Eliana Willis

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    in Robotics

    Strange bedfellows: Demand for robots could be boon for labor

    Nuro
    It seems counterintuitive, but robots may be a growing bright spot for American manufacturing. The latest example is an announcement by a leading autonomous delivery company that it will create two new facilities in southern Nevada as it moves to scale production of its latest autonomous delivery vehicle.Overall, the market for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs) is forecasted to generate over $10bn by 2023 according to Interact Analysis, and that prediction relies on data from before the COVID-19 pandemic. Delivery robots in particualr are quickly coming of age as COVID lingers and touchless fulfillment becomes the norm. Sidestepping municipal red tape, enterprising companies like Starship Technologies have launched pilot programs in controlled access spaces, such as college campuses.Nuro, among the leading players in autonomous delivery vehicle development, has been focused on proofing its technology across the southwest and just announced a $40 million investment to develop its two newest facilities—an end-of-line manufacturing facility and world-class closed-course test track. The company has already partnered with some of the country’s biggest brands.”This is a significant moment for Nuro. Building on our tremendous momentum—including strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as Domino’s, Kroger, and FedEx and operations in three states—we are now able to invest in the infrastructure to build tens of thousands of robots,” said Jiajun Zhu, Nuro co-founder and CEO. “We greatly appreciate the state’s leadership in working with us to finalize this partnership. The decision to place these facilities in Southern Nevada was an easy one.”For generations automation and labor interests have had a shaky relationship. It’s an odd twist, then, that the American robotics sector may be giving rise to a new manufacturing opportunity, one that has every reason to stay onshore. Incentivized via its Made in China 2030 program, has seen tremendous growth in its robotics manufacturing sector, with a forecast growth of over 26% CAGR in the next couple years. But as American robotics developers look to make a case to local governments to let robots loose on city streets, where they will end up right at customer’s doorsteps, there’s every incentive to keep the technology, from development to manufacturing, onshore. Lingering supply chain issues have only emphasized this point.Nuro’s new production facility—the industry’s first end-of-line manufacturing facility in America with the capacity to manufacture tens of thousands of delivery vehicles––will enable the company to meet the demand for its third-generation autonomous vehicles with current and future partners. Totaling over 125,000 square feet of space and over 80 acres of property development, the new commercial facility will allow Nuro to quickly manufacture its electric delivery AVs in the coming years with help from BYD North America.”It’s one thing to introduce new jobs to the state—and it’s another thing to introduce high-quality careers to our community,” said Governor Steve Sisolak. “We’re pleased to welcome Nuro to Southern Nevada and are especially excited for the careers they’ll be offering that will have long-term benefits for our community.”

    Nevada is a fitting home for the facility. The state enacted its first-in-the-nation autonomous vehicle legislation in 2011, becoming a leader in promoting the safe deployment of the technology.”Investing in the technological advancement of autonomous vehicles will allow us to better address the pressing issue of safety on Nevada’s roads,” said Senator Jacky Rosen. “I remain enthusiastic about these efforts in Nevada, which will provide benefits to our communities.” More

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    in Networking

    Our broadband was having problems. Here's how I added 5G backup to cover outages

    We’ve been having persistent problems with our fiber to the cabinet VDSL connection over the past few months. It’s the worst kind of fault, intermittent and prone to happen when we’re on a call or trying to download software. We’ve changed the router, even had engineers out to check the connection. Our ISP has changed our wholesale provider (as much as they can), the cabling provider has changed the cable we’re using and the port in the fiber cabinet, but nothing seems to work. SEE: Internet slow? Here are the possible reasons why and how to fix themAll the various diagnostics seem to point to one thing: the aluminium cabling under the street put in sometime in the 1960s or 70s is reaching end of life. What worked just well in the ADSL days when a 20Mbps connection was fast is not working for VDSL’s 50-80Mbps. Micro-cracks in the aluminium cause resonances that translate to changes in signal and the connection fails. There’s really only one fix: putting fresh copper (not cost-saving aluminium) down for the entire street. But re-trunking like that is expensive and requires lots of planning and coordination. With the line still suitable for voice, and as the UK fiber-to-the-premises program is planned to cover our postcode sometime between 2022 and 2024, that’s not going to happen at any point in the foreseeable future. So what to do? Reliable internet is a must-have for freelance journalists, especially in these Zoom-heavy times. 

    Luckily, we do have an option: our area of London has a good 5G signal from at least one provider and our existing Draytek Vigor router has built-in WAN failover features. So why not add a wireless connection to automatically takeover during outages?Once we’d made the decision, we had to find a router, preferably one that wasn’t tied to a mobile operator. We ended up settling on the recently launched TCL LinkHub HH500E (sold as Alcatel in some parts of the world), built around a Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 chipset. It’s an attractive device, with two ethernet LAN ports and 2.4 and 5GHz WiFi. It could be placed near the VDSL router, using a short piece of ethernet to connect the two devices and take advantage of Draytek’s failover WAN support. I had to use a slower speed SIM for setup, as the only one I had spare was for a network that doesn’t offer 5G here yet. However, I’ve got one on order, a device SIM from EE with unlimited data for under £40/month. As it is, our local 4G speeds are around 30-40Mbps, so more than good enough for most purposes.Configuration was slightly tricky, mainly caused by some long-standing networking decisions I’d made. Our network runs, like most small office networks, using RFC1918 addressing in the 192.168.1.X space. To use the new 5G router as a WAN extension, it needs to be on a different network from the rest of the network, using its built-in DHCP server to give the Draytek’s WAN port an address on its network. It took me a while to realize that it needed to control its own network. I’d initially configured it to be a client on my existing network, getting its address from my DHCP server.I could see that the new 5G router was online from its built-in diagnostic tools.
    Image: Simon Bisson
    That meant changing the default network range on the 5G router. I chose 192.168.2.x, which it would use for its own WiFi connections as well. This was the point where I made a mistake resetting the router’s admin password, locking myself out and forcing a device reset. That’s about par for the course on our network, as I usually end up having to reset new devices at least once during setup. At least this time it was only setting too strong a password and forgetting to write it down! Configuring DHCP on the 5G router.
    Image: Simon Bisson
    I could now configure the Draytek’s WAN2 port to use the new 5G router. First I enabled the network port, as I’d initially been using it as an extra LAN port (before moving most local connections to a small power-over-ethernet capable gigabit switch). In the Draytek web console I used the WAN Internet Access settings to set up WAN2 as a Static or Dynamic IP connection, using the external router as a DHCP server for the port. I then used the WAN General Settings tool to configure the new WAN connection to handle failover.Connecting the 5G router to the VDSL router’s WAN port.
    Image: Simon Bisson
    Here I set the connection’s Active Mode to Backup for WAN1, with it set to take over if the WAN1 connection failed. The other option is to use it as an always-on connection, load-balancing automatically with the existing VDSL connection. Configuring WAN failover on a Draytek router.
    Image: Simon Bisson
    That’s all that’s necessary to set a failover WAN. I was able to test it by dropping the PPPoE VDSL connection, with connectivity switching over to the 5G router, and switching back when I re-enabled the VDSL connection. It’s since proven itself in operation, failover working as expected later that day in a short network outage. I tested failover by dropping the PPPoE WAN1 connection and seeing that the WAN2 connection had taken over.
    Image: Simon Bisson
    Failover networking is often seen as only for enterprise networks, but the current generation of business-oriented VDSL and 4G or 5G routers means there’s an affordable option for smaller operations. All you need is the right hardware and an appropriate data plan – and a little bit of time spent configuring your network. SEE: Best DSL internet 2021: No fiber? No problemAdding backup connectivity is something you should consider if you’re moving to work from home, especially when you need to be always online for meetings and to collaborate with colleagues. A fast broadband connection is not enough; now you need two that don’t use the same physical connection. That may be 5G for us in the UK; in the US, it might be your cable TV connection – and tomorrow it could even be low-orbit satellites.

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    in Information Technology

    Cream Finance platform pilfered for over $34 million in cryptocurrency

    Cream Finance has lost over $34 million in cryptocurrency after a cyberattacker exploited a vulnerability in the project’s market system. 

    The decentralized finance (DeFi) organization is the developer of a lending protocol for individuals, with yields on offer for some cryptocurrency stakes. Assets on the platform include Ethereum (ETH), the AMP token, CREAM token, USDT, and COMP.Cream said an attacker managed to exploit a vulnerability on August 31, leading to the theft of 462,079,976 in AMP ($24.2m) tokens and 2,804.96 ETH tokens ($9.9m), according to an update posted on September 1.At current prices, this amounts to over $34 million.  In an analysis of the attack, with the assistance of PeckShield, Cream said an error in how the platform integrated AMP, leading to a reentrancy bug, was the source of the exploit.  “While unfortunate and disappointing, we take ownership of the error,” the developers say.  Cream is now working with law enforcement to try and trace the attacker — or, attackers, as the platform says a “copycat” was also in play at the time of the main attack. The second individual has a transaction history with Binance.

    The organization has paused AMP supply and borrow functions until a patch can be deployed. The stolen ETH and AMP will be replaced, with 20% of protocol fees now earmarked to repay customers.  Cream says that if the attacker is willing to return the stolen cryptocurrency, they can keep 10%, without any consequences as a form of bug bounty payment. However, if others are able to provide a lead on the identity of the cyberattacker leading to their arrest and/or prosecution, 50% of the value of the stolen funds is on offer. as a reward  If neither offer is successful, “we will forward all relevant information to law enforcement authorities and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law,” the company says.This is not the first time Cream has fallen foul of a cyberattack. In February, the platform lost $37.5 million due to a flash loan exploit made via IronBank.  Earlier this month, DeFi platform Poly Network said an attacker exploited a vulnerability in the platform to siphon away roughly $610 million in cryptocurrency, including BSC and ETH. The thief has since returned the funds and is signed off as “Mr. White Hat” in Poly blog posts.  The company has returned assets to its rightful owners and is currently in the process of restoring cross-chain services.  Previous and related coverage Have a tip? Get in touch securely via WhatsApp | Signal at +447713 025 499, or over at Keybase: charlie0 More

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    in Information Technology

    Scam artists are recruiting English speakers for business email campaigns

    Native English speakers are being recruited in their droves by criminals trying to make Business Email Compromise (BEC) more effective. 

    BEC schemes can be simple to execute and among the most potentially devastating for a business, alongside threats such as ransomware.  A BEC scam will usually start with a phishing email, tailored and customized depending on the victim. Social engineering and email address spoofing may also be used to make the message appear to originate from someone in the target company — such as an executive, the CEO, or a member of an accounts team — in order to fool an employee into making a payment to an account controlled by a criminal.  In some cases, these payments — intended to pay an alleged invoice, for example — can reach millions of dollars. In 2020, US companies alone lost roughly $1.8 billion to these forms of cyberattack.  Little technical knowledge is required to pull off a BEC scam, however, threat actors need to be able to communicate effectively in order to succeed in these endeavors — and if they are not fluent in the language a target speaks, this can cause BEC attacks to ultimately fail.  Unfortunately, there are ways to plug this gap in expertise: recruit a native language speaker from the underground.  According to Intel 471, forums are now being used to seek out English speakers, in particular, to bring together teams able to manage both the technical aspects and social engineering elements of a BEC scam. 

    Over the course of 2021, threat actors have posted ‘wanted’ adverts on a popular Russian-speaking cybercriminal forum asking for native English speakers, later tasked with managing email communication that would not raise red flags to members of a high-level organization, as well as to manage the negotiation aspect of a BEC operation. If a scam is to succeed, the target employee must believe communication comes from a legitimate source — and secondary language use, spelling mistakes, and grammatical issues could all be indicators that something isn’t right, in the same way that run-of-the-mill spam often contains issues that alert recipients to attempted fraud.  “Actors like those we witnessed are searching for native English speakers since North American and European markets are the primary targets of such scams,” the researchers say.In addition, threat actors are also trying to recruit launderers to clean up the proceeds from BEC schemes, often achieved through cryptocurrency mixer and tumbler platforms. One advert spotted by the team asked for a service able to launder up to $250,000.  “The BEC footprint on underground forums is not as large as other types of cybercrime, likely since many of the operational elements of BEC use targeted social engineering tactics and fraudulent domains, which do not typically require technical services or products that the underground offers,” Intel 471 says. “[…] Criminals will use the underground for all types of schemes, as long as those forums remain a hotbed of skills that can make criminals money.” Previous and related coverage Have a tip? Get in touch securely via WhatsApp | Signal at +447713 025 499, or over at Keybase: charlie0 More

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    in Networking

    Logitech Bolt: New wireless protocol provides added security for mice and keyboards

    Logitech’s Bolt wireless protocol will allow a new generation of MX Master and Ergo keyboards and mice to connect more securely and more reliably than with standard Bluetooth LE.
    Image: Logitech
    Logitech’s MX mice and keyboards have long been popular with both business and home users – and, of course, the company’s webcams and video-conferencing systems were tailor-made for the new hybrid-working patterns that emerged during the coronavirus pandemic.However, the company is now making a more focused push into the business sector with its MX Master Series For Business, which introduces a new feature called Bolt. SEE: The best Windows laptops in 2021Described by Logitech as “a new high-performance, secure wireless technology”, Bolt is based on Bluetooth LE and can be used to connect the new MX mice and keyboards to a computer either via a standard Bluetooth connection or by using the USB RF receivers that Logitech also bundles with its products. That support for both Bluetooth and proprietary connectivity has long been a feature of Logitech products, but the company claims that the new Bolt-compatible generation of mice and keyboards will offer business users lower latency and improved reliability in crowded office environments, as well as additional security features that aren’t available with its existing MX products. When using a Bluetooth connection, a Bolt-compatible mouse supports Bluetooth Security Mode 1, Security Level 2, while a keyboard supports Security Mode 1, Security Level 3. However, Logitech’s redesigned Bolt USB receiver is the more secure option, allowing both mice and keyboards to step up to Bluetooth Security Mode 1, Security Level 4.Logitech will release new MX Master Series For Business keyboards and mice at the end of September.
    Images: Logitech
    The Bolt option is also compliant with FIPS – the set of Federal Information Processing Standards specified by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for use in non-military organisations. We’ve seen several FIPS-compliant storage devices in recent months, but the MX Master Series for Business is the first time we’ve seen its use extended to mice and keyboards. And like previous generations of MX products, the new Bolt-compatible models will provide cross-platform compatibility, allowing them to control up to three PCs and Macs, and even to quickly switch from one to the other by using Logitech’s Options app.That’s the good news. The bad news is that Bolt isn’t compatible with existing MX mice and keyboards, so business users who require that additional level of security will need to wait for the new MX Master Series For Business, which is due to launch at the end of September. There will also be a new version of the compact MX Anywhere 3 mouse, which is designed for travelling with a laptop. Pricing for the new range has yet to be announced, although the existing MX mouse and keyboard each cost £99.99 (inc. VAT) or $99.99, while the MX Anywhere 3 costs £79.99 (inc. VAT) or $79.99. Logitech’s ergonomic Ergo keyboards and mice will also get a Bolt-compatible upgrade: Ergo Series for Business.
    Image: Logitech  

    Along with the streamlined design of the MX Master products, Logitech is also launching a second range of Bolt-compatible mice and keyboards, called Ergo Series for Business. This consists of a new version of its Ergo K860 keyboard, which uses an ergonomic ‘split’ keyboard layout that’s designed to reduce wrist-strain and other forms of repetitive strain injury (RSI). The Ergo keyboard will also be accompanied by a new version of Logitech’s Ergo M575, which combines the features of both mouse and trackball for £44.99 (inc. VAT) or $44.95. Also SeeLogitech MX Master 3 and MX Keys, hands on: Logitech reinvents the (mouse) wheel Logitech MX Anywhere 3, hands on: A compact mouse for mobile workers Logitech Ergo M575, hands on: An affordable ergonomic wireless trackball Hands-on: Logitech Ergo K860 Natural Keyboard  More

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    in Networking

    Kiwis to see 100/20Mbps fibre lines jump to 300/100Mbps thanks to Chorus boost

    Image: Chorus
    Chorus has said it will be upgrading its fibre users over the next three months to replace 100Mbps speeds with 300Mbps connections. That means its 100/20Mbps plan will become 300/100Mbps, while the Business Evolve 100/100Mbps plan will become 300/300Mbps, and Small Business Fibre 100/100Mbps will be 500Mbps symmetric. “The fibre build propelled New Zealand’s broadband infrastructure well ahead of that in Australia, the UK and many other countries. However, some countries, where fibre is ubiquitous are starting to pull ahead,” the company said. The upshift could impact up to 600,000 premises, Chorus said. “In 2011, at the start of UFB, 30Mbps was considered a great broadband speed. In 2015, as Netflix launched in New Zealand, ‘great broadband’ increased to 100Mbps,” CEO JB Rousselot said. “Our network traffic monitoring is showing that there are homes and businesses on fibre 100/20Mbps who regularly max out their broadband connection.” Chorus said it is consulting with New Zealand retailers to determine the best way to pass through the upgrade and expects most customers to see it in early December.

    In its recent set of results, the broadband wholesaler said it was approaching 20% of its 860,000 fibre connections being on 1Gbps plans and has launched 8Gbps fibre in “select CBDs”. In total, Chorus has 1.34 million connections around New Zealand, a drop from the 1.42 million reported last year. Revenue for the company dropped NZ$12 million to NZ$947 million, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation was steady at NZ$649 million, and net profit landed at NZ$47 million. Last week, the NZ Commerce Commission released its winter edition of the Measuring Broadband New Zealand and found 1Gbps plans were clocking at 855Mbps during busy hours. “We’ve enhanced the programme by adding a new test server in Christchurch that enables us to measure and report on performance in the South Island independently,” Telecommunications Commissioner Tristan Gilbertson said at the time. “The Christchurch server has confirmed that any differences in performance in the South Island are the result of many providers routing their traffic via the North Island. “However, the difference in performance for high speed fibre plans is minor, and would likely not be noticeable for most South Islanders.” Related Coverage More

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    in Networking

    Best domain registrars and domain name sellers

    One of the most important things in business is accessibility, and having an online presence goes a long way in keeping your business current and in front of the right customers. It is a quick and easy way to interact, sell, and grow, all while serving as an invaluable communications platform that helps bridge the gap between owner and consumer. However, to create and maintain an online presence for your business, you first need a domain registrar and name seller to help you present your company to the world. That is where these companies can help.These are the best domain name sellers to register your business and grow your online presence in 2021.

    Best security features

    Shutterstock

    At a glanceWhen you register your new domain with Bluehost, you get access to WordPress and Google tools with built-in SEO controls to easily manage and market your site. You also receive a free Google My Business profile that is integrated right into your Bluehost dashboard for easy accessibility and account management with visitor analytics. Bluehost also includes Google Ad Services with added security features that include free SSL and malware detection with automated security updates. To get you started, there are free customer consultations with 24/7 customer support if you stumble.ProsConsFree customer consultationsComplimentary security and marketing features24/7 customer supportNon-promotional pricing can be expensiveRestricted to U.S.-only serversLack complete backup featuresPricingThe cost of Bluehost is less than $3 per month with introductory pricing.There are three Bluehost plans to choose from:Shared Hosting: Normally $8.99/month, this plan is now on sale for $2.95 per month for a 36-month term with auto-renewal at the non-discounted rate of $8.99 monthly.Managed WordPress: For greater functionality, look at the Managed WordPress plan for $9.95 per month for 36 months with auto-renewal at $19.95 monthly. Online Stores: To add e-commerce to your site, pricing begins at $12.95 per month for 36 months with auto-renewal at $24.95 per month.The amount you pay to register your domain depends on the type of domain that you choose.Bluehost domain pricingDomain type1st-year cost.blog$22.99.co$27.99.com$12.99.me$17.99.net$14.99.org$9.99.tech$4.99.website$1.99If you are not sure which plan is right for you, BlueHost customer representatives can provide a free consultation to help you decide.

    Best website tools

    At a glanceWhen you register your domain with Domain.com, you receive multiple services that include hosting, website design, and management. There are additional in-house services available if you need help designing your website, and once your site is up and running, your account integrates with several popular website tools, like WordPress, WebsiteBuilder, and SiteLock. There are more than 300 top-level domains (TLDs) with available premium domains for something a little more special.Domain.com offers three plans that all come with scalable bandwidth and free SSL by Let’s Encrypt.Plan nameNumber of websitesStorageDatabasesFTP log-insBasic1Unlimited105DeluxeUnlimitedUnlimited2525UltraUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimitedProsConsAffordable pricing for most domainsProfessional website design availableMultiple website toolsNo multi-year discounts for plansMust pay upfrontUpsells can drive up pricePricingThe amount you pay depends on the term you choose when you purchase your plan.Domain.com PlansPlan name12-month  pricing24-month pricing36-month pricingBasic$3.75/mo$45.00 total$3.75/mo$90.00 total$3.75/mo$135.00 totalDeluxe$6.75/mo$81 total$6.75/mo$162 total$6.75/mo$243 totalUltra$13.75/mo$165 total$13.75/mo$330 total$13.75/mo$495 totalYou also must purchase your domain, but first-year pricing is very competitive, depending on the domain that you choose..co: $27.99.com: $8.99.me: $2.99.net: $12.99.org: $8.99.tech: $4.99Domain.com offers 24/7 technical support if you need help signing up.

    Best uptime guarantee

    DreamHost

    At a glanceDreamHost proudly shares that it has won the “Editor’s Choice” award by PCMag for five years running. Its hosting options include website hosting or WordPress hosting, both priced the same, with free WordPress migrations, private registration, and WHOIS privacy with the option for free subdomains. Plans include expanded security features such as Multi-Factor Authentication, auto-enabled SFTP, and free secure hosting with Let’s Encrypt. There is 24/7 customer support, and additional Cloud hosting is available for you at $0.0075 per hour. DreamHost is so confident in its services that there is a 100% uptime guarantee to give you even more peace of mind.ProsConsTop-rated by industry experts100% uptime guaranteeFree WordPress migrationMust commit to three years for discountsAdditional features can get priceyLimited support optionsPricingDreamHost offers three plans for your website hosting:Plan typePrepaid 3-year plan pricingMonthly plan pricingWordPress Basic$2.59/mo $4.95/mo DreamPress$16.95/mo$12/moVPS for WordPress$27.50/mo$30/moIf you choose the WordPress Basic or DreamPress plans, you receive free migration for your WordPress siteYou may also purchase your domain using the following price structure:.blog: $4.99.club: $1.99.com: $7.99.design: $5.99.io: $29.99.me: $2.99.online: $1.99.org: $11.99.shop: $2.99.tech: $2.99.xyz: $0.89To help, there is 24/7 expert support available. 

    Best for expanded tools

    Shutterstock

    At a glanceGoDaddy is one of the most well-known domain registrars with over 20 million customers and over 82 million domains. You can get started for free with no credit card required, but there are a total of six plans to choose from for hosting once your site is up and running. Plans include SSL security with dedicated server hosting, up to 100 subdomains, and optional WordPress and website design services. You can also add an online store with added email and Microsoft 365 access. GoDaddy is truly the multi-faceted domain registrar that has what it takes to grow with you as your website expands.ProsConsFree to beginEmail and Microsoft 365 integrationMultiple hosting plansSingle pricing for domainsOnly single year discountsNo toll-free support numberPricingGoDaddy offers six plans for hosting with monthly pricing.GoDaddy PlansPlan Starting monthly priceFeaturesWeb Hosting$5.99/moBasic websitesWordPress Hosting$6.99/moWordPress sitesWordPress Ecommerce Hosting$15.99/moOnline storeBusiness Hosting$19.99/moHigh-traffic sitesVPs Hosting$4.99/moWeb designers & developersDedicated Server$129.99/moHighly customized applicationsDomains are available for purchase for one to ten years using the following price structure..buzz: $1.99/mo, $49.99 normally.com: $11.99/mo, $18.99 normally.email: $5.99/mo, $27.99 normally.net: $14.99/mo, $19.99 normally.site: $0.99/mo, $39.99 normally.VIP: $6.99/mo, $21.99 normally.ws: $4.99/mo, $34.99 normally.xyz: $0.99/mo, $15.99 normallyGoDaddy offers 24/7 support if you need help at any point.

    Best for Google Tools

    Google

    Integrating with your existing Google account, Google Domains offers you access to over 300 domain endings with extra tools to make designing your website a breeze once you purchase and register your new domain. However, once you purchase your domain, your options from web hosting will come from other providers, such as Wix, Weebly, Shopify, and Blogger. There are several tools that come included, such as email forwarding, extra privacy protection, and one-click DNSSEC with Google’s 2-Step Verification. Plus, Google Workspace is built-in with up to 100 email aliases and convenient access to Google Ads.ProsConsAccess to signature Google toolsEasy email forwardingStraightforward pricingWebsite hosting through third partiesAccess to limited number of domainsNot available in all countriesPricingDomain pricing for Google Domains begins at $7 per year with over 100 domain extensions..app: $14/yr.biz: $15/yr.ca: $12/yr.co: $30/yr.com: $12/yr.dev: $12/yr.et: $12/yr.me: $20/yr.org: $12/yr.us: $12/yrThere is 24/7 customer support to help you decide and guide the process.

    Best for All-Inclusive

    Shutterstock

    HostGator hosts over two million websites with easy one-click install that is compatible with popular systems like WordPress, Magento, Drupal, and Joomla. SiteLock also integrates to give your site improved security with malware removal.There are a few things that come with each HostGator plan, like one-click WordPress installs, unlimited storage, and free WordPress/cPanel website transfers. Plans feature unmetered bandwidth with free SSL certificate and 99.9% uptime for added reliability. With HostGator, you also get free site transfers and a free domain for your first year. If you want a head start on your advertising, there is $150 in Google Ads credit to get you started.ProsCons99.9% uptimeFree site transfersFree domain for first yearPricey renewal costsStandard single backup optionComplicated interface for newer usersPricingHostGator offers free first-year domain hosting.  From there, pricing depends on the domain that you choose. Introductory pricing lasts one year and then auto-renews at the prevailing rate. .com: $12.95/first yr, $17.99 thereafter.info: $12.95/first yr, $17.99 thereafter.me: $15.00/first yr, $19.95 thereafter.net: $12.95/first yr, $17.99 thereafter.online: $1.95/first yr, $15.00 thereafter.org: $12.95/first yr, $17.99 thereafter.site: $0.95/first yr, $15.00 thereafter.tech: $3.95/first yr, $30.00 thereafter.website: $0.95/first yr, $15.00 thereafterThere are five web hosting plans from HostGator.HostGator Hosting PlansPlanNumber of websitesIntroductory priceHatchling1$2.08/moBabyUnlimited$2.98/moBusinessUnlimited$4.48/moHostGator also offers 24/7/365 support so someone is always there to help.

    Best for Email Forwarding

    Hover

    Hover specializes in just two things: domain registration and professional email services. You will not find the multiple hosting plans of other companies. However, Hover offers the option to either purchase a new domain or transfer an existing one, with websites set to auto-renew with your choice of either an annual basis or within a set number of years. Your account benefits from added security features that include WHOIS privacy and two-factor authentication, plus there is the Hover Connect tool to easily transfer your existing site.If you choose to add professional email to your domain, Hover is compatible with IMAP, POP, and Webmail. You automatically get to enjoy account bonuses like email forwarding, vacation autoresponder, and built-in anti-spam and virus tools.ProsConsBulk domain pricing availableProfessional email services availableVarying fee schedule for domain transfersNo website hostingSome domains are priceyNo 24/7 customer supportPricingHover offers straightforward domain pricing that includes your registration rate, renewal price, and transfer price for at-a-glance pricing, leaving no room for confusion.Hover Domain PricingDomainRegistration rateRenewal rateTransfer rate.ca$15.99/yr$15.99/yr$15.99/yr.co$25.99/yr$25.99/yr$25.99/yr.com$12.99/yr$14.99/yr$12.99/yr.info$17.99/yr$17.99/yr$17.99/yr.io$49.99/yr$49.99/yr$79.99/yr.me$9.99/yr$19.99/yr$19.99/yr.mobi$19.99/yr$19.99/yr$19.99/yr.net$15.49/yr$17.49/yr$15.49/yr.news$26.99/yr$26.99/yr$26.99/yr.online$4.99/yr$34.99/yr$34.99/yr.org$13.99/yr$15.99/yr$13.99/yr.tech$7.99/yr$49.99/yr$49.99/yr.us$14.99/yr$14.99/yr$14.99/yrThis is the pricing providing for up to nine domains, with extra discounts that apply the more domains you buy.There is also professional email that you can add to your site:Small Mailbox: For $20 per year, you receive 10GB of storage.Big Mailbox: For $29 annually, Hover offers 1TB of storage.Email forwarding: $5 per yearIf you need help, prepare to do some research online as Hover does not offer the 24/7 customer support standard with most companies.

    Best for Plan Options

    Photo by Micheile Henderson on Unsplash

    NameCheap is the provider of over two million customers with over 1.5 million websites, and it has the services to help websites of all sizes. There are several hosting plans, so many that it categorizes them based on whether you are a new online user, small business, or large company. Either way, plans are extensive and include free hosting migration with a 30-day money-back guarantee for eligible customers.There are lots of add-on services to better customize your plan, like cloud storage for some plans and private email plans that feature a free 60-day trial period.ProsCons30-day money-back guaranteeSeveral dedicated hosting plansFree first-year domainSome renewal rates are expensiveLimitations on pricing discountsNo uptime guaranteesPricingNameCheap web hosting plans are designed around your needs, with the company categorizing its services based on the three types of customers it serves: individuals, small businesses, and large companies. For each one, there are several options.NameCheap Hosting PlansPlanPromo costRenewal rateIndividualsStellar$1.58/mo for first year$2.88/moStellar Plus$2.68/mo for first year$4.88/moEasyWP Starter for WordPress$0/mo for first month$3.88/moStarter$0/mo for first 2 months$11.88/yrSmall businessesStellar Business$4.80/mo for first year$8.88/moNebula$17.88/mo (unspecified term)$19.99/moEasy WP Turbo for WordPress$0/mo for first month$7.88/moPro$0/mo for first 2 months$33.88/yrLarge companiesEasyWP Supersonic for WordPress$0/mo for first month$11.88/moQuasar$14.88/mo (unspecified term)$19.88/moXeon E3-1240 v3$40.88/mo for first month$52.88/moDomain pricing varies based on the domain that you choose for your new site. If you subscribe to the Shared Hosting plan, you could receive a free domain for your first year. Otherwise, pricing varies based on the following:.ai: $8.88/yr first year, $12.98/yr thereafter.co: $7.98/yr first year, $23.98/yr thereafter.com: $8.88/yr first year, $12.98/yr thereafter.io: $32.98/yr first year, $34.98/yr thereafter.net: $10.98/yr first year, $14.98/yr thereafter.org: $9.18/yr first year, $14.98/yr thereafterIf you need help, grab your computer, because there is 24/7 expert chat support.

    How did we choose these products?There are many companies to choose from when you need to register your new website, but it is critical that you choose a reliable and trustworthy company to entrust with your website. These are some of the critical factors we consider when choosing the best domain registrars and domain name sellers for 2021.Domain names: There are some domain registrars that offer several hundred domain names while others barely offer one hundred, so it is important to consider what kind of variety you would like available for your new domain extension.Pricing: The exact same domain extension can vary significantly in price from provider to provider, so shop your preferred domain extension to see which service offers the most competitive pricing for your first-year and renewal rates.Security: Many domain registrars also offer security tools to help protect your new website, but some may carry a fee or depend on the web hosting plan that you choose.Customer support: Even expert users can stumble when creating or migrating a website, but customer service options can vary significantly based on your provider. Which is the right one for you?Choose this domain registrar…If you…Bluehost Want extra security freebies for your new websiteDomain.com Need extra tools and help for your domain managementDreamhostPrioritize website up-time and reliabilityGoDaddyHave a growing business or large enterprisesGoogle DomainsAre an existing Google userHostGatorWant all-inclusive service without the upsellsHoverJust want to register your domain with email accessNameCheapWant the room to grow and still have tons of options

    What are domain extensions?

    A domain extension is the text that comes after the name of your website, such as the popular .com extension. There are several hundreds of domain extensions available today but your choices will depend on the domain name seller that you choose.

    How long does my domain last?

    You cannot permanently purchase a domain name forever, but you can buy a domain name from a provider for a certain amount of time. Some plans will then auto-renew, while others may require you to renew the name yourself.

    Why do I need a domain registrar and name seller?

    Not only does a domain name seller provide the unique webname for your site, but it also can provide invaluable extras like security tools, professional email, and online ecommerce options to grow your business. 

    Are there alternatives worth considering?

    Some other options for domain registrars and name sellers in 2021 include these companies:Gandi: Receive 50% off your first-year pricing with email and web hostingHostinger: Affordable web hosting solutions with excellent customer supportHostPapa: Domain registrar with small business solutions IONOS: Domain theft protection with domain registrationInMotion Hosting: 99.9% uptime with a money-back guaranteeName.com: Bulk capability with the benefit of Google tools

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    in Networking

    Telstra rises as the new ACCC NBN speed report king

    Image: ACCC
    On Tuesday, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) released its latest Measuring Broadband Australia report, and it would appear Telstra is the new speed king.Going across all NBN fixed-line plans, Exetel and Optus lead the way followed by Telstra, MyRepublic, and TPG. But once underperforming services are removed, Telstra smokes the field, followed by Optus, Exetel, MyRepublic, and TPG. What seals the deal for Telstra is its performance during busy hours, where it is still able to hit its advertised 50Mbps and 100Mbps speed claims during busy hours. MyRepublic and TPG can also lay claim to being able to hit their advertised speeds, but TPG only states it will hit 90Mbps on 100Mbps NBN plans, and MyRepublic currently says it will only hit 93Mbps. Compared to the June edition of the report, it looks as though most telcos have taken a hit and slowed down during busy hours, however that’s not the complete picture as telcos have been increasing their advertised speeds. It’s entirely possible that users are having a better experience with higher throughput, but telcos are failing to hit their stated claims. The starkest in this report was Superloop only hitting its advertised speed during busy hours 48% of the time, compared to 93% in June, but its advertised speed has increased to 100% of 50Mbps and 100Mbps plans when it was previously around the 90% mark. Similarly, previous speed king Optus, dropped from 100% down to 93% while its claims rose from 90% to 100%.

    This would be a lot easier to decipher if the ACCC published raw Mbps speeds instead of playing games with percentages. Elsewhere in the report, Aussie Broadband has seen its error rate blow out, doubling its 0.18 daily outage rate to 0.36. This increase occurred as every other telco tested saw a dropping error rate. Aussie Broadband has not responded to questions on why it is bucking the trend. The report also stated the bleeding obvious when discussing the ACCC mandated overprovisioning of downsteam speeds because the consumer watchdog tests speeds at layer 7 while NBN is mandated to provide layer 2 connectivity. “Overprovisioning of many NBN services, which began in June 2020, remains in effect and has enabled an increase in average download speeds by around 10% to 15% compared with a February 2020 baseline,” the report said. This has not stopped the likes of Telstra telling users they have been given a speed boost rather than a wholesaler turning the metaphorical dial on its plans. Unfortunately for fixed wireless users, the report showed a more expected result during busy hours, when last time out it had a peak at 11pm. For users on the 50/10Mbps plans, speeds dropped to 21Mbps at 8pm, and upload speeds never went much higher than 6Mbps and dropped under 4Mbps at 8pm.”While the significant decrease typically occurs during the busy hours (between 7pm and 11pm), there was also a notable decrease from midday, with speeds dipping to 10Mbps below the day’s maximum speed and remaining at that level during the course of the afternoon,” the report said. The ACCC also noted some users on 1Gbps plans not getting high speeds thanks to not using ports capable of such speeds. “Our testing has revealed that some volunteers on very high speed plans are unable to receive speeds above 100Mbps to connected devices due to limitations on Ethernet ports on some home gateways. We encourage consumers on these higher speed plans to contact their retail service providers to check that they have equipment that can support their plan speeds,” ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said. “We expect retailers to take appropriate steps to assist affected customers on NBN250 plans and above, both when offering these plans and for existing customers who may require replacement home gateways, or the option to move to a suitable plan speed.” The August edition of the report covered measurements made during the May reporting period. 
    Image: ACCC
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