Several improvements and new features help ensure that Kaspersky Internet Security (KIS) 2018 will provide peace of mind when you have valuable data stored on multiple Internet-connected devices.

Having determined that the average Thai home has 6.3 devices connected to the Net – and that Thailand ranks 33rd among countries in terms of risky surfing, Kaspersky Lab Thailand is offering multiple-device packages to address specific concerns.

Between last July and September, Kaspersky Lab products detected nearly three million Web-borne malware incidents on Thai computers linked to its security network. It says 17.6 per cent of users were attacked via the Internet during that period.

So the Thai Kaspersky Service Centre (iCom Tech Co Ltd) has come up with the following one-year offerings:

Kaspersky Total Security 2018 for one device, Bt990; Total Security 2018, three devices, Bt1,890; Internet Security 2018, one device, Bt890; Internet Security 2018, three devices, Bt1,780; Anti-Virus 2018, one device, Bt690, and Anti-Virus 2018, three devices, Bt1,380.

Anti-Virus is recommended for computers not connected to the Internet.

Total Security has three features lacking in Kaspersky Internet Security.

Safe Kid Extra Security shields young computer users. Secure Password Manager stores passwords for easy access. File Backup and Encryption is ideal for making backup copies of files.

But KIS also has four new features – Wi-Fi Security Notifications and Secure Connection for a MacIntosh, protection against infections during forced reboots for a PC, and App Lock for Android devices.

Improved in the 2018 suite are URL Advisor, System Watcher, Trusted Application Mode, support for Safe Money scenarios in Microsoft Edge and the latest macOS 10.12 and Windows 10 Creators Update, and an all-in-one browser extension for Macs that works with Safari, Chrome and Firefox.

If you use a Macbook and work outside the home, you’ll appreciate the Wi-Fi Security Notifications. When this new feature detects an unsecured Wi-Fi connection, it will advise you on how to easily improve the situation.

Secure Connection is also useful. It protects you while using public (unsafe) networks, providing a secure and encrypted communication channel. It secures the computer’s Internet connection to guarantee that all data sent and received are protected.

Secure Connection is installed as a separate app from the Mac App Store on the user’s device and is accessible inside the security solution application via the “Privacy” tile from the main screen.

The protection against infection during forced restarts is useful for Windows because some malware use this phase for injection into the system processes. This feature is the default setting for the Windows application of KIS 2018.

App Lock for Android helps guard your private communication and financials with a secret code to access apps you’ve selected. You can secure Gallery or other apps containing your pictures and videos and lock access to your Facebook, WhatsApp, Gmail, Messages and other apps.

With App Lock, you won’t need to worry when somebody is playing with your device and curious about the data stored on it or when you share your device with your kids and want to avoid unnecessary clicks or messages.

Secure Connection for Windows now supports Total Force Upgrade mechanisms. It now delivers regular notifications on IP-address protection.

Secure Connection also suggests a list of website categories in order to increase the accuracy of automatic activation of Secure Connection.

System Watcher is useful for protecting against ransomware that might lock your devices or encrypt your files.

Trusted Applications Mode offers advanced proactive protection from even emerging online threats, ensuring only trusted software is allowed to run on your PC.

The improved version applies more thorough security checks for the files with electronic signatures. Security checks are done using an internal, widening database of certificates and the KSN database.

I tried KIS 2018 on a Mac. The installation was smooth and the package didn’t slow down the computer.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

– Internet connection: For product activation, updates and access to some features

ON WINDOWS DESKTOPS, LAPTOPS

– Processor: 1GHz or higher

– Memory: 1GB 32bit or 2GB 64bit

875MB free space on hard drive

– Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 or higher

– Microsoft .NET Framework 4 or higher

– Microsoft Windows 10 Home / Pro / Enterprise

– Microsoft Windows 8 & 8.1 / Pro / Enterprise / 8.1 update

– Microsoft Windows 7 Starter / Home Basic & Premium / Professional / Ultimate — SP0 or higher

ON WINDOWS TABLETS (with Intel processor)

– Microsoft Windows 10 Home / Pro / Enterprise

– Microsoft Windows 8 & 8.1 / Pro (64bit)

– Minimum screen resolution: 1024×600

ON MAC DESKTOPS AND LAPTOPS

– 970MB free space on hard drive

– Memory: 2GB

– OS X 10.11 – macOS 10.13

ON ANDROID PHONES, TABLETS

– Android 4.1 – 8.0

– Minimum screen resolution: 320×480 pixels

IPHONE, IPAD

– iOS 9.0 or higher

WINDOWS PHONE

– Windows Phone 8

While many parents are in two minds about letting young children play video games, studies would seem to indicate that they do, when used in moderation of course, improve hand–eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and the ability to process information.

With this in mind, a Thai developer has just released a free life simulation game, “Friendship21s” which, it says, is designed to boost young children’s EQ and their social skills.

The free game, developed by Mirin Innovation, is essentially a graphic adventure with a lot of missions and mini-games, all of which are designed to teach young children to interact with others while building communication skills in daily life.

The game’s development was financed by the firm called Chiang Mai Charles Michels as a way to give back to society. The company says the game aims to teach youngsters to interact with others and be conscious of their duty to help others through missions and conversations with game characters.

It is a single-player game so all game characters are AIs or robots that interact with the player as programmed.

To play the game, which is available for both Android and iOS platforms, you need to download and install the game software. The Android version requires about 150 megabytes of download. You then name your character and select its gender sex, hairstyle and outfit.

During the game, you or your child can further change the hair style by tapping on the dressing table in the bedroom and change clothes by tapping on the closet. More decorative items will be earned on completing missions.

The game, which has colourful graphics, starts with the player being a member of a family that has just moved to a small town.

The main goal is for the character to get to know and make friends with all the characters in the town. The player must carry out missions assigned by neighbours or NPCs (non-playable characters).

All in all, there are 200 missions from 20 types NPCs to carry out. For example, one of the first missions is to buy toilet cleaner for mother and your child will have to walk the game character to a shop in town. If your kid knows how to read a map, it won’t be hard to navigate through the town to the shop.

Certain missions need game coins and these can be earned by playing a lot of mini games inside the  main game.

Your child will get to learn about the problems faced by characters in the game and must find out how to help them through talking with them. He or she will have a book to record the characters befriended and each character has a bar to show friendship level from minus 100 to 100.

As part of the game’s interface, your child will be given tablets and a bag.

The bag is for keeping items in the game. The Key item tab is for storing items needed for completing certain missions while the Seed tab is for storing seeds for growing and the last tab titled just Item is for keeping other kinds of things found in the game.

Tap on the tablet and six menus come up – News, Photo, Column, Contact, Map and To Do.

In news, you get to read announcements and various activities of the games while the To Do provides a list of missions that have been assigned. The completed missions will be moved to the “Complete” tab.

The Photo is a book for collecting photos of animals you will encounter while wandering in the town.

The column is for keeping articles from flyers and pieces of inscribed stones found in the town.

The map is useful for navigating as it gives current location in the town. And when you use the map while standing at a bus stop, it will show all available bus stops in the town. Tap on another bus stop mark on the map and a bus heading to the selected stop will turn up.

Interact with an NPC to buy or sell items and give the character a gift. The coins earned from selling items can be used to buy other items so that you can complete the assigned missions.

The 10 mini games are to teach the child to practise concentration, memory, observation as well as imbuing in him or her a voluntary spirit to serve the society.

The mini games include a garbage sorting game, one that involves cleaning a temple toilet and a restaurant where you have to memorise the food orders from three customers at a time. Pictures of ordered dishes are displayed for just three seconds. The florist mini game also tests the memory as it requires you to memorise the colour of flowers ordered by a customer and learn to mix colours to paint flowers to fulfil the order.

Find out about the game at Facebook.com/Frienship21s.

Key Specs

– Developer: Mirin Innovation

– Game type: Single-player life simulation

– Available platforms: Android, iOS

– Android requirement: Version 4.1 or later

– iOS requirement: iOS 8.0 or later

– Price: Free

Turn your house into a disco (relax, the neighbours will love it) with Sony’s MHCV90DW Muteki speakers. You get four five-centimetre tweeters, two 25cm subwoofers and four 13cm mid-range woofers, collectively weighing 50.5 kilograms and costing Bt21,990. That includes a DVD player and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities.

That’s some smart watch

Samsung’s Gear S3 Frontier smartwatch has a 1.3-inch Super Amoled display with Always on Display technology so it’s constantly refreshed and looks like a real watch dial. It’s preloaded with 15 dials to choose among, has builtin GPS to go with health-tracking apps, and can also function as MP3 player. It retails for Bt12,900.

Superfast phone charging

With Energea’s Widock 2 Coils desktop wireless charger, you can zap up a phone vertically or horizontally. It’s only 185 grams. It can house any phone five to 10 millimetres thick. Compatible with Qi-enabled devices, it comes with Fast Charge technology. LED lights show the charging status. Get one from RTB Technology for Bt1,690.

Sounds like a RockStar

The Deamware RockStar is a portable Bluetooth speaker with 80 watts of output power. A professional DSP vocal processor is built for karaoke. The 2,600mAh lithium battery is good for up to 12 hours of play and the speaker doubles as a power bank. Splashproof and with eight audio inputs, this beast costs Bt24,900.

Self-portrait of the artist

Canon’s EOS M10 interchangeable-lens mirrorless camera boasts an 18-megapixel CMOS APSC image sensor and fast Hybrid CMOS ASF II system. The 180-degree tiltable LCD display is ideal for self-portraits, complete with four modes. With builtin Wi-Fi, NFC function and an EFM 1545mm kit lens, it sells for Bt17,210.

Chicago jazz singer Tammy McCann jets into Bangkok later this month for a residency at The Living Room of the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit that runs from February 28 to March 31. She’ll be backed by the Randy Cannon Group Tuesday to Thursday from 9.15pm and on Friday and Saturday from 8.45pm. Internationally recognised for her powerful, sultry, and emotionally charged voice, she combines classical, gospel and jazz vocal techniques to create her own distinctive sound and style.

Boom your table at (02) 649 8353 or email: dining.sgs@luxurycollection.com.

Bubbles and Tinsel Town

Dusit Thani Bangkok’s popular “Return to Bubbles” series returns on February 23 with a special Hollywood night party featuring classic disco tunes from the ’70s and ’80s. Return to Bubbles is part of the hotel’s 48th anniversary celebrations and is dedicated to its first ever pub and discotheque, Bubbles, which opened in 1977 inspired by the hit movie “Saturday Night Fever” and western disco culture. Entry fee is Bt480 per person inclusive of one selected drink and the fun kicks off at 9.

Find out more at (02) 200 9000 extension 2998.

Wedding daze

Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok invites all brides and grooms-to-be to come along to its “Wedding Open House 2018”, which takes place at the Authors’ Lounge on February 24-25 from 10am to 7pm. Dedicated professional wedding specialists will be on hand to assist you in planning your dream wedding and there’ll be a range of exclusive packages on offer too.

Learn more at t(02) 659 9000 extension 7421 or email mobkkweddingsales@mohg.com.

All about innovation

The Innovation-Driven Entrepreneurship (IDE) 2018 Competition gets underway on Thursday at Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok on Sukhumvit Road. Running through February 24, the event features an MIT Enterprise Forum, Global Social Venture Competition, and a round on ideas and innovation). Alexander Rendell, chef Thitiwat Tantragarn, Lao film director Mattie Do, inventor and entrepreneur Solveiga Pakstaite, fashion designer Phannapast Taychamaythakool, musician Vahakn MatossianGehlhaar, scientist Panu Sukitpaneenit, and Alicia Noel of Cultivati Inc will speak at the symposium on the theme “Think Big Act Small” on February 24 starting at 12.30pm. Find out more at https://www.EventPop.me/e/2870ide2018.

OMG it’s OMI

DJ Omi spins in Thailand for the first time on February 21 performing live at Levels Club & Lounge on Sukhumvit Soi 11 from 9pm to 2am. He is best known for “Cheerleader”, a worldwide hit for him in a remixed version by German DJ Felix Jaehn with over 800 million streams on YouTube alone.

Book your table at (082) 308 3246.

Dubbed the “Ninja Maze … The Big Adventure presented by est Cola”, it will be at Westgate Hall on the fourth floor of Central Plaza Westgate from March 17 to May 31.

Ninjas have been a part of Japanese culture and guerrilla warfare since the 12th century. A ninja is someone who practises ninjutsu, an independent art of warfare developed in the regions of Iga in Mie Prefecture and Koka in Shiga Prefecture, Japan.

In times of peace, ninjutsu is referred to as the art of “entering from afar”, while in times of war, it is the art of “entering from nearby”, where the ninja gathers intelligence concerning the enemy and devises ways of beating him, without necessarily having to actually fight him. Ninjas consider the arts related to espionage and assassination and as valuable decrying war reliant on military strength (weapons) as foolish. The ninja who use their swords are sometimes regarded as the lowest of the ninja.

Visitors will make their way through a ninja house, full of hidden passageways and traps. The exhibition also includes a mini theatre, where a video reveals secrets of how the ninja are able to infiltrate and escape undetected. Visitors can also learn about the tools the ninja use to carry out their missions.

Entrance fee is Bt450 and tickets are now on sale at Thai Ticket Major counters and online at http://www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.

Rhythm Cycling is a workout like no other where participants ride to the rhythm of the music as if they’re dancing on the bike, creating motivation that fills the room with positive energy. With an ability to burn up to 500-800 calories in a 45-minute session, Rhythm Cycling is one of the hottest fitness trend in the United States and all over the world.

“Absolute Cycle is the next step for Absolute You, as we were looking for another type of exercise besides Yoga and Pilates Reformer to add to our brand. Rhythm Cycling is a perfect fit because it combines an intense cardio workout with fun and energetic beats of music and lights so the clients can have fun without thinking that it is a workout at all,” saus Benjaporn Karoonkornsakul, founder and chief executive of Absolute You.

“When you’re in a Rhythm Cycling class, it is more than just riding, you can feel the energy and it’s almost as if you have the time to look inside yourself, to find that strength to be a better you. As of now, we have a total of eight branches in Thailand and 1 in Singapore and we’re planning to introduce 3 additional branches this year,” she added.

Find out more by calling (02) 252 4400, visit http://AbsoluteCycleBangkok.com or join the conversation at Facebook.com/AbsoluteCycleBangkok/

First introduced in the extraordinarily popular books in the 1980s, the Little Misses are bright, happy and full of spirit and verve. A playful spin on Keds’s passion for female empowerment, this whimsical collection of sneakers speaks to the many roles women play in the modern world. The limited collection is now in shops and selling for Bt2,450.

Where is the love?

Throughout the month of love, the lingerie salon of The Mall Group is joining with Wacoal, BSC Lingerie, Elle Lingerie, Guy Laroche and Morgan to present an exclusive collection dubbed “Love Is” featuring Swarovski crystal-embellished underwear designed by Prapakas Angsusingha. The designer sought inspiration from many love stories in classic novels, among them “Phantom of the Opera”, “Matanapata”, “Swan Lake” and “Madame Butterfly”. for an exclusive lingerie collection that conveys love. Love Is collection is available only at Lingerie Salon at The Mall, Emporium, EmQuartier, and Paragon Department Store.

Tribute to Tanaka

The third volume of the Ikko Tanaka Issey Miyake collection featuring motifs from the works of renowned graphic designer Ikko Tanaka is slated to hit stores soon. The first collective made an appearance in 2016 as an expression of Issey Miyake’s respect for Tanaka’s works. For this series, existing examples of the original works were considered, and their colours faithfully replicated in creating vibrant clothing full of energy that intensifies the appeal of Tanaka’s works when worn in a three-dimensional format.

Prosperity for the eyes and lips

Welcoming Chinese New Year, Sisley matches auspicious colours for eyes and lips to suit each of the 12 zodiac signs. Those born on the year of dog sign will find their perfect purple, red, and green colours in the Phyto-Lip Twist, a tinted balm coloured like a lipstick, with an intense matte finish. Applied with a single twist, it leaves the lips supple, soft and shapely thanks to a blend of plant-based active ingredients. Fun and practical, Phyto-Khol Star Waterproof comes in five new shades including Mystic Green and Mystic Purple.

Heart on the chest

Stamped with an instantly recognisable heart logo, Comme des Garcons Play offers fun and eye-catching tees for both adults and children. Featuring an enlarged Play heart logo graphic with pretty bug-eyes, the iconic Play t-shirt is further accented with the signature mini heart logo on the chest by designer Rei Kawakubo.

The tech-enabled Southeast Asia delivery company is offering a promotion for sellers and consumers to deliver their products and gifts to friends and families for Chinese New Year and Valentine’s day this year.

The promotion for Valentine’s Day continues through Friday and offers 30 per cent discount off the usual rates.

By choosing Ninja Premium, one lucky person will get to send a special bouquet of flowers for free. Check out the offer at the Ninja Van Thailand Fanpage on Facebook.

The promotion for Chinese New Year will be offered from Friday (February 16) to February 23. Customers using Ninja Easy get to send their parcels for free by calling (096) 781 6759 to make their booking. For Ninja Premium, a free trial period is available for new shippers.

“While this is a season of love and celebration, it can be pressurising for sellers to cope with higher demand from consumers, especially if they want to deliver gifts to their loved ones or even have them sent directly to their friends and families,” says Virachai Chusakulporn, Ninja Van Thailand’s country head.

“We already have an established network in Southeast Asia covering six high-growth logistics markets. After concluding the Series C funding, we are investing in technology and operational capabilities to help Ninja Van continue to offer hassle-free delivery services to businesses of all sizes, even during peak periods like Valentine’s Day or Chinese New Year.”

Ninja Van application can be downloaded from the App Store and Play Store. Find out more at http://www.ninjavan.co/th-th/

Hosted annually by Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok Chanthaburi Campus, the event continues through Sunday and in addition to a showcase of gorgeous blossoms offers visitors the chance to make wine, herbal drinks, herbal aloe soap and other sundries. Other activities include competitions for the best fern, best bonsai plant and, of course, the best orchid as well as Thai singing and academic skills competitions for children.

Ask for more information from the TAT Rayong office by calling (038) 645 510-1, (038) 651 405 or visit http://www.TatNews.org.

Romance by design

Couples spending a romantic holiday in Milan can step up the love by taking advantage of the special Valentine’s Package being offered by the Armani Hotel Milano. Available through Sunday and priced at 1,295 Euros (Bt50,300), it includes a stay in Armani Deluxe Room with American breakfast, a romantic tasting dinner with wine pairing at the Armani/Ristorante, complimentary room upgrade to the superior room and complimentary late check-out.

Guests also enjoy one memorable couple treatment at the Armani/Spa Couple Suite including a welcoming herbal infusion, a 50-minute Armani/SPA Concept body massage, one flute of champagne plus access to the spa facilities and the stunning relaxation area.

Make a reservation at reservations.milan@armanihotels.com.

Service with a Smile

Budget airline Thai Smile is offering speicial prices on several of its flights for bookings made before February 24 for travel anytime between March 1 and July 31. Prices start at Bt1,590 for international flights and Bt1,090 for domestic routes, including full service with snacks and beverages.

Bookings can be made by calling the Smile Call Centre at 1181 or through http://www.ThaiSmileAir.com.

Wouldn’t you like to fly …?

The International Balloon Fiesta gets underway today at Singha Park Chiang Rai with 35 hot air balloons from 16 countries taking part in the flights.

The festival, which continues through Sunday, offers couples a chance to register for marriage in the air, along with a “Love is in the Air” concert, outdoor khon performances by the Wangna Artists group, colourful hot-air balloon shows with light and sound and an international food market. Admission is free.

Learn more at SinghaPark.com.

Love by the lake

The Legendary Beau-Rivage Palace Lausanne is drawing guests with the Only for You Luxurious Stay package that offers a three-night stay in a Superior, Deluxe room or Junior Suite overlooking the lush gardens, the lake or out onto the Alps.

The room rates start from 1,455 CHF (Bt49,000) per room for single occupancy and 1,650 CHF per room for double occupancy per room. Guests will be rewarded with a glass of champagne, full buffet breakfast or continental breakfast in their room, free access to the Cinq Mondes spa, the fitness centre and tennis courts as well as a voucher of CHF80 for food.

Check out the best rates at http://www.Brp.ch.

Research involving nearly 60,000 Japanese people showed a link between eating slower or faster, and losing or gaining weight.

“Changes in eating speed can affect changes in obesity, BMI and waist circumference,” a research duo from Japan’s Kyushu University wrote in the journal BMJ Open.

“Interventions aimed at reducing eating speed may be effective in preventing obesity and lowering the associated health risks.”

BMI stands for Body Mass Index, a ratio of weight-to-height used to determine whether a person falls within a healthy range.

The WHO considers someone with a BMI of 25 overweight, and 30 or higher obese.

In line with recommendations by the Japanese Society for the Study of Obesity, however, a BMI of 25 was taken as obese for Japanese populations for the purposes of the study.

The researchers analysed health insurance data from 59,717 individuals diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes — a form of the disease that generally hits in adulthood as a result of being overweight.

The participants had regular check-ups from 2008 to 2013.

Data captured included their age and gender, BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, eating habits, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use.

From the outset, the slow-eating group of 4,192 had a smaller average waist circumference, a mean BMI of 22.3, and fewer obese individuals — 21.5 percent of the total.

It’s not a race

By comparison, more than 44 percent of the fast-eating group of 22,070 people, was obese, with a mean BMI of 25.

The team also noted changes in eating speed over the six years, with more than half the trial group reporting an adjustment in one direction or the other.

“The main results indicated that decreases in eating speeds can lead to reductions in obesity and BMI,” they found.

Other factors that could help people lose weight, according to the data, included to stop snacking after dinner, and not to eat within two hours of going to bed.

Skipping breakfast did not seem to have any effect.

Limitations of the study included that eating speed and other behaviours were self-reported. There was also no data on how much participants ate, or whether they exercised or not.

Commenting on the research, Simon Cork of Imperial College London said it “confirms what we already believe, that eating slowly is associated with less weight gain than eating quickly.”

This may be due to the fact that the satiety signal takes some time to travel from the stomach to the brain, and may arrive only after the fast eater has already consumed more than enough.

But he said that relying on the participants themselves to score whether they eat slowly, or fast, was “considerably subjective” and may skew the data.

Katarina Kos, an obesity researcher from Exeter Medical School, said similar research has to be conducted in non-diabetic people to rule out a potential role for diabetes medication in weight loss or gain.