The Ministry of Popular Power for Science and Technology (Mincyt) and the Oceanographic Institute of Venezuela (IOV), affiliated with the University of the East (UDO), are developing a pilot project in Sucre State, in eastern Venezuela, for the conservation and restoration of coral ecosystems.

According to Sinatra Salazar, a researcher and professor at the Institute of Veterinary Sciences (IOV), the plan was implemented at a pilot farm focused on restoring ecosystems affected specifically by the invasive species Unomia stolonifera.

The farm is located in Mochima National Park, “where small fragments of native corals are collected and placed in artisanal, versatile, and economical structures for cultivation.” Salazar emphasized that these structures have proven effective, achieving a 90 % survival rate.

The professor noted that the first coral harvest from this nursery has already taken place and added that the cultivated fragments will be used to restore affected reefs, recovering their diversity and ecosystem function.

Salazar reported that this joint effort also involves the Foundation Institute for Advanced Studies (IDEA), the National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA), the Museum of the Sea-UDO, and the National Parks Institute (Inparques), with scientists working to restore the reefs. They are also promoting the creation of small farms for ecosystem restoration and establishing a coral bank that can be used in any environmental emergency.

M.Pino

Source: primicia

(Reference image source: NEOM on Unsplash)

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La entrada Venezuela works on coral conservation project apareció primero en Bitfinance.

The CatCARD platform, developed by Phoenix3k, is the Venezuelan banking system’s newest partner, aiming to centralize the issuance and monitoring of debit, credit, and prepaid cards, as well as achieve a single digital infrastructure.

“This new technology integrates with the company’s existing services, such as the CatSW switching system and the CatPAY mobile payment platform, with the goal of reducing operational fragmentation within financial institutions and accelerating the launch of new financial products.”

CatCARD covers the entire card lifecycle, from initial creation to collections management, as well as chargeback administration and the issuance of virtual cards for commercial or corporate transactions.

The system offers:

• Security tools for transaction validation.
• Real-time fraud risk assessment.
• Authentication protocols with dynamic keys for electronic purchases.
• Automation of daily reconciliation processes for transactions against final settlements.
• Easy release of withholdings.
• Rapid generation of files for manufacturing physical cards according to industry requirements.

M.Pino

Source: globovision

(Reference image source: Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash)

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La entrada Venezuelan banking system incorporates Phoenix3k’s CatCARD platform to unify card management apareció primero en Bitfinance.

Within Bancamiga’s broad loan portfolio, two options stand out, designed to provide immediate liquidity: Credi POS and Credi Express, both with a preferential annual interest rate of 16 %.

This is explained in an institutional press release. Whether you’re looking to expand your business or need a personal financial boost, discover how these products fit your plans.

Credi POS is a loan designed for individuals and businesses that own and maintain active Bancamiga point-of-sale terminals.

Main features of Credi POS:

• Interest rate: 16 % per year.
• Repayment term: up to 6 months.
• Targeted at: merchants, business owners, and individuals with commercial activity.

Bancamiga point-of-sale terminals not only facilitate fast transactions but also allow you to generate extra income through commissions on balance top-ups and bill payments, with daily fund settlement (including weekends and holidays).

Fast financing for individuals

For those who need a quick response and flexible terms, Credi Express is the ideal solution. This product rewards customer loyalty by evaluating the level of account activity.

Advantages of Credi Express:

• Interest rate: 16 % per year.
• Payment term: 3 months.
• Direct evaluation: granted based on your Bancamiga account history and activity.
• Targeted at: individuals.

In addition to Credi POS and Credi Express, Bancamiga offers comprehensive credit coverage tailored to different needs:

• Microloans and financing for entrepreneurs.
• CrediMujer and business lines of credit.
• Vehicle loans and credit cards.
• Contingency Fund, recently created to support sectors affected by the earthquakes of June 24.

How to apply for Credi POS or Credi Express at Bancamiga?

Obtaining bank-backed financing is fast and secure. If you would like to know the specific requirements:

3. Visit the Bancamiga branch or teller nearest to your location.
4. Receive personalized advice from our team of account executives.
5. Select the loan option that best suits your financial profile.

Growth is easier when you have the right support! Check out your loan options at Bancamiga today! (Invitation from the institution).

Information and image are for illustrative purposes only, courtesy of Bancamiga Banco Universal

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La entrada Bancamiga Credi POS and Credi Express: Loans to boost your business apareció primero en Bitfinance.

Apple could soon launch its new foldable iPhone Ultra model, similar to an iPad Mini, with exciting new features for fans of the brand.

According to leaked information about the design, it will be book-style, and when opened, it will resemble a compact tablet.

Among its most notable features is the dual rear camera system, with a telephoto lens due to space limitations, consisting of two 48MP sensors (Main and Ultra Wide).

Additionally, it features a battery with an estimated capacity between 4,800 and 5,000 mAh using a dual-cell design.

The operating system is iOS 2.7. It has an Apple A20 Pro processor and 12 GB of RAM. It also includes a Touch ID biometric identification system with a fingerprint sensor integrated into the side power button; an Apple C2 modem; and 5G connectivity compatible with Wi-Fi 7.

M.Pino

With information from international media

(Reference image source: Laurenz Heymann on Unsplash)

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La entrada The iPhone Ultra is Apple’s first foldable phone apareció primero en Bitfinance.

AI is optimizing and transforming cybercriminals’ tools, helping them craft more convincing lures, scale social engineering campaigns, and accelerate reconnaissance. Organizations are wise to pay attention to this trend, as existing security gaps are urgent proof of the need for cyber preparedness.

ESET, a leading company in proactive threat detection, asserts that the first points of failure remain familiar and typically involve: a phishing link clicked by an employee or a vulnerability that has not been patched in time. Unlike truly AI-driven malware (which remains rare), these threats continue to be among the most important for companies seeking to improve their preparedness.

“Fortunately, the threats that continue to cause the majority of incidents also have proven mitigation measures that can help keep your company secure,” says Mario Micucci, Cybersecurity Researcher at ESET Latin America.

According to the ESET SMB Cyber ​​Readiness Index 2026, “AI-driven malware” is identified as the top concern for SMEs globally for the coming year. In North America, the figure is even higher (33%). However, if this concept is understood as malware that uses AI in an automated, real-time manner, it is more of a topic for the research community than for cybersecurity professionals.

ESET discovered the first example of AI-written ransomware in 2025 and maintains that even in that case, it was likely a proof of concept (PoC). On the other hand, PromptSpy, discovered by ESET earlier this year, was the first known Android malware to use generative AI (GenAI) within its execution flow to achieve persistence.

“Threat researchers have made relatively few, if any, similar discoveries. Likewise, ESET’s MDR service has no evidence of incidents where generative AI played a significant role. Threat actors do benefit from AI support, but few are implementing this technology in real time for truly automated tasks,” the ESET researcher explains.

According to ESET, a more cost-effective approach for SMB leaders would be to pay closer attention to the root causes of incidents. In many SMEs, the first point of failure remains far more familiar: a phishing message that succeeds, an unpatched vulnerability, an alert that goes unnoticed, or a password that should never have been reused. These aren’t the most eye-catching cybersecurity risks, but they remain some of the most important for businesses looking to improve their preparedness and protection.

Top threats and risks for small businesses

• Phishing (26 %): ESET telemetry reveals that phishing was the most frequently detected threat during the second half of 2025 (30.8 %), and volumes continue to rise. Social engineering has always been a favorite tactic of threat actors, and both SMS phishing messages (smishing) and fraudulent phone calls (vishing) are gaining popularity. Technology can play a significant role in defense, but staff training and awareness are also critical and are often more difficult to implement correctly.
• Unpatched Security Vulnerabilities (23 %): Even the smallest organizations can operate a wide variety of software, and not everything can be kept up-to-date simply by turning on automatic updates. Understanding which systems are in operation and what critical data and assets might be exposed is the first challenge. The sheer volume and frequency with which new vulnerabilities are discovered today, coupled with the limited experience available to test and implement critical updates, can also represent significant obstacles.
• Lack of security oversight (22 %): You may have numerous security tools, but do you have a single, centralized place to collect, correlate, and highlight alerts? Effective monitoring is critical to accelerating threat detection and response. However, even companies that already have monitoring systems in place can be overwhelmed by the number of alerts, making it difficult to distinguish between false positives and real threats.
• Weak passwords (20 %): A security challenge as old as computing itself. Despite industry advancements toward phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (MFA) and the use of passkeys, many organizations still rely on static passwords to protect their most important assets. Furthermore, employees often reuse them, increasing the risk of security breaches. Creating a strong password policy is the first step; enforcing it is the next.

Among the tried and tested solutions for common threats, ESET mentions that the key is recognizing that many of the aforementioned risks are exacerbated by AI, rather than this technology creating entirely new threats. For example, attackers are using AI to:

• Improve the quality of phishing messages (including the use of deepfakes) and scale and manage campaigns.
• Reduce the time needed to exploit vulnerabilities by quickly identifying and turning new flaws into attack tools.
• Analyze large volumes of data to identify frequently used passwords.
• Perform reconnaissance on targets to determine attack routes more quickly.

It can also reduce the time available for organizations to respond. If cybercriminals can identify vulnerable systems more quickly, develop exploit code more easily, or automate parts of their processes, the window between vulnerability disclosure, exploitation, and a successful attack could narrow even further. This is especially relevant for SMEs already struggling with asset inventory and patch prioritization. One of the key lessons is that neglecting the fundamentals increases the cost.

“The good news is that best practices remain effective for improving security posture. Vulnerability and patch management is a good starting point. Continuously scan operating systems and applications for known CVEs to identify exposures and then automatically deploy updates based on policies and risk level,” recommends Micucci.

Identity security is becoming increasingly critical. Password managers can generate and store strong, unique credentials for employees, but multi-factor authentication (MFA) is now an essential line of defense. Use privileged account management (PAM) tools to reduce the attack surface and protect high-risk accounts.

Address the shortage of specialized security personnel and improve monitoring by outsourcing detection and response to a trusted provider. Using a managed detection and response (MDR) service can also reduce the complexity and integration challenges that 21% of SMEs identify as their main barrier to improving their security posture.

“Ultimately, no organization is too small to become a target for an attack, so adopting a proactive approach to cybersecurity is essential. True cyber preparedness involves the ability to prevent, detect, and respond to threats — a fundamental milestone on the path to business resilience. And it can be achieved much faster by having a realistic view of the threats the organization faces. Not those that generate the most sensational headlines, but those that are causing real damage,” concludes Mario Micucci of ESET Latin America.

ESET invites you to learn more about cybersecurity by visiting:  https://www.welivesecurity.com/es/.

For other useful preventative information, also available in Venezuela at: https://www.eset.com/ve/, and on their social media channels @eset_ve. Also on Instagram  (@esetla) and Facebook (ESET).

Information and image provided by ESET and Comstat Rowland

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La entrada SMEs must implement essentials to protect themselves from attacks and cyber threats apareció primero en Bitfinance.

Elon Musk predicts a loss of interest in money by 2036 as a consequence of the increasingly rapid adoption of artificial intelligence in daily life.

In 10 years, machines will cover basic needs in various areas of human life, giving people more time to dedicate to creative activities, without worrying about money and survival through work as they have until now.

According to the tech magnate, “the impact of artificial intelligence and robots on the global economy is no longer exclusive to technologists and economists.” Musk says that by 2036, “automation will be so advanced that scarcity will no longer be an issue and abundance will be the norm.”

The owner of SpaceX, Starlink, Tesla, and the social network X made this statement in an interview with Zanny Minton Beddoes, editor-in-chief of The Economist. He added, “If robots and AI can produce more goods and services than any one person could consume, money will no longer be necessary.”

According to his vision, work will be optional, and access to goods and services will be virtually unlimited. “There will be a universal high income. Work will be like gardening: you don’t have to do it, but you might want to.”

When asked about the future of businesses if people stop paying for goods and services, Musk pointed out that automated production will outstrip demand to such an extent that money will no longer be necessary.

This is an ambitious prediction that even involves the National Treasury issuing checks directly to citizens, “eliminating concerns about inflation, since production would grow at a rate sufficient to keep prices stable or even promote deflation.”

Utopia or provocation? We will have to wait and see how AI and other technologies will affect life on the planet in the coming years.

M.Pino

Source: infobae

(Reference image source: Simon Kadula on Unsplash)

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La entrada Elon Musk predicts the effects of AI on money and work in 2036 apareció primero en Bitfinance.

The National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel) held a meeting with representatives of SpaceX/Starlink to evaluate new connectivity and internet options for the public in Venezuela.

According to Conatel, the objective is “to strengthen the telecommunications sector and ensure that Venezuelans have a wide and diverse range of internet connectivity options.”

Conatel Director General Enrique José Quintana and his team participated in the meeting. Emmanuel Cárdenas, Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs for SpaceX in Latin America; Catalina Castellanos, telecommunications lawyer for the region; Rebecca Hunter, Director of Market Access for SpaceX; and other legal representatives of the company.

During the working session with companies owned by Elon Musk, the commission emphasized its commitment to continue “driving the technological modernization of Venezuela, opening the doors to international investment under clear, sovereign, and transparent rules.”

The meeting between both parties analyzed key technical, legal, and economic aspects for the regulation and deployment of satellite internet service in Venezuela, “guaranteeing compliance with current legal regulations and the protection of users.”

M.Pino

Source: bancaynegocios

(Reference image source: Mariia Shalabaieva on Unsplash)

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La entrada Conatel seeks to formalize Starlink service in Venezuela apareció primero en Bitfinance.

In response to its strategic vision of supporting national economic development, Bancamiga formalized its membership in the Venezuelan Petroleum Chamber, a business association with over four decades of experience representing the private hydrocarbon production sector.

With this addition, the financial institution aims to strengthen the energy sector ecosystem through solutions tailored to the operational dynamics of companies, suppliers, and contractors in the industry.

Bancamiga’s value proposition: A key ally in the hydrocarbons value chain

In this context of productive reactivation, Bancamiga’s value proposition for Chamber members includes…

Transactional Management and Payments: state-of-the-art point-of-sale terminals, dynamic currency exchange desks, and corporate digital channels for efficient treasury management.

Credit and Financing: lines of credit for working capital and financing for expansion projects or equipment acquisition.

Foreign Trade and Foreign Exchange: comprehensive solutions for international operations.

Personalized Attention: specialized financial advice tailored to the specific cash flows of the industry.

For Bancamiga, joining the Venezuelan Petroleum Chamber represents a firm step toward boosting local investment and offering robust banking tools to a strategic sector for the country.

With this step, the institution reaffirms its commitment to the development of key sectors of the Venezuelan economy, connecting directly with a portfolio of high-performing companies and increasing its presence in national corporate banking.

Information and image for reference only, courtesy of Bancamiga

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La entrada Bancamiga joins the Venezuelan petroleum chamber to boost financing for the energy sector apareció primero en Bitfinance.

The reduction of oxygen levels in ocean waters is accelerating, according to a study by the University of California San Diego, which represents a threat to life on planet Earth.

In this regard, scientists indicate that “it would be advisable to establish aquatic oxygen as one of the factors that could become tipping points.”

This situation is partly a consequence of an excess of nutrients known as eutrophication. The study details that fertilizers, for example, “are very rich in nitrogen, which is one of the most important nutrients for algae growth. When algae proliferate excessively, they cloud the water and prevent sunlight from adequately reaching aquatic photosynthetic organisms.”

Another cause of this phenomenon lies in what happens after these algae die and sink to the bottom, as they are decomposed by bacteria that consume large amounts of oxygen.

The warming of the planet’s water, due to climate change, means that it dissolves less oxygen than cold water, and this is another reason for the decline in oxygen levels in the water.

This is compounded by “changes in water movement and aeration,” which involve, for example, the construction of dams.

Deoxygenation would affect everything from ocean microorganisms to marine mammals that surface to breathe. Furthermore, the phenomenon would cause the displacement of species and damage to their habitats. On land, processes such as the carbon cycle would be affected, which is why scientists propose including ocean deoxygenation among planetary boundaries to avoid a point of no return for the planet’s survival.

M.Pino

Source: xataka

(Reference image source: Jakub Chlouba on Unsplash)

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La entrada Scientists warn of declining oxygen levels in the oceans apareció primero en Bitfinance.

An alleged attack on the Civil Defense alert system, based on Cell Broadcast technology, triggered the sending of false alerts to cell phones in various Brazilian cities, generating concern about the security of critical infrastructure used to protect the population.  ESET, a leading company in proactive threat detection, contextualizes the case and analyzes different protection strategies related to this type of system.

According to a report issued by the Brazilian Federal Government and sent to the Federal Police (PF), the first messages were sent to Rio de Janeiro. Subsequently, residents of Curitiba, Brasília, São Paulo, Salvador, and other locations also received notifications classified as “extreme alert,” considered the highest level in the Civil Defense alert system. This type of message is used in situations of imminent risk to life, requiring the population to take immediate protective measures.

In the case of Rio de Janeiro, the message referred to a supposed possibility of landslides, particularly sensitive information in a region historically affected by tragedies related to heavy rains. Messages also circulated mentioning a supposed possibility of a tornado in the Belo Horizonte region (MG) and other unfounded warnings. The texts contained disjointed phrases, corrupted fields, and unusual expressions, including references to a supposed “alien attack.”

The incident occurs at a time when Latin America is facing a sustained increase in extreme weather events. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), in recent years the region has been affected by phenomena such as floods, droughts, hurricanes, and large-scale forest fires, reinforcing the importance of early warning systems to protect the population.

“In this context, several countries in the region are adopting alert systems based on Cell Broadcast, a technology that allows mass messaging to be sent to all mobile devices in a specific area, without the need for applications or an internet connection,” explains Jonathan Ramos, Cybersecurity Researcher at ESET Latin America.

Some implementation examples in the region include:

• Chile is the most established case, with its Emergency Alert System (SAE) fully operational and regularly used in the event of natural disasters, while Brazil already has large-scale mobile alert infrastructure, as evidenced in this incident.
• Mexico has conducted trials in recent years, partially integrating Cell Broadcast into its seismic alert system. Other countries, such as Ecuador, are in the initial or pilot stages.
• Argentina is making progress in deploying its national AlertAR system, based on this technology.

A compromised alert system can generate panic, misinformation, and diminish the credibility of official emergency communications

“As governments adopt more efficient technologies to alert the population, the attack surface on critical systems also increases. A compromised alert system can generate panic, misinformation, and eventually diminish the credibility of official communications in real emergency situations,” highlights Ramos from ESET.

One detail that stood out in this case was the repetition of the word “misanthropy” in various messages, functioning as a kind of signature left by those responsible. The term is used to describe people who express aversion, distrust, or rejection of humanity and social coexistence.

The case is being investigated by the National Civil Defense in conjunction with the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel). The suspicion is that the incident involved unauthorized access to the Public Alert Dissemination Interface (Idap), a platform used by the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development (MIDR), with the support of the National Civil Defense, to send alerts related to risks of natural disasters and other emergencies.

In the first hours after the incident, a user identified as “Misantropo” on the social network X posted images and a video claiming responsibility for the messages. The disseminated material suggests the use of a government platform to send the alerts.

In an interview with the TecMundo website, the alleged attacker claimed to have used old Idap credentials that had been exposed in previous leaks. According to his account, access was obtained through a technique known as credential stuffing, which involves the automated reuse of username and password combinations previously compromised in other incidents.

“Although the perpetrators and details of the intrusion are still under investigation, the incident reinforces the importance of adopting robust authentication mechanisms, continuous monitoring, and periodic credential reviews in systems considered critical to public safety,” ESET added.

The authorities responded by temporarily deactivating the platform. In an official statement, the Civil Defense of the state of São Paulo reported that the message received by the public was not issued by the agency and that it immediately initiated verification procedures together with the National Civil Defense, Anatel (the Brazilian telecommunications regulator), and other institutions involved in the system’s operation. “To date, there is no record of any event that would justify issuing an extreme alert related to the reported content,” the agency stated.

“The incident highlights the risks associated with protecting government systems responsible for essential services. Cyber ​​incidents on critical infrastructure platforms expose vulnerabilities that transcend the technological sphere, revealing flaws in security policies and procedures. The use of supposedly leaked credentials reinforces the urgency of governance practices, such as the application of the principle of least privilege, mandatory multi-factor authentication (MFA), and the periodic rotation of passwords. For systems with high social impact, the implementation of the Four-Eyes Principle is indispensable. This validation layer mitigates the risk of isolated actions, whether malicious or accidental, preventing false alerts from generating panic and misinformation, and above all, preserving public trust in legitimate state protection mechanisms,” concludes Jonathan Ramos of ESET.

The investigation should clarify whether there was indeed an intrusion into the Civil Defense systems or if the incident was caused by the misuse of valid credentials obtained from previous leaks.

ESET invites you to learn more about cybersecurity by visiting:  https://www.welivesecurity.com/es/.

For other useful preventative information, also available in Venezuela at:  https://www.eset.com/ve/,, and on their social media channels @eset_ve. Also on Instagram (@esetla) and Facebook (ESET).

With information and images provided by ESET and Comstat Rowland

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La entrada Automated alerts in Brazil with fake “extreme emergency” calls alarmed the population apareció primero en Bitfinance.