Computer and internet briefs

Nov 20, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Check your children's online contacts

Heraklion, Greece (dpa) - Parents are advised to keep a close eye on what their children are doing online to protect them from opportunistic strangers. Data carelessly posted in social networks or forums is a godsend to anyone looking to stalk a child online, reports the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA).

Predators can use this information as a way to build ties to the child, perhaps by noting the child's choice in music and using that as a conversation starter. That's why a child's personal information should only be viewable by friends, advises ENISA.

Parents should check their child's Facebook friends and consider installing security software that deletes data if a mobile phone or a laptop goes missing. Parents also need to build up a basic level of know-how so they judge the riskiness of internet sites or online activities.

Google app allows translation on the go

Berlin (dpa) - If you need to translate a few words into the local language while you're travelling, then consider a new app for Android smartphones: Google Translate. The app recognizes spoken sentences, translates them into the desired language, and then reads them out.

Until now, the programme only worked between English and Spanish, but the new version, 2.2, can manage German, French, Italian, Chinese, Russian, Polish and Turkish. Of course, users should not expect a perfect translator. Google warns that the app is still in a test phase. It handles individual words with no problem and can usually even handle three-word sentences. But it often stumbles on complicated sentences or slang.

Additionally, the translation is done in a computing centre that requires the data to be transmitted, meaning mobile phone users might find themselves racking up roaming fees if they use the service a lot while abroad. The app can be found at the Android Market here: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.google.android.apps.transla te

Block automatic document reopen on Mac OS X Lion