide consistent, reliable, and loving care even when they are miles away from home.

For those who need help keeping pets loved and well-maintained at home, Xiaomi’s got solutions that can completely transform your daily pet care routine, offering you peace of mind and your pet a healthier, more comfortable life.

1. Mealtime, Always on Time

One of the biggest anxieties of leaving the house is missing mealtime, and the Xiaomi Smart Pet Food Feeder 2 takes the guesswork and worry out of the equation.

This smart feeder allows you to schedule precise portions at specific times through your phone. Whether you are stuck in traffic or working late on a project, your pet’s feeding schedule remains completely uninterrupted. Plus, with its sealed design, every bowl of kibble stays as fresh and crunchy as the moment you opened the bag.

2. Encouraging Healthy Hydration

Just like humans, pets need constant access to clean water to prevent urinary tract issues—a common concern for both cat and dog owners alike.

The Xiaomi Smart Pet Fountain 2 solves this by mimicking the flowing natural streams that animals instinctively love. With its multi-stage filtration system, it ensures your pet always has access to fresh, oxygen-rich running water. It operates quietly in the background, making sure your pet stays hydrated throughout the day without interrupting your focus.

3. A Breath of Fresh Air for Everyone

Living with pets often means living with pet hair, dander, and those unmistakable “pet odors.” While most fur-parents have gotten used to the different kind of air at home, that doesn’t mean it’s always healthy.

To keep your indoor air clean and healthy for both you and your fur-baby, the Xiaomi Smart Pet Care Air Purifier is a household game-changer. Specially optimized for pet-owning homes, it quickly captures floating pet hair and neutralizes common pet odors, ensuring your living space always smells fresh, clean, and welcoming.

4. Keeping a Loving Eye from Afar

Even when all their physical needs are met, you’ll still miss your pets when you’re out—that’s just the ruff reality of being a fur-parent.

For clingy parents and babies, the Xiaomi Smart Camera C701 Pro helps you stay connected. With its advanced pet detection feature, the camera can intelligently recognize when your pet is active or moving around the room. Instead of constantly monitoring a live stream, you will receive a handy notification whenever your pet does something cute, letting you check in, say a quick hello, and smile during a busy workday.

The Ultimate Peace of Mind

At the end of the day, technology is here to help us give our pets the love they deserve more consistently—and with it, the peace of mind we need in knowing that they are happy and healthy.

By automating the essentials and keeping us connected, Xiaomi’s smart pet ecosystem ensures that your fur-babies are always cared for, healthy, and safe, giving busy pet parents the ultimate gift: peace of mind.

Ready to upgrade your pet parenting game? Explore the Xiaomi Smart Pet Care lineup today. Find them at your nearest official Xiaomi offline store, or shop online via Shopee, Lazada, and Xiaomi Online Store.

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