New to VPNs? Everything you need to know about virtual private networks in 2026

Our step-by-step guide covers the many benefits, limited downsides, and everything else you need to know before embracing this popular privacy tool.

Looking for a kids' tablet? Here's what my family uses (with a free screen repair)

The Fire HD 10 Kids Pro is much cheaper than an iPad, with smooth performance and peace of mind thanks to its worry-free guarantee.

Need power at the campsite? This portable battery station has several days worth

Jackery's Explorer 2000 Plus is a high-capacity, expandable solar-ready power station that can keep a home running for up to two weeks.

Finally, I found a smart ring that looks like actual jewelry (without the trade-offs)

Oura's new Ring 4 Ceramic ditches the bland metallics for a gorgeous zirconia ceramic finish in four colors.

I found the best Linux server distros for your home lab

Whether you opt for bare metal servers or virtual machines, you'll need a rock-solid distro. These are my four go-to favorites.

I spent 2 years charging my phone exactly how Apple suggests - here's where it's at now

Is there a 'correct' way to charge your phone? This is the state of my battery after following Apple's guidelines for two years.

I tested 5G coverage from the big 3 mobile carriers on a road trip - the winner was a surprise

Between Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T, here's which one delivers the strongest (and most consistent) network signal.

AI agents are fast, loose and out of control, MIT study finds

The vast majority of agentic AI systems disclose nothing about what safety testing, if any, has been conducted, and many systems have no documented way to shut down a rogue bot, a study by MIT and collaborators found.

Phone acting weird? 5 red flags that could point to hackers

Here are the biggest warning signs that your phone may be compromised and the secret codes that can tell you all about it.

Your iPhone's USB-C port does more than charge - 7 bonus uses

Here's how to make the most of your iPhone's universal charging port.

These balanced Beats headphones remain among my favorites - and they're $50 off

The Beats Solo 4 delivers improved sound and a more refined design while preserving the signature appeal that made the lineup so popular.

How digitally sovereign are you? Red Hat can help measure that

Red Hat's toolkit offers governments and enterprises a way to measure the control they actually have over their data, infrastructure, and operations in this era of geopolitical cloud anxiety.

You can get a new iPhone 13 for just $99 at Walmart - here's how

The iPhone 13 costs under $100 at Walmart when you sign up for select prepaid Unlimited AT&T plans.

Half of all cyberattacks start in your browser: 10 essential tips for staying safe

New research finds that 48% of cyberattacks involve your web browser - and AI is only making matters worse. Follow these best practices to protect yourself.

Why I always encrypt my web browsing - and the top free secure DNS services I trust

I've tested many DNS services over the years. These are the ones I actually trust to help me stay private online.

Google's Gemini 3.1 Pro is here, and it just doubled its reasoning score

The latest Gemini model makes impressive strides in benchmarks, but forthcoming models could give it a reality check.

The best way to transfer to a new MacBook is faster (and cheaper) than you'd think

If transferring your data to a new laptop over Wi-Fi is taking an eternity, this clever method could save you hours.

This new Windows 11 taskbar tool lets you test your internet speed in seconds - how to try it

This new taskbar button lets you measure the speed of your internet connection.

These $60 earbuds changed my mind about budget headphones

With awesome audio, fine fit, and plenty of customization options, the EarFun Air Pro 3 are at the top of their class.

I tested Chrome's soon-to-be-released vertical tab feature, and it makes the browser so much better

Google is finally making the leap to vertical tabs to catch up with the competition.