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Almost eight out of 10 Spanish SMEs already accept digital payments, according to Visa

In an increasingly digitized market, Spanish SMEs They have found in digital payments a key ally to maintain and boost their businesses, while adapting to the new digital needs of consumers. This is reflected in the data from the report published by Visa, highlighting that 77% of small businesses in Spain they currently accept digital payments. In just one year, the number of Spanish SMEs that accept this system has increased eleven points (77% in 2023 vs. 66% in 2022).

The study shows that another trend that exists is that of use of the card among consumers, which already represents 37% of the total payments in those businesses that accept this payment method.

Thus, small businesses show the multiple advantages of adopting these solutions and the added value it brings to SMEs. And it is that, according to the report, 66% of the businesses that currently accept digital payments consider that card payment reduces the risk of not being paid. In addition, they affirm that this digitization brings them better business figures, since more than half (54%) of the SMEs surveyed affirm that their business volume has increased between 6% and 15% since they began to accept digital payments. . The amount of the average ticket has also increased, since 65% of the SMEs surveyed consider that the volume of spending increases when paying by card.

In this context, Dorronsoro Oak, Head of Merchants and Visa Acceptance in Southern Europe, stresses the importance of continuing to promote digitization and payment acceptance in all merchants: “It is great news to see that more and more SMEs are aware of the added value that digital payments bring to their businesses. However, we cannot forget that we must continue supporting the 23% of SMEs that still do not accept digital payments. In 2020 at Visa we committed to accelerating the digitization of 8 million SMEs in Europe, providing them with a global, fast and secure payment network, as well as new ways to accept digital payments with a smartphone and without the need for a terminal, such as technology tap to phone”.

Security is one of the main advantages for digitizing payments

Security continues to be one of the main reasons that the surveyed SMEs have indicated for betting on the digitization of payments in their businesses. Specifically, 76% of SMEs that accept card payments consider the Fraud and Security prevention tools as a relevant factor within its payment offer.

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On the other hand, for SMEs, digital payments also offer greater agility and ease in each payment, and, according to the report, 67% of small businesses that accept card payments consider it an easier method than other means of payment. pay.

Focusing on the different sectors, the study highlights that, while sectors such as the retail (products) (91%), food and beverages (86%), or travel and transportation (84%) They already have very good figures in terms of acceptance, other verticals such as education (65%) still have room to go digital.

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EMINeM, the cybercriminal behind the alliance between the ‘malware’ GuLoader and Remcos

MADRID, September 23 (Portaltic/EP) –

Researchers at Check Point Research have identified a relationship between the GuLoader and Remcos malicious programs, which are sold as legitimate tools, behind which lies the same cybercriminal, EMINeM.

Remcos Remote Access Trojan and GuLoader (also known as CloudEyE and TheProtect) are advertised as legitimate tools, but are used in cyberattacks and are among the most common malicious programs.

Although its sellers They claim that its use is legalCheck Point Research has detected a connection between these tools and cybercrime: while Remcos struggles to evade antivirus detection, GuLoader acts as your ally, helping you bypass protection measuresas detailed in a press release.

Researchers have discovered that GuLoader is rebranded and sold as a crypter, ensuring that the Remcos payload remains completely undetectable to antiviruses. AND the same administrator manages the platformselling both tools at the same time operates the official website and Telegram channels for Remcos.

As Check Point Research points out, compelling evidence has been found that this individual also uses GuLoader to protect himself from detection. Domain names and IP addresses associated with the Remcos and GuLoader vendor appear in malware analyst reports.

Going deeper into this, Check Point Research researchers have discovered a clear connection between a individual known as EMINeM and two websites: BreakingSecurity and VgoStore. Remcos and GuLoader, rebranded as TheProtect, are openly sold there.

Likewise, they assure that there is evidence of the involvement of EMINeM in the distribution of harmful ‘malware’, such as FormBook info stealer and Amadey Loader. This cybercriminal leverages TheProtect to evade antivirus detection for its own malicious activities.

THE FINANCE AND EDUCATION SECTORS AS KEY OBJECTIVES

According to intelligence from Check Point ThreatCloud AI, GuLoader directs its threat mainly against organizations in the finance and banking sector. According to their data, an average of 2.4 percent of companies globally were affected monthly (equivalent to one in every 41 organizations).

Its most substantial impact has been in the EMEA region, with an average monthly impact of 4.7 percent (equivalent to one in every 21 companies).

For its part, Remcos targets the education and research sectorwith an average of 2.8 percent of organizations globally affected monthly (equivalent to one in 35 organizations).

In this case, they point out that it has the greatest impact in the APAC region, with a monthly average of 2 percent (one in every 50 organizations).

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Spotify plans to offer 24-bit lossless music and advanced mixing tools in future ‘Supremium’ version

MADRID, September 22 (Portaltic/EP) –

The Spotify version with high quality audio ‘Supremium’which the company has planned launch in the futurewill include 24-bit lossless music, plus advanced mixing toolsamong other new features, for a price of around $20.

The music platform has been working since 2021 on a version with high quality audio initially known as HiFi, in which a CD-quality, lossless audio format. During this time, said feature has been delayed indefinitely, however, the Spotify co-president Gustav Söderströmassured in March that “it will come at some point.”

Likewise, as was learned last June, this high-quality version will arrive in a new subscription level called ‘Supremium’ –leaving behind the term HiFi– and it will be he more expensive than the company will offer.

Now, as Reddit user hiplixeli has discovered, Spotify app internal code sample some specific features that the company plans to introduce with the ‘Supremium’ version, such as the 24 bit lossless music and advanced mixing tools. In addition, it will have a price of $19.99 (approximately 18.77 euros at the exchange rate).

As specified, in addition to the high quality, this version will allow users automatically create playlists powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Following this line, users will be able to enjoy 30 hours of listening to audiobooks every month and you can also filter through the music stored in your library, choosing tags depending on your mood, activity or musical genre.

On the other hand, as for advanced mixing tools, the Spotify code reveals that it is allowed customize the order of a playlist in relation to the beats per minute of a song or its danceability. Another option is enable ‘Smart Order’ mode with which the most appropriate song sequence will be created based on the time of each song.

Likewise, other functions will also enable a “smooth transitions” mode between songswith which reference points established between the end of one song and the beginning of the next are chosen to establish transitions.

In addition to all this, the ‘Supremium’ version will integrate sound tests to inform users about their listening habits and help discover which sound mix works best for each user.

The code notes that Spotify plans to release this version with a price of 19.99 eurosalthough the Reddit user has pointed out that this figure could be “just a placeholder.”

For the moment, as transmitted by the Spotify spokesperson CJ Stanley to The Verge, the company does not comment on “speculation of possible new features.” “We have nothing new to share at this time”it is finished.

Spotify currently has a subscription service, Spotify Premium which can be purchased depending on the number of accounts to be created or if you are a student, with prices ranging from 4.99 euros up to 15.99 euros, and with different additional functions.

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Amazon will also have a subscription with ads on Prime Video

MADRID, September 22 (Portaltic/EP) –

Amazon plans to incorporate the advertisements in its streaming content service Prime Video, a change that is expected at the beginning of next year, following the example of platforms such as Netflix and Disney+.

The subscription plans of services like Netflix and Disney+ They have been expanded with a more economical modality supported by advertising, since it shows advertisements between the reproduction of its content to reduce the price that users pay.

Netflix introduced a standard ad-supported plan in November last year, removing some of the most viewed titles from its catalogue. Initially it offered a lower playback quality but in April they decided to raise the resolution to 1,080p to include support for two simultaneous broadcasts.

This summer, Disney shared its plans to introduce a similar ad-based subscription to its Disney+ platform. This is expected to be available from November 1 in several countries in Europe and Canada, for about 5.99 euros per month (compared to the 8.99 euros it currently costs).

This trend of incorporating ads has also caught the attention of Amazon, which plans to launch it early 2024 on Prime Video, as reported in Variety. He would initially arrive at United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Canada and at the end of the year to other countries, among which would be Spain.

The company has explained to this medium that it will show fewer ads than traditional channels and other rival streaming platforms. He has also noted that he has chosen this option to “continue investing in attractive content and continue increasing that investment over a long period of time.”

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