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  • Is Online Counseling Right for You?

    Is Online Counseling Right for You?

    In recent years, online counseling platforms have become more prevalent than ever before. And with the current coronavirus pandemic, the idea of receiving counseling services online from the comfort and safety of your own home has become even more appealing. Still, many people wonder whether they can actually benefit from online counseling, or if it’s a waste of their time and money. In this article, we’ll go over the differences between online and traditional counseling services, and we’ll also discuss who is most likely to benefit from online counseling. By the time you’ve finished reading this article, you should have a much better idea of whether or not online counseling is a good option for you!

    How does online counseling differ from in-person counseling?

    There is one very obvious difference between online counseling and traditional in-person counseling: online counseling takes place online, so you will not be sitting in the same room as your counselor. In addition, online counseling uses technology to engage in different types of communication: video chat (considered to be the most effective), phone calls, live chat, and asynchronous messaging. Otherwise, online counseling is very much the same as traditional counseling. In both situations, you are speaking with an educated, trained, and certified professional. The same types of therapy are used in both situations; some common types of therapy are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy.

    Is online counseling as effective as traditional counseling?

    Online counseling using real-time video sessions has been proven to be as effective as traditional counseling. When it comes to other streams of communication such as phone calls and instant messaging, these tend not to be quite as effective. However, they can be a great addition to online video sessions; these other methods of communication can be beneficial ways to check in between sessions and get quick answers to questions that arise. 

    Overall, though, when you join an online counseling platform that supports live video sessions, you can expect it to be just as effective as attending traditional in-person sessions with a counselor or therapist. On average, the benefits of counseling increase the more sessions you attend, whether those sessions are online or in person. For more advice on mental health topics, take a look at https://www.mytherapist.com/advice/.

    Who can benefit from online counseling?

    Pretty much everyone can benefit from online counseling! In fact, you don’t even need to be living with a mental health disorder to benefit from speaking with a mental health professional. Counseling services are wonderful for anyone who wants to understand themselves on a deeper level, improve their relationships, find their purpose, and work through tough memories and experiences–or even for people who just need an unbiased person to talk to. Because online counseling tends to be much more accessible and affordable than traditional counseling, it’s an especially great choice for those who live in rural areas or have a tighter budget. 

    Is online counseling the right choice for you?

    Considering that online counseling is as effective as traditional counseling, and that everyone can benefit from the counseling process in one way or another, there’s a very high probability that online counseling is a great choice for you! Of course, you’ll want to do your research to choose the online counseling platform that best fits your needs. Once on the platform, you may want to speak with a couple of different professionals in order to ensure a good fit between yourself and your counselor. Then, when you’ve started the actual counseling process, be sure to commit yourself to it and be prepared to put in the work to improve your mental health. As mentioned previously, the benefits of counseling increase depending on the number of sessions you attend! The longer you engage with the process, the more you’re likely to get out of it.

    The Bottom Line

    Online counseling platforms are an affordable, accessible, and effective way to improve your mental health. Whether you’re simply looking to gain more self-confidence or if you want to learn how to cope with mental illness, online counseling can be a wonderful way to reach out and get the help you need!

    Marie Miguel Biography

    Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.

  • Those With ADHD Can Be Creative

    Those With ADHD Can Be Creative

    Those with ADHD have a variety of struggles. Some people have challenges in an academic environment. Others struggle to remain focused at work. In addition to difficulty staying on task, there are advantages to living with ADHD. One of them is that those with the condition can be highly creative. Here is how creativity and ADHD are correlated.

    Brainstorming

    People with ADHD can think of many different ideas at once. It’s like a flurry of thoughts in their minds. It can be overwhelming to have those racing thoughts, but it’s a wonderful way to brainstorm. It’s a matter of getting a pen and paper out and writing down all the different creative ideas. That way, you can pick and choose from your creative concepts and pursue one of them. People with ADHD are excellent at brainstorming. It’s a trait that they can draw upon when they feel unfocused. Writing down ideas can help a person hone in on the best one to pursue.

    Divergent thinking and creativity

    One aspect of creativity is divergent thinking. A person with ADHD can start with one idea and then branch that concept out. These individuals are innovative. They can take a look at an object and envision how it can turn into a creative concept. they think outside the box. Divergent thinking is the sign of a truly creative individual. Many people with ADHD have groundbreaking ideas, and that is associated with her divergent thinking.

    Those with ADHD are innovative

    In addition to thinking differently, people with ADHD also are imaginative. They can be a lot of fun to be around when they are in that mood. They don’t think in a linear way, which can be an advantage to them. They can think of creative solutions to problems that you would not imagine on your own. They daydream and think about various possibilities. If given a simple task, they add their creative spin to it. One reason is that people with ADHD can become easily bored. In order to keep the dopamine flowing in their brains they use their creativity towards innovation. It’s a way of stimulating the mind and pushing oneself to stay engaged. In this way, being neurodivergent is an asset.

    Conquering boredom

    Because those with ADHD can become easily bored, their creativity can entertain them. They don’t even realize that they’re being creative at times. They are simply functioning the way they would normally in the world. Then their peers are inspired by their creative knowledge. Somebody who is neurotypical can help a person with ADHD further their creativity. Once they have their idea into focus, a partner who thinks in a linear way can help them focus their concepts so that they can achieve their goals. If you have ADHD, it could be beneficial to see a mental health professional and develop systems to stay focused. That way, you can hone your skills and be creative.

    Learning more about ADHD in therapy

    Therapy is an excellent place to discuss challenges with ADHD. If you are living with the condition, you can learn how to honor your creativity and achieve your ideas by staying focused. There’s nothing wrong with you if you have ADHD. Your brain is not like a traditional mind, but that doesn’t mean that there’s something defective about it. You can learn to embrace the way that you think and accomplish your goals. You can learn more about ADHD at Mind Diagnostics. It helps to research the condition so that you understand what your challenges are and how you can get the help that you need. When you work with a therapist, whether it’s online or in your local area, you can talk about your struggles with focusing and embrace your creative nature. ADHD has its benefits and challenges. But you don’t have to try to work through your challenges alone. Reach out to a mental health professional if you need more guidance with your condition. 

    Marie Miguel Biography

    Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health-related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with Mind-Diagnostics.org. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.

  • How do You Know if You Have Anxiety?

    How do You Know if You Have Anxiety?

    Anxiety is a condition that manifests differently in each person. Some people experience panic attacks where they can’t breathe, while other people feel impending doom. They have intrusive thoughts or are constant worrying. Anxiety isn’t always straightforward. You might suspect you have it but aren’t sure. How do you know if you have anxiety? It’s crucial to note that the condition looks different in each person. Here are some signs that you may be suffering from anxiety.

    You can’t stop worrying

    If you find that your mind is constantly worrying about something, that could be a sign of anxiety. It’s natural to worry about particular issues in your life. But when you can’t turn your brain off and you have difficulty functioning during the day because of these pervasive disturbing thoughts, that could be anxiety. Sometimes you can’t stop thinking about the worst-case scenario. You’re envisioning terrible catastrophic events happening. Instead of worrying, you can take a proactive step. It can help to write down your worries. You may notice some themes if you pay attention to your thoughts. Constant worrying is not good for your mental health and your physical well-being. It’s crucial to be mindful of the signs of worrying and see a therapist if need be. Another thing that can help with rumination is mindfulness. Let the thoughts be there, but don’t try to change them. You can mindfully exist with them.

    Panic attacks

    Some people struggle with panic attacks and don’t even know what they are. A panic attack is characterized by a racing heart, sweating, shaking, and imminent fear that something terrible is going to happen. Typically, panic attacks come out of nowhere. They happen out of the blue. All of a sudden, a person feels like they’re dying. The physical and mental symptoms of a panic attack are uncomfortable and downright scary at times. Panic attacks can cause difficulty dealing with day-to-day life tasks. They can also take a toll on your physical health. It’s essential to get to the source of the anxiety attack, so you know what your triggers are and how to cope with them. You could benefit from the help of a mental health professional who can help you determine what those triggers are.

    Irritability

    Sometimes anxiety can make a person irritable. Your mind is working in overdrive, which can cause you to feel stressed. You find that you’re so preoccupied with your worries that you are snapping at your loved ones. Irritability and lack of patience could be due to an anxiety disorder. If you find that your temper is short and you are preoccupied with worries, that’s not something to brush to the side. You need to be aware of your irritable nature and discuss it with a mental health professional. It could be anxiety or a symptom of another mental health condition such as depression. 

    Insomnia

    When you have trouble sleeping, that could be a symptom of anxiety. It’s exhausting to be up at night worrying. If you’re having difficulty turning your brain off at night, don’t ignore these symptoms. When you find that you’re obsessing about things that happened during the day, or events that transpired years ago, this could be a symptom of chronic anxiety. It’s something that you can address in therapy. Many people with an anxiety disorder struggle with insomnia. They can’t seem to stop obsessing over what’s bothering them. These are issues that they can discuss with a therapist. Pervasive worrying is something that can take over, and if you don’t get enough rest, it will affect you the next day. Don’t ignore sleep issues. Make sure to talk with a licensed therapist about them. 

    Getting help for anxiety

    If any of the symptoms above resonate with you, you could be experiencing an anxiety disorder. You can get help for your condition. It’s also essential to note that there’s no shame in having anxiety. You didn’t cause yourself to feel anxious. Remember that many people cope with anxiety, and you are not alone. You may worry that your anxiety will push people away. You can talk to a mental health professional about these issues. Whether you see somebody online or in your local neighborhood, therapy can help. You can read about anxiety on Mind Diagnostics. 

    Marie Miguel Biography

    Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health-related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with Mind-Diagnostics.org. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.

  • Best Security Protection for Blogs and Small Business Websites

    Best Security Protection for Blogs and Small Business Websites

    Data breaches have caused 36 billion records to be exposed in the first half of 2020. Cybercriminals are continuously attacking websites for their gain, and there is no guarantee that your site is not a target.

    Moreover, there are many types of cybercriminal attacks that makes securing a website crucial. In this article, I will explain several ways to protect your website from cybercriminal attacks without the need to even undergo some of the best secure coding training.

    Why Is Website Security Important?

    There are a lot of reasons why cybercriminals attack blogs. They may want to sabotage the website and make the audience lose trust in it or take advantage of sensitive information for their profit. 

    Security is even more important for business websites. During transactions, customers will send sensitive information such as credit card numbers or addresses. Without proper safety measures, cybercriminals can steal this information for their gain.

    A successful cyber attack may spread and escalate to affect other websites. In other words, you can put other people at risk by not having a proper website security system. What’s worse, it takes an average of 280 days to recover from a breach and identify the perpetrators. 

    Thankfully, there are many ways to protect your website, such as installing security plugins, applications, or software and by taking preventative measures manually. Let’s go through the details of how to do it below. 

    1. SSL Security

    SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer, and it safeguards data transfer between servers and browsers by encrypting them. When third parties try to harvest the data, they will see a bunch of characters that can only be decoded by the parties involved. 

    This is possible by installing an SSL certificate. It has public and private key information that enables data encryption and decryption. The keys are essential to creating a secure connection between browsers and servers for safe data transfer. 

    Usually, you get an SSL certificate for free in web hosting packages. If not, you can always purchase the certificate or get one free of charge, then install it manually on the website. 

    2. Practice Strong Password Habits

    In 2019, almost 80% of data breaches are caused by compromised passwords. While keeping passwords simple may make it easier to remember, it acts as an opportunity for cybercriminals to break into your website.

    That is why you need to practice strong password habits. Avoid using the same password for different accounts, as it put all of them at risk when attackers managed to gain access. Make sure it is more than eight characters long and include capital letters and symbols to prevent hackers from guessing. 

    I recommend using applications to manage your passwords, such as LastPass. It can generate strong, random passwords that are virtually impossible to guess. It also enables saving different passwords in a vault, so you don’t have to memorize all of the randomized combinations. 

    3. Use Two-Factor Authentication

    Cybercriminals may still have ways to force-login into the website even when you have a strong password. Activating two-factor authentication (2FA) will save you in this situation.

    With 2FA, a one-time access code will be sent to your phone number or email for every login attempt. You will have to enter that code to access the account or website. This prevents hackers from forcing a login to the website, as they will not have the code necessary to break in. 

    Usually, 2FA is offered as a feature in the web hosting plan. In case it is not, you can always install a plugin such as Duo to configure two-factor authentication login on your website. 

    4. Use a Firewall

    Some cybercriminals attacks intend to lower a website’s traffic and trustworthiness. They might employ DDoS attacks, where a website is purposefully flooded with traffic to make it inaccessible. They may also send cross-scripting attacks that inject codes into a webpage, enabling them to rewrite it entirely. 

    You can prevent this by installing a firewall. It detects suspicious traffic with the help of a sophisticated algorithm and blocks the sources responsible for it, protecting the website’s performance. 

    For most shared hosting plans, the provider will already have a hardware and software firewall automatically installed. However, you should check with the administrators if your website is hosted on a VPS or dedicated server. I suggest reading more about how to install a firewall.

    5. Perform Regular Backups

    You have learned that cybercriminal attacks can make users lose data and have the website wholly rewritten and compromised. The way to recover from this is through backed-up data– however, requesting a copy to your hosting provider may take several days to process. 

    Performing regular backups on your own will become a quick solution if your site ever gets corrupted. You can do this by simply installing automatic backup plugins such as UpdraftPlus if you’re running WordPress, as it will save a copy of your website regularly to cloud storage. It also enables downloading for offline backups with one simple click. 

    6. Consider Proxy Protection

    Proxy protection acts as a gate between your website and the internet. All data requests from visitor browsers go through the proxy server, enabling it to evaluate incoming traffic and prevent attacks. This is useful to fend off targeted attacks like DDoS, as cybercriminals will not be able to reach your original server. 

    You can install Nginx Reverse Proxy on your website to get proxy protection. Another option is to sign up for a CDN service, where your website will be stored and maintained on different servers to hide your main server’s IP address.

    7. Conduct a Vulnerability Scan

    You need to maintain your website and check for weaknesses to avoid giving opportunities to cybercriminals. However, examining each factor manually is time-consuming and needs technical knowledge to not accidentally touch the wrong feature and compromise the website. It’s a good idea to sign up for vulnerability management services 

    You can install a beginner-friendly vulnerability scanner like McAfee. You can automate it and set a schedule for daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly scans. It will tell you which parts of your website are vulnerable to cyber-attacks and recommend the steps you should take to prevent them. 

    Conclusion

    Securing your website is not only crucial for you but also for visitors and customers. You would not want to risk losing their trust and harming them because you didn’t have a proper web security system. 

    Now that I have explained the various ways of how to secure your website, all there’s left to do is choose the most suitable method for your blog or small business. Good luck, if there are any questions, leave them in the comments section below. 

    Juliet is an Editor at PRable.org, all in one content marketing agency. She loves creating articles about technology, innovative product reviews, and technical writing to help scale up digital growth. She is a writer by day and a frustrated singer by night.

  • Four Reasons Not to Buy a 5G Smartphone (Yet)

    Four Reasons Not to Buy a 5G Smartphone (Yet)

    The fifth generation of mobile networks is a significant breakthrough in the modern telecommunications industry. The new wireless network standard is expected to take the world by storm within the next couple of years, growing by a whopping 70.83 CAGR between 2020 and 2025. But does the new network truly live up to this hype, and is it applicable on a personal level?

    What makes 5G different from earlier networks?

    5G completely blows its predecessors (LTE, 4G, and 4G+) out of the water with its speed, capacity, and efficiency specs. 5G can reach a 10 Gbps data rate – up to 100x faster than 4G. The network also has low latency (1 millisecond), a much broader bandwidth capacity, better coverage and availability, and a lower network energy footprint.

    Besides the breakneck speeds, 5G also extends broadband applications beyond voice and internet connectivity. The low latency and wide capacity make 5G useful in large-scale and small-scale automation from smart homes and 4.0 industries to autonomous vehicles. And for the first time, a wireless network will be integrated with blockchain technology. Once 5G rolls out globally, it will use decentralized ledgers primarily to secure the network. In fact, blockchain is an integral component in the 5G ecosystem.

    5G achieves these feats through a revolutionary software-controlled network architecture. The network is designed to utilize multiple radio spectrums to maximize data rates and reduce noise dynamically. 5G antennas incorporate transmission technologies such as MIMO and beamforming, enabling a single antenna to make numerous stable connections simultaneously. The technology behind 5G is much more sophisticated, but let’s not get into the technical details for now.

    Is a 5G smartphone really worth it?

    Leading phone manufacturers, including Apple, Samsung, Nokia, and Google Pixel, have already released the first generation of 5G smartphones. These phones have been in the market for a few years now, and the 5G capability is one of their main selling points. But is the world ready for a 5G smartphone? The simple answer is “no,” and here is why.

    The network infrastructure is not ready yet

    5G is a relatively new concept. Phone manufacturers and telecommunications companies started toying with the idea of a faster network back in 2013, but it wasn’t until 2017 when the network was standardized. The first 5G rollout started in 2019 in only a few select cities. Even today, 5G hotspots are scarce and far between. Some cities and countries don’t even have a 5G rollout plan.

    Plus, most 5G carriers can’t yet deliver the whole 5G experience. In some cases, 5G connections are barely reliable and unexpectedly throttle down to 4G.

    The price is still too high

    The price difference between 4G and 5G-enabled smartphones is significantly high. For instance, Samsung’s flagship releases in 2020 and 2021 start at well over $1,000, while their 4G equivalents sell for as low as $700. Although you should expect to pay a higher price for a 5G-ready phone, something about the pricing isn’t quite right.

    In most cases, 5G smartphones come with extra bells and whistles such as larger screens and higher resolution cameras – features that are completely unrelated to 5G. So, you never really know how much more you’re actually paying for the 5G antenna, which is likely too much. In fact, some argue that the 5G feature is a deliberate attempt by some manufacturers to raise the price of their devices.

    5G connection is not practical for most smartphone applications

    5G usage on smartphones is still far from practical. In an ideal scenario, it will take you less than three minutes to download 5 GB of data on 5G. But how often does a smartphone user need to download such bulky files? And if you’re thinking about other applications such as gaming and conferencing, a premium 4G data connection is more than sufficient for those too.

    What’s more, today’s smartphone hardware can’t handle 5G demands in prolonged active use. A recent Wall Street Journal article described the 5G network as a “hot mess,” stating that 5G smartphones heat up alarmingly, especially in the summer. The battery and processor strain to meet 5G’s power and computing requirements.

    The general public hasn’t accepted 5G

    5G is a radical new technology, and the general public is not entirely on board with it yet. There are tons of myths and misconceptions surrounding how 5G works and the intentions behind the network’s rollout. Some claim the radiation from 5G antennas can cause cancer, and others believe that 5G is an ill-bent surveillance or espionage technology.

    All this is not true and shouldn’t stop you from enjoying what 5G has to offer. But this could slow down 5G rollouts in many areas. These beliefs are so strong that they’ve sparked anti-5G protests and movements in various parts of the globe. Some activists even vandalize 5G antennas, halting deployment plans. Until these protests stop, some cities and countries may never realize a stable 5G network.

    The bottom line is that it’s still too early for widespread 5G adoption, especially on smartphones. There is really no good reason to get a 5G-enabled smartphone right now, at least from a technical standpoint. But if you don’t mind paying extra for the 5G feature, there is nothing wrong with getting a 5G phone either. But you probably won’t enjoy or even experience the full 5G capabilities on the range of smartphones and the limited 5G network coverage available today.

    — — —

    Author Bio

    Oli Kang is a working mum who has a passion for teaching and all things educational. With a background in marketing, Oli manages the digital channels and content at Courses AU.

  • How Fraudsters Use VIP Parcel Service to Scam Online Buyers in Ghana [True Life Story]

    How Fraudsters Use VIP Parcel Service to Scam Online Buyers in Ghana [True Life Story]

    This article was written by an Mfidie.com reader and initially published in August 2020.

    On Friday, 14th August 2020, I became a victim of the VIP Parcel Service Fraud and will like to share my experience with the general public.

    The intent is to educate the public and create mass awareness of their mode of operation so no one falls victim to it. Also, remember to read our article on staying safe when buying online.

    How It Happened

    On Thursday, 13th August 2020, I visited Tonaton.com to search for a good laptop deal to use for work. After combing through and filtering a lot of results, I landed on an HP Envy Gaming laptop going for GHS 1050.

    Initially, I thought the offer was “too good to be true” so I decided to find out how much it’s being sold by other sellers. To my surprise, a lot of merchants were selling it around GHS 1000+.

    I thought they may have gotten a good laptop deal abroad hence the decision to sell at the price and since it was a used laptop that price tag will be fair. (In retrospective, I later realized most of the sellers were using the same fraudulent approach).

    Since I was low on cash, I thought it was a good offer, hence I contacted one of the sellers named Sylvester for inquiries.

    Ignorantly, I contacted Sylvester via phone on 0261013804 to inquire if the laptop was still available.

    He confirmed the availability. Because I say the condition as new, I wanted to be sure it was actually new. He told me yes it was new and it was a promo that is being run by the company hence the low offer.

    He indicated that the office is based in Akosombo and not Accra as specified in the ad and he is willing to send the laptop to me through the VIP transit.

    The Condition

    I was a bit skeptical knowing it was not based in Accra. However, Sylvester gave a caveat the laptop will be given to the driver of the VIP bus and only upon receipt of the laptop should I make payment to the driver who will intend send the money to him.

    I agreed to the proposal and he sent the pictures of the laptop with its specs via WhatsApp it was a new laptop. He requested for a WhatsApp Video call to guarantee the authenticity before bagging it to VIP bus terminal.

    What Happened At the VIP Bus Terminal?

    After the video call has ended, he informed me he was going the VIP Parcel terminal to send the laptop, he promised to call me when he gets there so I talk to the driver of the vehicle and take his details.

    Which he did, I spoke to one Osofo Isaac [on 0277190918] who claimed to be the VIP driver of the vehicle with registration number GR 2399 -15.

    At the terminal Osofo Isaac claimed drivers were not supposed to handle packages and that the package will have to be sent to the Parcel office to be verified and registered into their system before he can go for it to be sent to Accra.

    Sylvester (the fraudster) also called me to let me know the initial agreement of handing over the laptop to the driver was not possible due to VIPs rules so he had to take it to the VIP Parcel office instead.

    At the VIP Parcel Office, the item will be booked and verified and a code will be given to me so I give it the driver to claim the package. However, I will need to pay for the cost of the package fee at the office. Knowing that the laptop was being sent via the VIP Parcel office, I felt at ease.

    This is the picture he sent me when he got to the terminal

    At the VIP Parcel Office

    Sylvester (the fraudster) then went to the VIP Parcel office to deposit my package. He called me to inform me the package has been weighed and will cost me GHS 30.00 so I should send him the money.

    Not being on MoMo he asked that he approach a Mobile money merchant nearby so I speak to him and send him the money if he agrees to it. I spoke to one Bernard Boateng (MoMo Merchant) on (0551446524) and later send him the parcel fee of GHS 30.00.

    Sylvester called to confirm receipt of the MoMo and later confirm making payment by sending me a receipt.

    A Call From the Parcel Office

    I received a call from the parcel office indicating the parcel has been verified and that it’s an HP Envy Laptop.

    The caller then indicated that VIP will pay for the full price of the package if I did not receive my package or if there is any defect on it and so I can hold them responsible for any eventuality (I felt more at ease this time).

    He later confirmed my name (I had given my name to the Fraudster to be attached to my package).

    A few minutes later I got a SMS .

    How I was Duped

    The office indicated that since they only deal in delivering of packages, they are not in a position to take money from me to hand it over to the Sylvester (the fraudster) when I finally receive the package, hence I will have to find a way of paying Sylvester, mean whilst they can confirm receipt of the package, it is in safe hands and has been verified.

    Sylvester then calls me to let me know since the package has been delivered to VIP, he is on the losing end because he is not assured of receiving the money. He sent me the below pictures to confirm the deposit of the package

    Picture of Parcel sent to the “Office” registered and verified

    Package is Secured At VIP Parcel Office, So What Next?

    Since the package has been secured at the parcel office, I needed to inform the driver to go for it. But he can only make claim of it with a Code (written on the receipt) .

    The Driver then calls me some minutes later, claiming he is about departing and will need a Code to go to the office to take hold of the package so I need to call Sylvester to send me the Code to be given to the driver (Osofo Isaac).

    I called Sylvester then he wanted to know how he will get his money since the package has been secured at the VIP Parcel office. If he hands the receipt code over to me to given to the driver, what guarantees his payment.

    I was a bit sceptical (since this wasn’t our agreement) but the driver kept calling me several times (he was departing and I was delaying his departure time).

    I called Sylvester again, assured him of getting his money so I will need the code to be given to the driver. After some back and forth conversation, he finally released the code to me (K3004)

    I passed it on to the driver, he then called me has gotten the package and is setting off to Circle ( journey will take about 3 hours). I should expect him around 1 pm and he will give me a call once he alights.

    Paying the Fraudster

    Now that I know the package was coming to my destination, I called Sylvester (the fraudster) and he agreed I should send him the money (GHS 1,050) via MoMo to Bernard Boateng (the same person I earlier sent the GHS 30 cedis).

    I sent the money and Bernard called to confirm receipt of the money. The Fraudster also called to confirm his receipt of the money and told me he is waiting a bit to see the vehicle depart finally

    The Waiting Period

    I waited patiently till 1: 30 pm to find the whereabouts of the Driver, he picked the call and indicated he had arrived at Circle and was parking so will call me soon.

    After about 30 minutes I called again, this time, he was furious and was asking me why I was pressuring him to answer calls when I knew he was driving and putting the lives of the passenger at stake, he reiterated he will call me when he finally parked.

    The VIP Parcel Office

    Eager to welcome my package, I moved to the VIP Parcel office at Circle (it was almost an hour past since I spoke to the driver) to check on the whereabouts of the driver and claim the package from the Parcel office.

    I greeted the personnel there an inquired if there is a parcel office for Akosombo, immediately I mentioned the town, the gentlemen look at me and inquired if I had made an online purchase on Tonaton.com. I told them yes.

    Sorry, you have been scammed!

    He then looked straight in my eyes and unapologetically told me I have been scammed.

    I could not believe my ears. I even showed him the receipt of the payment and the Vehicle Registration Number. He told me the receipt is fake and the Vehicle is just a random boarding vehicle they take at the station.

    I am Not the First, And Won’t Be the Last.

    He then narrated to me how I was scammed just to confirm to me it is truly a scam and cited similar incidents of customers walking into the parcel office to make claim of an online purchase which they never get hold on. So apparently, it was scheme they knew.

    What I did Next

    I still couldn’t believe it so I called the driver, and wanted to know his whereabouts he told me he has arrived at Circle, so I pressed to find out which part of Circle he is now since I am also there (at the parcel office).

    He told me to wait for him, I called again and he insisted I should be there waiting. At last, I knew I have been scammed. The only thing I could do was to utter some curses on his life before he finally cut the call.

    I got home in a pensive mood , narrated the story to my dear wife , she comforted me and said we should try calling the Fraudster , the line was off, tried the next morning with a different line and he did not pick. Tried the parcel office line, was switched off.

    What can be done?

    Well I know I will not receive my money again, but sharing my experience will prevent another ignorant person from falling into the same trap.

    Share this on your social media platforms so we can be well informed and be alert.

    Lesson Learnt

    Someone once said, “IF IT IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE”. Guess I learnt it the hard way.

    Watch Out and Be Safe

    Yours Truly

    Tonaton-VIP- Victim

  • Heating Up A Frozen Computer

    Heating Up A Frozen Computer

    As a computer owner or user, there is a 70% chance that you have ever experienced a computer in it’s frozen state. It is just amazing that our computers always tend to freeze when one is in a hurry to get something done or when there is something important at stake. Sometimes it is as though our computers have teamed up with some supernatural forces to cause our downfall.

    Imagine that your computer freezes just as you are getting ready for a presentation or perhaps in the process of projecting your screen to an audience. Imagine again that you are in the middle of replying to an important email or meeting a deadline and your computer refuses to respond to your commands. Infact, if there is one thing that almost all computer users have in common, it is the fact that we have all been frustrated over a frozen computer at least once in our lifetime.

    Reasons

    Apart from computers that may have issues to settle with their owners and hence are intentionally punishing them, ideally, computers do not freeze for no reason. Some of the numerous reasons that may account for the freezing of a computer include:

    Computer Viruses or Malware

    Computer Viruses have been found to be the number one cause of computers frequently malfunctioning. Mostly, computer systems are overwhelmed by the malware which intentionally opens dozens of applications that run in the background, eating up the computer’s memory and causing it to slow down or malfunction.

    Overheating

    When our computers lack access to proper ventilation, they may start to malfunction. Research shows that overheating causes components in the computer to shut down when and the motherboard temperature sensor instructs hardware such as the hard drive and processor to slow down.

    Opening Numerous Programs Simultaneously

    The fact that the computer has been proven to be a machine that is great at multitasking does not in any way mean that we should put our computers to test. This is because, depending on its specifications, there is a limit to what computers can do. Giving computers too much to do at a time, literally leaves them confused and freezing is one way they communicate their confusion and frustration to us. Just like most humans, when computers are tested beyond what they can bear, they sometimes crumble.

    Solution

    Oftentimes, all your computer needs is a few minutes to cool off. Just as we desire to catch some breath after performing a difficult task, computers that are frozen should be given a few minutes to cool down and resume functioning. Apart from this, some other solutions that have been tried and tested include:

    Kill the Offending Program

    Most times, it is quite difficult to point out exactly what program is causing your PC to freeze, however, if you are lucky enough to figure out the culprit, you can simply close that program. Often, it is difficult to do this since the close button does not respond to mouth clicks, that is when the taskbar comes to your rescue. On windows, right-click the menu bar at the extreme bottom of the page to inspect apps or programs that may be running. Once you identify the problematic program, end that task. On Mac, click on the Apple logo at the top left corner, choose force quit, and select the program to be closed.

    Perform a Malware Scan and Fixing

    Because viruses are a common cause of freezing computers, it will also help if when your computer is frozen you perform a virus or malware scan to check if there is an attack on your computer. Once you discover any potentially harmful item, immediately get rid of it. This option will favour better those who have potent antivirus software. Those who have not installed any external anti-virus can rely on Windows Defender to assist.

    Reboot your Computer

    When all the options mentioned above prove futile, reboot your PC. It is ideal to turn it off and wait a while before turning it back on, however, if you are in a hurry and can not afford the time, you can simply restart. The disadvantage with this option though is that, if you didn’t save your work, there are chances that you’ll lose your progress.

    Conclusion

    In summary, a freezing computer is something that no one deserves and the points above can ensure that you are able to figure out why your computer is frozen in the first place and afterwards do a little troubleshooting, referencing all the solutions that have been suggested. As you do that, I wish you a ‘freeze-free’ computer life.

  • Exploring The Evolution Of High Definition Television Viewing In Ghana

    Exploring The Evolution Of High Definition Television Viewing In Ghana

    Viewing TV in high definition (HD) quality delivers a better experience with regards to colour quality; widescreen viewing; detail and clarity; surround sound; and the ability to allow a variety of input devices to work together without taking a lot of furniture space.

    In 2019, IPSOS, a marketing research company conducted a study in Ghana and found out that almost 50% of TV homes in Ghana had at least one HD-ready TV set. The results of this survey point to the fact that consumers are investing in technology to enhance their viewing experience.

    This trend is putting a lot of pressure on broadcasters to deliver their content and service in high quality.

    A cursory overview of Ghana’s broadcasting space indicates a checkered but study progress in offering the best of services to all. In 1935, when the British introduced the BBC relay station in Accra, Radio ZOY, many did not anticipate a highly liberalized broadcasting space eighty-five (85) years on.

    As with all ventures, liberalization has pushed competition and the need for differentiation to unprecedented levels. Indeed, some may say that the past two decades sparked the revolution we see today with hundreds of television and radio stations accessible to all. For instance, when MultiTV launched in 2009, it increased the availability of multi-channel television and radio nationwide.

    Accordingly, the latest Satellite Monitor results published by SES Satellites, a leading global satellite operator with a fleet of over 70 satellites in June 2020 show that, out of the estimated 6.7million TV homes in Ghana, 4.4 million are pointing to the 28.2 E orbital position. It is, therefore, no surprise that the majority of homes that hitherto had no access to TV reception are now connected.

    Content has been the main driver of viewer retention and with the multiplicity of channels, content, has also proven to be a key determinant of the bottom line for broadcasters. In many homes across Ghana, local TV content continues to be the major source of entertainment as people can easily relate to the storylines and characters.

    This reinforces the point that content indeed drives viewership. The coinage ‘content is king’ is what now leads most discussions on video creation and broadcast. While that may be true, it is worth asking what makes the content king. Is it content that is of mere interest to the consumer or the form and manner in which it is delivered? 

    While we immediately see the benefits of making digital terrestrial television (DTT) available via an ordinary antenna, it is not easy to see how HD can be made widely accessible due to scarce spectrum availability. HD takes up 3 to 4 times the space that a similar content in SD would occupy. This is where the advantage of the satellite over DTT comes to play. 

    Further competition is expected to reduce the high-cost barrier deterring broadcasters to deliver their content to viewers in HD. To see the full benefits of HD TV viewing, many channels will have to broadcast in HD to the consumer at affordable prices, especially free-to-air programming. 

    In other parts of the world, major satellite operators are leading the charge in providing affordable HD programming to consumers. Typically, the main difference between the Standard Definition Television (SDTV) as we know it and HDTV systems includes an increased number of scanning lines, progressive scanning capability, and increased aspect ratio.

    The resultant effect is a relatively sharper image and one that depicts reality as compared to the standard definition TV. Indeed, other parts of the world have progressed further from HD to Ultra High Definition (UHD) all in a bid to enhance the viewer experience. 

    Here in Ghana, people are beginning to appreciate the value of enhanced viewer experience relative to TV content. Since the majority of most Ghanaian homes have an HD ready set, it is high time that the broadcast industry came up with a solution to satisfy the latent demand that the market has for HD quality content.

    Written by:
    Theodore Asampong, Director of SES HD PLUS Ghana

  • Ghana For Startups: Pivoting From A Tourist Attraction To A Tech-Nation

    Ghana For Startups: Pivoting From A Tourist Attraction To A Tech-Nation

    It will not be overrated to state that the “Year of Return” was one of the most trending topics globally in 2019 in Ghana and to a certain extent in all African and “Black” quarters across the globe. Backed by a strong political will, Ghana was able to proudly host thousands of returnees from all over the World. I had the opportunity to finally meet with one of the “gurus” I look up to in the global startup ecosystem, Izzy Obeng, Founder of UK-based Foundervine and a good number of other afro-optimists; so I got to say, “Akpe* Year of Return”.

    While in the mood of the Year of return and beyond it, I realized one key ingredient was missing: our failure to market the new Ghana; the Ghana of Asoriba, the Ghana of mPharma, the Ghana of Farmerline as we maintained our focus on the Ghana of Elmina Castle, the Ghana of Kakum Walkway and the Ghana of Mount Afadzato. 

    Ghana is arguably one of the best tourist destination in the sub-region, thanks to our welcoming nature as a people combined with the prowess of the Osagyeefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and the peace and political stability we are enjoying since 1992. It is worth celebrating and the role of the tourism sector in our economy cannot be underestimated.

    It is however equally important for us to project ourselves in the future or in the least, project our new identity – Ghana, the African tech-nation.

    Many Ghanaians like myself and foreigners know of the Big Six, the fight for independence, Tetteh Kwashie and our journey to the Cocoa world domination but how many of us know of Gregory Rockson of mPharma, Alex Bram of Hubtel and of Herman Chinery-Hesse of The SOFTtribe?

    Herman Chinery-Hesse founded The SoftTribe in 1991 when Markus Villig, the founder of Bolt was not even born. Today Bolt is a more relatable brand in Ghana than the SOFTtribe has ever been.

    I am pointing this out because the Year of return demonstrated that in Ghana, it is when there is a political will that there is a way, and unfortunately, beyond the digitization agenda led by Vice-President Bawumia, little is being done to lead us towards our dream of becoming a tech-nation. One may even ask, is this our common vision or it is that of fellows at Ghana For Startups. This is no news as we have seen that our ecosystem growth is shaped, powered and led by non-governmental institutions.

    Entrepreneurship and tech-wise, where do we see ourselves at in the next decade? To that question, the answers you are likely to get from stakeholders are wishes rather than projections and roadmaps.

    All these make it obvious that the political establishment could do more with regards to our national startup ecosystem.

    Ghana has a vibrant startup ecosystem, with thousands of startups and more in the offing, a dozen co-working spaces and incubators, no unicorn – yet – but we are one of the leading startup-nations in Africa.

    In the face of that and with the realization that more should be done, we need to strategize and redirect our focus as a Nation towards what will be relevant in the next century – and most of the ways to do it demand consistent political will.

    I have outlined a couple of interventions I believe could drastically reshape our ecosystem and make “starting up in Ghana” a more attractive venture.

    Building our Silicon Valleys

    Building a startup-Nation is not an easy task; just like Rome, Silicon Valley was not built in a day. According to the Brookings Institute, today, the San Jose Metropolitan Area (which hosts Silicon Valley) has the third-highest GDP per capita in the world (after Zurich in Switzerland and Oslo in Norway). This says a lot about the value a country/region can drive from intentionally supporting the growth of its own Silicon Valley. Ghana does not have a specific area that could be tagged as its Silicon Valley. The sixty (60) acre Silicon Accra Technology City being built at East Legon Hills and expected to be completed next year is the closest we have to a Valley. Many will also recall the Valley that never was – Hope City, which was launched by private consortium RLG in 2013 and was projected to be completed by end of 2016. A better alternative to building a single area into a tech city will be to develop technopoles in all the sixteen region of the country or at least around vibrant startup communities like Accra, Tema, Kumasi, Takoradi, Tamale and Ho. The technopoles could be public-private partnership-led and provide the needed structural support to develop local ecosystems and expand our national ecosystem support net.

    Powering our National Tech Champions

    The United States has GAFAM (Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft), Germany has SAP, China has Transsion (Tecno phones), Bytedance (TikTok) and Huawei, South Korea has LG and Samsung, Estonia has Bolt and Sweden, Spotify. We can go on and on with this list but some things these tech companies have in common are that, they are global giants that thrived on their countries economic growth and with the cushion of enterprise-friendly policies and on governmental contracts and support. It is imperative that Ghana designs a strategy to protect and power its tech startups that have the potential of becoming great market players within and outside our borders. If in past decades the Armed Forces have been at the forefront of technology advancement in Western countries, our Ghanaian setting does not permit us to hope for same. It is private ventures that are leading our efforts to become a leading tech nation in Africa and we need to be intentional about setting aside the leading indigenous tech firms and powering them into becoming global champions.

    Designing a National Startup Strategy

    There is currently a draft National Entrepreneurship Policy and it is hoped that it gets through to Parliament soon. That is good news but Ghana seems not to have a global strategy for its startup ecosystem. Startups are still treated as SMEs, which they are not, funding through the banking sector is not regulated to encourage banks to step in more for startups, and universities lack the needed support to develop their entrepreneurship curriculum beyond the classroom. The University of Ghana for example which saw the foundation of Ghana For Startups (recently launched its own makerspace) and others has joined fellow universities (Ashesi, KNUST etc) in redefining the role of Academia in the startup world. Doing more of such and finding solutions to many other challenges faced by the ecosystem can be the backbone of our national startup strategy.

    Setting up a Ghana Startup Bank

    “L’argent est le nerf de la guerre”; this statement in French suits very well what drives ecosystem and startup business growth. We obviously cannot set ourselves ready for this venture without funding. A Ghana Startup Bank could either operate in the form of an investment arm of any State-owned Bank or as a separate entity. Its main purpose will be to invest in startup operating in strategic sectors of the economy and provide the necessary funding for projects aligned with our national startup strategy, which may cover building of regional technopoles, leading on merger & acquisition et al. The government could as another option make loan or guarantee facilities available for private banks that have a special offering for startups and entrepreneurs. One key example of the success of such a bank is BPI France, which has been instrumental in rolling out the French government financial support for startups before and at the peak of the corona pandemic. We may even suggest that the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) be positioned to play such a role; inferring from how instrumental it was in the management of the Covid-19 Alleviation Programme funds. This could avoid us the stress of setting up a new organization but that will demand a thorough reform of the NBSSI as in its current form, is not an investment or financial institution.

    Supporting Corporate Innovation

    I am a fan of Stanbic Bank Ghana and my softspot for the institution has everything to do with its establishment of SB Incubator. The bank was one of the very first corporate giants in the country to put up a plan and a structure to support startups in Ghana. While it is encouraging to see other institutions following suite, we should start thinking of ways to encourage more corporate innovation and power it through governmental support. Such support could come in various form like facilitating academia-industry partnerships, involve corporate Ghana in the drafting of national innovation and startup-focused policies and giving tax exemptions to such institutions that will be productively involved in building our ecosystem.

    Restructuring the National Entrepreneurship & Innovation Plan

    The NEIP is underutilized – I know this may not be the point of view of many but I hold that the Plan can serve a more strategic purpose – rallying State institutions and catalyzing government efforts in the ecosystem. Since its inception, the Plan has done great at engaging stakeholders in the ecosystem and bringing government to the table; but it did not stand out as having interest in policy and regulation of the ecosystem. The plan could have a “compliance” department that vets the curriculum of incubators or the state of co-working spaces; a research department that partners with other ecosystem stakeholders to regularly map the ecosystem and provide the much needed insight for policy-making among others. Those are very much needed and having the NEIP turn its attention to that angle will go a long way in making it more strategic as a tool for ecosystem growth.

    Establishing the Startup Visa

    A startup visa is a special visa given to entrepreneurs coming into a country to build a startup, work for a startup or join any active ecosystem support organization (my own definition). The idea underlining the startup visa is to give a special treatment to individuals coming to Ghana to help the ecosystem grow. This will mean changing some aspects of Ghana’s immigration laws, but if operationalized, will enable us attract foreign skills and investment into our ecosystem and position our country as the prime startup destination on the continent. This will go quite well along our plans for “Beyond the return” as it will also contribute to growing the number of visitors we receive in Ghana, people should not just come to “chill” but also to build.

    Setting up a Guichet Unique

    “Guichet Unique” is French for “One-Stop Shop”. The idea is to have a one stop shop office where all administrative processes are completed in the shortest possible time to set up a startup venture in Ghana. The processes could be uniformized for Nationals and Foreigners. This special institution will combine the workings of the Registrar General, Ghana Revenue Authority, the Food & Drugs Authority and other relevant regulatory bodies. We could also have a selected bank to provide the necessary financial services. This draws us back to our wish to have a Ghana Startup Bank.

    Many other things could be done, but as we all know, the journey to make Ghana, the leading startup-Nation in Africa got to start from somewhere – but got to start anyway and NOW.

    Author: Gilles Ametepe ( Communication, Partnerships’ Strategist and a Co-founder of Ghana For Startups)

  • Top 10 Cheapest Android Phones in 2020

    Top 10 Cheapest Android Phones in 2020

    Smartphones have become a necessity in this day and age. But there’s no reason to sell your kidney in order to buy an expensive flagship phone when there are affordable Android phones with great specs that can serve the same purpose. I have rounded up the top 10 cheapest Android phones in 2020 and will be sharing them with you in this video so let’s get started.

    Check out the video blow

    Realme X50 5G – $390

    Realme is famous for building the cheapest smartphones and the Realme X50 5G deserves great attention in this aspect. The phone has a very good battery life due to its large 4200mAh battery with a storage capacity of up to 128GB and RAM of up to 8GB. Realme X50 5G is powered by the snapdragon 765G hence giving the phone a strong performance even with gaming. It sports a large 6.57-inch screen with a resolution of 1080 by 2400 and an incredible 120hz refresh rate.

     The phone houses a QUAD rear camera system which is made up of a 64MP wide camera, 12MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom, 8MP ultrawide camera, and a 2MP macro camera. It also has 2 selfie cameras made up of a 16mp wide lens and an 8mp ultrawide lens. You can also record 4k video in 30fps with the rear camera. You can all these great specs together with its premium glass back design for just $390. It also runs on Android 10

    Samsung Galaxy A71 – $375

    Samsung, as we all know, has some really expensive phones but they are also able to give us some affordable phones as well such as the Galaxy A71 with a $375 price range. The phone also has a quad-camera system with a 64 MP wide camera, 12 MP wide-angle camera, 5mp macro, and 5mp depth camera. You’re assured of a long-lasting battery with the phone’s 4500mAh battery. The Galaxy A71 has a 6.7inch Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2400. The phone runs on a 730 Snapdragon processor with a RAM of up to 8gb and a storage capacity of up to 128gb. Samsung announced the phone in December 2019 and released it in January 2020. The phone comes with USB-C charging and a headphone jack.

    Google Pixel 4a – $350 

    The cheapest Google Pixel phone released in 2020 is the pixel 4a. The phone has great specs and is a very good budget phone with a $350 price tag. The phone comes with 6gb of RAM and 128gb storage capacity. It sports a cute 5.81 inch OLED screen with a 1080 x 2340 resolution. With a 3140 mAh battery and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G processor, you’re assured of enough battery power and good performance.

    The Pixel 4a has a 12.2mp rear camera and an 8mp selfie camera which produces great photos together with Google’s awesome camera software. The phone runs on Android 10 which can be upgraded to Android 11. So if you want an affordable phone from a trusted brand and have a great camera and large storage capacity together with guaranteed software updates, then get the pixel 4a.

    TCL 10L – $250

    TCL is venturing into the smartphone business with its 10L. The TCL 10L has a large 6.53-inch LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340. This screen technology was developed by TCL to provide real-life colours and support HDR videos. The phone comes with 6GB RAM and a 128gb maximum storage capacity. It has a 4000 mAh non-removable battery and is powered by the Snapdragon 665 processor. The TCL 10L also has a quad rear camera system that consists of a 48MP wide camera, 8MP ultra-wide camera, 2MP macro camera, and 2MP depth camera. With just $250, you can get yourself a TCL 10L.

    Moto G Power – $250

    Motorola is renowned for inventing good but cheap Android phones and the Moto G Power with a $250 price range is no different. It has a 5000 mAh battery, 6.4-inches Full HD display, 4GB RAM, and a storage capacity of 64gb. The phone is ideal for gaming with improved performance due to the Snapdragon 665 processor.

     Moto G Power has three rear cameras made up of a 16mp wide camera, 8mp ultrawide, and 2mp macro. You also get a 16mp front camera for selfies. It comes in only one color called Smoke Black. The Moto G Power also a fingerprint scanner, 4k video capacity and runs on Android 10

    Moto G Fast – $200

    You would be amazed to know that Moto G Fast is strangely similar to Moto G Power in many ways. G Fast has all the amazing features of Moto G Power but with a lesser price of $200. The phone has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor, 3GB RAM, and Adreno 610 GPU for gaming. It also has 32GB internal storage, and a lasting 4000 mAh battery.

     Same as the Moto G Power, the G Fast has three rear cameras which consist of a 16mp wide camera, 8mp ultrawide, and 2mp macro camera plus an 8mp selfie camera. G Fast comes with a 6.4-inch HD display with a 720 by 1560 resolution which I believe is acceptable considering the price. In all, the phone works well for day-to-day use.

    Nokia 5.3 – $200

    Nokia 5.3 has high-quality hardware and build plus a thin metallic frame which makes the phone easy to hold. With a Snapdragon 665 processor, 4GB RAM, and 4000 mAh battery, the phone offers good performance for its $200 price tag. It also has four rear cameras consisting of a 13MP wide camera, 5mp ultrawide, 2mp macro, and 2mp depth camera. It has an 8mp front camera for selfies. The Nokia 5.3 has a storage capacity of 64gb and comes in 3 colors namely Cyan, Sand, and charcoal.

    Oppo A5 – $180

    Oppo A5 is another great budget smartphone with a $180 price tag. Paying $180 for a smartphone with four rear cameras, 64 to 128GB storage capacity and 3GB RAM is a great deal if you asked me. The phone also sports a 6.5-inch screen with a 720 x 1600 resolution.

     It has a large 5000 mAh battery and is powered by the Snapdragon 665 processor for good phone performance. The Oppo A5 also has an 8mp selfie camera, fingerprint sensor and comes in mirror black and dazzling white colours.

    Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 – $155

    The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is one of the cheapest phones you can lay your hands on. Note 7 operates on its own MIUI 10 software and also runs on Android 9 with a planned upgrade to Android 10. It has a 48-megapixel rear camera, 13mp selfie camera, and a large 6.3-inch full HD screen with a 1080 x 2340 resolution. The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 660 plus a 4000mah battery. It has a storage capacity of up to128gb with 4gb RAM. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 offers a good phone with great specs for just $155

    Moto E – $150

    The Moto E is very cheap yet has some good specs to boast of. It has a 6.2-inch HD screen with a 720×1520 resolution. It runs on the Snapdragon 632 processor, with 2GB RAM and a storage capacity of 32gb. It runs on a 3550 mAh battery which is enough juice for a phone with its specs. It has a 16mp rear camera and a 5mp front camera for selfies. It also has a fingerprint scanner, runs on Android 10, and costs just $150.

    Conclusion

    That’s a wrap of the top 10 cheapest android phones in 2020. Do you plan on getting any of the phones listed? Let us know in the comments below. Don’t forget to like this video and subscribe for more videos like this. Thanks for watching! See you in the next one!