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| PC World - 12 Jun (PC World)Adobe, the maker of Photoshop, Premiere, and other industry-standard tools in the Creative Suite package, has its foot in its mouth. Last week an update to the Creative Cloud terms of service set off alarms across the web as users interpreted the new wording to mean that the company was using their cloud storage files to train its generative AI systems. Not true, says Adobe in a non-apology post.
According to the message from Creative Cloud design leader Scott Belsky and legal, security, and policy lead Dana Rao, it’s all been a big misunderstanding. The language that customers had noticed, which said that the company’s automated systems can “access, view, or listen to your Content,” sure seems like the kind of thing that enables generative AI systems to be trained. The same kind of AI systems that Adobe has been pushing in Creative Suite for the better part of a year.
The blog makes a few things clear. One, customers own the files and content uploaded to Creative Cloud and edited with Adobe’s tools. Two, generative AI isn’t trained on it. Three, Adobe never scans local files saved on your computer, only the files that are uploaded to Creative Cloud.
Why, and for what purpose, is Adobe scanning the files saved in cloud storage? That’s the point of contention here. According to Belsky and Rao, the reason it’s using automated scanning systems is to make sure that the files do not contain child sexual abuse material. In less legalistic terms, Adobe is using auto-scanning tools to make sure it isn’t hosting child porn. If the system flags an image, video, or other file, it triggers a manual review by a human. Adobe also reserves the right to view user content “to otherwise comply with the law,” i.e. it gets served a warrant to access private content.
The explanation is an understandable one — no one wants to be associated with child porn even as a third-party platform. The post says that Adobe will update its TOS to clarify on June 18th, a week from today.
That being said, this is a classic non-apology. Despite saying things like “we recognize that trust will be earned,” at no point does the message express regret, remorse, or error. The writers themselves acknowledge that they’re “In a world where customers are anxious about how their data is used, and how generative AI models are trained,” which of course includes Adobe’s own Firefly AI system (also unmentioned).
I think a company that’s so intrinsically invested in the creative field, and also working in the contentious world of generative AI, could have seen this one coming.
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| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 11 Jun (PC World)Online security used to be simple. All you needed was a good password, and in the early days, you didn’t need a ton of numbers, letters, and special characters to achieve that goal. No need for antivirus software to verify you were logging into legitimate sites, either. Privacy also wasn’t quite as fragile as it is today. Your email wasn’t constantly being lost to yet another data breach.
But as hackers and criminals get more sophisticated, so have recommendations for best security practices. Currently experts recommend the use of unique, random passwords (and the more characters, the better), plus two-factor authentication as a strong baseline. But you can go further—and companies on the frontlines of cybersecurity are trying to make that easier.
the best ANTIVIRUS SUITE
Norton 360 Deluxe
Read our review
One such step is called masked email. (You may also hear it referred to as email masks or email masking.) It formalizes a long-available feature known as email aliases as a privacy and security measure. A randomized email address is created to hide (aka mask) your true email address for an online account. Any correspondence sent to the masked email address gets forwarded to your actual inbox. The sender doesn’t know about the email’s final destination. They’ll only find out if you accidentally reply to a message as your main account.
The benefits are twofold. You get better privacy, because the more you use different masked email addresses (ideally, one per online account), the more you limit the potential fallout of the information leaking in a data breach. That email address won’t work on other websites as a login ID or for a password reset. Nor can someone take over the address like with an actual account. It’s just a forwarding address, and a disposable one at that.
Masked email vs email aliases
Masked email is a more specific (and automated) take on email aliases.
Masked email is a more specific (and automated) take on email aliases.
PCWorld
Masked email is a more specific (and automated) take on email aliases.
PCWorld
PCWorld
If you already filter your incoming email and/or guard against spam by using email aliases, masked email may sound like an empty marketing term for a familiar feature. But there is a slight difference—email masking is a narrower use of email aliases, with a particular style in how the aliases are created.
With masked email, the focus is on auto-generated random, unique identifiers. Think 4k9xkeo@emailservice.com or even siftflask.3242@emailservice.com. You don’t need to come up with your own aliases, thus streamlining their use. The suggested aliases also completely obscure your email address, which inserting periods into your username (e.g., random.username@gmail.com) or adding a plus sign and an extra phrase (e.g. randomusername+alias@gmail.com) don’t achieve. You should also get streamlined controls to block incoming mail or disable the forwarding address if it gets flooded with unwanted email.
The result is a faster, easier way to maintain anonymity in your contact info—and for sites that default to email addresses as usernames, your login info too. With the added benefit of integration with some browsers and password managers, email masking saves time and reduces the hassles of the DIY route.
Ways you can start using masked email
Some email providers offer masked email as part of their plans. Fastmail takes that one step further by offering integration with password managers for super-simple creation and storing of aliases.
Some email providers offer masked email as part of their plans. Fastmail takes that one step further by offering integration with password managers for super-simple creation and storing of aliases.PCWorld
Some email providers offer masked email as part of their plans. Fastmail takes that one step further by offering integration with password managers for super-simple creation and storing of aliases.PCWorld
PCWorld
Two common ways to get email masking is through an email provider or a dedicated service. Email providers offer the feature as an integrated part of the service. Access will likely cost you a little bit, though. Only a few providers offer masked email, typically bundled into paid plans (e.g., Apple iCloud+, Fastmail, ProtonMail). That said, ProtonMail does offer a limited amount of masks for free, and prices otherwise start as low as $0.99 USD per month (iCloud+).
a password manager that supports email masking
1Password
Read our review
Dedicated services can be used with any site, main email address, browser, password manager, etc. You create an account using the email address you want to receive the forwarded email, and then create masks through the web interface or a browser extension. Some services also offer premium plans that allow sending and replying from an email mask, support larger file attachments, and generate email masks for multiple email addresses. All email masks are managed through the service, which is less convenient than with an email provider. You won’t have a single repository for your direct and forwarded email.
To really simplify the incorporation of email masking into your daily flow, choose a service that integrates with a password manager. Once you connect your email account or masking service, you’ll be able to create the email masks directly within the password manager. It eliminates the need to copy and paste the new forwarding address when saving login info. Right now, 1Password has a partnership with Fastmail, and Bitwarden has relationships with Fastmail, SimpleLogin, Addy.io, DuckDuckGo, Forward Email, and Firefox Relay. Apple users can use the company’s Hide My Email feature; email masks automatically save to iCloud Keychain if you actively use the latter.
Alternatively, you can pick a password manager like NordPass that directly handles email mask generation.
Free email masking services
SimpleLogin is the most generous with the features available to free users.
SimpleLogin is the most generous with the features available to free users.PCWorld
SimpleLogin is the most generous with the features available to free users.PCWorld
PCWorld
While getting masked email through an email provider usually costs money, dedicated services usually offer a free plan. They’re more limited in scope but still a great start.
Addy.io allows you to create unlimited “standard” email masks. These are based on your Addy.io username, however—so if you want more privacy, you can then use one of your 10 free shared domain email masks. You can send and reply from your aliases, too. The catch: You’re limited to 10MB (yes, megabytes) of bandwidth per month. The company estimates that to be roughly 140 emails max. (Start adding in attachments and that drops very, very fast.)
SimpleLogin offers 10 free forwarding addresses. There are no bandwidth limitations, and forwarded emails can be up to 25MB each. The service also allows you to reply to email from an alias, too.
Firefox Relay lets you create just 5 free forwarding addresses, with a 10MB size limit per email and no bandwidth limitations. It’s the most stripped down of the freebie tiers, but it makes the list for a couple of reasons: It works across devices (and browsers—there’s a Chrome extension, too), and upgrading to the paid tier with unlimited addresses and the ability to send email from aliases is just $12 per year. (If you’re intensely focused on privacy, consider quitting Chrome and switching to Firefox while you’re at it.)
Live exclusively in Apple’s ecosystem? Sign in with Apple is a free way to get started with the company’s take on email masking.
Live exclusively in Apple’s ecosystem? Sign in with Apple is a free way to get started with the company’s take on email masking.PCWorld
Live exclusively in Apple’s ecosystem? Sign in with Apple is a free way to get started with the company’s take on email masking.PCWorld
PCWorld
Apple users also have an alternative option called Sign in with Apple. For apps and websites that allow you to sign in with your Apple ID, you get access to a limited form of Hide My Email, the company’s email masking service. Apple will generate a random forwarding email that will pass messages from the site or app to your Apple ID’s linked email address. Unlike with the version of Hide My Email that comes with iCloud+, you can’t change the generated aliases or create ones independently. Also, as a general security note, signing in with this method can carry risk, since anyone with access to your Apple account could also then access linked services and apps, too.
P.S.—Unique user IDs help online privacy and security, too
The general concept behind masked email can be applied to creating user IDs, too. For sites that ask you to create a dedicated username (e.g., randomuser1), going with a new identifier each time makes it harder for people to track you across the web. Unauthorized access to your other accounts is less likely, too, when your username and password are different for every site and app. And you can combine masked email with a unique user ID so that you’re really hard to trace—useful when signing into sites that have yet to implement passkeys, a more secure alternative to passwords. (Or when, in the name of saving your future bacon, you still keep a username/password combo as secondary method of logging into an account with passkeys enabled.)
Sounds complicated? This is why a password manager is so handy. It lets you continually level up your security with very little mental burden, especially if you pick one with support for email masking and passkey storage. Choose a paid password manager or a free one—either will make life easy.
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| ![](/n.gif) | | ITBrief - 11 Jun (ITBrief)![NZ Located](/pimages/nzsmall.gif) SquareX revolutionises web security with disposable browsers to protect enterprises from online threats, utilising AI and seamless integration to enhance visibility and protection. Read...Newslink ©2024 to ITBrief | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | ITBrief - 11 Jun (ITBrief)![NZ Located](/pimages/nzsmall.gif) GNX launches GNX+, a game-changing platform leveraging automation and real-time insights to simplify global internet and private connectivity services, backed by Lexar Partners. Read...Newslink ©2024 to ITBrief | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 11 Jun (PC World)Torrenting, or P2P (peer-to-peer) file sharing, is a convenient way to download large files quickly. But it certainly isn’t without risks. Not only are there security risks involved in downloading files from unknown sources, but there is a privacy risk as well. That’s why it’s imperative that you use a VPN while doing any torrenting or P2P file sharing. A VPN can help keep you safe by keeping your connection private and encrypting your data so that unwanted prying eyes—cybercriminals, overbearing ISPs, or nosy government watchdogs—can’t keep tabs on your activity.
There are so many VPNs on the market nowadays that finding a trustworthy service can seem like a herculean task. Here at PCWorld, I’m continually testing and reviewing VPN services to find the very best. Below you’ll find a list of my favorites that support P2P and torrenting. I have broken them down into categories ranging from privacy superstars to all-purpose standouts.
Why you should trust us: Here at PCWorld we’ve been testing computer hardware, software, and services since the 1980s. We’re continually testing all of the major VPNs on the market and many lesser-known services in order to curate a list of the very best VPNs across a variety of categories. For a more in-depth guide, you can check out our article on how we test VPN services at PCWorld. Below you’ll find our favorite VPNs and additional information about how we test these services as well as helpful advice about what to look for when choosing a VPN on your own.
If you’re interested in using a VPN for more than just torrenting you can check out my overall list of best VPN services for more great options.
1. NordVPN – Best VPN for torrenting overall
Pros
Loaded with tons of VPN configuration options
Outstanding speeds
Multiple independent no-logs audits
Included antivirus and password manager
Cons
Expensive
Why I like NordVPN
NordVPN is my top pick for torrenting due to its fantastic security features, multi-hop connections, and independently verified no-logs policy. Plus, it comes with built-in ad- and tracker-blocker as well as malware protection and a link checker—you know, for any of those dubious Linux torrenting sites you might run into. NordVPN also proved to be the fastest VPN on the market in my testing so those large P2P files should download in no-time.
It truly has everything you could want to make your torrenting faster, easier, and most importantly, safer. NordVPN also comes with broad device support and an easy-to-use Windows app. It might be a bit expensive, but if you opt for longer-term subscriptions it becomes a lot cheaper.
Who should buy NordVPN
NordVPN is the perfect VPN for torrenting and anyone who is looking for a VPN for this purpose would do well to subscribe to the service. It’s also a great overall VPN option for people who want speed and extra features. Even power users will find plenty of customizable options to get the most out of their experience.
Read our full
NordVPN review
2. ExpressVPN – Best VPN for torrenting runner-up
Pros
Excellent speeds
Easy-to-use interface
Unblocks all streaming services
Great security and privacy practices
Cons
More expensive than many competitors
Light on some features for a top VPN
Why I like ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is our favorite VPN so it’s no surprise that it’s landing as one of the top picks for torrents as well. Even though it’s our best overall pick for VPNs, I gave it the runner-up spot here as NordVPN comes with a few more security features than ExpressVPN—I say, the more security the better when torrenting.
However, ExpressVPN is still an excellent VPN choice for torrenting as it makes all of the right privacy promises and its speeds are very good. It also has a lot of other good qualities that make it worth your while, such as smart DNS and great unblocking capabilities. Also, ExpressVPN is officially based in the British Virgin Islands meaning it isn’t subject to any international data intelligence sharing alliances or data retention requirements so you can feel confident your ISP or other interested parties can’t uncover your traffic P2P activity.
Who should buy ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a true all-arounder and a great option for everyone. Since it’s our top pick overall for VPNs, I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants a VPN for more than just torrenting—especially if they want to do streaming.
Read our full
ExpressVPN review
3. ProtonVPN – Best free option
Pros
Excellent free plan
Great privacy tools
Reliable and transparent no-logs policy
Cons
Premium plan is expensive
Why I like ProtonVPN
My pick for best free VPN for torrenting is a no-brainer: ProtonVPN. At no cost, you’ll get a one-device connection with no data or time limits. I repeat, no data or time limits. That’s absolutely unheard of from a major VPN provider and it means you can safely torrent to your heart’s content without worrying about your file sizes. Sure, the free version of ProtonVPN comes with access to only five servers, but when you’re torrenting the server location shouldn’t matter anyways.
ProtonVPN also has some of the fastest speeds around, both upstream and down, which is helpful when you want to spread the Open Office love as quickly as possible. The Swiss-based service has excellent privacy promises, and it has a bunch of servers in a friggin’ bunker too—looking at you torrenting preppers.
Who should use ProtonVPN
Anyone who wants to torrent should use a VPN and anyone who doesn’t want to, or have the means to, pay for a premium VPN should use ProtonVPN instead. It’s free and has no data limits. I call that a win-win.
Read our full
ProtonVPN review
4. Mullvad – Best for privacy
Pros
Good speeds
Higher level of anonymity possible than with most VPN services
Windows desktop is easy to use
Cons
Not guaranteed to work with Netflix
Lacks the extra services that some VPNs offer
No password protection for your account
Best Prices Today:
$5.37 at Mullvad
Why I like Mullvad
Mullvad is the ultimate VPN when it comes to privacy and anonymity. The Sweden-based company appreciates your business, but it’s not interested in finding out who you are. It goes well beyond the standards of most other VPN companies when it comes to protecting your anonymity. Instead of using an email and password combo, Mullvad randomly generates an account number that functions as your username and password. And you can even decide to mail in cash as a subscription payment if you don’t want your credit card on file.
While Mullvad focuses on privacy, it’s no slouch in other departments as well. It ranks in the top 10 for speeds, and comes with a convenient split tunneling feature as well. All servers are capable of P2P transfers so you can just pick your favorite server and start torrenting. Plus, the service has a very inexpensive monthly subscription fee.
Who should buy Mullvad
Mullvad is ultimately for the privacy conscious user. Those who really demand ultimate anonymity when torrenting or just using a VPN in general will find that Mullvad takes active measure to ensure they never know who you are—meaning no other observer will know who you are either. Due to its affordable monthly plan it’s also a great option for VPN users on a budget.
Read our full
Mullvad review
5. Private Internet Access – Best for customization
Pros
Independently verified no-logs policy
Unlimited simultaneous device connections
Incredible number of servers
Great extra features such as multi-hop and split tunneling
Cons
App panel awkwardly located on the lower-right corner of screen by default
Speeds are just okay
Best Prices Today:
$11.95 at Private Internet Access
Why I like Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the most popular VPN providers and has seemingly been around forever. PIA not only comes with an insane amount of servers, but also great features such as multi-hop an app-based kill switch, and split-tunneling. All servers are capable of P2P file transfers and features like port forwarding mean you’re torrenting will be faster and more reliable.
PIA also has a great record of transparency, regularly undergoing independent no-logs audits. It does lack some speed in comparison to our other top picks here, but that shouldn’t translate to too much of a hit while torrenting.
Who should buy Private Internet Access
PIA is best suited for those who like to tinker with their software. It provides some many customizable features that it can come across as a bit overwhelming to the uninitiated and those just looking for a set it and forget it option. But power users will find a plethora of tweakable options and settings to keep them happy through all of their torrenting endeavors.
Read our full
Private Internet Access review
How we tested
If you’ve read a number of these VPN articles, you know the drill by now. I test on three different days taking the average speeds we find in six different countries (each country is tested multiple times per day). Then we take all those daily averages to get an overall global average in megabytes per second. Then we compare that to the base speed without a VPN, and then express the result as a percentage based on how much of the base speed the global average maintains. If there are particularly standout speeds in a certain country or region we will generally call those out too.
The reason we don’t quote specific speeds is that these can vary by all kinds of factors such as your location, ISP, home network load and equipment, and so on. The percentages, however, give you a generally good idea of how much of a dip to expect when you connect to a VPN—there’s always a dip.
One other factor torrent users will want to know about is that we read the privacy policy for each and every VPN we cover. Yes, it is painful so we save you the hassle. The reason we do that is a VPN may promise up front that it doesn’t track your web browsing, but then you find that actually it does log IP addresses, timestamps, and bandwidth used. So we dig into the details so you can know exactly what the VPNs we review promise.
What to look for in a VPN for torrenting
There are a few hard-and-fast rules you need from a VPN when downloading torrents. Here’s what to look for:
Blocking
First of all you want a VPN service provider that allows torrenting of P2P file sharing on their network. Most do, but there are a few notable exceptions such as Tunnel Bear, which actively blocks torrents.
Then there are VPNs that partially block torrents, especially on U.S. servers such as TorGuard. This VPN service recently settled a lawsuit brought against it by a consortium of Hollywood production companies and as a result, TorGuard promised to no longer allow torrents on its U.S. servers. On top of that, many other VPN services don’t want to end up in a lawsuit like their competitors and actively disallow torrenting on their American servers.
Service location
For that reason, we recommend using VPN services that are based outside the U.S., and from those VPNs you should use servers based in countries that are friendlier to torrents. This avoids the issue of dealing with torrents being blocked outright when all you want to do is load up Ubuntu on that new laptop. Most VPN services will specify which servers allow torrents, but a popular and easy choice is Sweden. The speeds are usually good, and most services include Swedish servers in their networks along with many other countries that are torrent-friendly.
No-logs policy
The next thing you want is a VPN that has an ironclad no-logs promise from the service provider, because nobody wants to be exposed downloading free and open source software. That means that the service should include a promise not to maintain logs of any kind.
We say “promise” since there’s no real way to know for sure that a VPN isn’t logging your activity. You ultimately have to trust that they’re not doing it. This trust can come from a few factors, in order of reputability: The company’s no-logs promise has been proven by a court challenge, numerous third-party audits have verified the service’s claims, or you might just take the company at its word—proceed with caution.
Speed
Finally, after those details have been verified, you want a VPN with solid speeds. Torrents can take a long time to download as it is, depending on how many people are sharing the file. The last thing you want is to see your download slowed down by shoddy VPN speeds.
To get the VPN you need for torrenting, just put all those attributes together: allows torrents, absolute no-logs promise, torrent-friendly services and servers outside the U.S., and excellent speeds.
FAQ
1.
What is a VPN?
A VPN (virtual private network) encrypts your internet traffic and disguises your identity while browsing the internet. When used for torrenting, a VPN will anonymize your torrenting traffic and keep your ISP from potentially throttling your connection in the future.
Additionally, VPNs allow you to connect to servers all across the world. So if you’re looking to access location-restricted content, such as streaming services, you can connect to the appropriate country’s server and gain access that way.
2.
How does a VPN work?
A VPN hides your IP address by redirecting it through a remote server hosted by the VPN company. To anyone looking in, the VPN server then becomes the source of your data instead of your actual location. These remote servers can be in your own country or located in different countries around the world. All of your network traffic from your computer to the VPN is sent over a secure and encrypted connection.
When connected to a VPN while browsing the internet, the VPN acts as a middleman between your computer and a website. Your computer sends a request to the VPN, which then passes it on to a website. The website then sends its response back to the VPN which forwards it through the secure connection to your computer. All of the traffic rerouted through the VPN shows as coming through their server rather than your own computer. This keeps your ISP and other third parties from snooping on your internet activity.
3.
Are VPNs legal to use?
Yes! In most countries, including the United States, using a VPN is perfectly legal. Even though some websites might try to block VPN connections, they are still okay to use. Please note, while using a VPN is legal, some of the activities done while using a VPN might be illegal. Activities such as downloading pirated copyrighted content or accessing dark web markets are both illegal with or without a VPN.
4.
Is Torrenting through a VPN safe?
Safety while torrenting comes down to two things: anonymity and protection from malware or other malicious files.
As far as anonymity goes, yes, you will be protected from any snooping outsiders or your own ISP’s restrictions on file torrenting by using a VPN. If you know and trust the P2P network you are using, torrenting with a VPN should be completely safe from prying eyes.
In regards to protection from malware and other malicious files, no. A VPN on its own will not protect you from accidentally downloading malicious files from P2P networks or torrent sites. For this, it is highly recommended that you use an antivirus program to help keep you safe.
5.
Do VPNs track my browsing or store my data?
This depends entirely on the VPN provider you choose to use. There have been instances in the past of VPN providers spying on their users or collecting data. However, these were mainly free VPN services with no explicit no-logging policies.
When searching for a VPN, be careful to check the company’s website for a no-logging policy, third-party trust verification, and trustworthy user reviews. That being said, most of the major paid VPNs have clearly stated no-logging policies so it is typically best to stick with one of them.
6.
How many servers should my VPN have?
There isn’t a specific number of servers that make one VPN better than another. It’s common for VPN providers to advertise the number of servers they have, but this is largely a marketing gimmick and doesn’t necessarily equate to the quality of the VPN service itself. Other factors such as server-location spread and server quality are just as important if not more so than the number of available servers.
That being said, most popular VPN providers offer between 3,000 to 5,000 servers. We recommend that you avoid any premium service with less than 1,000 servers as this could be an indication that the company is not yet well established, which could portend reliability issues.
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| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 11 Jun (PC World)According to a recently released study by Top10VPN, nearly all popular free VPNs through the Google Play store have potential privacy issues. Almost 90 percent suffer from data leaks, over two-thirds share your personal data with third parties, and almost one fifth of the VPNs tested were flagged as suspected malware by antivirus scanners.
These are just some of the alarming findings uncovered by the report which analyzed the source codes and network traffic for the 100 most popular free Android VPNs on Google’s Play store. In his exhaustive study, Simon Migliano, head of research at Top10VPN, spent months researching and compiling data on the security and privacy flaws of these apps.
A VPN works by shielding your IP address and obscuring your browsing activity from view by outside parties (ISPs, networks, and other third-parties). VPNs provide a secure tunnel from your device to their server and then out to the open internet with end-to-end encryption. It’s imperative then that the VPN company is trustworthy as all of your data flows through their servers.
Most of the best VPNs, often with paid subscriptions, use cutting edge privacy and security tools such as RAM-only servers and military-grade encryption. They also undergo frequent independent audits on their servers to prove that no user data is being logged. Unfortunately, this is seldom the case with free VPNs which are only becoming more common.
The number of free VPN users has ballooned in the last few years according to Migliano, “The 100 most popular free Android VPNs had around 260 million total installs in 2018. Today, that number exceeds 2.5 billion.” And according to his latest study, almost all of these users are unwittingly putting their privacy and security at risk by using these apps.
While there are still some trustworthy free VPNs, most others are just used as ways of generating advertising dollars for their developers. The revenue structure of free VPNs means that they need to rely on money from third-parties. This usually takes the form of injecting ads and other marketing materials into their services, often at the expense of their users.
An alarming 71 percent of these free VPNs share personal data with third-party advertisers. Almost one-third even go so far as to collect your data themselves and sell it for profit—defeating the purpose of using a VPN to protect your data in the first place.
looking to get a new vpn service? check out our top pick
ExpressVPN for Android
The usage of free VPNs is expected to continue to increase in the coming years as the market sees exponential growth. As more and more users seek out free options, they need trustworthy apps. This is especially true as for those in dire need of security and privacy due to a troubling rise in internet shutdowns recently.
While I always recommend that people opt for a reliable paid service, if you decide that you need a free VPN for any reason then it’s best to stick with a freemium option. Trustworthy services such as ProtonVPN offer most of the features of their paid VPN with limitations on their servers and device connections free of charge.
Some premium VPNs such as Surfshark and IPVanish also offer completely free emergency subscriptions for certain individuals in high-risk situations such as journalists, NGOs, and activists. You can reach out to these companies for more info if you believe you’re at risk.
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| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 10 Jun (PC World)At a glanceExpert`s Rating
ProsExcellent all-day battery lifePortability and performanceGood valueConsNo USB Type-A portsNo option for 32GB of RAM on the base modelOur VerdictLenovo’s ThinkBook is a better business laptop for most people than a top-of-the-line ThinkPad, but the lack of ports may be a problem.
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x (Gen 4) is a 13-inch business laptop designed for portability. The ThinkBook line of laptops is a more affordable alternative to Lenovo’s high-end ThinkPad laptops. But this laptop doesn’t just beat a top-of-the-line ThinkPad on price — it beats it on battery life, too.
The value is definitely here: At $1,106, this ThinkBook is much less expensive than Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Carbon. It lacks the high-end touches of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, but it’s an incredibly practical machine for getting work done on the go — or at your desk.
Looking for more options? Check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops available today.
Lenovo ThinkBook 13x: Specs
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
The ThinkBook is a capable “ultraportable” business laptop. It’s branded as an “Intel Evo” laptop and features a Meteor Lake-based Intel Core Ultra CPU with Intel Arc graphics. Our review model included an Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU, but Lenovo also offers this machine with a Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor for another $432. That upgrade seems overboard for a laptop at this price point, and it would make more sense if Lenovo offered this machine with an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor as an upgrade instead.
This laptop includes 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM that’s soldered to the motherboard. That’s fine for many purposes, but you can’t get 32GB of RAM without also upgrading to that Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU. This unfortunately isn’t a good machine for you if you need or want 32GB of RAM.
Our review unit also included a 512GB SSD. For an extra $89, you can upgrade that to a 1 TB SSD — that’s reasonable, at least.
While Intel’s Meteor Lake platform includes a neural processing unit (NPU,) Intel’s first-generation NPUs aren’t powerful enough for Windows 11’s upcoming AI features. This laptop won’t get those AI features Microsoft just announced, which are exclusive to Copilot+ PCs. If those features are important to you and you want an Intel-powered PC, you’ll want to wait for Intel’s Lunar Lake hardware.
CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
Memory: 16GB LPDDR5X-8400MHz
Graphics/GPU: Intel Arc graphics
Display: 13.5-inch 2880×1920 IPS display with 120Hz refresh rate and touch screen
Storage: 512GB M.2 PCIe Gen 4 SSD
Webcam: 1080p webcam with physical webcam shutoff switch
Connectivity: 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), 1x combo audio jack
Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Biometrics: IR camera for Windows Hello
Battery capacity: 74 Watt-hours
Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.1 x 0.5 inches
Weight: 2.7 pounds
MSRP: $1,106 as tested
Lenovo ThinkBook 13x: Design and build quality
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
Lenovo’s ThinkBook 13x has a smart all-metal design, all grays and silvers. The edges are slightly rounded so you don’t have hard metal edges pressing into your hands. The “ThinkBook” name appears on the laptop’s lid and the “Lenovo” brand name appears both below the bottom right area of the laptop’s keyboard and on the lid.
Build quality feels excellent whether you’re holding the laptop in your hand or opening and closing the laptop’s hinge. At the top of the display, the area with the webcam and IR camera sticks out a bit. This reduces the bezel around the display and gives you a good handhold to use while opening the laptop.
At 2.7 pounds, the laptop feels nice and light — but not quite as light as a ThinkPad X1 Carbon, naturally. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is also a more ruggedized design, so it will likely do better in extreme environments. But the ThinkBook will be more than sufficient for the average business traveler.
The ThinkBook 13x has one trick up its sleeve: A “Lenovo Magic Bay” connection at the top of the lid, behind that webcam bar. This lets you connect “Magic Bay” accessories magnetically. Lenovo bundled a Lenovo Magic Bay Light which is designed to provide extra lighting for video calls and other recordings. However, I don’t see Lenovo offering any other Magic Bay accessories for this laptop on its online store, and Lenovo told me available accessories vary between regions.
Lenovo ThinkBook 13x: Keyboard and trackpad
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
The ThinkBook 13x’s keyboard is a good keyboard and is a pleasure to type on. It’s a good size and the key travel feels reasonably snappy — in other words, the keys don’t feel “mushy” to me.
That said, this definitely isn’t the most premium keyboard I’ve used — Lenovo’s more expensive ThinkPad X1 Carbon definitely offers a snappier and more premium typing experience. But this is a solid keyboard.
The keyboard also has all-white LED keyboard backlighting so you can see the keys in a dark room. However, there’s no red “nub” for controlling the mouse in the middle of the keyboard, as there is on ThinkPads.
Like the keyboard, the trackpad feels response and smooth. It’s not quite as smooth to the touch as the touchpad on that high-end Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, but it’s definitely something I could be happy using regularly. The click-down action feels right, too.
Lenovo ThinkBook 13x: Display and speakers
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x’s 13.5-inch display is exactly the kind of thing you’re looking for on a portable business laptop. You’re getting a 2880×1920 IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 3:2 aspect ratio. That 3:2 aspect ratio is an excellent choice that offers a lot of vertical space for getting work done.
The display also offers up to 500 nits of brightness, which is great to see. It does have a fairly glossy display that’s prone to reflections — which you can see in some of the photos in this review. It’s probably not the best option for use outdoors in direct sunlight, but the high brightness can help compensate.
This display is also a touch screen, which is convenient for scrolling documents and navigating the Windows operating system.
It’s a good-looking screen with a solid resolution, refresh rate, and brightness, along with a good aspect ratio and a touch screen. Sure, this isn’t a beautiful OLED display like the one the ThinkPad X1 Carbon offers — but that’s probably part of why this ThinkBook beats that ThinkPad when it comes to battery life.
The speakers are good for a business laptop, too. Lenovo says they’re Harman Kardon speakers, and you’ve got the Harmon Kardon logo on the laptop. It also supports Dolby Atmos audio. You won’t be replacing your home theater system with this laptop, but you’ve got a good volume and clarity here. I took this laptop on a weekend trip and watched some videos in a hotel room with a noisy air conditioner running a few feet away, and it offered a great watching-videos-in-a-hotel-room experience — a common task for any business laptop!
Lenovo ThinkBook 13x: Webcam, microphone, biometrics
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x’s webcam looks great for a laptop webcam: It’s a 1080p webcam that puts 720p webcams to shame. You’re probably only going to do better if you hunt down an external 4K webcam. You’ve also got a physical switch for turning off the laptop’s webcam on the right side of the machine, which is a common privacy feature on business laptops.
This machine has a trick up its sleeve with that magnetically attaching Magic Bay Light, too. It offers customizable lighting so you can record videos in a more natural light. I’ll be honest, though — it’s a little fatiguing staring at the laptop’s screen while the Magic Bay Light is shining brightly just above it, so you probably won’t want to use this all the time.
The four-microphone array also offers good, clear sound quality. Between the webcam, microphone, and speakers, this laptop will offer a great experience for online meetings and video calls without any extra accessories.
The ThinkBook 13x includes an IR camera that supports facial recognition with Windows Hello, and it speedily logged me into Windows with my face in a variety of lighting conditions.
Lenovo ThinkBook 13x: Connectivity
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
Connectivity options on the ThinkBook 13x are a little limited, which is a problem for a business laptop. You’re getting three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports: one on the left side of the laptop, and two on the right. One of them is used for charging the laptop.
Also, you’ve got a combo audio jack on the left side of the machine. That’s it: You won’t find any classic USB Type-A ports here, nor will you find an HDMI port or an SD card reader. For anything even a little off the beaten path, you’ll need a dongle.
Whether this is a big deal is up to you. If you don’t plug in devices much, a thin-and-light laptop with a total of three USB-C ports may be perfectly fine — along with a dongle for when you need it.
For wireless connectivity, the ThinkBook has Wi-Fi 6E support and Bluetooth 5.3 hardware built in. Wi-Fi 7 routers aren’t very widespread yet, so it’s no surprise to see a laptop like this one choose Wi-Fi 6E hardware. But, if future-proof Wi-Fi 7 is a priority to you, this is the wrong machine for you.
Lenovo ThinkBook 13x: Performance
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x handled everyday desktop tasks — web browsers, office applications, and more — with snappy performance. That’s no surprise with the hardware in this laptop. Of course, we ran the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x through our standard benchmarks to measure its performance.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
First, we run PCMark 10 to get an idea of overall system performance. This particular benchmark is a little more focused on the CPU, but it tries to measure general system performance. The ThinkBook 13x turned in a great result for an ultraportable laptop, with an overall score of 6,911 — just a little bit behind Lenovo’s much more expensive ThinkPad X1 Carbon and ahead of many other similar laptops in its class.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
Next, we run Cinebench R20. This is a heavily multithreaded benchmark that focuses on overall CPU performance. It’s a quick benchmark, so cooling under extended workloads isn’t a factor. But, since it’s heavily multithreaded, CPUs with more cores have a huge advantage.
The ThinkBook 13x with its Core Ultra 5 CPU delivered a score of 5,117. That’s a stronger result than the ThinkPad X1 Carbon and other systems with Core Ultra 7 CPUs.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
We also run an encode with Handbrake. This is another heavily multithreaded benchmark, but it runs over an extended period of time. This demands the laptop’s cooling kick in, and many laptops will throttle and slow down under load.
The Lenovo ThinkBook took 1,174 seconds — that’s about nineteen and a half minutes — to complete the encode process. That’s faster than the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, once again. The ThinkBook seems to deliver better cooling than the somewhat smaller and lighter ThinkPad X1 Carbon, which is no surprise. Of course, we also see the larger HP Pavilion Plus deliver great performance here thanks to its cooling ability.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
Next, we run a graphical benchmark. This isn’t a gaming laptop, but it’s still good to check how the GPU performs. We run 3Dmark Time Spy, a graphical benchmark that focuses on GPU performance.
The Intel Arc graphics in this machine are faster than previous-generation Intel Iris Xe graphics. But they delivered a higher performance score the Arc graphics in the ThinkPad X1 Carbon — again, this laptop seems to punch above the ThinkPad X1 Carbon’s performance in a variety of ways. Cooling is likely a huge factor.
Overall, the ThinkBook 13x’s performance is excellent for a business laptop. Earlier, I wrote that I would like to see Lenovo offer this machine with a Core Ultra 7 CPU as an option. But, seeing how the Core Ultra 5 hardware here is beating so many other Core Ultra 7 systems, there may be no point in that!
Lenovo ThinkBook 13x: Battery life
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x includes a 74 Watt-hour battery, which is a good size for an ultraportable system. It also delivers excellent battery life in the real world.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
To benchmark the battery life, we play a 4K copy of Tears of Steel on repeat in the Movies & TV app on Windows 11 with airplane mode enabled until the laptop suspends itself. We set the screen to 250 nits of brightness for our battery benchmark. This is a best-case scenario for any laptop since local video playback is so efficient, and real battery life in day-to-day use is always going to be less than this.
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x lasted for 783 minutes on average. That’s over 13 hours of battery life during video playback — notably better than the ThinkPad X1 Carbon.
Of course, machine will definitely not get 13 hours of battery life under normal use when you’re using web browsers, office applications, and everything else you use. But it should reliably deliver all-workday battery life, which is a huge deal. That’s something the ThinkPad X1 Carbon and a lot of other business laptops can’t reliably deliver, which is a shame — but this machine can.
Lenovo ThinkBook 13x: Conclusion
The ThinkBook 13x is an excellent ultraportable business laptop: It’s a great price and offers high performance along with good keyboard, display, and excellent all-day battery life. The webcam, microphone, and speakers are great for business meetings.
While a machine like the ThinkPad X1 Carbon offers more premium touches with an OLED display and snappier keyboard, I’d say the ThinkBook 13x offers a better overall package with its all-day battery life and better performance benchmarks in a variety of scenarios — not to mention the much lower price.
There are still some catches: If you want more connectivity than three USB-C ports and an audio jack, you’ll need to look elsewhere. If you want more than 16GB of RAM on your laptop, you can’t get more without spending a lot of extra money to also upgrade the CPU.
Still, some people will prefer a lighter laptop with a more beautiful OLED display and snappier keyboard — even if it can’t necessarily deliver all-day battery life under many workloads. The ThinkPad Carbon X1 is still compelling.
But the ThinkBook 13x is a better ultraportable business laptop for most people.
Laptops Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 10 Jun (PC World)Battery-powered security cameras are an excellent option for recording activities in homes or businesses. Unlike wired types, battery cameras can be placed anywhere without extending electricity and wires.
Thanks to advancements in battery technology, such cameras can last for a long time while capturing great real-life video clips. This article will review the various types of battery security cameras, their essential features, and how best to approach the selection process for the battery camera to purchase.
What is a Battery-Powered Security Camera?
Battery-powered cameras, as the name implies, are cameras powered by batteries. The camera often draws power from the battery, used for video recording, motion detection, night vision, and any other feature incorporated into the camera’s design.
Batteries allow the camera to be used without connecting to a power outlet or wiring. This type of battery camera is completely portable; there is no need to deal with wires when fixing it. Many battery cameras come with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that can be easily recharged using USB cables.
How Do Battery-Powered Wireless Security Cameras Work?
Battery-powered security cameras work similarly to wired cameras, except they draw power from internal batteries instead of electrical outlets. The basic working process is as follows:
The camera lens starts to capture video when the built-in sensor detects motion.
The video data is processed and compressed by the image processing chip inside the camera.
The compressed video is stored locally on a memory card or transmitted wirelessly to the user’s phone or a network video recorder (NVR).
Many battery cameras have built-in Wi-Fi that connects with the home network and enables features like remote viewing and video backup.
When the battery runs low, the camera alerts the user to recharge or replace it.
Installing a wireless battery camera is relatively straightforward. Let’s use the wire-free Reolink Argus 4 Pro as an example. Simply fully charge the battery, insert a memory card, mount the bracket in your desired location, and attach the camera. The wireless connectivity allows flexible placement without any wiring constraints.
Reolink
Reolink
Reolink
Types of Battery Security Cameras
There are a few different types of battery cameras available today, designed for specific use cases:
Battery-Powered Outdoor Security Camera
Outdoor battery-operated security cameras are built to withstand outdoor conditions, featuring weatherproof or waterproof housings to protect against rain, snow, and dust. Most of these models are designed to provide convenient and flexible surveillance without wired power and Internet connections. They are ideal for monitoring driveways, perimeter fences, barns, and other outdoor areas.
Battery-Powered Indoor Security Camera
Indoor battery cameras provide wire-free security inside homes, offices, stores, and other indoor spaces. They are compact and lightweight, making them easy to place on bookshelves, walls, or ceilings. Indoor cameras usually have simpler weather sealing and rely on lower-capacity batteries to achieve smaller form factors.
One standout battery-powered security camera for indoor and outdoor use is the brand-new Reolink Argus 4 Pro. This cordless security camera offers impressive features, making it an excellent choice for home security.
Color Night Vision Day and Night: Utilizing Reolink’s ColorX technology, this camera provides vivid color video streaming in low-light conditions. Its large lens aperture eliminates the need for spotlights, preventing potential light pollution.
4K UHD 180° Blindspot-free View: The Argus 4 Pro integrates two lenses within one housing. With advanced image stitching algorithms, it delivers a seamless 180° monitoring range without distortion.
30% More Battery Life: Unlike traditional night vision cameras that keep IR lights on all night, the Argus 4 Pro conserves about 2W/h of electricity and extends battery life by 30%.
Wi-Fi 6 Ready for Smooth 4K Streaming: Wi-Fi 6 technology ensures minimal latency and buffering during video streaming. Users can switch between 2.4 and 5 GHz for optimal connectivity.
Reolink
Reolink
Reolink
Battery-Powered Trail Camera
Trail cameras are designed for outdoor surveillance applications, such as monitoring wildlife or trespassers on large properties. They have rugged camouflaged housings and advanced motion sensors. However, these are battery-powered security cameras that require no Wi-Fi.
An example is the Reolink Go Ranger PT, which captures 4K video with sound. It relies on a 6000mAh rechargeable battery and can last for months, even in cold weather. The long battery life and stealthy design make trail cameras ideal for extended wildlife deployment.
What to Consider When Buying the Best Battery-Powered Security Camera
When choosing the best battery-powered security cameras, users need to take several essential features into account. Here are some key aspects:
Battery Life and Recharging – Battery life ensures continuous monitoring and reliability of these cameras, particularly in critical situations or remote locations without easy access to power sources. Look for cameras with higher-capacity rechargeable batteries that can last weeks or months per charge. Quick recharging over USB is also convenient. Some cameras also support removable batteries for quick swaps.
Image Quality and Resolution – The quality of the image directly impacts how effective daily monitoring is. Resolutions higher than Full HD or 1080p resolution are preferred for clarity. Advanced imaging features like 4K resolution, wide dynamic range, and H.264 or H.265 compression are also helpful. For example, 4K security cameras are an excellent option for nighttime surveillance.
Night Vision Capability – Night vision allows efficient surveillance even in complete darkness. Opt for cameras with up to 100 feet of night vision range and color night vision functionality.
Field of View – A broad field between 80° and 130° enables the camera to cover more area. Some models even cover a 180° complete monitoring range. Check cameras’ specifications before adding it to your cart.
Smart Motion Detection – Choose cameras with AI detection functionality. Smart motion sensors that only capture relevant activity can save battery life and reduce false alarms.
Local Storage – Storing data locally is a cost-effective solution. Using high-capacity microSD cards or an NVR ensures all footage is saved securely.
Final Thoughts
Battery-powered security cameras provide an efficient way to enhance home or business surveillance without expensive wiring. Advancements in battery and imaging technology are making these cameras a reliable choice.
When selecting a battery camera, battery life, video quality, night vision range, and smart features are key factors. With its wide selection of high-end battery cameras, Reolink offers some of the best options for securing your premises.
FAQ
1.
How long do battery-powered security cameras last?
Most battery cameras can operate on average for 4-6 months on a full charge. Cameras with higher capacity batteries can last 6-12 months. Motion frequency, Wi-Fi usage, temperature, and video settings impact battery life.
Manufacturers are also working to optimize the battery life of their camera models. For instance, the Argus 4 Pro has improved battery life thanks to the removal of traditional IR lights and the implementation of advanced ColorX technology.
2.
Do battery-powered cameras need Wi-Fi?
Battery cameras do not require Wi-Fi, but having Wi-Fi enables valuable features like remote viewing and receiving alerts on your phone. Battery-powered Wi-Fi security cameras use various methods to connect to the internet. The new Reolink Argus 4 Pro, for example, achieves seamless network connectivity through Bluetooth configuration. Some cameras have Ethernet ports for wired connectivity as well. Many models offer cellular connectivity for installations without Wi-Fi connectivity.
3.
Can security cameras run on battery?
Yes, many security cameras that operate entirely on battery power are available today. They use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that can last for months on a single charge. Leading security camera brands offer both wired and battery-powered models.
Home Security, Security Cameras, Surveillance Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | Ars Technica - 8 Jun (Ars Technica)With PoC code available and active Internet scans, speed is of the essence. Read...Newslink ©2024 to Ars Technica | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 8 Jun (PC World)Microsoft has made a big push for its “Copilot+” program, enhancing Windows with new AI powers enabled by the latest processors and NPUs. But one of the headline features, Recall, immediately raised privacy concerns as it demonstrated an ability to essentially record every single action of the user. Microsoft has backed down on its initial claims and introduced new details in the hopes of making users more comfortable.
First, Microsoft’s blog post on the subject reiterates that even on the Windows 11 hardware that’s capable of Copilot+ features, Recall will be entirely optional with the capability to be turned off. Snapshots — screenshots of everything done on the PC — are allegedly stored and encrypted on the local drive, never uploaded to the cloud.
But in response to a wave of negative feedback, there’s a new setup interface for Recall giving you a clear, unavoidable choice to allow or disable screen recordings. That’s on top of the existing options to filter out specific programs from Recall, or simply pause it temporarily or manually delete specific snapshots. In addition to that, Microsoft is making Windows Hello (face or fingerprint scanning) mandatory to use Recall in the first place, with a presence detection check if you want to access your snapshots.
This might go a fair way towards assuaging a few people’s fears over the Recall feature…but as for myself, I’m not even seeing a benefit for how it would affect my computer’s performance, never mind the privacy issues. Windows’ built-in search has been so terrible for so long that I have zero faith in the efficacy of Recall to offer a searchable record of what I’ve done, or at least a record that can reliably find anything I’ve been looking for. My own organization of files and web history is more than enough, and doesn’t require active recording or tens of gigabytes of storage.
Others disagree. Mark Hachman thinks it could be incredibly useful, augmenting one’s own memory with an instant record of all relevant data on your PC. Even so, he highlighted the privacy issues and didn’t see Recall actually fulfill its promise in the demos he was given last month. We’ll have to wait for test builds to hit actual Windows 11 machines before we can try it. I have a feeling security researchers, as well as some people with less scrupulous motivations, will be eager to test out Microsoft’s commitment to security.
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