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| PC World - 7 Jun (PC World)At a glanceExpert`s Rating
ProsAttractive design for the priceEnjoyable keyboardLots of connectivity, including USB-C8GB of RAM and spacious 512GB hard driveConsMediocre processor performanceDisplay is often too dimWeak speakers, webcamSmall touchpadOur VerdictAcer’s Chromebook Plus 514 is a decent budget Chromebook that beats competitors on RAM and storage.
Shopping for a budget Chromebook can be a minefield. Many Chromebooks are inexpensive, but not all inexpensive Chromebook are worth buying—especially those with just 4GB of RAM and less than 128GB of storage. The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is a solid alternative with far more RAM and storage than many similarly priced competitors, though it still doesn’t avoid all the problems common to sub-$500 laptops.
Looking for other options? Check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best Chromebooks available right now.
Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Specs and features
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 has an Intel Core i3-N305 processor with eight low-performance cores. It also packs 8GB of RAM and a surprising 512GB solid state drive, which is a ton of storage of a Chromebook.
CPU: Intel Core i3-N305
Memory: 8GB LPDDR5
Graphics/GPU: Intel Integrated
Display: 14-inch 1920×1080 60Hz IPS-LED
Storage: 512GB PCIe Gen 4 solid state drive
Webcam: 1080p
Connectivity: 2x USB-C 3.2, 2x USB-A 3.2, 1x 3.5mm combo audio, 1x mciroSD card reader
Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.21Biometrics: None
Battery capacity: 50 watt-hours
Dimensions: 12.87 x 8.86 x .81 inches
Weight: 3.15 pounds
MSRP: $349.99 (typically $249.99 on sale)
Pricing is competitive. The laptop’s $349.99 is already low and, at the moment I’m writing this review, it’s on sale for just $249.99.
Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Design and build quality
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 tries its best to deliver a design that feels more premium than its price tag, but only partially succeeds. It looks handsome enough when closed thanks to a two-tone look that pairs faux-aluminum with a strip of matte silver plastic. Open the laptop, however, and it’s immediately clear that plastic is the material of choice. The interior tries to upgrade the look with a metallic luster, but the dull finish gives away the game.
Build quality, on the other hand, punches above the price tag. Don’t get me wrong: it’s not exceptionally rugged, and the display flex noticeably when opened. The lower half feels solid when handled, though, and the chassis didn’t emit unwanted creaks or moans as I used it. That’s not guaranteed in a laptop this inexpensive.
The Chromebook Plus 514’s design is split on portability. It has relatively large display bezels, which means the laptop is a tad wider than more expensive 14-inch laptops, and the laptop’s profile is a bit thick at .81 inches. It weighs just 3.15 pounds, though, so it won’t feel burdensome once stowed in a backpack or messenger bag.
I also like that the Chromebook Plus 514 has a hinge that rotates 180 degrees to fold completely flat on a desk. That makes it easier to find a comfortable viewing angle when in a cramped situation. It’s a small perk, but budget laptops sometimes cut corners on details like this.
Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Keyboard, trackpad
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
Keyboard quality was a pleasant surprise. The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 has a spacious keyboard layout with large keys. Many keys, including the function row and the left-side Shift, Control, and Alt keys, are larger than on Windows and Mac laptops.
I have more praise for the laptop’s typing feel. Each key activated with a long, pleasant tactile that ended with a definitive tactile click and springy return. It’s not going to impress keyboard aficionados, but it’s much better than I would expect at this price, and I had no complaints typing on the keyboard for hours at a time. A keyboard backlight is absent, however, and I found the keyboard difficult to use in dim lighting.
The touchpad was less impressive than the keyboard. It’s small, measuring just four inches wide and three inches deep, and multi-touch gestures can feel cramped. The touchpad was responsive, at least, and I didn’t notice any unintended activations while using it.
Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Display, audio
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
Acer ships the Chromebook Plus 514 with a 14-inch IPS touchscreen with 1920×1080 resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. It’s a workmanlike entry that never looks excellent but (usually) gets the job done.
Let’s start with what’s good. Acer’s display packs 157 pixels per inch (ppi), which is barely less than a 27-inch 4K monitor (at 163 ppi). That means it looks tack-sharp in a wide variety of content. Many laptops now offer an even higher resolution, but 1080p is respectable for a laptop sold for $350 or less. The display also has a matte coat which reduces glare and improves readability.
The display supports multi-touch input and felt reasonably responsive in my testing. The Chromebook Plus 514 is not a 2-in-1, however, so it doesn’t fold into tent or tablet mode for easy touchscreen use. The touchscreen is nice to have, but it’s not essential.
Unfortunately, the display can look dim in a brightly lit room due to its maximum measured brightness of roughly 315 nits. It’s uncomfortable to view outdoors or in a room with ample sunlight. Color and contrast are lacking, too. The display is usually fine—I’ve seen budget laptops that look far worse—but the lack of contrast means photos, videos, and games look flat and faded, at least when compared to more expensive laptops.
The laptop’s upwards-facing speakers, like the display, are more functional than pleasant. They’re loud enough to be usable in a quiet room and provide decent audio quality with simple content, like a Zoom video call or a podcast. Music, movies, and games push past the speaker’s limits, though, which leads to a muddy-yet-hollow sound that I found tiring.
Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Webcam, microphone, biometrics
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
The Chromebook Plus 514 has a 1080p webcam with acceptable video quality. It looked sharp but was a bit lacking in color vibrance and sharpness, which gave the video a faded quality. The microphone picked up my voice without issue but allowed significant background noise to creep in.
Both video and microphone quality is improved by the AI features built into the latest ChromeOS release. They can improve video quality in dim lighting, blur the background, and cancel background noise. The AI background noise cancellation feature was particularly effective. It completely eliminated background music and several vocal crows perched near my window.
A physical privacy shutter is included to cover the webcam. It doesn’t disable the microphones, which remain hot when the privacy shutter is in use (to be fair, this is true of every laptop with a physical privacy shutter that I’ve tested to date).
Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Connectivity
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
Connectivity is among the Chromebook Plus 514’s best features. Despite its budget price, the laptop packs two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, a 3.5mm combo audio jack, and a MicroSD card reader.
That’s better than some far more expensive laptops: the entry-level MacBook Air 13 M3 and Dell XPS 13 have fewer ports overall and entirely lack USB-A. The Chromebook Plus 514 doesn’t skimp on the USB-C ports, either. Both support Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alternate Mode, so both can be used to charge the laptop or connect an external display.
There’s just one port you might miss: HDMI. The Chromebook Plus 514 can be used with an HDMI monitor or TV, but you’ll need a USB-C to HDMI adapter or a USB-C hub with HDMI support. Ethernet is missing, too, though that’s not unusual for a Chromebook.
Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1. Neither standard is the latest available, but that’s to be expected at this price. Wireless connectivity was reliable in my testing, even when used in a detached office 50 feet and several walls away from a router.
Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Performance
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 I received for review had Intel’s Core i3-N305. It’s an eight-core processor which, unlike Intel’s more expensive processors, relies entirely on Intel’s lower-performance Efficient Cores.
CrXPRT 2: 151
Speedometer 2.0: 183.1
Speedometer 3.0: 10.4
Basemark Web 3.0: 811.4
Kraken: 728.4
Jetstream 2: 198.103
That’s a drag on performance. The Chromebook Plus 514 is far from the slowest Chromebook available today: many models sold for $200 or less on Amazon have a Celeron processor with just one or two cores. However, the Chromebook Plus 514 is behind all Chromebooks we’ve recently reviewed, including the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus and Acer Chromebook Plus 515.
But that might not matter. Chromebooks generally don’t run demanding software locally, so any modern processor with a reasonable core count and clock speed is up to the task. The Chromebook Plus 514 felt as quick as its more powerful peers. I’m sure a few Chromebook super-fans will crave better processor performance, but most users shouldn’t have an issue.
It helps that the Chromebook Plus 514’s memory and storage is stacked: the model I reviewed had 8GB of RAM and a remarkable 512GB solid state drive. That’s alluring. Chromebooks that are similarly priced, or less expensive, often ship with just 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage (or less). With that said, shoppers should note the spacious 512GB solid state drive is specific to this particular model, the CB-514-4HT-359X. Other Plus 514 models have the same processor and RAM, but a 128GB solid state drive.
What about games? Don’t plan on playing any games locally on the Chromebook Plus 514. It has an antiquated version of Intel HD graphics with limited performance. It can still play games through cloud streaming services
Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Battery life
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 packs a 50 watt-hour battery. That’s not large for a 14-inch laptop in 2024, but the laptop’s entry-level hardware, along with the generally low power draw of ChromeOS and the web apps it relies on, extended the battery to a respectable 10 hours and 34 minutes in the CrXPRT 2 battery test.
Real-world battery life lined up with the testing. The Chromebook Plus 514 can handle an eight-hour work day of typical web apps, like Google Docs, alongside streaming music and the occasional YouTube video.
Of course, it’s possible to find much better battery life from some more expensive Windows laptops, as well as from Apple’s MacBook Air line-up. But most people shopping for the Chromebook Plus 514 will compare it to other chromebooks or entry-level Windows PCs. The Chromebook Plus 514 has battery life similar to other Chromebooks and outlasts Windows alternatives which, in this price range, usually achieve seven or eight hours of battery life.
Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Chromebook Plus, now with AI
Although released before Google’s Chromebook Plus with Gemini announcement, the Chromebook Plus 514 supports the features described in that announcement and received the update which includes them during my time with the laptop. The Chromebook Plus 514 has access to Google Gemini through a built-in app and supports adding AI-generated text on a variety of social media platforms and web apps, among other AI extras. They’re also available on other Chromebook Plus laptops, however, so these features don’t give Acer an edge.
Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Conclusion
Acer’s Chromebook Plus 514 is a solid entry-level Chromebook that manages to avoid most, though not all, of the problems that typically come with a sub-$500 laptop. It has a good keyboard, plenty of RAM, far more than enough storage, and a mix of USB-C and USB-A connectivity. On the downside, the display is dim, the touchpad is too small, and processor performance is so-so. Still, shoppers looking for a budget Chromebook could do much worse, and the Chromebook Plus 514 offers a lot of bang for the buck.
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| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 7 Jun (PC World)Working from home has gone from being a growing trend to a full-scale phenomenon. There are many perks to a work-from-home arrangement, to be sure, but there can also be downsides: For example, there’s a good chance you’ll need to supply your own monitor. Fortunately, there are many great home office monitors to choose from, as I’ve discovered through extensive real-world testing.
Below you’ll find my picks for the best home office monitors, and below that you can learn more about what specs and features matter when shopping for a home office monitor.
For even more monitor recommendations, check out our roundups of the best monitors and the best portable monitors. The latter can be especially useful if you like to be able to work from locations in and out of the home.
And if you really want to take your home office up a notch, consider adding a monitor arm to your desk setup. It not only looks very slick and professional, but it’s the ultimate in ergonomics because a of the added flexibility a monitor arm provides for positioning your display.
Dell Ultrasharp U2724DE – Best home office monitor
Pros
Attractive and functional design
Class-leading Thunderbolt and USB connectivity
IPS Black improves contrast
120Hz refresh rate
Cons
Most competitors offer 4K resolution
No HDR support
Adaptive Sync has some caveats
Dell’s Ultrasharp U2724DE is the perfect home office monitor. It has a bright, vivid, sharp panel with excellent color performance. That comes alongside a buffet of ports that make it easy to connect multiple peripherals and expand a laptop’s connectivity.
The star of the show is the monitor’s IPS Black panel. It has a better contrast ratio than other IPS panels, which leads to a more alluring and attractive picture. That comes alongside excellent color accuracy and a wide color gamut.
Dell pairs the IPS Black panel with an enhanced 120Hz refresh rate. This is great for gaming and improves the monitor’s versatility. You won’t have to buy a second gaming monitor to enjoy games after work. The 120Hz refresh rate can also make the Windows desktop feel snappy, as it reduces input latency and improves motion clarity.
The U2724DE is packed to the gills with ports. Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, and 2.5G Ethernet are included. These effectively turn the monitor into a USB-C hub or dock. It has USB Power Delivery, too, which means the USB-C port can charge a connected laptop.
Resolution is the only downside. The U2724DE’s 1440p resolution isn’t bad, but picky owners may notice the image is softer than a 4K alternative, and some may need 4K to work on specific content (such as editing a 4K video). Those who want 4K should consider the Dell Ultrasharp U2723QE, which upgrades the resolution to 4K but reduces the refresh rate to 60Hz. Shoppers on a budget, meanwhile, can consider the U2724D. It’s almost identical to the U2724DE but sacrifices ports to lower the price.
Read our full
Dell U2724DE review
Acer K242HYL – Best budget home office monitor
Pros
Attractive color accuracy and gamut
Acceptable sharpness for a 1080p display
Avoids motion clarity pitfalls
Menu system is easy to use
Cons
Barebones design
No height adjustment on stand
Only one HDMI, no DisplayPort
Power LED is very bright
Best Prices Today:
$149.99 at Acer$229.99 at Amazon
Want a basic home office monitor that can handle most tasks at a very low price? The Acer K242HYL is it.
Acer’s K242HYL is a 24-inch, 1080p monitor. It’s not as sharp as a premium, 4K monitor, but image clarity is not bad for a monitor in this price bracket. The K242HYL also packs a respectable maximum brightness of almost 300 nits, good color accuracy, and supports 98 percent of the sRGB gamut. None of these figures are record breaking, but they’re great for a budget monitor.
The monitor lacks a height-adjustable stands, but this is common at this price. A VESA monitor stand mount is available for adding a third-party monitor stand. Video connectivity is limited to just one HDMI and one VGA. The monitor does throw in a few perks, though, including AMD FreeSync support for smooth gaming and a slightly enhanced 75Hz refresh rate.
Often priced at just $99.99, the Acer K242HYL is an impressive value. It’s the least capable monitor on this list, to be sure—but it’s more than adequate for document editing, accounting, project management, video conferencing, and hundreds of other home office tasks.
Read our full
Acer K242HYL review
BenQ GW2790QT – Best 1440p home office monitor
Pros
Attractive and ergonomic design
Sharp, bright image
Includes USB-C and DisplayPort-out
Acceptable built-in speakers and microphone
Cons
Mediocre image quality
No HDR
No Adaptive Sync
Best Prices Today:
$279.30 at AmazonNot Available at Adorama
The BenQ GW2790QT is a great choice for a budget-friendly 1440p home office monitor. Priced at $300 (occasionally dropping to $280 on Amazon), it delivers a crisp and bright 27-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2560×1440. It also has built-in speakers and even a microphone, which is helpful for video conferencing.
Connectivity is extensive. It includes USB-C with 65 watts of Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alternate Mode, HDMI, DisplayPort, three USB-A 3.2 downstream ports, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It also has DisplayPort-out, an uncommon port that lets you reduce cable clutter by daisy-chaining video from the GW2790T to a second monitor.
BenQ provides an excellent ergonomic stand that adjusts for height, tilt, swivel, and pivot. It has a heavy base that keeps the monitor firmly planted on your desk. The base is flat, so other objects can be placed on top of it, and it takes the unusual step of including a cut-out that can be used as a smartphone or tablet stand.
The monitor has one weakness: It’s perhaps too focused on home office use. It doesn’t have gaming features like AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync and lacks HDR support. That’s easy to forgive, however, given the monitor’s mid-range $300 price tag. It’s not the best for every situation, but it’s excellent for a home office.
Read our full
BenQ GW2790QT review
Asus ProArt PA279CRV – Best 4K home office monitor
Pros
Plenty of connectivity
Numerous image-quality options
Extremely wide color-gamut
Good value for money
Cons
Mediocre contrast and brightness
Subpar HDR performance
Unimpressive motion clarity
Best Prices Today:
$469 at B & H Photo
The Asus ProArt PA279CRV is an outstanding home office monitor for professionals, artists, and creators seeking exceptional color performance at an affordable price.
It has a 27-inch 4K display that packs 163 pixels per inch. That translates to outstanding sharpness and clarity across apps, web pages, movies, and games. The monitor also has a remarkably wide color gamut that rivals more expensive displays, covering 100 percent of sRGB, 99 percent of DCI-P3, and 98 percent of AdobeRGB.
Asus pairs the monitor’s excellent image quality with elegant design and a sturdy, ergonomic stand that supports height, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustments. The monitor’s extensive connectivity options include USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 96 watts Power Delivery, two DisplayPort 1.4 (including one output supporting Daisy Chain), two HDMI 2.0, and three USB-A 3.2 Gen-1 ports, as well as a 3.5mm audio-out.
The PA279CRV has a mediocre contrast ratio and struggles with detail and ambiance in dark content. It also offers a modest 60Hz refresh rate, which amounts to lackluster motion fluidity in games.
These downsides are easily excused by Asus’ competitive MSRP of $469. That’s an extremely low price for a monitor that offers 4K resolution and top-tier color gamut alongside gobs of ports.
Read our full
ProArt PA279CRV review
Dell 2424T – Best touchscreen home office monitor
Pros
Easy-to-use touchscreen
Unique tilt stand
Excellent USB-C connectivity
Good contrast ratio
Cons
Expensive for its size and resolution
Image quality is good, but not amazing
No Adaptive Sync or HDR
The Dell 2424HT is an excellent monitor for those craving a touchscreen experience for their home office. With its 24-inch display, 1080p resolution, and 10-point multi-touch panel, it provides an intuitive touch experience for navigating through documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Dell improves the touchscreen experience with a versatile tilt stand that lets you adjust the angle of the screen for comfortable viewing and easy touchscreen access. The monitor also delivers excellent connectivity with USB-C, HDMI, and DisplayPort inputs. The USB-C port provides USB Power Delivery, which can charge a connected laptop or tablet. It also serves as a USB hub providing additional USB-A ports and Ethernet.
The 2424HT delivers solid image quality for office work with good color accuracy, contrast, and viewing angles thanks to its IPS panel. It sticks to a 60Hz refresh rate, however, and lacks Adaptive Sync. The 2424HT’s purpose is clear: It’s for work, not gaming.
Dell asks a steep $519.99 MSRP, but the monitor is sometimes discounted to $414.99. That makes the Dell 2424HT more expensive than its alternatives, but it makes up for that with superior image quality and connectivity. These advantages make the 2424HT the obvious choice if you want a touchscreen monitor for your home office.
Read our full
Dell 2424HT review
Dell U4025QW – Best ultrawide for a home office
Pros
Sharp, vibrant, color-accurate 5K display
Incredible connectivity including Thunderbolt, Ethernet
Long list of menu options and features
120Hz refresh rate is impressive at this resolution
Cons
Stand is wobbly and hard to adjust
Contrast ratio remains far short of OLED competitors
HDR doesn’t look its best
Extremely expensive
Best Prices Today:
$1,755.85 at Amazon
The Dell Ultrasharp U4025QW is an ideal ultrawide monitor for a home office setup thanks to its extensive connectivity and a robust feature set. With an array of ports including Thunderbolt, Ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C, the U4025QW is something of a Swiss Army knife for professionals. It’s perfect for connecting multiple devices, daisy-chaining displays, or adding Ethernet to a device that doesn’t have it.
Dell also delivers settings that allow for personalized adjustments, ensuring that the display meets your specific image quality needs, whether it’s color accuracy, brightness, or contrast. The built-in KVM switch provides control over multiple computers from a single monitor, and the monitor has picture-by-picture and picture-in-picture modes, too. The monitor’s image quality is attractive, too, as its 5K (5120×2160) resolution exceeds most competitors to achieve a sharper, more detailed image.
Unfortunately, the monitor’s perks come with a price tag that nearly exceeds $2,000. That’s a lot to ask for a home office monitor, and you could achieve even better image quality with a different display (or save a lot of cash). However, less expensive competitors don’t have the U4025QW’s connectivity.
And that’s what it comes down to. A lot of monitors can work for a home office setup, but an ideal monitor has both great image quality and the connectivity to handle any laptop, desktop, or peripheral thrown at it. The U4025QW is that monitor.
Read our full
Dell U4025QW review
Viewsonic VG2756V-2K – Best home office monitor for video calls
Pros
Bundled webcam, microphone, and speakers
USB-C port with 90 watts power delivery
Sturdy and functional design
Cons
Mediocre image quality
No HDR
Bundled features add to the price
Best Prices Today:
$399.99 at Viewsonic$489.98 at Amazon
Viewsonic’s VG2756V-2K is a 27-inch home office monitor with a built-in webcam, noise cancelling microphone, and speakers.
The integrated 1080p webcam provides a clear step up from a typical laptop webcam. An integrated lightbar is provided to brighten dark rooms and the entire camera assembly can retract into the monitor, effectively acting as a privacy shutter. The built-in soundbar has two 5-watt speakers that deliver good volume and crisp audio for video or audio calls. They’re paired with a noise-cancelling microphone that prevents echoes and can eliminate most soft, repetitive sounds.
Viewsonic includes a wide range of connectivity. The monitor has a USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 90 watts of Power Delivery for charging a connected device. It also acts as a USB-C hub that powers two USB-A ports and an ethernet connection. Video inputs include HDMI and DisplayPort for a total of three video inputs.
Image quality is good with excellent sharpness, adequate brightness, and an acceptable contrast ratio. The VG2756V-2K does not support HDR, however, and is not recommended for gaming due to its 60Hz refresh rate and lack of Adaptive Sync.
The Viewsonic VG2756V-2K is competitively priced with an MSRP of $399. That’s expensive for a 27-inch 1440p monitor, but the premium you’re paying for the monitor’s bundled features is less than you’d pay for a webcam, microphone, and desktop speakers purchased individually. That makes the VG2756V-2K a good value and worthwhile business expense.
Read our full
Viewsonic VG2756V-2K review
Acer Vero BR277 – Best eco-friendly home office monitor
Pros
Good contrast ratio
Solid build quality
Accurate, realistic color
Uses recyclable plastics, packaging also recyclable
Cons
Below-average sharpness
Limited color gamut
No single standout feature
Best Prices Today:
$229.99 at Acer
Concerned about the ecological impact of your home office? You should be. Global E-waste is currently estimated at 53.6 megatons per year and, of course, it’s growing. Acer’s Vero BR277 isn’t going to solve this problem on its own—but it tries.
The Acer Vero BR277, like other Acer Vero products, is partially built from Post-Consumer Recycled Plastics. Despite what you may think, these plastics feel robust. They also have a unique flecked look that stands out from other, less visually interesting designs.
How the monitor is built wouldn’t matter if it was junk—thankfully, it’s quite good. This is a 27-inch 1080p monitor with a respectable maximum brightness of just over 300 nits. The monitor’s color gamut is a bit limited at just 97 precent of sRGB, but it scores well in color accuracy and contrast. The result? Bright, pleasant, realistic image quality.
The monitor has an ergonomic stand that adjusts for height, swivel, and tilt. It also supports AMD FreeSync for smooth gaming and has a maximum refresh of 75Hz.
Pricing is competitive. The monitor originally released at an MSRP of $249.99 but can now be found as low as $169.99. That’s a great price for a home office monitor with good image quality and a height-adjustable stand. Acer also has a 24-inch model, which is even less expensive at $129.99.
Read our full
Acer Vero BR277 review
Asus ZenScreen MB249C – Best second monitor
Pros
Small, versatile desk stand with unique options
Sturdy built-in kickstand for portable use
Offers USB-C for easy single-cable connections
Good image quality
Cons
Lacks additional connection options
Only 1080p resolution
A bit pricey for its feature set
Best Prices Today:
$322.92 at Amazon
Asus’ ZenScreen MB249C is a portable home office monitor that can be mounted next to a primary monitor in several ways.
The MB249C has an adjustable desk stand that can clamp to the back of your desk instead of sitting on top of it, which reduces wire clutter and keeps the surface of your desk free. The monitor also has a built-in kickstand, which is great for portable use, and a “partition mount” to hang the monitor from a vertical surface. The options end with a 100x100mm VESA mount that is compatible with most third-party monitor arms and stands. These options make the MB249C easy to place next to your primary monitor even in cramped spaces.
This is a portable monitor, as mentioned, which means it’s easy to move. The monitor mounts to its stand with a clip mechanism that’s easily detached, and the built-in kickstand can flip out to support the monitor on most flat surfaces. It’s powered by either a USB-C connection that supports up to 60 watts of Power Delivery or the included power adapter. Not everyone will need the monitor’s portable versatility, but it’s handy if you like to work in different locations throughout the day.
Once in place, the MB249C is a competent office and productivity monitor. While it lacks the wow-factor of more expensive alternatives, like the Dell U3223QE, Asus delivers a robust, colorful, and accurate image with plenty of brightness for a typical home office. The lack of features like HDR might seem disappointing but, at this price, it’s better to execute the basics well.
Read our full
Asus ZenScreen MB249C review
What to look for in a home office monitor
A great home office monitor should have a high maximum brightness, great image clarity, and vivid color. A height adjustable stand is preferable, as it helps with ergonomics, and a wide range of connectivity is useful for connecting multiple devices.
Resolution matters, but 1080p is still fine
4K is the best resolution in most situations, as it provides a sharper image and can make small fonts easier to read. This remains a premium option, however: Most 4K monitors are still above $300. A 27-inch 4K monitor has a pixel density of 163 pixels per inch.
The less well-known 1440p resolution (2560×1440) is a good option for mid-range monitors. It’s not quite as sharp as 4K, but it’s a noticeable upgrade over 1080p. A 27-inch 1440p monitor has a pixel density of 108 pixels per inch.
1080p resolution remains a good pick for budget monitors. It’s not nearly as sharp as 4K, so video may look a bit soft and small fonts may be harder to read, but it’s still adequate for hundreds of home office tasks. A 27-inch 1080p monitor has a pixel density of 81 pixels per inch.
When it comes to brightness, more is more
Brightness is a key trait for a home office monitor.
An office monitor doesn’t need to be bright to look usable: 200 nits is fine. However, a home office is likely to be brighter and to have less light control than a corporate cubical. A maximum brightness of 300 nits, or better, is ideal. You can always turn the brightness down from its maximum if it looks too bright but, of course, the reverse isn’t true.
Make sure you understand connectivity
It’s important to buy a monitor that supports a video output found on your PC. Most desktop computers will offer both DisplayPort and HDMI, while laptops often stick to HDMI. Budget home monitors sometimes support older connections, such as VGA and DVI, but these are not found on new computers. Our guide to display cables can help you identify the ports on your PC.
You only need one video connection between your PC and your home office monitor, and the type of connection you use isn’t terribly important. HDMI and DisplayPort work equally well for home office use.
USB-C isn’t a must-have, but it’s useful
USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode is a new alternative to HDMI and DisplayPort. It bundles a DisplayPort connection into the familiar USB-C port now used by many devices (and soon to be required by law in Europe).
Some high-end laptops, like the Dell XPS 13 Plus, only support video output over USB-C. You can still connect a DisplayPort monitor with a USB-C to DisplayPort cable adapter, but this is a clunky solution.
USB-C, unlike HDMI and DisplayPort, can support Power Delivery to charge a connected device. This is useful for thin-and-light laptops, as it makes docking the laptop easier. Some USB-C monitors, like the Dell U3223QE, have built-in USB-C hubs that connect to multiple USB-A ports, ethernet, and DisplayPort-out. Our guide to USB-C hub monitors has the full scoop on these perks.
How we test monitors
PCWorld’s monitor reviews rely on in-depth testing by a team of staff and freelance writers. Our experts spend hundreds of hours testing and comparing monitors to find the best choice for any budget.
We test monitors with a Datacolor Spyder X2 Ultra calibration tool. This provides objective measurements for brightness, contrast, color accuracy, color temperature, gamma, and color gamut, among other metrics. These objective metrics help us compare dozens of monitors at once and eliminate bias from comparisons.
FAQ
1.
What makes a monitor good for my home office?
A home office monitor should have a high maximum brightness, which helps defeat glare, and a good range of connectivity. A height-adjustable stand is also ideal, since it will help you find a comfortable viewing position.
2.
What is the best resolution for a home office monitor?
4K is the best resolution, but expensive. 1440p resolution is a good midrange choice, while 1080p is the budget option.
3.
What ports and video connections should a home office monitor have?
HDMI and DisplayPort are by far the most common video connections on home office monitors. Most computers will have both connections. Be sure to double-check your PC’s video output support before buying.
USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode is a new alternative that supports video over a USB-C connection. Though still uncommon, many high-end monitors and laptops now support this feature.
4.
Does a home office monitor need HDR?
No, a home office monitor doesn’t need HDR. Windows’ HDR support leaves a lot to be desired. HDR works better with streaming apps and games that support HDR. If you want to play games, check our guide to the best gaming monitors.
Monitors Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 7 Jun (PC World)At a glanceExpert`s Rating
ProsStrong antivirus protectionEssential protection against major online threatsSimple, straightforward featuresConsPerformance impact on some PCsUser interface would benefit from consolidationUpselling of additional servicesOur VerdictA one-device limitation can feel tight to many people, but if that’s all you need, Norton Antivirus Plus provides plenty of value for its price. This entry-level antivirus suite is affordable and reliable while still costing less yet offering more features than rivals. If you can work comfortably with its quirks and potentially heavy performance effect, it can be ideal software for digital minimalists.
Antivirus makers stuff a ton of features into their most touted-plans, but not everyone needs those extra bells and whistles. Maybe all you seek is the basics for online protection in a single software package—and for just one device.
Norton Antivirus Plus is one slimmed down option that hits those notes exactly, with malware protection and a password manager as the standout features. As an affordable entry-level suite, you can skip the extraneous pieces of more expensive plans without sacrificing what you really need. The only caveat: You can acclimate to Norton’s quirks, including an app with two different interfaces.
What does Norton Antivirus Plus include?
Though its name lacks the reference, Norton Antivirus Plus is part of Norton’s 360 lineup—albeit as the most stripped down version, both in features and number of devices supported. Its primary focus is on direct threats to your online security, with the antivirus engine protecting you against malware and the firewall blocking network threats. The app screens for dangerous links and attachments as well.
This subscription also offers 2GB of cloud backup storage, access to Norton’s password manager, and PC utilities that include the ability to clear temporary files and monitor for outdated software.
Norton’s introductory pricing can vary—last fall, Antivirus Plus was $20 for the first year during the holiday period.
Norton’s introductory pricing can vary—last fall, Antivirus Plus was $20 for the first year during the holiday period.Norton / PCWorld
Norton’s introductory pricing can vary—last fall, Antivirus Plus was $20 for the first year during the holiday period.Norton / PCWorld
Norton / PCWorld
How much does Norton Antivirus Plus cost?
If you buy through Norton, the Norton Antivirus Plus plan costs $30 for the first year, and then increases to $60 thereafter. You can try the software for 30 days before committing, though you’ll have to put down a credit card. Subscriptions also come with a 60-day money-back guarantee. Be aware that Norton automatically enrolls you into auto-renewal at sign-up.
Norton Antivirus Plus (1 device)
$30 for the first year
$60 per year thereafter
Norton Antivirus Plus supports PC, macOS, Android, and iOS, but this plan limits you to just one device.
You can save even more on Norton Antivirus Plus if you purchase your license through third-party retailers like Amazon or even PCWorld’s own software store—generally the price hovers around 75 percent off the normal price, and sometimes with extra bonus months.
Key features of Norton Antivirus Plus
Installation and user interface
After purchasing a subscription to Norton Antivirus Plus, you’ll get access to the installation file, which automatically downloads.
Norton Antivirus Plus’s interface has two different views, and you have to switch between both for access to all features.
After installation, the My Norton window will be the first thing you see—it’s one of two interfaces you’ll interact with. It has a contemporary look and serves as a springboard to the most important features. You can start scans, update the app and its virus definitions, jump over to the password manager, manage your cloud backups, and fire up the secure browser. You can also run the software updater, as well as dig into a few program settings. (Tip: Turn off notifications for “Special offers” in the settings while rooting around.)
Generally, this view is simple and straightforward, with one exception. You get no back button while navigating through submenus (like in settings).
For a deeper dive into the program, you must switch to the Classic view by clicking on the Open button within the Device Security part of My Norton. A second window with a more outdated vibe will appear. Selecting any four of the tiles (Security, Internet Security, Backup, and Performance) reveals the full lineup of features related to that topic. The fifth tile takes you back to the My Norton view.
To tweak the settings of features, you have to first open the Classic interface view, then choose Settings.
To tweak the settings of features, you have to first open the Classic interface view, then choose Settings.PCWorld
To tweak the settings of features, you have to first open the Classic interface view, then choose Settings.PCWorld
PCWorld
Also within the Classic view are the feature settings (like behavior of antivirus scans). You can adjust how antivirus scans, the firewall, and backups behave, as well as the protections for email and apps, and a several app settings.
This dual interface setup can be confusing initially—but it becomes less of a problem the more you use the program.
Virus, malware, and threat protection
Real-time protection
Norton Antivirus Plus protects your PC in real time by scanning new or changed files, watching for unusual app behavior, and screening for malicious scripts, attachments, and links in downloads and local email. Additional defenses (like protected folders, if you have a particular concern about ransomware) are only available on higher plans—though these days, ransomware is less of a concern for most individuals.
To avoid phishing sites and other malicious pages (including ones that cause your PC to automatically download sketchy files) while browsing, you must first install the Norton Safe Web extension. It blocks dangerous sites and provides visual indicators for how trustworthy a link is.
Scheduled and manual scans
By default, Norton Antivirus Plus will run a full scan of your PC once per month. Scheduling can be very precise—if you want to run one every 13 hours, it’s possible. You can also set a schedule for the other default scan types (Quick Scan, Drive Scan, Folder Scan, File Scan), as well as for any custom scans you’ve created.
You can edit the settings for scans to change their location and how often they happen.
You can edit the settings for scans to change their location and how often they happen.PCWorld
You can edit the settings for scans to change their location and how often they happen.PCWorld
PCWorld
For manual scans, you can choose Scan Options from the Device Security dropdown menu in the My Norton view, or click on Scans in the Classic view. Norton includes the option to scan for hard-to-find threats, as well as get diagnostic reports and recommendations on which of your files should be examined.
Advanced users may find scan settings too simplified—for example, the full scan only allows you to change if it looks within compressed files, scans network drives, removes infected folders automatically, and wipes low risk and tracking cookie files. The other default scans have even fewer settings. You also can’t choose to check over all files, even if unchanged.
Browser extensions
Rare is the PC that isn’t continuously connected to the internet. Since web browser use is a daily occurrence for most everyone, Norton includes several browser extensions to boost online safety: Norton Home Page, Norton Safe Search, and Norton Safe Web.
Norton Home Page switches your default to Norton’s own start page, while Norton Safe Search changes your default to Norton’s search engine. Meanwhile, Norton Safe Web scans links results for malicious content and also adds a visual badge to Google and Bing results showing if it’s safe to click (green is good, red is dangerous). Of this set, Norton Safe Web is the most useful—most people already have their own preferred home page and search engine.
The Norton Safe Web browser extension screens links in Google and Bing search results.
The Norton Safe Web browser extension screens links in Google and Bing search results.PCWorld
The Norton Safe Web browser extension screens links in Google and Bing search results.PCWorld
PCWorld
A fourth browser extension, Norton Password Manager, lets you manage your passwords. While not strictly necessary (you can access the service through the website), it’s the most polished of all available extensions and easy to use.
Cloud backup
Having backups of your most important files is a wise move—even if you’re not afraid of ransomware locking you out, premature storage drive death or a lost device always loom as dangers. Norton attempts to help on this front by allowing you to save copies of your documents to its servers.
By default, cloud backups will upload all but email and video files in your Windows document folders (i.e., Documents, Pictures, Music, etc). You can add or exclude file types, as well as specific files and folders. Norton also allows the creation of different backup rules (called a “Backup Set”), which is handy since you can only save to one location per backup set.
Attempting to back up to a local drive did not work when I tested the feature on more than one PC.
Attempting to back up to a local drive did not work when I tested the feature on more than one PC.PCWorld
Attempting to back up to a local drive did not work when I tested the feature on more than one PC.PCWorld
PCWorld
Note that for the Norton Antivirus Plus plan, you don’t get much included storage—just 2GB. That won’t be enough to back up music or a even a moderate photo collection, but should adequately cover your important text-based documents.
You can also create backups that save to a local drive—but in my experience, this option is buggy. On more than one computer, Norton would claim it had saved files to an external drive, but the files wouldn’t actually appear. You’re better off setting up your own system for local backups.
Password manager
Though simple, Norton’s password manager is good—a pleasant contrast to services that feel too stripped down. Setup is straightforward, with Norton prompting you to create a separate vault password, then to download a recovery key. (If you forget your vault password, you’ll need this key to recover the account.)
This double login system (once with your standard Norton credentials, then your vault password) would normally be a pain, but using passwordless authentication through the Norton Password Manager mobile app nips that in the bud. It’s seamless, if fractionally slow with authentication approval requests. You can access your vault through the website, a browser extension, or the mobile app.
PCWorld
PCWorld
PCWorld
Note that for the browser extension, you can’t set the clipboard to automatically clear a copied password after a certain time. That’s a feature usually offered by rival password managers.
PC utilities
Norton includes a handful of PC tools in its antivirus suite, which replicate existing Windows features, sometimes in a more limited way.
Optimize Disk is one such example. It’s Norton’s version of the Windows Optimize Drives utility, but more limited—it only defragments hard disk drives. Windows’ native tool is the better call, since it handles both HDDs and SSDs with the appropriate protocols. (Solid-state drives don’t benefit from traditional defragmentation.)
File Cleanup wipes temporary files in Windows, including any unwanted Internet Explorer files. (If the latter is applicable to you, it’s time to upgrade your operating system.) Again, you’re better off using the native Windows utility for this task.
Yes, Norton still supports Internet Explorer in its features. (Legacy Windows users…it’s time to upgrade.)
Yes, Norton still supports Internet Explorer in its features. (Legacy Windows users…it’s time to upgrade.)PCWorld
Yes, Norton still supports Internet Explorer in its features. (Legacy Windows users…it’s time to upgrade.)PCWorld
PCWorld
Startup Manager controls which apps launch automatically when Windows starts up—but you can easily manage this in Windows by typing startup apps in Windows search.
Graphs is the only interesting one of the lot, showing a history of system use (installations, downloads, optimization, virus detections, quick scans, and alerts). If you like to know exactly what your system is doing in the background, this overview makes those details easily accessible.
For these four tools, you must dig into Norton’s Classic view to find them. An additional tool lives in the My Norton view—Software Updater keeps track of out of date apps and lets you update them directly from the interface. (Our recommendation: Use the utility as a notification system, and then manually update yourself, to avoid potential software issues down the road.) Overall, Norton’s inclusion of these features is a nice thought, but not what sells the suite.
Secure browser
If you’re wary of Chrome, Norton Antivirus Plus includes an alternative called Norton Secure Browser. It’s also based on the same Chromium code as Google’s browser, but with a more curated experience.
Norton Secure Browser drops onto your PC preconfigured with the Norton Privacy Guard (which blocks trackers and some ads, but not sponsored search results), Norton Password Manager, and Coupons add-ons already installed. You can only uninstall the Password Manager and Coupon extensions.
PCWorld
PCWorld
PCWorld
If you want to add more add-ons, Norton offers a pared-down storefront—but you can get more by scrolling all the way to the bottom for a link to the Chrome Web Store (or just hop on Google or Bing search). That’ll allow you to install stronger ad-blocking add-ons like uBlock Origin, if you want more comprehensive screening.
Customer support
Help with Norton Antivirus Plus is available within the app, both from the My Norton and Classic views. Of the two, the Classic view is easier to navigate, but the My Norton view puts the answers to commonly asked problems right upfront.
You can also look up information on Norton’s support pages and community forums, and get technical support through chat, social media, and phone assistance. The in-app help and support pages are a good place to start, while the forums and company support are better options for troubleshooting.
Updates and maintenance
Norton automatically updates the virus definitions and app version, but the LiveUpdate feature within the app also lets you manually check for pending updates. It looks for any changes to the antivirus protection, Norton app, and process protection.
If you need to find the version of your Norton app, you can access it through Help > About in the Classic view.
Performance
Norton generally performs well in tests performed by leading security research institutes—for online protection, at least. It caught 100 percent of the threats in AV-Test’s zero-day attack and malware tests for January and February 2024 (the most current as of this article’s last update). None of the 15,362 samples for recently widespread and prevalent malware or 278 samples of zero-day attacks (including threats spread through the web and email) were able to slip past.
In AV-Comparatives’ real-world protection test for February through March 2024, Norton spotted 99.2 percent of the 246 test cases, with 9 false positives. (Rival ESET had zero false positives, while AVG and Avast posted five.) The samples were a mix of exploits (like drive-by downloads), malicious web addresses, and URLs linking directly to malware. Effectively, Norton will protect against dangerous websites, but its sensitivity can end up blocking legitimate websites or downloads.
AV-Comparatives / PCWorld
AV-Comparatives / PCWorld
AV-Comparatives / PCWorld
When facing AV-Comparatives’ March 2024 malware protection test and its 10,053 samples, Norton scored a 81.8 percent offline detection rate, 98.9 percent online detection rate, and a 99.97 percent online protection rate, with 26 false positives. Of these results, the online protection score matters most, since it represents how well antivirus software stops threats that reside on your PC—and Norton’s is among the top on the chart.
That said, Norton’s offline detection score shows how much the program relies on an internet connection for that protection. Without the company’s servers bolstering its screening abilities, the app isn’t as sharp at identifying threats. It trails almost 15 percent behind its best competition in catching malware locally. That uneven performance means you must wait for malware to get up to mischief before it gets blocked and wiped. Meanwhile, rival Bitdefender posts a 96.1 percent offline detection rate, while still also offering a 96.1 percent online detection rate, 99.92 percent online protection rate, and just eight false alarms.
Norton did not participate in AV-Comparatives’ November 2023 Advanced Threat Protection Test, which evaluates a security suite’s resistance to more sophisticated, targeted attack methods like malicious scripts and fileless attacks.
AV-Comparatives / PCWorld
AV-Comparatives / PCWorld
AV-Comparatives / PCWorld
As for PC performance, Norton Antivirus Plus can have a notable effect on common tasks—if running full scans while you’re active on the computer. The impact is softer during everyday activities, as shown by our PCMark 10 test. This benchmark simulates web browsing, video chatting, gaming, and file editing in open-souce programs like GIMP and LibreOffice. When idle in the background, watching for real-time threats, Norton Antivirus Plus had virtually no impact on PCMark 10’s test scores. But when a full scan ran simultaneously throughout the benchmark, the results decreased by about 6 percent.
That performance drop increased during our UL Procyon benchmark, which simulates document editing in Microsoft Office apps like Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Benchmark results fell about 6 percent at idle, and almost 10 percent during a full scan. That difference swelled for our Handbrake encoding test, with a 11 percent decrease on idle and a sizable 22 percent tumble during a full scan.
However, these numbers don’t reflect how Norton typically handles full scans. After an initial full scan, subsequent ones only examine new or changed, which speeds up the scan time and reduces the hit to system resources. And by default, full scans are scheduled for off-hours.
Still, if you’re often copying to or changing files on your PC, Norton’s affect on system performance is something to consider—especially if you use a mid-range or budget computer.
Should you buy Norton Antivirus Plus?
As an entry-level software suite, Norton Antivirus Plus is an affordable, reliable option for those who don’t mind its dual set of interfaces. Its one-device limitation can be tight in an era where most people own at least a computer and a smartphone, but it’s cheaper than similar rival plans while offering more features. If you don’t need extra devices or features — smartphones are very secure even without third-party antivirus protection these days — this can be an ideal antivirus solution.
Antivirus Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 6 Jun (PC World)Ransomware looked like it was on the decline in 2022, but a recent report by Chainalysis showed a significant rebound in 2023 — so much so that it was the most profitable year for ransomware seen so far.
You really don’t want to be a ransomware victim. Don’t know what ransomware is or why you should care? Here’s everything you need to know to stay safe and avoid ransomware troubles.
Further reading: How to prevent (or survive) a ransomware attack
What is ransomware?
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts critical files on your device or otherwise blocks access to critical components, then forces you to pay a ransom to regain access to the encrypted files.
The algorithms used in ransomware attacks are strong, so it’s unlikely you’ll be able to break the encryption on your own.
Once your files are locked, the ransomware will prompt you to send payment if you want your files freed. Usually the payment is demanded in the form of cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, which makes it harder to track down the attackers via paper trail.
Check out our top pick for antivirus software
Norton 360 Deluxe
Read our review
Who’s at risk of ransomware attacks?
Technically, everyone is at risk of ransomware attacks. There are many different strains of ransomware, though, and each one targets a different type of victim, from individuals to entire companies.
In recent years, cybercriminals have mainly focused on attacking governments, businesses, and organizations because they tend to have the most valuable data and are the most willing (and able) to make ransom payments to recover that data.
Does that mean you don’t have to worry? Not quite. There are still active ransomware strains out there that seek to infect any and all devices, which means any device of yours that’s connected to the internet is at risk — yes, including mobile devices!
How much does ransomware cost?
Depending on the ransomware strain, the actual ransom can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over a million dollars.
For example, the Leex ransomware demands $490 within 72 hours of infection. If you wait longer than that, the ransom doubles to $980. This is on the lower end of the ransomware spectrum.
And then you have stories like the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, where the company paid a ransom of $5 million one day after their IT network was hacked by foreign cybercriminals.
In Q3 2023, the average ransomware payment in the United States was $850,700 according to Statista. Meanwhile, in 2023, the average cost of a data breach caused by a ransomware attack was $5.13 million according to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach 2023 Report.
JLStock / Shutterstock.com
JLStock / Shutterstock.com
JLStock / Shutterstock.com
How do I get infected by ransomware?
Ransomware infections can happen in many ways, but here are some of the most common attack vectors for individuals:
Phishing. Cybercriminals send out emails with malicious attachments, hoping you’ll download and open them. When you do, the ransomware activates and infects your system. These emails usually convey a sense of urgency so you’ll panic and act before thinking.
But it’s not just emails. Phishing can also happen through SMS or messaging apps. You may receive a text message pretending to be from a reputable company, asking you to click a link for some urgent reason (e.g., win a prize, confirm details, avoid a ban, etc.). But when you click it, you unknowingly download ransomware to your device.
Shady downloads. Any time you download software on the web, you have to be 100% sure that you trust the source. Lots of shady sites pretend to offer free downloads for popular premium software, but they end up serving you malware instead — including ransomware.
Security vulnerabilities. If you have out-of-date software or systems that have fallen behind on security patches, attackers may be able to exploit vulnerabilities to gain access to your device and plant ransomware.
Similarly, attackers could gain control of your device through things like Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). If your RDP credentials are weak, attackers could gain access via brute-force; if your RDP credentials are leaked, they could acquire them and gain access that way. Then, once they have access, they can plant ransomware.
Further reading: Must-know PC security tips
What are the signs of a ransomware infection?
Your security software is turned off. Some ransomware can detect that you have security software installed and disable it to avoid being caught. If you notice that your security software is suddenly off for some reason, it’s worth looking into.
Your device is hot, laggy, or noisy. Lots of ransomware will first scan your device for files, then encrypt them. The encryption process can be resource-intensive, resulting in system slowdowns, battery drain, high CPU temps, laggy applications, and loud fans. If you notice these signs out of the blue, check for malware.
Your files have weird extensions. When ransomware encrypts a file, it may tack on a different extension to the filename. For example, the STOP ransomware adds the “.STOP” extension to encrypted files, turning “image.jpg” into “image.jpg.STOP” and so on.
Other examples of ransomware that change file extensions include Djvu, Leex, Mercury, and Shadow.
You can’t access files you normally could. If you have documents, images, or other files that should be accessible but aren’t anymore for some reason, they may have been encrypted by ransomware — even if their file extensions haven’t changed.
Similarly, if you find that certain files have gone missing and you’re absolutely positive that you didn’t delete them, it’s possible that they’ve been taken captive by ransomware.
You see a ransom note. The most unmistakable sign of a ransomware infection is that you find a strange new text file on your desktop with a filename like “DECRYPT_INSTRUCTIONS.txt” or “How_to_Recover_Files.txt” or similar. Within that text file you’ll likely find ransom payment instructions.
Alternatively, you may see a pop-up message with ransom details or you may get locked out of your system and see ransom instructions.
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
Should I pay the ransomware ransom?
No, for several reasons.
There’s no guarantee that you’ll get access to your files again even after paying the ransom. The cybercriminals may simply run with your money — or they may demand even more money.
Paying the ransom could also mark you as a target worth attacking again because they know you’re willing to pay up.
Even if the cybercriminals do provide you with a decryption key after payment, it may not work — or your files might get damaged during the decryption process.
By paying, you also show that ransomware is effective and profitable, encouraging others to engage.
Is it possible to recover data from ransomware?
Yes, but it’s extremely difficult and not guaranteed to work.
Unless you’re a cybersecurity expert, you should avoid trying to recover data lost in a ransomware attack by yourself.
That said, a tool like Crypto Sheriff by No More Ransom might be able to diagnose your exact strain of ransomware and may even be able to provide a decryption tool if one exists. Again, there’s no guarantee that the decryption tool will work, so proceed with caution.
For the best chance of recovery, we recommend contacting a professional service that specializes in ransomware recovery, like OnTrack. It won’t be cheap and you’ll likely have to pay even if the recovery fails, but if you absolutely need your data back, this is the best option.
Further reading: What to do if you’re hit by ransomware
How do I protect myself against ransomware?
Back up your data regularly. If you always have a recent backup of your data, most ransomware types can’t hurt you. You can simply reset your device and restore your data—but only if you’re good about keeping backups. The best Windows backup software can help with this.
Stay on top of security updates. Security patches are important because they plug holes that cybercriminals use to infiltrate your devices. Putting off these updates will leave you vulnerable, so don’t neglect them. This means both software and operating system.
Learn to spot phishing attempts. Phishing emails and messages are so dangerous because they’re surprisingly easy to fall for. Knowing how to identify a phishing attempt can go a long way towards keeping you safe, but they can still be deceptively hard to spot. At the very least, never click on unsolicited links and never open unsolicited attachments.
Avoid shady websites. Stick to trusted, reputable websites and never download anything from an iffy website. Typically, any website that seems to be offering something too good to be true is probably trying to trick you into a scam or downloading malware. When in doubt, move on.
Use antivirus software. Good antivirus software will stay on top of new ransomware strains and protect you against dangerous or suspicious files. Even if you think you’re alert enough to never catch malware, it only takes one mistake or lapse in judgment—and antivirus software can help protect you when that happens.
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| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 6 Jun (PC World)VPN Unlimited encrypts your online traffic on a network of 3,000 secure servers in more than 80 countries.
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| ![](/n.gif) | | Stuff.co.nz - 6 Jun (Stuff.co.nz)![NZ Located](/pimages/nzsmall.gif) A jelly sculpture stuffed with boiled eggs, peas, luncheon meat and gherkins popped up on the menu at a pizza joint. The owners never expected they`d have to make one. Read...Newslink ©2024 to Stuff.co.nz | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 6 Jun (PC World)“AI” applications are so specialized that they need dedicated neural processing units to work. Apparently, anyway — what benefits these NPUs can actually offer for typical users isn’t exactly clear. But if you’d like to experiment with some very specific AI applications on your Raspberry Pi, that’s now an option with an official hardware module.
The Raspberry Pi AI Kit comes with a Hailo-8L accelerator module with an M.2 interface, plus the PCIe 3.0 breakout board needed to use it and install it onto a Pi 5. The module can handle 13 teraflops of data per second over an 8Gbps connection.
That’s some great alphabet soup, but what can this thing actually do? Well don’t expect it to run a chatbot or spit out some LMM text. The Hailo-8L is designed for use with camera modules to process images and video, specifically for things like object detection and pose estimation. Like this admittedly neat little demo posted on the blog post:
That’s the kind of thing that could let you build a cheap motion capture setup in a garage, letting a little phone camera module stand in for thousands of dollars of expensive equipment. It’s pretty dang cool…and if I sound skeptical, it’s only because calling this amalgamation of machine learning “AI” rankles the sci-fi fan in me.
Rasperry Pi is selling the AI kit for $70 on its official web store. That’s a lot for Pi hardware — almost as much as the Pi 5 itself, and it doesn’t include a camera necessary to actually do some of this cool stuff. But considering what makers could build with it, it might be worth the asking price.
Further reading: 10 surprisingly practical Raspberry Pi projects anybody can do
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| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 5 Jun (PC World)NordVPN is not only one of the top VPNs on the market, but a subscription to the service gives you a ton of great features as well. But not all of the best features are commonly known or ready to go right out of the box. Thankfully, with just a little bit of knowledge and a few minutes of your time, you can have the VPN up and purring with ease.
Below I’ll show you my top five settings that I think everyone should change in NordVPN to get the most from their subscription. These tweaks will help you optimize your privacy and security, increase connection speeds, and take full advantage of the powerful utilities Nord has to offer.
While I highly recommend NordVPN, if you’re interested in other great services, be sure to check out our list of the best VPNs for even more options.
Turn on the Killswitch
NordVPN’s Kill switch is a must have feature when using the VPN.
NordVPN’s Kill switch is a must have feature when using the VPN.
Sam Singleton
NordVPN’s Kill switch is a must have feature when using the VPN.
Sam Singleton
Sam Singleton
This is an easy one and something that I recommend not just for NordVPN users, but all VPN users in general. A killswitch is a fail-safe way to ensure your privacy remains intact at all times while using a VPN.
The killswitch feature will automatically disable your internet access should the VPN connection drop unexpectedly. This prevents your personal data from being exposed in the accidental event that your VPN fails.
To turn this on with NordVPN, simply open up the settings menu and click the Kill Switch feature. Then make sure to toggle the Internet Kill Switch to “On.” You can also activate the App Kill Switch instead if you prefer for only specific apps to be disabled during a disconnection rather than your entire internet.
Make sure NordLynx is your automatic protocol
Stick with NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol for the best mix of speed and security.
Stick with NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol for the best mix of speed and security.
Sam Singleton
Stick with NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol for the best mix of speed and security.
Sam Singleton
Sam Singleton
VPN protocols play an important role in the speed and security of your connection. Think of them like the traffic laws and road map guiding your traffic through a VPN tunnel.
Most VPN providers offer a few protocol options, but you’ll generally want to stick with WireGuard as it’s the newest and provides a great combination of speed and security. NordVPN has gone one step further by making their own proprietary version of WireGuard, which they call NordLynx. Nord supposedly added a double Network Address Translation system to WireGuard in order to overcome any privacy vulnerabilities in the original protocol.
When you download NordVPN, NordLynx is automatically set as the default protocol. However, if you want to double-check or change the protocol it’s a straightforward process. Click on the “Settings” menu on the NordVPN home screen and then click “Connection.” Here you’ll find a drop down menu for “VPN Protocol”. Simply select “NordLynx” in this menu and it will now become your default protocol for all connections.
Take some time to setup Threat Protection
NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature provides tons of great security tools that you should be using.
NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature provides tons of great security tools that you should be using.
Sam Singleton
NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature provides tons of great security tools that you should be using.
Sam Singleton
Sam Singleton
NordVPN has expanded into more than just a simple VPN connection. It now offers a whole host of great security features such as ad- and tracker-blocking, malware protection, and more. Instead of purchasing a separate program to protect against each of these threats, I recommend just letting the included Threat Protection features in Nord keep you safe.
To get to the Threat Protection screen click on the shield icon on the left bar of the NordVPN home screen. You’ll see options for “Web protection”, “File protection”, and “Vulnerability protection” here. You can click the “View activity and customize” link below each option to explore more settings.
It’s absolutely worth taking the time to set up your desired protections with each of these three options. While I personally recommend that you turn on all protections, if you don’t want everything then I would at least turn on the Malware blocker, Web tracker blocker, Ad blocker, and File protection. These will all go a long way towards making your browsing even more secure.
Set your apps up with Split tunneling
Use NordVPN’s split tunneling feature to optimize your VPN experience.
Use NordVPN’s split tunneling feature to optimize your VPN experience.
Sam Singleton
Use NordVPN’s split tunneling feature to optimize your VPN experience.
Sam Singleton
Sam Singleton
Split tunneling is one of the most useful features that most VPN users aren’t taking advantage of. It allows you to pick and choose which apps or websites you wish to run through the encrypted VPN tunnel and which you wish to keep outside of it.
NordVPN has a handy split tunneling feature that’s easily set up. From the home screen click on the “Settings” menu and then click on “Split tunneling” in the menu. Make sure it’s turned on and then click “Add apps” to begin adding the programs you wish to keep separate from the VPN. Alternatively, if you wish to run only specific apps through the VPN instead, you can choose “Enable VPN for selected apps” as an option and then choose individual programs to include.
Personally, I run my browser through the VPN, but keep my online videogames excluded as I want protected browsing but don’t want any potential speed restrictions caused by the VPN to affect my speeds while gaming.
Enable Meshnet
NordVPN’s Meshnet is more useful than most standalone cloud storage services.
NordVPN’s Meshnet is more useful than most standalone cloud storage services.
Sam Singleton
NordVPN’s Meshnet is more useful than most standalone cloud storage services.
Sam Singleton
Sam Singleton
In 2022, NordVPN launched a really cool feature with their VPN subscription service called Meshnet. It allows users to create their own private network by linking up to 10 personal devices and up to 50 more with other NordVPN users. This virtual network allows devices to communicate with each other and access files and other resources on these devices no matter where they are in the world. And it has end-to-end encryption meaning your data is private and secure the whole way through.
I use Meshnet regularly to transfer loads of photos, videos, and other large files between my devices—its generous data limits make it less of a hassle than doing it through a cloud storage service. Meshnet can even be used to set up your own private gaming server so you can have an old-school, or rather new-school, LAN party with your friends. And for businesses it can also be used to collaborate between remote colleagues in real time.
To enable Meshnet, just click on the “Devices in Meshnet” icon from the NordVPN home screen and then turn it on. You can then link your devices individually or send and receive invitations for Meshnet from other users.
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