TECHNOLOGY

While sharing your Aadhaar card for verification, it is not always necessary to reveal your full Aadhaar number. The new UIDAI Aadhaar app now offers a Masked Aadhaar feature, allowing users to share their Aadhaar securely without exposing the complete number. This feature can be accessed directly from the app’s home page. What Is a Masked Aadhaar?A Masked Aadhaar is a version of your Aadhaar card where your unique 12-digit Aadhaar number is partially hidden, showing only the last four digits. UIDAI recommends using a masked Aadhaar whenever full disclosure is not required, helping users safeguard sensitive information. When to Use Masked AadhaarA Masked Aadhaar can be used in situations like: Hotel check-ins Airport or railway verification Private jobs and offices SIM c...

CAPTCHA is a small but essential price we pay for safe internet usage. It protects users from hackers and automated bots that can compromise websites, steal data, or spread spam. What Is CAPTCHA?CAPTCHA stands for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart. It is a test that humans can easily complete, but for machines and bots, it is nearly impossible. By requiring users to solve puzzles, recognize distorted text, or identify objects in images, CAPTCHAs act as digital guards, keeping automated attacks at bay. Why Is CAPTCHA Necessary?Automatic programs or bots can flood websites with fake messages, attempt to guess passwords, or book tickets and products in seconds, leaving legitimate users with no access. CAPTCHAs prevent such automated abuse by ensu...

Detecting breast cancer may soon become as simple as checking blood pressure. Scientists at MIT have developed a portable ultrasound device the size of a smartphone, capable of detecting breast cancer both at home and in clinics. Compact, Affordable, and AccessibleThe device, designed by MIT Associate Professor Kanan Dagdeviren and her team, weighs under 500 grams and costs just $300 (approx. ₹25,000). Unlike large, expensive ultrasound machines, this compact tool can easily connect to a laptop to display 3D images. It also consumes very little power and can run on a standard 5V DC adapter or battery, making it particularly valuable for women in remote areas with limited access to medical imaging. How the Device WorksTraditional ultrasound machines require pressing a probe against th...

Realme P4 Power 5G with 10001mAh Battery Goes on Sale in IndiaThe Realme P4 Power 5G, featuring a massive 10001mAh battery, will be available for sale in India starting 5 February 2026. The smartphone can be purchased via realme.com, Flipkart, and offline stores. The first sale will also include the Realme Buds Clip, priced at ₹5,499, while the P4 Power 5G is priced at ₹23,999 after discount. The phone sports a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and a 50MP front camera. Realme promises high-performance features for gaming, streaming, and long hours of usage without frequent charging. iQOO 15 Ultra Launched in ChinaiQOO’s sub-brand has unveiled the iQOO 15 Ultra in China. It comes with a 6.85-inch 2K+ curved Samsung AMOLED display, supporting HDR10+ and a 144Hz refresh ...

Online mobile games like Korean Love Game are increasingly ensnaring children in dangerous digital traps. By interacting with strangers, children are being drawn into challenges that could threaten their lives. The recent tragedy in Ghaziabad, where three minor sisters lost their lives, has once again highlighted the risks posed by online gaming. How the Game WorksIn games such as Korean Love Game, children communicate with strangers who often pose as foreign or Korean citizens. The game begins innocuously, focusing on friendship and romantic interactions. However, this soon escalates into a fear-inducing challenge led by a ‘Game Master’, who gains the child’s trust before manipulating and coercing them. According to reports: Children remain in contact with strangers online. T...

India needs to urgently recognize the rising screen time among children as a serious warning signal. According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, Indian children are spending twice the safe limit of time on screens. While India enjoys some of the cheapest internet data in the world, this convenience is turning into a hidden danger that requires immediate attention. A tragic incident in Ghaziabad recently highlighted the gravity of the situation: three minor sisters jumped from the ninth floor of a building, reportedly driven by addiction to task-based online games. Today, instead of toys, we are putting smartphones in children’s hands—devices that are silently harming them. Social media and online games have become ‘silent killers’, hijacking young minds and instilling self-hate. While cou...

The era when AI was feared to replace humans is evolving—now, AI can actually hire humans for tasks and pay them for it. This is no longer a futuristic concept but a reality. A Bitcoin software developer has launched a platform called rentahuman.ai, where AI agents can hire humans to perform physical tasks. Humans as a Resource for AITraditionally, discussions around AI focused on machines replacing human labor. However, the newly launched platform flips this narrative. On rentahuman.ai, people can list themselves for hire at an hourly rate. AI agents can then book humans to carry out tasks that AI itself cannot perform. These include shopping, delivering items, attending meetings, photography, signing documents, or buying products from stores. According to reports, the platform alre...

In a worrying development, some Punjab National Bank (PNB) customers have reported attempts to withdraw money from their UPI-linked accounts without their consent. The attempts are reportedly being made through UPI AutoPay, under the guise of personal loan repayments and insurance premium payments. Several affected users contacted NBT Tech, sharing their experiences and screenshots showing the fraudulent activity. The victims claim they had not applied for any loans or insurance policies, yet their UPI accounts were targeted. Notably, the incidents involve UPI accounts linked specifically to PNB. Fraud Attempt Foiled by Low Account Balance Vikas Sharma shared the experience of his brother, stating that on February 3, a transaction attempt of ₹15,000 was made via Paytm under the na...

In a tragic incident in Ghaziabad, three minor sisters lost their lives after reportedly jumping from the 9th floor late at night. Preliminary reports suggest that a task-based Korean game may have played a role in influencing their actions. With more children increasingly engaged in mobile gaming, experts are urging parents to take certain precautions to ensure safety. What is the ‘Korean Lover’ Game? The game reportedly linked to the incident, called ‘Korean Lover’, falls into the category of task-based, simulation, or role-playing games. Inspired by K-Drama and Korean pop culture, players are shown interacting with a virtual Korean character in a simulated romantic environment. These games are designed to make players feel like they are genuinely communicating with someone. Ove...

Have you ever noticed the two square holes on the metal part of a pen drive? Most people assume they are just part of the design, but in reality, these holes serve several important functional purposes. Understanding them can make using your pen drive much easier and safer. 1. Helps Identify the Correct Orientation Often, people struggle to figure out which way a pen drive should be inserted into a USB port. The two square holes act as a guide. Typically, the side where the holes are open and visible is facing upwards, preventing incorrect insertion and reducing the risk of damage to the drive or port. 2. Ensures a Secure Fit When you insert a pen drive, metal protrusions in the port fit into these square holes. This stabilizes the drive, ensuring that its connectors align perf...