What to Look For in a VPN Service Provider

March 23, 2023

If you’ve been on the internet for the past few years, you’ve likely seen an ad for a VPN. These services promise to prevent your internet usage from being tracked by bad actors like scammers, hackers, and even ostensible good guys like your ISP, employer, and the state. But what exactly do you need to look for in a good VPN company besides being advertised on your favorite podcast? In our top story, Sarah breaks down all the aspects of a solid VPN provider and the must-have features a service needs to get the best protection for your dollar.

Other Highlights:

• Some Hyundai EV owners are getting two free years of charging.
• Amazon and SpaceX square off for a battle over satellites.
• Text-to-video AI is already here.
• … and more!

— Danny

Whether you’re a technological pro or a novice, choosing a VPN provider is a daunting task. There are so many options out there that claim to offer the best, most secure experience, but each company throws around different buzzwords and confusing lingo. When you know exactly what to look for in a VPN service provider, this process is a lot less intimidating. Read More »

This updated tenth edition provides clear explanations and step-by-step instructions that demystify Linux and bring the latest features seamlessly into your workflow. Whether you're a true beginner or a more advanced user navigating recent changes, this eBook is the ultimate hands-on Linux user guide. Best of all, it's completely free!
Download your copy today to get started.

The benefits of OLED are hard to overlook—its increased color accuracy and deep contrast provide a better picture quality than LCD. But as you may know, OLED TVs are susceptible to burn-in. Is this something that you should actually worry about, and how can you avoid OLED burn-in? Read More »

The Ecovacs Deebot N10 Plus may not replace your regular vacuum cleaner, but it’s got some pretty great in-app features, customizable automations, and an intelligent mapping and navigation system. Read on to see what it was like to have the N10 Plus clean my apartment for two weeks. Read More »

Wordle was just too easy, wasn’t it? You probably left that behind and moved on to Quordle, the true “hard mode” of the word-guessing game format. But now you’re stuck and so close to failing. Don’t worry, we’re here to help with a hint—and if you really need it, today’s Quordle Answers. Read More »

Are you a huge fan of Wordle and absolutely stuck today? Let me guess; you’re hanging out on guess four or five and feeling the pressure. We get it entirely: nothing feels worse than losing your streak. If you’re not ready to outright cheat, we have you covered with hints and today’s Wordle answer. Read More »

Springtime and warmer weather are right around the corner as winter wraps up. That also means you’ll need to do some yard work. Consider grabbing this affordable Black & Decker electric leaf blower to get your lawn in tip-top shape. They’re great for fall leaves, but you’ll find all sorts of things in your yard once the snow melts. So, make your cleanup quick and easy with this leaf blower.

If you’re interested in the stylish new Hyundai IONIQ 6 EV, we have some good news. This week Electrify America and Hyundai announced an agreement to give IONIQ 6 owners two years of unlimited free charging sessions. Read More »

We’re living in a beautiful time when it comes to televisions. Bigger and better TVs are available and the prices are generally lower than ever before. The TVs of today are devices that most of us couldn’t have even imagined just a decade ago. With so many great models on the market, you might be wondering if you should upgrade yours now. This leads us to a common question, “How often should I upgrade my TV?” Read More »

Amazon is preparing to launch 3,236 satellites into orbit, kickstarting its Project Kuiper satellite broadband service. But instead of following the path laid by FCC regulations, Amazon is asking to change the rules—it wants to share spectrum with SpaceX’s Starlink. And SpaceX isn’t happy. Read More »

It should be obvious to anyone following generative AI news that the new technology is quickly becoming ubiquitous. Last year, AI image generators took the world by storm, and near the end of 2022, ChatGPT captured the public imagination. Now, a few weeks into 2023, text-to-video AI is almost here. Read More »

Available today for $150, the Nothing Ear 2 seems to address all of our complaints about its predecessor. Nothing promises clearer call quality, a Dual Connection mode, and several other improvements that we’re excited to test. Read More »

Amazon One launched in 2020 as a new contactless payment system, allowing users to swipe their palms to pay for goods. Now, after slowly expanding to more regions and retailers, the tech is teaming up with Panera Bread Cafes. Read More »

The first Matter-enabled Nanoleaf products are now available for pre-order. That said, these products are pretty low-key—an Essentials A19 full-color smart bulb and LED lightstrip. Note that existing Nanoleaf Essentials will not receive a Matter update. Read More »

When you hear the term Eisenhower Matrix, you probably imagine some sort of math formula—like the Pythagorean theorem. Sure, this matrix is all about bringing order to chaos, but it’s actually all about helping you be more productive. Read More »

From Game of Thrones to The Mandalorian, TV shows are darker than ever, and we don’t mean they have edgy scripts. If you’re trying to watch the latest shows but can’t make out anything, we have a few bright ideas. Read More »

Thanks to your smartphone, it’s never been easier to start creating videos. The camera in your phone might be great, but the audio still leaves something to be desired. The Sennheiser MKE 200 Mobile Kit aims to be an affordable upgrade to not just your audio, but your video workflow in general. Read More »

We’ve all heard of (and tried) different hangover drinks people swear will get rid of a pounding head after a night of indulging too much. From water to Gatorade, there are a lot of recommendations. But now, you can actually buy anti-hangover drinks, so do they work? Read More »

The evolution of modern technology has been great at offering new ways to simplify daily life and make mundane tasks more exciting. Once such act involves your teeth. Enter the smart electric toothbrush, an innovation with the potential to transform how you approach your oral health and hygiene. Read More »

A good portable printer maximizes space without sacrificing print quality. From photo printers to scanner and printer combos, portable printers serve several uses while catering to efficiency, whether in an office or home setting. Read More »

Whether you first saw aluminum foil lining an oven at your grandmother’s house or you saw the practice online, it’s an oft-cited hack for keeping the appliance clean. But does it work, and is it safe? Read More »