Apps
Why You Should Use PDF for Sharing Confidential Data?
![Why You Should Use PDF for Sharing Confidential Data?](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/save-pdf.jpg)
PDF is among the most trusted document formats when it comes to sharing important information. It has now become a standard format that is widely used among individuals and businesses. The portable document format is available in different standards and versions, making it compatible with access over multiple systems.
Let’s learn about some of the inevitable features of the PDF so that you can use it confidently for sharing and storing data.
PDF is a signable file format
Since PDF is mostly used for sharing official and confidential information with users, these files incorporate security algorithms that prevent unauthorized access. Password protection or encryption is used to prevent unauthorized users from opening, editing, copying, or printing the document.
Authorized users can add digital signatures to the PDF file using Adobe Acrobat XI. If you are a MacBook user, you can use built-in Preview or Quick Look for signing the PDFs. You can write or draw your name, or you can add an image of your signature to your computer for signing the PDF. For more information on digitally signing a PDF on Mac, you may visit https://setapp.com.
PDF/A s an ISO standard
Current PDF/A is the widely used PDF version today. ISO certification displays international consensus that ensures the best practices are followed and implemented for long-term archiving. PDF/A is a platform as well as supplier independent format, designed by Adobe after years of PDF expertise.
You must have heard about PDFs or PDF/A, but many of us are unaware of different versions that include PDF/A-1, PDF/A-2, PDF/A-3, PDF/A-4. Knowing the PDF/A options and levels makes the users capable of understanding the value of the document for viewing, printing, sharing, or archiving.
PDF is a reliable file format
Using a PDF, information can be shared securely across the continents without fearing the integrity of data. The recipient can view the contents of the PDF in their original format with Adobe Reader.
It is possible to view a PDF on Windows and macOS without installing any additional hardware or software. The cross-platform file format is compatible with mobile devices and can be shared, accessed, installed, and shared between iOS and Android phones.
PDFs prevent the integrity of data
When you share data as PDF, the source and the destination files and the data stored within remain the same. Modifications to the original content can compromise the quality and the context of the information, so it’s important to protect the integrity of data throughout the transfer route.
PDFs support images, text, illustrations, color graphics, audio, video, and other multimedia elements; therefore, it’s the most recommended option for data sharing. Another significant benefit is that this file format is optimized to use with assistive technology.
Now that you know the characteristics of the PDF files, let’s learn how you can save and combine multiple files into a PDF on macOS.
Using a PDF in macOS
Save a PDF
macOS users can share a document with other Mac users by saving it as a PDF so that users can view it without any app. Users can open the PDF in Preview or Adobe Acrobat. To save a document as a PDF, follow the given steps:
- Open the document that you want to save as a PDF on your Mac.
- Go to the Print option from the File menu.
- Select the PDF pop-up and select Save as PDF.
- Select the location where you want to save your PDF, and fill in the Title, Author, Subject, and Keywords fields.
If you wish to add a password to the PDF, click on Security Options. Once you assign a password to your document, you will need to enter it every time you want to open, copy, or print the document.
Combine multiple files into PDF
If you want to combine multiple files into one single file, PDF is quite a secure and recommended way to do it.
- Launch the Finder window by clicking the Finder icon in the Dock.
- Select all the files that you wish to merge into a PDF.
- Control-click all selected files, click Quick Actions and select Create PDF.
The selected files will appear in the same order in the PDF, so be careful while selecting them. The resultant file will be saved automatically with the same name as the first file you have chosen to combine to PDF.
Compress a PDF on Mac/MacBook
Use the Preview app on your MacBook to compress a PDF.
- Launch Preview, open the PDF, click on the File menu and select Export.
- Next, click the Quartz Filter pop-up menu and click on Reduce File Size.
On compressing a PDF, the quality of the document may compromise, and the result will be of lower quality than the actual file.
Apps
5 Best URL Shortener Services in 2024 [Free & Paid]
![The 5 Best URL Shorteners 2020](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/url-shortener-1.jpg)
A URL Shortener is a technique in which a URL may be made shorter and still redirect to the original long page.
Most URL Shorteners are free and easy to use but come with limitations.
Google shut down its Google URL Shortener in 2018 with continued support until March 30, 2019. However, all existing links will continue to redirect to the intended destination.
Top URL Shortener Services on the Internet
1. Bitly.com
Bitly offers a free and enterprise version of its URL shortening service. No signup necessary, but creating an account allows you to manage links quickly and change the short link characters if you wish.
According to this Quora answer, the enterprise version of Bitly costs around $995/month.
Pro Tip: add + after the short link to access analytics of any bitly link. bitly.com/link+
2. TinyURL
A simple shortener that requires no sign-up and allows users to customize the keyword. The service is free to use, but there is no analytics.
3. Short.io
The best shorten link provider so far, it has so many useful features such as google analytics integration, bulk import, broken links detection, built-in analytics with so many details, link cloaking, and more.
Cost: affordable compared to similar solutions.
4. Rebrandly
Rebrandly is one of the popular URL shortener services in the market. It’s the most complete and reliable link management platform. Their solution provides the easiest way to create, measure, and manage short URLs with a custom domain name.
You can buy your domain name using Rebrandly, tag your URLs using UTM tagging, allow social media pixels to optimize for conversions, and more.
It’s expensive compared to other solutions.
5. eg.gd
eg.gd is a new URL shortener service that offers the same as rebrandly but for free. It was launched last year when bit.ly service was blocked in Egypt.
Apps
Saudi Fintech ‘Lendo’ Raises $28M in Series B Funding
![Lendo Secures $28M in Series B Funding Led by Sanabil Investments, Eyes IPO](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Untitled-3-1.webp)
Lendo, a Saudi Arabia-based shariah-compliant debt crowdfunding marketplace, has raised SAR 105 million ($28 million) in Series B funding led by Sanabil Investments, a wholly-owned company by the Public Investment Fund (“PIF”). The round saw participation from Shorooq Partners, AB Ventures and other investors.
Lendo is a Shariah-compliant, debt crowdfunding marketplace that helps pre-finance outstanding invoices for businesses in Saudi Arabia. The platform is a community of creditworthy borrowers and sophisticated investors looking for alternative investments. The platform is licensed by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). Lendo will use the funds to support its fast-growing customer base in Saudi Arabia which has grown 3X year-on-year, introduce more innovative financing products, and accelerate market expansion plans.
“With this funding round, we are going to expand into new markets, support new and current customers, and launch new Shariah-compliant products, all the while continuing to innovate the marketplace for digital lending. We are going to make financial services more accessible, affordable, and inclusive for everyone. I am excited to see what the future holds for our company,” said Osama Alraee, CEO, and co-founder of Lendo, who also disclosed its plans for an IPO within the next few years.
Alraee has also expressed his gratitude to SAMA (Saudi Central Bank), Fintech Saudi, MCIT, Misk, and Monshaat for their unwavering support, emphasizing the pivotal role they have played in advancing financial inclusivity and fostering innovation in partnership with Lendo to reshape the financial landscape. Their dedicated efforts in advancing financial inclusivity and fostering innovation have been invaluable to us. We greatly appreciate their partnership in our mission to transform the financial landscape
Commenting on the announcement, Sanabil Investments said: “Lendo is a leading fintech company that is transforming the financial services industry in their specialist area of Shariah-compliant digital lending for SMEs. The Lendo team, especially the founders, Osama and Mohamed, have achieved a significant amount in a relatively short period, and we are eager to join their journey of increasing access to flexible financial solutions in Saudi Arabia and the region at large.”
“The growing demand for alternative, agile, and accessible lending solutions presents a significant opportunity. At Lendo, we are well-positioned to lead the charge in promoting financial inclusion not only in Saudi Arabia but also beyond. By fueling SME growth, we aim to contribute to the realization of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic goals and to create a ripple effect of opportunity throughout the MENA region,” said Mohamed Jawabri, COO, and co-Founder of Lendo.
Lendo previously raised a SAR 27 million Series A funding round ($7.2 million) in 2021 led by Derayah Ventures with participation from Seedra Ventures and other investors, bringing the fintech’s total funding to SAR 132 million ($35.2 million).
Since the inception of Dec 2019, Saudi fintech Lendo has processed more than 2,500 financing transactions on its platform, providing over SAR 1 billion ($300 million) in financing to SMEs and generating SAR 140 million ($37 million) returns for investors.
The Small and Medium Enterprise financing landscape in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) presents a substantial market opportunity as limited financial access continues to restrict the growth of the region’s businesses, with commercial banks hesitant to issue loans to SMEs at scale, resulting in a high percentage of declined financing requests annually. According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the SME financing gap is estimated at SAR 19.5 trillion ($5.2 trillion) every year in developing countries.
Lendo’s debt crowdfunding platform aims to bridge the financing gap for SMEs, which aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030 to significantly expand SME lending from 4% in 2018 to 20% by 2030.
The total value of debt crowdfunding in Saudi Arabia surged from 1.4 million SAR in 2019 to SAR 771 million in 2022, marking a remarkable 430% growth, according to SAMA’s annual fintech report 2022.
Apps
Have you ever downloaded these malicious 400 apps?
![Have you ever downloaded these malicious 400 apps?](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Featured-Image2.jpg)
Meta has identified over 400 malicious Android and iOS apps designed to steal Facebook login information and compromise people’s accounts.
These apps are disguised as photo editors, games, VPN services, business apps, and other utilities to trick people into downloading them. Some examples include:
- Photo editors, including those that claim to allow you to “turn yourself into a cartoon”
- VPNs claiming to boost browsing speed or grant access to blocked content or websites
- Phone utilities such as flashlight apps that claim to brighten your phone’s flashlight
- Mobile games falsely promise high-quality 3D graphics
- Health and lifestyle apps such as horoscopes and fitness trackers
- Business or ad management apps claim to provide hidden or unauthorized features not found in official apps by tech platforms.
How do these apps work?
Malicious developers create malware apps disguised as apps with fun or useful functionality — like cartoon image editors or music players — and publish them on mobile app stores.
To cover up negative reviews by people who have spotted the defunct or malicious nature of the apps, developers may publish fake reviews to trick others into downloading the malware.
![Have you ever downloaded these malicious 400 apps?](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/malicious-app.jpg)
Malicious apps- Image Credit: Meta
When a person installs the malicious app, it may ask them to “Login With Facebook” before they can use its promised features. If they enter their credentials, the malware steals their username and password.
If the login information is stolen, attackers could gain full access to a person’s account and do things like message their friends or access private information.
How to protect Facebook accounts from malicious mobile apps?
Malware apps often have telltale signs that differentiate them from legitimate apps. Here are a few things to consider before logging into a mobile app with your Facebook account:
- Requiring social media credentials to use the app: Is the app unusable if you don’t provide your Facebook information? For example, be suspicious of a photo-editing app that needs your Facebook login and password before allowing you to use it.
- The app’s reputation: Is the app reputable? Look at its download count, ratings, and reviews, including negative ones.
- Promised features: Does the app provide the functionality it says it will, before or after logging in?
What to do if your Facebook account is compromised?
Suppose you believe you’ve downloaded a malicious app and have logged in with your social media or other online credentials. In that case, we recommend that you delete the app from your device immediately and follow the following instructions to secure your accounts:
- Reset and create new strong passwords. Never reuse your password across multiple websites.
- Enable two-factor authentication, preferably an Authenticator app, to add an extra security layer to your account.
- Turn on log-in alerts so you’ll be notified if someone is trying to access your account. Review your previous sessions to ensure you recognize which devices have access to your account.
![Have you ever downloaded these malicious 400 apps?](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Malware-Apps1.jpg)
Malicious apps- Image Credit: Meta
- It’s also recommended to report malicious applications that compromise Meta accounts through the Data Abuse Bounty program.
What are the 400 malicious apps?
Meta provided a list of more than 400 malicious apps in a blog post so users can check to see if they have downloaded any of them. Some apps include Beauty Camera, Kangaroo VPN, Magic Horoscope, and QR Barcode Scanner.
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