N e w s C e n t r a l

Peter Thiel is utterly wrong about Alzheimer's

The New York Times ran a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/opinion/peter-thiel-antichrist-ross-douthat.html?unlocked_article_code=1.R08.APIh.B3k6mu3lv7q0&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare">lengthy interview</a> this morning between columnist Ross Douthat and venture capitalist and PayPal founder Peter Thiel. There's a reason it was published in the opinion section. Thiel, a Trump <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/09/20/peter-thiel-book-facebook-trump-jd-vance-blake-masters-josh-hawley-513121">booster</a> whose <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2025-peter-thiel-trump-administration-connections/#connection-highlights">allies</a> — including Vice President JD Vance — now litter the White House, was given free reign to discuss a variety of topics across over an hour of softball questions. Is Greta Thunberg the literal antichrist? Are the three predominant ideological schools in Europe environmentalism, "Islamic Shariah law" and "Chinese Communist totalitarian takeover"? Is AI "woke" and capable of following Elon Musk to Mars? Peter seems to think so! Perhaps the "just asking questions" school of journalism could add "hey, what the fuck are you talking about" to its repertoire.  Admittedly, many of these assertions fall squarely into the realm of things that exist within Thiel's mind palace rather than verifiable facts, with at least one notable exception. Relatively early in their chat, Peter tells Ross the following [emphasis ours]: <blockquote>If we look at biotech, something like dementia, Alzheimer’s — we’ve made zero progress in 40 to 50 years. People are completely stuck on beta amyloids. It’s obviously not working. It’s just some kind of a stupid racket where the people are just reinforcing themselves.</blockquote> It's a pretty bold claim! It's also completely untrue. "There was no treatment 40 or 50 years ago for Alzheimer's disease," Sterling Johnson, a professor of Geriatrics and Gerontology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, told Engadget. "What we've been able to do in the last 20 years has been actually pretty extraordinary. We've developed markers that help us identify when this disease starts, using the using amyloid markers and tau biomarkers, we know that the disease actually begins 20 years before the symptoms do, and that is a critical thing to know if we are going to prevent this disease." At the moment, Alzheimer's remains incurable. But the absence of a miracle cure does not negate the accomplishments thus far in detection and prevention. "The first treatments were these window dressing treatments. It's like treating the symptoms like you would treat a cold [...] The first generation of amyloid therapy was that kind of approach where it just addressed the symptoms by amping up the neurons and increasing the neurotransmitters available to the to the brain cells." Johnson, whose team runs one of the largest and longest <a href="https://wrap.wisc.edu/about/">studies</a> on people at risk for developing Alzheimer's disease, added, "Now we have opportunities to actually modify the disease biology through the amyloid pathway, but also we're focused on the other proteinopathy — which is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tauopathy">tau</a> — and there's clinical trials underway." Thiel, a well-known advocate for advancements in radical life extension (including a <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/08/peter-thiel-wants-to-inject-himself-with-young-peoples-blood?srsltid=AfmBOorWPpJna-9f4HpVxwkhBkh_6IbM-7PPlpHzAhmc5HoK02GTRv4s">reported</a> interest in injecting himself with the blood of young people) sees the state of scientific research in this area as sluggish and risk averse. But the groundbreaking work is happening at this moment. Professor Johnson pointed to a monoclonal antibody called <a href="https://www.clinicaltrialsarena.com/news/roche-alzheimer-drug-could-prevent-onset/">gantenerumab</a>. In an early test of 73 participants with inherited mutations that would cause them to overproduce amyloid in the brain, it cut the number of participants who developed Alzheimer's symptoms practically in half. "The big phase-three prevention trials are happening right now." Those are using lecanemab and donanemab, two other monoclonal treatments, which Johnson clarified are "already known to be better than gantenerumab at clearing out beta-amyloid." For someone who fashions himself as a heterodox thinker, Thiel certainly seems to have stumbled on a remarkably similar talking point to current Trump administration FDA head Robert F Kennedy Jr. "Alzheimer's is a very, very good example of how [National Institute of Health] has gone off the rails over the past 20 years ago with research on amyloid plaques" Kennedy <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/DzkPRscLkpQ?si=PS-Qgx5bZFIrVGxG&t=1319">said</a> at a Department of Health budgetary hearing last month. He claimed the NIH was "cutting off any other hypothesis" due to "corruption." Unsurprisingly, the Alzheimer's Association has called this "demonstrably false." "In reality, over the most recent 10 years available (2014-2023), <a href="https://iadrp.nia.nih.gov/visualization?t=&disease_op=or&class_op=or&class%5B%5D=73737&p_title=&p_num=&p_type_op=or&fun_year=&pi_ln=&pi_fn=&a_org_op=or&a_country_op=or&f_org_op=or&f_org%5B%5D=59956&f_country_op=or&field_program_official_op=or&f%5B%5D=fa_f_year%3A2023&f%5B%5D=fa_f_year%3A2022&f%5B%5D=fa_f_year%3A2021&f%5B%5D=fa_f_year%3A2020&f%5B%5D=fa_f_year%3A2019&f%5B%5D=fa_f_year%3A2018&f%5B%5D=fa_f_year%3A2017&f%5B%5D=fa_f_year%3A2016&f%5B%5D=fa_f_year%3A2015&f%5B%5D=fa_f_year%3A2014&f%5B%5D=fa_class%3A73737&f%5B%5D=fa_f_org%3A59956&f%5B%5D=fa_p_type%3A733&f%5B%5D=fa_disease%3A19045&f%5B%5D=fa_class%3A73776&f%5B%5D=fa_class%3A73777&f%5B%5D=fa_class%3A73778&f%5B%5D=fa_class%3A73779&plot_by=projects&summarized=therapeutic_target_name&refine_by=total&chart_type=pie">less than 14%</a> of new National Institutes of Health (NIH) Alzheimer’s projects focused on amyloid beta as the therapeutic target," the organization <a href="https://www.alz.org/news/2025/kennedy-harmful-myths-alzheimers-dementia-research">wrote</a>, "As of September 2024, <a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/research/ongoing-AD-trials">the National Institute on Aging</a> was investing in 495 pharmacological and non-pharmacological trials. To state that Alzheimer’s research is focused on amyloid to the exclusion of other targets is clearly wrong."  If I, personally, wanted more robust medical research and a chance at eternal life (I don't), greasing the wheels of an administration broadly <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/podcasts/the-daily/trump-nih-science-funding.html">gutting funding for science</a> would be a strange way to make that happen. But this is the sort of incoherence we've come to expect from tech oligarchs: they say what benefits them, even if it's nonsense on its face, even if a moment's reflection reveals it to be patently false. What's embarrassing is the paper of record giving them free reign to do it. Update June 27, 2025 2:15ET: This story now includes additional clinical trial information.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/peter-thiel-is-utterly-wrong-about-alzheimers-173206349.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

Donald Trump is reportedly preparing a sweep of pro-AI executive orders

We know what you’re thinking: there just isn’t enough AI around right now. Luckily for you, Donald Trump emphatically agrees. According to a new <a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/trump-plans-executive-orders-power-ai-growth-race-with-china-2025-06-27/"><ins>report</ins></a> from Reuters, his administration is assembling a number of executive actions that would significantly increase the energy supply used for expanding artificial intelligence. The US and China are currently battling it out to lead the way in the rapidly growing sector, but American companies will need more infrastructure to make the advances Trump wants. "With the right Government policies, we can solidify our position as the global leader in AI and secure a brighter future for all Americans," he said back in January when signing an <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/removing-barriers-to-american-leadership-in-artificial-intelligence/"><ins>executive order</ins></a> in his <a href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/trump-executive-order-rescinds-bidens-ai-framework-012825311.html"><ins>first days</ins></a> in office that made clear his intention to reduce any regulatory hurdles to allow unchecked development in the area. Reuters was told by sources that asked to remain anonymous that, if passed, the planned executive orders would "make it easier for power-generating projects to connect to the grid, and provide federal land on which to build the data centers needed to expand AI technology." The Trump administration is reportedly also planning to release an "AI action plan" and schedule a number of public events that promote its ongoing efforts. Power-hungry data centers are often large and not quick to build, but in an attempt to speed up the process, Trump’s actions may offer land managed by the Defense Department or Interior Department to AI project developers. A nationwide Clean Water Act permit, meanwhile, would mean permission to build would no longer operate on a state-by-state basis, making it easier for developers to get projects off the ground. Donald Trump’s AI crusade has been ongoing since he took office. After initially taking an eraser to Biden’s extensive AI protection framework, the US House of Representatives <a href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/house-passes-budget-bill-that-inexplicably-bans-state-ai-regulations-for-ten-years-184936210.html"><ins>narrowly passed</ins></a> a "big, beautiful bill" that places a 10-year ban on state AI regulations. It still has to pass through the Senate.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/donald-trump-is-reportedly-preparing-a-sweep-of-pro-ai-executive-orders-171856144.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

NordVPN review 2025: Innovative features, a few missteps

When we say that NordVPN is a good VPN that's not quite great, it's important to put that in perspective. Building a good VPN is hard, as evidenced by all the shovelware VPNs flooding the market. NordVPN may not be perfect, but it's easily top-five caliber and excels in certain use cases. First, the bad: NordVPN's apps could all stand to undergo a little more quality control, with elements distracting from other elements and inconsistent designs from platform to platform. At least one of its FAQ pages directly contradicts itself. And while all the server locations could unblock Netflix, the one in Nigeria still showed U.S. content, indicating that our real location might have leaked. However, there's a lot of good to balance that out. Speeds are fantastic and we saw no other hint of any kind of leak. Its server network is expansive and not overly reliant on virtual locations. The vast majority of servers are ideal for unblocking foreign websites. The real draw, though, is the extra features, including the innovative and flexible Meshnet, plus a malware blocker that acts more like a full antivirus and forward-looking quantum resistant encryption. <h2 class="" id="jump-link-findings-at-a-glance">Findings at a glance</h2> Check out a summary of our NordVPN review in the table below. <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>Category </td> <td>Notes </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Installation and UI </td> <td>Connections happen quickly and features are easy to use on all platforms UI sometimes gets in the way; map screens can be clunky and apps come with unnecessary notifications Surprisingly, the best UI may be in the browser extension </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Speed </td> <td>Extremely fast download speeds with only a 6.4-percent average drop Good latencies on nearby servers, but farther ones have some lag Fast upload speeds, but losses spiked in a few locations </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Security </td> <td>Uses acceptable protocols with uncracked encryption NordWhisper obfuscated protocol recently implemented on Windows, Android and Linux No DNS, WebRTC or IPv6 leaks on five test servers </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Pricing </td> <td>Best plan is the 2-year Basic for $81.36, or $3.39 per month Basic gives you the complete VPN If you get a multi-year plan, be sure to manually renew in order to keep the promotional rates </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Bundles </td> <td>Plus tier adds advanced malware protection and NordPass password manager Complete plan adds NordLocker cloud storage Prime tier adds ID theft protection and insurance features </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Privacy policy </td> <td>NordVPN does not log user activity on the VPN, a policy backed up by several third-party audits However, it does log potentially identifiable device information unless you opt out in settings Some concerning liberties taken in the overall Nord policy, but no documented malfeasance </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Virtual location change </td> <td>Four out of five test servers unblocked Netflix three times running, including virtual India location Location in Nigeria got into Netflix, but didn't change available titles </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Server network </td> <td>153 server locations in 117 countries and territories Server network is about 40 percent virtual, including all locations in Africa </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Features </td> <td>Extra servers grant additional privacy (double VPN, Onion over VPN, obfuscation) or specific optimizations (P2P, dedicated IP) Meshnet directly connects two devices without a NordVPN server mediating Threat Protection blocks dangerous domains and the Pro upgrade has some antivirus capability Dark Web Monitor reports to you when any sensitive information has appeared on clandestine leak sites Presets let you activate several settings with one clickPost-quantum encryption is nice, but not necessary yet Kill switch is a useful safety feature on all appsSplit tunneling by app on Windows and Android, and by URL on browser extensions </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Customer support </td> <td>Written FAQs, live chat and email support Live chat connected to an expert human within a minute FAQs are poorly organized and contain some conflicts, but well-written on average </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Background check </td> <td>NordVPN is headquartered in Panama, while its parent company Nord Security is based in the Netherlands 2018 theft of public keys was a mistake, but NordVPN did almost everything right in response Claims of law enforcement collaboration are overblown — NordVPN will comply with requests, but that doesn't mean they'll have information to provide </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h2 class="" id="jump-link-installing-configuring-and-using-nordvpn">Installing, configuring and using NordVPN</h2> NordVPN's biggest strengths are its speeds and the range of options it puts at your fingertips. User experience is important, but it's not quite as front-and-center as it is with ExpressVPN and Proton VPN. Here's how the apps run on all the major platforms. <h3 class="" id="jump-link-windows">Windows</h3> The Windows app is the first instance of NordVPN's UI being not bad enough to complain about, but not good enough to be considered excellent. The initial connection process is a little slow, and it's far easier to connect than it is to disconnect (click the power button while connected to shut the VPN off). The map takes up space that would have been better allocated to the server list. <figure> <img alt="NordVPN Windows app" src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-06/84c9e4d0-4876-11f0-bbdb-617dc9375fc9" style="height: 973px; width: 1355px;" /> <figcaption></figcaption> <div class="photo-credit"> Sam Chapman for Engadget </div> </figure> The minor problems continue in the settings list, which makes the mistake of not keeping all its tabs visible in the window — if you open one, you have to click back to the main menu to reach another page. The pages themselves are easy to use; it's just a bit clunkier than it could have been. <h3 class="" id="jump-link-mac">Mac</h3> Setup is swift and easy on Mac, but the full NordVPN interface is a little awkward. The vast majority of the main window is taken up by a large map, which is mostly useless. There's no way to zoom out to see the whole world, and you can't choose between servers in each country unless you zoom way in. The server list on the left-hand side is almost always more useful. <figure> <img alt="NordVPN macOS app" src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-06/84c92180-4876-11f0-bfaf-2a41d2aabce1" style="height: 1397px; width: 1792px;" /> <figcaption></figcaption> <div class="photo-credit"> Sam Chapman for Engadget </div> </figure> The preferences panel is better. All the tabs come with clear explanations of their function, and are laid out so the menu is always visible, unlike the Windows app. The gear icon at the bottom includes its own set of tabs that encompass most of the common functions, including changing your VPN protocol, activating the kill switch and setting the VPN to automatically connect on untrusted networks. <h3 class="" id="jump-link-android">Android</h3> NordVPN on mobile can be described in much the same way as its desktop apps: generally great, occasionally getting in its own way. On Android, the map screen is much more helpful. It's expandable to the entire world and allows you to choose between servers within a country. On the other hand, the important settings are buried in the Profile tab, and the app notifies you about your "security score" to pressure you into activating certain settings. <figure> <img alt="NordVPN Android UI" src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-06/84c8fa70-4876-11f0-bd55-8fb65672e3ab" style="height: 3024px; width: 4032px;" /> <figcaption></figcaption> <div class="photo-credit"> Sam Chapman for Engadget </div> </figure> To find the general settings page on Android, tap the bottom-right Profile tab and scroll down. Except for Threat Protection, which has its own tab on the main window, every feature is located here. It's probably necessary to keep the main app from getting cluttered, but still mildly frustrating. <h3 class="" id="jump-link-ios">iOS</h3> The NordVPN iOS app resembles a compressed version of the macOS client, for better or worse. As with Android, most of its features are in the bottom-right Profile tab. It works well most of the time, but often feels slightly cumbersome. There's a bit too much on the screen, and a bit too much of the stuff has nothing to do with the VPN's core function. <figure> <img alt="NordVPN iOS app" src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-06/84c5c621-4876-11f0-ba57-265b1da4cb65" style="height: 1334px; width: 750px;" /> <figcaption></figcaption> <div class="photo-credit"> Sam Chapman for Engadget </div> </figure> As an example, you can't log into your account within the app — you have to load your Nord account page in a web browser. Forced app switching is a design choice that truly needs to die. That said, VPN connections happen quickly. If you tend to simply leave your VPN active, you probably won't notice any of this stuff. <h3 class="" id="jump-link-browser-extensions">Browser extensions</h3> Most VPN browser extensions consist of the same features on a smaller scale, and NordVPN's — on Chrome, Firefox and Edge — are no exception. They are important for one reason, though: they're the only way to split tunnels by URL and the only split tunneling at all on macOS and iOS. Despite being more compact, they're also easy to use, making for an excellent quick-start VPN solution. <figure> <img alt="NordVPN Browser Extension" src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-06/84c5c622-4876-11f0-af17-12e67bc36543" style="height: 1172px; width: 843px;" /> <figcaption></figcaption> <div class="photo-credit"> Sam Chapman for Engadget </div> </figure> <h2 class="" id="jump-link-nordvpn-speed-test">NordVPN speed test</h2> All VPNs slow down your average browsing speeds by adding extra steps into the connection process. When we test speed, we're looking for the VPN to drag as little as possible on your unprotected speeds. Download speed will be the most important stat for most users, since that determines how fast web pages load and how quickly videos can buffer. Latency is important for live connections like video chats, games and live streaming. Latency increases with distance — in the test below, data packets were sent to the remote server, then back to our home network. Upload speeds likewise influence your live two-way communications and are also vital for torrenting. Let's see how NordVPN performs on all three metrics. <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>Server location</td> <td>Latency (ms)</td> <td>Increase factor</td> <td>Download speed (Mbps)</td> <td>Percentage drop</td> <td>Upload speed (Mbps)</td> <td>Percentage drop</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Unprotected (Portland, OR, USA)</td> <td>22</td> <td>--</td> <td>59.20</td> <td>--</td> <td>5.86</td> <td>--</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Seattle, WA, USA (Fastest)</td> <td>44</td> <td>2x</td> <td>57.21</td> <td>3.4</td> <td>5.62</td> <td>4.1</td> </tr> <tr> <td>New York, NY, USA</td> <td>177</td> <td>8x</td> <td>56.90</td> <td>3.9</td> <td>5.60</td> <td>4.4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Stockholm, Sweden</td> <td>371</td> <td>16.9x</td> <td>55.94</td> <td>5.5</td> <td>5.63</td> <td>3.9</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Istanbul, Turkey</td> <td>411</td> <td>18.7x</td> <td>53.02</td> <td>10.4</td> <td>5.78</td> <td>5.9</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Hong Kong</td> <td>350</td> <td>15.9x</td> <td>56.18</td> <td>5.1</td> <td>5.72</td> <td>2.4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Johannesburg, South Africa</td> <td>602</td> <td>27.4x</td> <td>53.26</td> <td>10.0</td> <td>5.67</td> <td>3.3</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Average</td> <td>326</td> <td>14.8x</td> <td>55.42</td> <td>6.4</td> <td>5.54</td> <td>4.0</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> To summarize: NordVPN's download speeds are the fastest we've seen and its upload speeds and latency tie with the best. Downloads only dropped by an average of 6.4 percent across the globe and readings were mostly consistent — the servers in question performed much the same in each test. We even threw in Turkey and South Africa, two locations that commonly cause problems, but NordVPN still kept the drop to 10 percent. <figure> <img alt="NordVPN speed test" src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-06/84c9e4d0-4876-11f0-bdff-580a0d01c4a1" style="height: 1418px; width: 2968px;" /> <figcaption></figcaption> <div class="photo-credit"> Sam Chapman for Engadget </div> </figure> Latency is more a product of physical distance than VPN infrastructure, but you can still see differences between services. When tested on a similar range of locations, ExpressVPN and Proton VPN both kept average latencies under 300 ms. NordVPN's average came out to 326 milliseconds, though we should note that its latency increased less than Proton's on the closest server. Upload speeds declined an average of four percent, but there were a few anomalously high readings in Istanbul that skewed those numbers up. Without that location, NordVPN's upload rates would also have been the industry's current best. <h2 class="" id="jump-link-nordvpn-security-test">NordVPN security test</h2> No matter how well-built a VPN looks from the outside, there are several ways its security can fail. The most common problems are outdated protocols with weak encryption, failing to block IPv6 traffic or inadvertent leaks from sending DNS requests outside the encrypted tunnel. We'll start by looking for those common leak sources, then check whether NordVPN's encryption might be failing in less traceable ways. <h3 class="" id="jump-link-vpn-protocols">VPN protocols</h3> A VPN protocol is a set of rules used to get data quickly and safely from your device to a VPN server and back, even while that data is encrypted. Different protocols are connected with different encryption algorithms and can impact the speed, security and stability of your connection. When testing VPN security, the first step is to see if it's using any protocols like PPTP that are outdated and crackable, or homebrewed protocols with unclear security. NordVPN users have four options for protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2 (not available on Mac or iOS), NordLynx and NordWhisper (available on Windows, Android and Linux only).  <figure> <img alt="NordVPN protocol selection" src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-06/84c81010-4876-11f0-bdfb-4a91e7df1e4d" style="height: 2340px; width: 1080px;" /> <figcaption></figcaption> <div class="photo-credit"> Sam Chapman for Engadget </div> </figure> OpenVPN and IKEv2 are both standard protocols you'll find on most VPN providers. Both use various strengths of the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), with OpenVPN defaulting to AES-256 and IKEv2 to AES-128. OpenVPN can be set to UDP (faster but less stable) or TCP (more reliable but slower). So far, so secure. NordLynx is unique to NordVPN, but it's not that far off the beaten track — it's just WireGuard with extra security. WireGuard normally works by saving a stable IP address for each connection, which raises the very slight risk of exposing a user. <a href="https://www.01net.com/en/vpn/nordvpn/nordlynx/">NordLynx adds a second layer of abstraction</a> that means those stable addresses are never revealed. Since NordVPN strongly recommends it for most situations, we used it for all our tests in this review. Finally, there's <a href="https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/nordvpns-nordwhisper-protocol-can-get-around-vpn-blockers-162525626.html">NordWhisper</a>, a new protocol introduced in early 2025 that disguises your VPN traffic as normal web traffic to evade blanket web blocks. It's likely to be slower than the other protocols, so don't use it unless everything else has been blocked. We also don't recommend counting on it too much in general — large-scale censorship technology, like the Great Firewall of China, tends to rely on blocklists of known VPN servers, whose identity NordWhisper can't disguise. <h3 class="" id="jump-link-leak-test">Leak test</h3> Our first order of business was to check five test servers to see if they leaked our real IP address — staying away from the ones in the speed test in order to get as comprehensive a picture of NordVPN's security as possible. With help from ipleak.net, we found all five to be free of the three major types of leaks. <ul class="public-DraftStyleDefault-ul" style="margin: 16px 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(32, 43, 51);"> <li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-reset public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" style="direction: ltr; margin-left: 1.5em;">DNS leaks occur when a VPN sends DNS requests (in short, how your browser knows which websites to show you) outside its encrypted tunnel. By default, NordVPN uses its own private DNS servers, which our tests showed to effectively prevent leaks.</li> <li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" style="direction: ltr; margin-left: 1.5em;">WebRTC leaks are caused by real-time communication protocols sending information outside the VPN, which may reveal your real IP address. NordVPN is consistently successful at keeping WebRTC inside the tunnel, but you can have your browser block it if you're still worried.</li> <li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" style="direction: ltr; margin-left: 1.5em;">IPv6 leaks happen when a VPN only blocks IPv4 traffic and lets v6 through. NordVPN automatically <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=c52a3d27-2d9a-44d8-8cf2-6f6387b122a0&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=bd3be014-d14b-4ac2-ad5d-4ae3aa73cc14&featureId=text-link&merchantName=NordVPN&linkText=blocks+IPv6+traffic&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL25vcmR2cG4uY29tL2Jsb2cvbm9yZHZwbi1pbXBsZW1lbnRzLWlwdjYtbGVhay1wcm90ZWN0aW9uLyIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiYmQzYmUwMTQtZDE0Yi00YWMyLWFkNWQtNGFlM2FhNzNjYzE0Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL25vcmR2cG4uY29tL2Jsb2cvbm9yZHZwbi1pbXBsZW1lbnRzLWlwdjYtbGVhay1wcm90ZWN0aW9uLyJ9&signature=AQAAAUgUPCldd0HhI8iECKc89Z2T_8sRGqhwjWDaaD32074V&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fnordvpn.com%2Fblog%2Fnordvpn-implements-ipv6-leak-protection%2F">blocks IPv6 traffic</a> while it's active, so an IPv6 leak is all but impossible.</li> </ul> <figure> <img alt="NordVPN leak test" src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-06/84c5c620-4876-11f0-bf6f-eac7d01cf714" style="height: 1895px; width: 3414px;" /> <figcaption></figcaption> <div class="photo-credit"> Sam Chapman for Engadget </div> </figure> Although that's all great news, it is still possible for leaks to occur without a clear explanation, so we ran one final test on NordVPN. <h3 class="" id="jump-link-encryption-test">Encryption test</h3> Wireshark is a program that captures detailed images of information sent over a device's internet connection. Even though our tests showed NordVPN to be free of leaks, we wanted to inspect it at the most granular level. Using WireShark, we recorded the traffic sent to an unencrypted HTTP site, before and after connecting to each NordVPN test server. Every server showed the same pattern: readable plaintext before, encrypted ciphertext after. If there is a security flaw remaining in NordVPN, it's unlikely to be relevant to the overwhelming majority of users. <h2 class="" id="jump-link-how-much-does-nordvpn-cost">How much does NordVPN cost?</h2> NordVPN's pricing structure looks convoluted at first, but it's much simpler than it appears. A Basic subscription gets you full VPN functionality, and all the other tiers just add more features. If all you need is a VPN, you only need to concern yourself with the left side of the table below. The best deal for a Basic NordVPN subscription, which lets you connect to NordVPN with up to 10 devices at once, costs $81.36 for two years when you pay upfront ($3.39 per month). One year of the same plan costs $59.88 in advance ($4.99 per month) or $12.99 for one month at a time. The table below shows the complete cost; for more information on plans above Basic, see "side apps and bundles" in the next section. <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>Plan</td> <td>1-month cost</td> <td>1-year cost</td> <td>2-year cost</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Basic</td> <td>$12.99</td> <td>$59.88 ($4.99/month)</td> <td>$81.36 ($3.39/month)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Plus</td> <td>$13.99</td> <td>$71.88 ($5.99/month)</td> <td>$105.36 ($4.39/month)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Complete</td> <td>$14.99</td> <td>$83.88 ($6.99/month)</td> <td>$129.36 ($5.39/month)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Prime</td> <td>$17.99</td> <td>$107.88 ($8.99/month)</td> <td>$177.36 ($7.39/month)</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> The longer plans save money, but be careful: if you let them expire, you'll automatically renew at the <a href="https://my.nordaccount.com/legal/pricing/?_gl=1*11f3qq8*_gcl_au*ODY4NDU0ODMwLjE3NDUzNTgxOTU.*FPAU*ODY4NDU0ODMwLjE3NDUzNTgxOTU.*_ga*MjAxMjQxMzk3NS4xNzQ4MzczNzE3*_ga_LEXMJ1N516*czE3NDg5Nzk3MjYkbzQkZzEkdDE3NDg5Nzk3MjYkajYwJGwwJGgw&_ga=2.210830941.912050247.1748979726-2012413975.1748373717&nv_tri=TC_8006072161444097_1748373716505&nv_trs=1748979725618_1748979727570_4_3">more expensive one-year plan</a>. Enough customers claim to have been auto-renewed at the higher rate that they've launched a <a href="https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/vpns/world-famous-vpn-company-embroiled-in-class-action-lawsuit">class-action lawsuit</a> against NordVPN, accusing the company of deceptive pricing practices and making renewals too difficult to cancel. A NordVPN PR rep said they could not comment on ongoing legal action, "other than to state that we are and always have been very clear about the recurring nature of our services." No court date has been set so far. That said, there's a fairly straightforward workaround in the meantime: To prevent the auto renewal, log out of your NordVPN account, then sign up for a discounted plan again using the same email. As long as you do this before your subscription expires, your new account should link to your old one, keeping you subscribed at the introductory rate. <h3 class="" id="jump-link-free-trials-and-refunds">Free trials and refunds</h3> Every NordVPN plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you cancel and request a refund before 30 days are up, you'll get the full cost back. The only way to try it for free without paying is to get the app on Android, where there's a <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=bd3be014-d14b-4ac2-ad5d-4ae3aa73cc14&featureId=text-link&linkText=seven-day+trial+through+the+Google+Play+Store&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3N1cHBvcnQubm9yZHZwbi5jb20vaGMvZW4tdXMvYXJ0aWNsZXMvMTk3NDQ4MzcwOTEyMTctRG9lcy1Ob3JkVlBOLWhhdmUtYS1mcmVlLXRyaWFsIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiJiZDNiZTAxNC1kMTRiLTRhYzItYWQ1ZC00YWUzYWE3M2NjMTQiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vc3VwcG9ydC5ub3JkdnBuLmNvbS9oYy9lbi11cy9hcnRpY2xlcy8xOTc0NDgzNzA5MTIxNy1Eb2VzLU5vcmRWUE4taGF2ZS1hLWZyZWUtdHJpYWwifQ&signature=AQAAAXOytfzy7QsgQJ5hrRTc80-EcF7sdHOOfu8sQnJognqg&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fsupport.nordvpn.com%2Fhc%2Fen-us%2Farticles%2F19744837091217-Does-NordVPN-have-a-free-trial">seven-day trial through the Google Play Store</a>. <h2 class="" id="jump-link-nordvpn-side-apps-and-bundles">NordVPN side apps and bundles</h2> NordVPN is part of a larger family of Nord Security products, which you can save money on if you need more than one. We won't review all of them here, but for reference, here's everything you'll get from the higher subscription tiers.  <ul class="public-DraftStyleDefault-ul" style="margin: 16px 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(32, 43, 51);"> <li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-reset public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" style="direction: ltr; margin-left: 1.5em;">Basic: VPN on 10 devices, specialty servers, DNS ad-blocking, Meshnet</li> <li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" style="direction: ltr; margin-left: 1.5em;">Plus: All Basic features, plus malware scanning, extra scam blocking, tracker blocking, NordPass password manager, data breach scanner</li> <li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" style="direction: ltr; margin-left: 1.5em;">Complete: All Plus features, along with 1TB of NordLocker encrypted cloud storage</li> <li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" style="direction: ltr; margin-left: 1.5em;">Prime: All Complete features, plus NordProtect features like dark web monitoring, credit monitoring, ID theft insurance and extortion insurance</li> </ul> Another tier called Ultra includes a subscription to Incogni, a data removal service run by Nord's partner Surfshark. The Ultra bundle is only available in certain countries, since NordVPN is still testing it; users outside the test countries can still add Incogni service at checkout. There also used to be a NordVPN family plan, but it seems to have been eliminated after Nord expanded the devices per subscription to 10. You can get a dedicated IP address on NordVPN to ensure you have the same IP every time you connect. This lets you configure remote firewalls to let you through while you're connected to the VPN. A dedicated IP costs $8.99 per month, $70.68 for a year ($5.89 per month) or $100.56 for two years ($4.19 per month). The NordVPN pricing page lists access to a Saily eSIM plan as a perk, though mysteriously, none of the existing plans seem to include it yet. A lot of VPNs are expanding into the eSIM space, so this may change soon. <h2 class="" id="jump-link-close-reading-nordvpns-privacy-policy">Close-reading NordVPN's privacy policy</h2> A VPN privacy policy isn't just empty words — it's a contract between the provider and its users. If a service openly defied its own policy, it could be sued for false advertising. VPNs tend to sneak loopholes into their privacy policies instead of flouting them outright; these loopholes can shed light on how the provider actually views your privacy. We combed through NordVPN's privacy policy to see whether it tries to take any such liberties. The policy has two parts: the <a href="https://my.nordaccount.com/legal/privacy-policy/">general Nord Security policy</a> and <a href="https://my.nordaccount.com/legal/privacy-policy/nordvpn/">an addendum specific to NordVPN</a>. <h3 class="" id="jump-link-general-nord-privacy-policy">General Nord privacy policy</h3> This policy applies to all Nord Security apps. It's impossible to create an account without a valid email address, but you can use a separate <a href="https://www.engadget.com/fastmail-1password-masked-email-110028257.html">email masking service</a> to make that anonymous. The policy also explicitly says that your email address will be added to a marketing mailing list, though you can opt out. Irritating, but not a privacy risk in itself. We're more concerned about the later statement that it may process data without the user's consent "under the legal basis of our or third parties' legitimate interest." This clause covers some cases we'd agree are legitimate, such as identifying people who launch cyberattacks from NordVPN servers. But Nord also considers it "legitimate interest" to process your personal data "to improve or maintain our services and provide new products and features." Reached for comment, a NordVPN representative said that using personal data in this way "generally involves aggregated, depersonalized or technical information." That's somewhat reassuring, but the "generally" leaves a bit too much wiggle room. Ideally, we'd prefer that personal data exist wholly in the "consent only" section. The section on sharing your data with third parties only lists "some of" the service providers who may receive your information. Among these are Google Analytics, which is known to <a href="https://usercentrics.com/knowledge-hub/google-analytics-and-gdpr-compliance-rulings/">store personal data on U.S. servers</a> — all of which are potential security risks in the <a href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/engadget-podcast-whats-up-doge-diving-into-elon-musks-hack-on-america-123006530.html">age of DOGE</a>. Other unnamed "third parties" are involved in targeting ads at users of Nord websites. The NordVPN representative said that "since some partners, such as payment processors, can vary by region or specific service and may change over time depending on our operational needs, we do not publish a fixed list." They added that all third parties are "contractually required to handle personal data in accordance with applicable laws and industry standards." We aren't using this to condemn Nord; many of these practices are fairly standard in the VPN industry. But it's important to know about all the potential leakage points before trusting your deepest secrets to any company. <h3 class="" id="jump-link-nordvpn-specific-policies">NordVPN specific policies</h3> The NordVPN privacy policy doesn't add much atop the general Nord notice. It does track session activity connected to your username to make sure you're staying within the 10-device limit, but it automatically deletes these logs 15 minutes after you disconnect. The logs also don't include your IP address or the addresses of VPN servers you used. <figure> <img alt="NordVPN turn off analytics" src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-06/84c8fa71-4876-11f0-af7b-ab2ec6fe8876" style="height: 1400px; width: 1801px;" /> <figcaption></figcaption> <div class="photo-credit"> Sam Chapman for Engadget </div> </figure> The only real problem we found is that NordVPN apps collect information about your activity on the app by default. This doesn't include information about your browsing habits, but it does include unique traits that could conceivably be used for <a href="https://www.engadget.com/apple-cracking-down-on-fingerprinting-with-new-app-store-api-rules-080007498.html">"device fingerprinting"</a> — in which a third party can deduce a user's identity through clues about their device. You can turn this off in the General settings. A NordVPN spokesperson told us that the data collected is "not personally identifiable," and that the company takes "deliberate steps to strip out anything that could be linked back to a specific person." This presumably means the data is aggregated so it only shows general trends, not any one device's activity. That's a lot less risky, but we still recommend switching the setting off. <h3 class="" id="jump-link-third-party-privacy-audits">Third-party privacy audits</h3> NordVPN has passed five independent audits of its privacy policy so far, most recently <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=c52a3d27-2d9a-44d8-8cf2-6f6387b122a0&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=bd3be014-d14b-4ac2-ad5d-4ae3aa73cc14&featureId=text-link&merchantName=NordVPN&linkText=from+Deloitte+in+late+2024&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL25vcmR2cG4uY29tL2Jsb2cvbm9yZHZwbi1uby1sb2dzLWF1ZGl0LTIwMjQvIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiJiZDNiZTAxNC1kMTRiLTRhYzItYWQ1ZC00YWUzYWE3M2NjMTQiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbm9yZHZwbi5jb20vYmxvZy9ub3JkdnBuLW5vLWxvZ3MtYXVkaXQtMjAyNC8ifQ&signature=AQAAAZ5aMjTJ9jhGJXJM1LlnC8fU5ZDQl-Jdipzinw3a84_Z&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fnordvpn.com%2Fblog%2Fnordvpn-no-logs-audit-2024%2F">from Deloitte in late 2024</a>. Annoyingly, you can only read the entire report by logging into a Nord account, but it at least doesn't have to be a paid account. The audit found that NordVPN was following its own no-logs policy. Specifically, the Deloitte Lithuania investigators concluded that "the configuration of IT systems and management of the supporting IT operations is properly prepared, in all material respects in accordance with the NordVPN's description set out in the Appendix I." (Appendix I of the report is identical to NordVPN's privacy policy.) <h2 class="" id="jump-link-can-nordvpn-change-your-virtual-location">Can NordVPN change your virtual location?</h2> You'll be most interested in this section if you mainly use a VPN to change their location for streaming. To see if NordVPN could unlock new streaming libraries, we picked a new batch of five test servers, then logged onto Netflix. Since Netflix tries to block all VPN servers to prevent copyright issues, our first question was whether we'd get through at all. Our second question: would connecting to a NordVPN server actually change what Netflix library we saw? It should, given that NordVPN seems leak-proof, but thoroughness demands we check anyway. Here's what we found. <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>Server location</td> <td>Netflix unblocked?</td> <td>Content changed?</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Canada</td> <td>Yes</td> <td>Yes</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Argentina</td> <td>Yes</td> <td>Yes</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Germany</td> <td>Yes</td> <td>Yes</td> </tr> <tr> <td>India</td> <td>Yes</td> <td>Yes</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Nigeria</td> <td>Yes</td> <td>No</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Four out of five locations worked perfectly. On a Canadian server, we were able to stream Star Trek: The Next Generation, which left American Netflix years ago. The Argentine server gave us access to something called Pasion de Gavilanes, which we'd never heard of but sounds great. <figure> <img alt="NordVPN Canadian Netflix" src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-06/84d92710-4876-11f0-beff-5b32165b222b" style="height: 1705px; width: 3380px;" /> <figcaption></figcaption> <div class="photo-credit"> Sam Chapman for Engadget </div> </figure> The only problem was Nigeria. We tested it several times, connected to multiple different Nigerian locations, but saw our American Netflix library every time. We then ran a leak test on Nigeria, which wasn't one of our security test locations, and found it to be working normally. It's hard to say what happened, especially since the Nigeria server doesn't appear to be virtual, but we can confirm that it wasn't working. <h2 class="" id="jump-link-investigating-nordvpns-server-network">Investigating NordVPN's server network</h2> NordVPN has servers in 153 cities in 117 countries. Out of all total options, 62 are virtual locations (about 40 percent), where the server is really located somewhere else. This makes it possible to get servers into more places, but depending on your actual location relative to the server, it may perform differently than you expect. <figure> <img alt="NordVPN Western US servers" src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-06/84c8d360-4876-11f0-bade-2c3e71a9cec7" style="height: 2340px; width: 1080px;" /> <figcaption></figcaption> <div class="photo-credit"> Sam Chapman for Engadget </div> </figure> Virtual locations have allowed NordVPN's server network to grow quite extensive, with lots more locations in South America, Africa and Asia than the industry standard. Check out the distribution in the table. <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>Region</td> <td>Countries and territories with servers</td> <td>Total server locations</td> <td>Total virtual server locations</td> </tr> <tr> <td>North America</td> <td>15</td> <td>36</td> <td>12</td> </tr> <tr> <td>South America</td> <td>10</td> <td>10</td> <td>6</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Europe</td> <td>48</td> <td>57</td> <td>11</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Africa</td> <td>10</td> <td>10</td> <td>10</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Middle East</td> <td>7</td> <td>7</td> <td>4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Asia</td> <td>24</td> <td>26</td> <td>18</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Oceania</td> <td>3</td> <td>7</td> <td>1</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Total</td> <td>117</td> <td>153</td> <td>62 (40.5 percent)</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> The relatively low proportion of virtual locations (nearly identical to that of ExpressVPN) is a good sign, as it means NordVPN has been growing its server network thoughtfully. Some VPNs — looking at you, HMA — inflate their server lists as a marketing point without seriously considering what it takes to maintain such a large network. That thankfully doesn't seem to be the case here. <h2 class="" id="jump-link-extra-features-of-nordvpn">Extra features of NordVPN</h2> Here's everything you get with a NordVPN app other than the VPN itself. There's a lot going on here, so we'll limit ourselves to a sketch of each feature. <h3 class="" id="jump-link-specialty-servers">Specialty servers</h3> As soon as you load NordVPN, you'll see a list of special servers near the top of the right-hand column. We'll go over each of them in order. <ul class="public-DraftStyleDefault-ul" style="margin: 16px 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(32, 43, 51);"> <li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-reset public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" style="direction: ltr; margin-left: 1.5em;">Dedicated IP: As discussed in the bundles section, a dedicated IP address costs extra. With this, you'll always connect with the same IP, which is private to you alone. It may be worth the price if you find yourself getting asked for CAPTCHAs a lot more while connected to NordVPN — though for what it's worth, that didn't happen to us.</li> <li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" style="direction: ltr; margin-left: 1.5em;">Double VPN: This sends your connection through a second VPN server before it reaches your ISP. The second server is your apparent location. There are 10 endpoints to choose from. As you might imagine, your internet will run slower with two VPN servers in the mix, so only use this if you seriously need security.</li> <li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" style="direction: ltr; margin-left: 1.5em;">Obfuscated servers: These are only available on OpenVPN. Obfuscation can help you get around firewalls that seek out and block VPN traffic. If you can't get online with NordVPN when you're on a certain network, obfuscated servers might work.</li> <li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" style="direction: ltr; margin-left: 1.5em;">Onion Over VPN: After encrypting your data as normal, these servers send it through several nodes of the Tor network, granting you the total anonymity of onion routing while keeping you safe from malicious relays. It's available in two locations, Netherlands and Switzerland, and — like double VPN — is best used only when you need the utmost privacy.</li> <li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" style="direction: ltr; margin-left: 1.5em;">P2P: NordVPN only allows torrenting on its peer-to-peer servers, but fortunately, it's got P2P servers in 114 countries — only three fewer than it has in total. NordVPN keeps your download and upload speeds very fast on average, so you shouldn't have trouble torrenting from any location.</li> </ul> <h3 class="" id="jump-link-meshnet">Meshnet</h3> Meshnet is NordVPN's most unique and exciting feature by a long shot. By logging into the same NordVPN account on multiple devices, you can connect those devices directly through a NordLynx tunnel without needing a NordVPN server in between. <figure> <img alt="NordVPN Meshnet" src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-06/84c81010-4876-11f0-8dd2-bd8494be1189" style="height: 1393px; width: 1802px;" /> <figcaption></figcaption> <div class="photo-credit"> Sam Chapman for Engadget </div> </figure> Essentially, you're using your own devices as VPN servers — obviously not great for privacy, but amazing for accessing web services in other countries. While two devices are connected, you can transfer files between them through the NordLynx tunnel. You can even invite friends and use their devices. <h3 class="" id="jump-link-threat-protection">Threat Protection</h3> NordVPN has two levels of antivirus: Threat Protection and Threat Protection Pro. The former is a simple DNS filter that stops your browsing from loading unsafe web pages while NordVPN is active. It's the highest level available on Android, iOS and Linux, or on any Basic subscription. <figure> <img alt="NordVPN Threat Protection" src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-06/84c8fa70-4876-11f0-b7e9-5aa6c277a330" style="height: 1393px; width: 1798px;" /> <figcaption></figcaption> <div class="photo-credit"> Sam Chapman for Engadget </div> </figure> Threat Protection Pro, which Plus subscribers or higher can set up on Windows and Mac, can work even when you aren't connected to a NordVPN server. It acts more like a standalone antivirus by scanning downloaded files for malware, and can even block trackers. Basic Threat Protection (without Pro) can block some trackers by filtering out domains known to use them, but doesn't block the trackers directly. <h3 class="" id="jump-link-dark-web-monitor">Dark Web Monitor</h3> While active, Dark Web Monitor continually searches known data breach dump sites on the dark web and notifies you if it ever finds your account email address. If you get that notification, change any passwords associated with the address. With a Prime subscription, you can also have it search for your phone number, social security number or other financial information. <h3 class="" id="jump-link-presets">Presets</h3> Presets let you set up one-click VPN connections with a desired group of settings, a lot like Proton VPN's Profiles. NordVPN comes pre-loaded with presets that optimize for "Downloads," "Speed" and "Browsing," which sounds to us like the same thing three times. More usefully, you can create presets for particular countries, then add website shortcuts that will appear once you've connected. You could, for example, set one that connects to a specific location, then add a shortcut to a streaming site available in that location. <h3 class="" id="jump-link-post-quantum-encryption">Post-Quantum encryption</h3> Experts widely believe that quantum computers will eventually make our current encryption algorithms obsolete, but <a href="https://www.americanscientist.org/article/is-quantum-computing-a-cybersecurity-threat">there's almost no consensus on when that will actually happen</a> — except that it hasn't happened yet. Knowing that, NordVPN's "post-quantum encryption" feature comes across as a bit premature, but it's reassuring that someone is thinking about it. Having said that, we don't recommend using post-quantum encryption yet. It works by layering one of the <a href="https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2024/08/nist-releases-first-3-finalized-post-quantum-encryption-standards">known quantum-proof encryption standards</a> on top of a standard NordLynx session, which makes your VPN connection slower and more erratic. Until we can verify a real quantum cyberattack, post-quantum encryption is a needless precaution. <h3 class="" id="jump-link-kill-switch">Kill switch</h3> A kill switch cuts off your internet the instant you lose your connection to a NordVPN server. This protects you in case a server unexpectedly fails, and as a side benefit, prevents you from connecting to any fake VPN servers. You should keep the kill switch on at all times. <h3 class="" id="jump-link-split-tunneling">Split tunneling</h3> Split tunneling is available on NordVPN's Windows and Android apps (and Android TV by extension), along with its browser extensions. On Windows and Android, it splits by app: you can determine which apps get online through the VPN and which go unprotected. The browser extensions let you split by URL, so the VPN only protects certain sites. <h2 class="" id="jump-link-nordvpn-customer-support-options">NordVPN customer support options</h2> NordVPN's apps link directly to its online help center. As always, we went in with a specific question in mind: whether the basic level of Threat Protection could block trackers, and if so, what kind. We found the categories on the written support page difficult to parse, especially the troubleshooting section — would the average user appreciate the difference between "app issues," "connection issues" and "errors"? We correctly guessed that our question would be under "Using NordVPN -> Features," but the introductory article on <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=bd3be014-d14b-4ac2-ad5d-4ae3aa73cc14&featureId=text-link&linkText=Threat+Protection+and+Threat+Protection+Pro&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3N1cHBvcnQubm9yZHZwbi5jb20vaGMvZW4tdXMvYXJ0aWNsZXMvMTk1MDg3NjU1MjE0MjUtV2hhdC1pcy1UaHJlYXQtUHJvdGVjdGlvbi1Qcm8tYW5kLVRocmVhdC1Qcm90ZWN0aW9uIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiJiZDNiZTAxNC1kMTRiLTRhYzItYWQ1ZC00YWUzYWE3M2NjMTQiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vc3VwcG9ydC5ub3JkdnBuLmNvbS9oYy9lbi11cy9hcnRpY2xlcy8xOTUwODc2NTUyMTQyNS1XaGF0LWlzLVRocmVhdC1Qcm90ZWN0aW9uLVByby1hbmQtVGhyZWF0LVByb3RlY3Rpb24ifQ&signature=AQAAAZMeYDVQCpmEPMecPPSPEkuOCi1HM21pBL1u2XPt3JTj&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fsupport.nordvpn.com%2Fhc%2Fen-us%2Farticles%2F19508765521425-What-is-Threat-Protection-Pro-and-Threat-Protection">Threat Protection and Threat Protection Pro</a> was buried at the bottom of the list. Unfortunately, that made things more confusing, as this article says that Threat Protection (not Pro) both does and doesn't block trackers. In NordVPN's favor, however, using the search bar brought us instantly back to that article without any confusion. <h3 class="" id="jump-link-the-live-support-experience">The live support experience</h3> Using NordVPN's live chat was a smooth and reassuring experience. From the time we decided to ask directly, it took us less than a minute to connect with a real person, who quickly cleared up the confusion and promised to update the confusing support page (we'll check back to see if they actually do). <figure> <img alt="NordVPN live chat support" src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-06/84c81011-4876-11f0-9dff-caa5279ac490" style="height: 1758px; width: 3339px;" /> <figcaption></figcaption> <div class="photo-credit"> Sam Chapman for Engadget </div> </figure> One other option is an email support form, which can be found both on the website and in the help sections of NordVPN apps. This is best for complex problems that require screenshots to explain, and promises a response within 24 hours. <h2 class="" id="jump-link-nordvpn-background-check">NordVPN background check</h2> NordVPN was founded in 2012. Launching with its desktop apps, it moved to iOS and Android in 2016, then added apps for browser extensions and smart TVs. Its developer, Nord Security, has no parent company, and its history is relatively uncontroversial. We've documented two notable incidents below, plus more about Nord Security's operations. <h3 class="" id="jump-link-headquarters-and-ownership">Headquarters and ownership</h3> Nord Security was founded in Lithuania, and maintains offices there. Although Nord Security is <a href="https://nordsecurity.com/impressum">registered in Amsterdam</a>, NordVPN operates under <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=bd3be014-d14b-4ac2-ad5d-4ae3aa73cc14&featureId=text-link&linkText=a+separate+license+in+Panama&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3N1cHBvcnQubm9yZHZwbi5jb20vaGMvZW4tdXMvYXJ0aWNsZXMvMTk0NDExNTI5NjYxNjEtV2hlcmUtaXMtTm9yZFZQTi1iYXNlZCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiYmQzYmUwMTQtZDE0Yi00YWMyLWFkNWQtNGFlM2FhNzNjYzE0Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3N1cHBvcnQubm9yZHZwbi5jb20vaGMvZW4tdXMvYXJ0aWNsZXMvMTk0NDExNTI5NjYxNjEtV2hlcmUtaXMtTm9yZFZQTi1iYXNlZCJ9&signature=AQAAAfQzp1xYdXmhXg9Vf3iG0pJ0z3zkoItOWVnNqagf0_R_&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fsupport.nordvpn.com%2Fhc%2Fen-us%2Farticles%2F19441152966161-Where-is-NordVPN-based">a separate license in Panama</a>, which makes any data requests subject to Panama's courts. <h3 class="" id="jump-link-finland-server-breach">Finland server breach</h3> The first serious incident in NordVPN's history began in March 2018, when unidentified hackers managed to <a href="https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/10/hackers-steal-secret-crypto-keys-for-nordvpn-heres-what-we-know-so-far/">steal three private keys</a> from one of Nord's data centers in Finland. Researchers didn't notice the leak until October 2019, well after the stolen keys had expired, but NordVPN's encryption was still technically vulnerable for several months. We say "technically," because <a href="https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/after-the-breach-nord-is-asking-users-to-trust-it-again/">it was really only the outer layer of encryption</a> — and even if they'd broken through it all, the hackers would only have seen browsing activity, not usernames, passwords or anything else sensitive. If anything, NordVPN's response actually makes us trust it more. It ended its relationship with the contractor who ran the Finnish data center and <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=c52a3d27-2d9a-44d8-8cf2-6f6387b122a0&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=bd3be014-d14b-4ac2-ad5d-4ae3aa73cc14&featureId=text-link&merchantName=NordVPN&linkText=revamped+its+policies&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL25vcmR2cG4uY29tL2Jsb2cvb2ZmaWNpYWwtcmVzcG9uc2UtZGF0YWNlbnRlci1icmVhY2gvIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiJiZDNiZTAxNC1kMTRiLTRhYzItYWQ1ZC00YWUzYWE3M2NjMTQiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbm9yZHZwbi5jb20vYmxvZy9vZmZpY2lhbC1yZXNwb25zZS1kYXRhY2VudGVyLWJyZWFjaC8ifQ&signature=AQAAAZCFIWQmroMWESJeANLGlKPLhG0fp6oO22nMe1MfF5BD&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fnordvpn.com%2Fblog%2Fofficial-response-datacenter-breach%2F">revamped its policies</a> to eliminate the kind of negligence that led to the breach. Arguably, its only real error was not immediately disclosing the breach. NordVPN learned about the leak and started addressing it in May 2018, but the news didn't break until more than a year later. That timing probably made it look more suspicious than any actual mishandling did. <h3 class="" id="jump-link-law-enforcement-compliance">Law enforcement compliance</h3> Another minor controversy erupted in 2022, when <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/nordvpn-actually-we-do-comply-with-law-enforcement-data-requests">PCMag and other outlets</a> reported that NordVPN had edited its website to say that it would comply with data requests from law enforcement. NordVPN responded with <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=c52a3d27-2d9a-44d8-8cf2-6f6387b122a0&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=bd3be014-d14b-4ac2-ad5d-4ae3aa73cc14&featureId=text-link&merchantName=NordVPN&linkText=a+new+post&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL25vcmR2cG4uY29tL2Jsb2cvaG93LW5vcmR2cG4tcHJvdGVjdHMtdGhlLXByaXZhY3ktb2YtaXRzLWN1c3RvbWVycy8iLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6ImJkM2JlMDE0LWQxNGItNGFjMi1hZDVkLTRhZTNhYTczY2MxNCIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9ub3JkdnBuLmNvbS9ibG9nL2hvdy1ub3JkdnBuLXByb3RlY3RzLXRoZS1wcml2YWN5LW9mLWl0cy1jdXN0b21lcnMvIn0&signature=AQAAAWfKv_2Gwo6KHdS1K3RMoMoLOrBdASnp4-qzqn22Sfh3&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fnordvpn.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-nordvpn-protects-the-privacy-of-its-customers%2F">a new post</a> that said nothing had changed: their policy was always to comply with lawful requests, which — provided the requests were lawfully submitted through a Panamanian court — is literally their only option. We're inclined to agree. VPNs are legal companies. They wouldn't last long if they openly declared their intent to break the law. The key is that when law enforcement comes calling, there shouldn't be anything to show them, as with <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=4255ebf1-6185-403e-9be2-91ab47ad1ac3&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=bd3be014-d14b-4ac2-ad5d-4ae3aa73cc14&featureId=text-link&merchantName=ExpressVPN&linkText=the+Turkish+seizure+of+ExpressVPN&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5leHByZXNzdnBuLmNvbS9ibG9nL2V4cHJlc3N2cG4tc3RhdGVtZW50LWFuZHJleS1rYXJsb3YtaW52ZXN0aWdhdGlvbi8_c3JzbHRpZD1BZm1CT29xMllhaHR5MENybE5KV0RKNEJ0NzdCa0E4bTJHM3c5TXlncng3X3lyX09vZHFVek1qeSIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiYmQzYmUwMTQtZDE0Yi00YWMyLWFkNWQtNGFlM2FhNzNjYzE0Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5leHByZXNzdnBuLmNvbS9ibG9nL2V4cHJlc3N2cG4tc3RhdGVtZW50LWFuZHJleS1rYXJsb3YtaW52ZXN0aWdhdGlvbi8_c3JzbHRpZD1BZm1CT29xMllhaHR5MENybE5KV0RKNEJ0NzdCa0E4bTJHM3c5TXlncng3X3lyX09vZHFVek1qeSJ9&signature=AQAAATw-XTSjtJjdbnrfpQLcm6IydrwMxvyXPCHjHWGrlEgJ&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.expressvpn.com%2Fblog%2Fexpressvpn-statement-andrey-karlov-investigation%2F%3Fsrsltid%3DAfmBOoq2Yahty0CrlNJWDJ4Bt77BkA8m2G3w9Mygrx7_yr_OodqUzMjy">the Turkish seizure of ExpressVPN</a>. That's why verifiable no-logging policies are so important. <h2 class="" id="jump-link-final-verdict">Final verdict</h2> NordVPN is a great service on its own merits. It only suffers from having to be compared with the likes of ExpressVPN and Proton VPN. For example, its P2P servers are good for torrenting, but not as useful without Proton's port forwarding. It's fast, but speed tests fluctuated just a little more than Express. NordVPN's extra features are the best reason to pick it over its rivals. With Meshnet, you can theoretically set up a VPN connection anywhere in the world, and no other VPN has anything close to Meshnet's file transfer powers. Threat Protection Pro is also great if you can get it, adding file scanning to bolster the typical approach of just blocking suspicious DNS addresses. Specialty servers round out the offering, with double VPN maintaining good speeds with extra safety and Onion over VPN being among the safest ways to use Tor.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/nordvpn-review-2025-innovative-features-a-few-missteps-163000578.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

Supreme Court upholds Texas's porn site age verification law

The US Supreme Court has <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/23-1122_3e04.pdf">upheld</a> a Texas law that could have broad implications for online free speech. The court ruled 6-3 in affirming <a href="https://www.engadget.com/texas-age-verification-law-for-pornography-websites-is-going-to-the-supreme-court-233511418.html">Texas law HB 1181</a>, which requires websites that host adult content to implement age verification. The nonprofit Free Speech Coalition petitioned the top court in April 2024 to review the law. (The organization represents the adult industry.) Texas was one of many states passing age-verification laws aimed at porn websites. Pornhub has <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.pornhub.com/blog/age-verification-in-the-news">exited</a> 17 states due to similar legislation. Critics across the political spectrum have noted that HB 1181 has concerning implications for the First Amendment and online privacy. The EFF <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/01/five-things-know-about-supreme-court-case-texas-age-verification-law-free-speech">notes</a> that no age verification method exists that is both accurate and respects user privacy. (Unlike flashing an ID in person, online verification requires data retention.) HB 1181 requires websites that contain at least "one-third" of their content as "material harmful to minors" to implement age-gating. The age verification applies to all users visiting the sites. The mandate applies to the entire website, not only the parts with adult content. Another concern is that experts consider age-gating to be largely <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/online-age-verification-laws-privacy/">ineffective</a>. After all, teens who are unfamiliar with <a href="https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/best-vpn-130004396.html">VPNs</a> can easily learn about them. <figure><img alt="US Supreme Court justices seated." src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-06/7cfbb320-5373-11f0-bcda-01411cf0c4e7" style="height: 844px; width: 1500px;" /><figcaption></figcaption><div class="photo-credit">US Supreme Court</div></figure> Before today's ruling, the Supreme Court had previously struck down attempts to age-gate online content. In 1997, it rejected Reno v. American Civil Liberties Union primarily due to concerns over First Amendment rights. Under US law, adult content is considered protected speech. Justice Elena Kagan summarized the concerns of critics in her dissenting opinion. (Justices Sotomayor and Jackson joined her.) "Adults have a constitutional right to view the very same speech that a State may prohibit for children," Kagan wrote. "And it is a fact of life — and also of law — that adults and children do not live in hermetically sealed boxes. In preventing children from gaining access to 'obscene for children' speech, States sometimes take measures impeding adults from viewing it too — even though, for adults, it is constitutionally protected expression." Another concern about the ruling is the "slippery slope" factor. Today's ruling doesn't only exist in a bubble — it will also shield other states from criticism about similar laws. That may also mean we see laws that continue to push the envelope and move the <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overton_window">Overton window</a> in increasingly autocratic directions. The far-right Project 2025 agenda presidential blueprint wants to <a href="https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/project-2025-porn-ban-lgbtq-transgender-rcna161562">ban</a> porn altogether. It even proposes imprisoning those who create and distribute it and forcing them to register as sex offenders. The ACLU lambasted Friday's decision. "The Supreme Court has departed from decades of settled precedents that ensured that sweeping laws purportedly for the benefit of minors do not limit adults’ access to First Amendment-protected materials," Cecillia Wang, ACLU national legal director, wrote in a statement. "The Texas statute at issue shows why those precedents applying strict scrutiny were needed. The legislature claims to be protecting children from sexually explicit materials, but the law will do little to block their access, and instead deters adults from viewing vast amounts of First Amendment-protected content."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/supreme-court-upholds-texass-porn-site-age-verification-law-155007840.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

This Eufy robot vacuum is half off before Prime Day

The Eufy 11S Max robot vacuum <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B07R295MLS&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=3c940792-f6c8-4e31-b95c-b86c3aa90c63&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=is+on+sale+for+%24140&custData=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&signature=AQAAAa8LOm-0SyLPAgaNY3c-jF_JMXoHEXEhtJlRtsi-wER1&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Feufy-Super-Thin-Super-Strong-Self-Charging-Medium-Pile%2Fdp%2FB07R295MLS">is on sale for $140</a> as part of an <a href="https://www.engadget.com/amazon-prime-day/">early Prime Day sale</a>. That's half off, as the typical cost is $280 for this particular model. This is extremely close to a record-low price. This device made our list of the <a href="https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/best-budget-robot-vacuums-133030847.html">best budget-friendly robot vacuums</a>. Perhaps the coolest feature here is that the 11S Max is extremely thin, so it can slide under short tables and other places typical robovacs are too chonky to reach. It's also extremely quiet during use, so it can be operated at night without waking everyone up. It runs for around 100 minutes per charge and it'll head to the outlet on its own for some juice. The vacuum automatically adapts suction power to suit different floor types. We found the obstacle avoidance here to be excellent, thanks to an included infrared sensor. It also ships with a remote control for those who want to ensure certain parts of the home get extra attention. This is a budget robovac, so there are some tradeoffs. First of all, it doesn't connect to WiFi and there's no affiliated app. It doesn't really need it, as the obstacle avoidance tech gets the job done, but this does mean that owners can't set schedules or create maps with no-go zones. Finally, it's just a vacuum. There's no mop here and it doesn't ship with a debris canister. It'll have to get emptied after every use. Still, the price is certainly right.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-eufy-robot-vacuum-is-half-for-before-prime-day-153859274.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

The Apple Watch Series 10 is $100 off ahead of Prime Day

<a href="https://www.engadget.com/amazon-prime-day/">Amazon Prime Day</a> is around the corner, but there are plenty of great deals to be found before the July 8 to 11 event. Right now you can pick up the <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0DGJ5KQL7&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=7a20905a-8a46-4000-b0e4-116c01c5067a&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=Apple+Watch+10&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwREdKNUtRTDcvP3RhZz1nZGd0MGMtMjAiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjdhMjA5MDVhLThhNDYtNDAwMC1iMGU0LTExNmMwMWM1MDY3YSIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW1hem9uLmNvbS9kcC9CMERHSjVLUUw3LyIsImR5bmFtaWNDZW50cmFsVHJhY2tpbmdJZCI6dHJ1ZSwic2l0ZUlkIjoidXMtZW5nYWRnZXQiLCJwYWdlSWQiOiIxcC1hdXRvbGluayIsImZlYXR1cmVJZCI6InRleHQtbGluayJ9&signature=AQAAATJ0qjT1twNK8yBUCvAaGogQprmPdDo6cM_Fih8BdXdX&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0DGJ5KQL7%2F">Apple Watch 10</a> for $100 off its normal price. That’s the lowest we’ve ever seen it, and trust us, 25 percent off on current-generation Apple products is not easy to come by. It’s hard to believe that the Apple Watch is already ten years old. It seems like only yesterday that <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2014-09-09-iwatch-hands-on.html">we got our hands</a> on the first generation, and now the <a href="https://www.engadget.com/wearables/apple-watch-series-10-review-legacy-and-sequel-in-equal-measure-120021405.html">Apple Watch 10</a> is counting the days until the next generation is announced. Whether you’re looking to upgrade from an older Apple Watch or this is your first time buying an Apple smartwatch (though keep in mind an iPhone is required to use an Apple Watch), this sale is a great opportunity to pick one up at a fantastic value. The tenth generation of the Apple Watch represents a powerhouse of computing on your wrist. In our <a href="https://www.engadget.com/wearables/apple-watch-series-10-review-legacy-and-sequel-in-equal-measure-120021405.html">hands-on review</a>, we loved the comprehensive health and fitness tracking capabilities on the watch, which has been a strong niche for Apple. We were sad to see the blood oxygen app removed following a<a href="https://www.engadget.com/apple-will-remove-blood-oxygen-app-from-watch-series-9-and-ultra-2-to-evade-us-import-ban-194517839.html"> patent dispute</a>, but features like fall detection and sleep apnea tracking are still intact. It’s also the thinnest Apple Watch yet, feeling more like a slim accessory than a bulky gadget. We gave the Apple Watch 10 a score of 90 out of 100, and it remains our top pick for <a href="https://www.engadget.com/wearables/best-smartwatches-153013118.html">best smartwatch</a>. The $100 off sale is available across multiple sizes, colors and strap options. The sale includes both GPS and Wi-Fi only models, as well as models with LTE connectivity.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-apple-watch-series-10-is-100-off-ahead-of-prime-day-152348092.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

How to share your Wi-Fi password across iPhones, Androids and other devices

Whether you're setting up a new device or helping a friend connect to your home network, sharing your Wi-Fi password doesn't need to be a hassle. Today’s smartphones make it easy to share access without typing (or needing to remember) long strings of characters. Both iPhones and Android devices support features that let you send your Wi-Fi password quickly and securely, but the steps can vary depending on the devices involved.  Of course, you can still go into your Wi-Fi settings to view your password and show it to your guest or copy and paste it into a group chat. But the methods outlined here avoid having to tell anyone what your long, complicated password might be and are generally more secure. Below are the most reliable ways to share Wi-Fi passwords between iPhones, between Androids and across mobile platforms. <h2 id="jump-link-how-to-share-your-wi-fi-password-from-iphone-to-another-apple-device">How to share your Wi-Fi password from iPhone to another Apple device</h2> Apple has built-in functionality to simplify Wi-Fi sharing between its own devices that was introduced in iOS 11. This feature works on iPhones, iPads and Macs provided they're running the latest versions of iOS, iPadOS or macOS. Before you start: <ul> <li>Make sure both devices are running the latest software.</li> <li>Wi-Fi and Bluetooth should be turned on for both devices.</li> <li>Personal Hotspot should be turned off.</li> <li>The Apple ID email address of the person you're sharing the password with must be saved in your Contacts.</li> </ul> To share your Wi-Fi password: <ol> <li>Unlock both iPhones.</li> <li>Ensure both devices are physically near each other.</li> <li>On the receiving iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi and select the same Wi-Fi network.</li> <li>A pop-up will appear on the sender's iPhone asking if you'd like to share the password.</li> <li>Tap Share Password.</li> <li>Once the password is sent, tap Done.</li> </ol> The receiving device will automatically connect to the Wi-Fi network without needing to type in the password manually. <h2 id="jump-link-how-to-share-your-wi-fi-password-from-iphone-to-android">How to share your Wi-Fi password from iPhone to Android</h2> While Apple devices don’t natively support sharing Wi-Fi passwords with Android phones, there are still a couple of effective workarounds using QR codes. The most user-friendly approach is to create a QR code that an Android phone can scan to connect to the Wi-Fi network. Option 1: Create a QR code using the Shortcuts app If you're using iOS 17 or later, you can build a shortcut to generate a QR code that contains your Wi-Fi credentials. <ol> <li>Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.</li> <li>Tap the + button to create a new shortcut.</li> <li>Select Add Action, then choose Text.</li> <li>In the text box, enter your Wi-Fi credentials using the following format: <code>WIFI:S:NetworkName;T:WPA;P:Password;; </code>Replace <code>NetworkName</code> with your Wi-Fi network name and <code>Password</code> with your actual password.</li> <li>Tap Add Action again and search for Generate QR Code.</li> <li>Add a final action: Quick Look, which displays the generated code.</li> <li>Run the shortcut. The QR code will appear on your screen.</li> <li>Ask the Android user to scan the QR code using their camera app or a QR scanner. This should automatically connect their device to your Wi-Fi network.</li> </ol> Option 2: Use a third-party QR code generator Alternatively, you can use an online tool like<a href="https://qifi.org/"> qifi.org</a> to create a QR code. <ol> <li>Open your preferred browser and visit the QR generator website.</li> <li>Enter your Wi-Fi network name (SSID), security type and password.</li> <li>Generate the QR code.</li> <li>Display the QR code on your iPhone.</li> <li>Let the Android device scan the code to connect.</li> </ol> While not as seamless as iPhone-to-iPhone sharing, both methods are secure and help you avoid typing long passwords manually. <h2 id="jump-link-how-to-share-your-wi-fi-password-from-android-to-iphone-or-another-device">How to share your Wi-Fi password from Android to iPhone or another device</h2> Most Android phones running Android 10 or later allow users to share Wi-Fi credentials through a QR code. This works well for sharing passwords with other Android devices and iPhones. <ol> <li>Open the Settings app on your Android phone.</li> <li>Tap Network & Internet (or Connections, depending on your phone model).</li> <li>Select Wi-Fi, then tap the name of the connected network.</li> <li>Tap the Share or QR code icon. You may be prompted to verify your identity with a PIN or fingerprint.</li> <li>A QR code will appear.</li> <li>The iPhone user can scan the QR code using the Camera app or the built-in Code Scanner (found in Control Center).</li> </ol> Once scanned, the iPhone will automatically prompt you to connect to the network. <h2 id="jump-link-additional-tips-for-sharing-wi-fi-securely">Additional tips for sharing Wi-Fi securely</h2> <ul> <li>Avoid sending Wi-Fi passwords over text or unsecured messaging apps.</li> <li>Use QR codes or password-sharing features when possible to reduce typing errors.</li> <li>If using a public or guest network, consider setting up a separate SSID and password to keep your main network private.</li> <li>Always update your devices to the latest operating system to ensure compatibility and security.</li> </ul> <h2 id="jump-link-when-wi-fi-sharing-doesnt-work">When Wi-Fi sharing doesn’t work</h2> If you’re having trouble sharing your Wi-Fi password: <ul> <li>Double-check that both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on.</li> <li>Restart both devices and try again.</li> <li>Ensure both devices are unlocked and close to each other.</li> <li>Make sure contact details are up to date and the correct Apple ID is saved.</li> </ul> For QR code scanning issues, check that the recipient is using a compatible QR code reader. iPhones can scan codes using the Camera app, while most Android devices have built-in scanners or third-party apps available.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/how-to-share-your-wi-fi-password-across-iphones-androids-and-other-devices-144533572.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

Pick up a Blink Outdoor 4 camera for as low as $45 ahead of Prime Day

As to be expected, we're seeing many early deals in the lead up to <a href="https://www.engadget.com/deals/amazon-prime-day-2025-the-best-early-deals-you-can-shop-right-now-dates-and-everything-else-you-need-to-know-120028320.html">Prime Day 2025</a>, which starts on July 8. <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0B1N5HW22&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=bf5b0f92-42b8-4e02-8e4a-ec2abde3ca4f&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=Blink+Outdoor+4&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL0JsaW5rLU91dGRvb3ItNHRoLUdlbi0xLUNhbWVyYS9kcC9CMEIxTjVIVzIyP3RhZz1nZGd0MGMtMjAiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6ImJmNWIwZjkyLTQyYjgtNGUwMi04ZTRhLWVjMmFiZGUzY2E0ZiIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW1hem9uLmNvbS9CbGluay1PdXRkb29yLTR0aC1HZW4tMS1DYW1lcmEvZHAvQjBCMU41SFcyMiIsImR5bmFtaWNDZW50cmFsVHJhY2tpbmdJZCI6dHJ1ZSwic2l0ZUlkIjoidXMtZW5nYWRnZXQiLCJwYWdlSWQiOiIxcC1hdXRvbGluayIsImZlYXR1cmVJZCI6InRleHQtbGluayJ9&signature=AQAAAe3BcgwWcGpO_dNZ9AC3uBjPaQ6w1ugGnW8Fs3LNqVdV&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBlink-Outdoor-4th-Gen-1-Camera%2Fdp%2FB0B1N5HW22">Blink Outdoor 4</a> cameras are among them, with discounts up to 62 percent on a bunch of bundles. If you're just starting out, you can get a one-camera system for only $45, 55 percent off its usual price. That gives you one security camera and the Sync Module 2, which lets you expand and connect more cameras down the line. If you want to start off with more, a <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0B1N5FK48&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=bf5b0f92-42b8-4e02-8e4a-ec2abde3ca4f&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=three-pack&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL0JsaW5rLU91dGRvb3ItNHRoLUdlbi0zLUNhbWVyYS9kcC9CMEIxTjVGSzQ4P3RhZz1nZGd0MGMtMjAiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6ImJmNWIwZjkyLTQyYjgtNGUwMi04ZTRhLWVjMmFiZGUzY2E0ZiIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW1hem9uLmNvbS9CbGluay1PdXRkb29yLTR0aC1HZW4tMy1DYW1lcmEvZHAvQjBCMU41Rks0OCIsImR5bmFtaWNDZW50cmFsVHJhY2tpbmdJZCI6dHJ1ZSwic2l0ZUlkIjoidXMtZW5nYWRnZXQiLCJwYWdlSWQiOiIxcC1hdXRvbGluayIsImZlYXR1cmVJZCI6InRleHQtbGluayJ9&signature=AQAAAVAYV5CMF1_UwTnipHU_BXlTvOt4pj6d2bj4B-SCEHYj&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBlink-Outdoor-4th-Gen-3-Camera%2Fdp%2FB0B1N5FK48">three-pack</a> is 62 percent off and down to only $100. Blink cameras that come with battery extension packs are on sale, as well. The Blink Outdoor 4 already has a two-year battery life, but the units with extension packs can last for up to four years before their batteries need to be replaced. A <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0CY77ZHBV&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=bf5b0f92-42b8-4e02-8e4a-ec2abde3ca4f&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=two-camera+bundle&custData=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&signature=AQAAAckSx-mdJrEeJTsBRMlAB9cz3e4AXp1JqAAwL6oyB5Rt&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBlink-Outdoor-Battery-Extension-Pack%2Fdp%2FB0CY77ZHBV">two-camera bundle</a> with battery extension packs is on sale for $90, down $125 from $215. Meanwhile, the <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0CY7H53F8&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=bf5b0f92-42b8-4e02-8e4a-ec2abde3ca4f&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=five-camera+bundle+with+battery+packs&custData=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&signature=AQAAAcpnejcfLsyXuh52IHXgCLPY7IrdYGK9RoF0MSbPA8gq&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBlink-Outdoor-Battery-Extension-Pack%2Fdp%2FB0CY7H53F8">five-camera bundle with battery packs</a> is down to $210 from $460, though you can also get a single camera and a pack of three.  The Blink Outdoor 4 cameras can provide live views of the area in 1080p, has infrared night vision and two-way audio. They can also alert you to motion faster than their predecessors. Take note that the cameras come with a free 30-day trial of the Blink Subscription Plus Plan, which adds the ability to notify you about any person the cameras detect, as well as the ability to store footage in the cloud. The subscription costs $10 a month or $100 a year after the trial period ends.  In addition to pure Blink Outdoor 4 bundles, <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=bf5b0f92-42b8-4e02-8e4a-ec2abde3ca4f&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=the+sale+also+includes&custData=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&signature=AQAAAWl3J4E65UuNbSfQ7pdoE-AogB355SVUwVbiZY8H42CO&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fstores%2Fpage%2FEB0BDB5E-9ADF-40AF-9AE3-BC557FA43B79">the sale also includes</a> packs with Blink video doorbells, the Blink Mini and a system hub that extends the range of what the camera can see. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/pick-up-a-blink-outdoor-4-camera-for-as-low-as-45-ahead-of-prime-day-115908395.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

A mammoth tusk boomerang from Poland is 40,000 years old

The boomerang is a one-of-a-kind find from the last place archaeologists expected.

Source: arstechnica.com

Reception: Negative

Analyst: M5 Vision Pro, Vision Air, and smart glasses coming in 2026–2028

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Quo lays out a whole roadmap for Apple XR devices.

Source: arstechnica.com

Reception: Positive

« Previous 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Next »