Author: Admin

If your virtual private network doesn’t have a kill switch, you need to switch to a VPN that does. A kill switch is an essential VPN privacy feature that instantly disables your internet if your encrypted VPN connection drops out for any reason. This prevents your online activity from being exposed outside the VPN tunnel, which is important because that exposure can be dangerous in many situations.

A VPN routes your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a secure server in a location of your choosing. During this process, your visible IP address is changed to the IP address of the server you’re connecting through. In addition to allowing you to access geographically restricted content, the VPN connection conceals your true IP address and your internet traffic from your ISP, government entities, cybercriminals and others who may want to snoop on you online. So if your VPN connection suddenly drops and there’s no kill switch to act as a safety net to protect your data, you may as well not have a VPN at all.

Here’s what to know about how a VPN kill switch works, why you need one and how to make sure your VPN’s kill switch is working properly.

Read more: The Best VPN Services

Why do VPN disconnections happen?

No piece of technology is perfect, and even the best VPNs can have their connections drop from time to time. A VPN disconnection can happen for a number of reasons, including:

• You’re on a Wi-Fi connection that’s weak or overloaded — like a public Wi-Fi hotspot at a cafe, hotel or airport.
• You switch to a different Wi-Fi network or switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data.
• Your computer goes to sleep.
• An antivirus program or firewall on your computer is interfering with your VPN connection (be sure to whitelist your VPN software in this case).
• You jump from one VPN server to another… or if you rapidly jump servers and exceed your VPN provider’s simultaneous connection limit.
• You’re using the OpenVPN UDP protocol, which is less stable than the TCP protocol (switch to TCP if you notice your VPN dropping).
• The VPN server you’re connecting to goes down.
• Your VPN app crashes.

What happens if your VPN disconnects without a kill switch?

If your VPN disconnects, and you don’t have a kill switch enabled, your internet connection will stay active, your true IP address will be exposed and your web traffic from the moment of disconnection will continue unencrypted. This could expose your online activity and compromise any sensitive personal data you may have been accessing while connected to the VPN, in addition to revealing your true location (based on your IP address).

This can be a headache if you’re using a VPN to access geographically restricted content, but it can be downright dangerous if you’re a dissident, activist, journalist, attorney, physician or anyone else using a VPN for critical privacy needs. Using a VPN without a kill switch is also risky for anyone in a region with strict government control over and censorship of the internet.

Read more: How We Test VPNs

How does a VPN kill switch work?

When enabled, your VPN kill switch constantly monitors your VPN connection and scans for changes in your IP address or the status of your network. The kill switch will immediately engage and block access to the internet whenever it detects a change in the status of either. When you reconnect to a VPN server or the VPN tunnel automatically reestablishes itself, the kill switch will allow your internet to reconnect and will continue to monitor your VPN connection.

There are two different types of VPN kill switches: ones that work on an application level and others that work on a system level.

An application-level VPN kill switch allows you to choose specific applications on your device to kill in the event of a VPN disconnection. While certain applications will be blocked, any others connected that you didn’t designate to be killed will remain connected and could potentially put you at risk. An application-level kill switch gives you a certain amount of flexibility, but you’ll need to be mindful of what apps you do or do not choose to include. A system-level kill switch is a more secure option overall because it kills all network traffic on your device system-wide whenever it detects that the VPN tunnel has failed.

Some VPNs like NordVPN offer both an application-level and a system-level kill switch, while others like ExpressVPN only offer a system-level kill switch. ExpressVPN’s Network Lock kill switch is enabled automatically, but not all VPNs with a kill switch have them enabled by default. If your VPN’s kill switch isn’t enabled by default, you can go to the settings section of your VPN client and activate it there.

How to test your VPN kill switch

To test your VPN kill switch, you’ll first need to ensure your regular internet connection is working properly. Once you’ve confirmed your internet is working, connect to your VPN and enable the kill switch if not already enabled. Then, you can either disconnect from the VPN server or simulate a VPN failure by doing something like manually killing then reestablishing your network connection, closing then reopening your laptop, or activating and then deactivating airplane mode on your mobile device. If you notice that you’ve lost access to the internet or the apps you’ve flagged with your application-level kill switch have been closed, then your kill switch is working properly.

Alternatively, you can use an automatic page refreshing website like PageRefresher and add the following into the appropriate field: http://ip-api.com/csv

Then, set the page refresh time to one second. With your VPN disconnected, click Start and make note of your regular IP address that’s displayed in the new window that pops up. Then, connect to your VPN (preferably to a server in another country) and click Start again. You should then see the IP address and location of the VPN server you’re connecting through. Now, simulate a VPN disconnection and pay attention to what’s happening in the page refresher window. If you see a “no internet” error message or something similar, your VPN kill switch is working as it should.

For more VPN advice, check out CNET’s coverage on how to speed up your VPN connection, VPN red flags to look out for and what to know about VPN trackers.

It’s set up to be a Wimbledon Men’s Final classic as veteran Serb star Novak Djokovic battles it out with current world no. 1 Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday.

Djokovic will be eyeing an historic 24th Grand Slam win, as well as drawing level with Roger Federer’s tally of eight Wimbledon triumphs.

A win for Alcaraz would meanwhile see the 20-year-old Spanish star claim his second Slam title, while also signifying a changing of the guard in the men’s game.

Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch Wimbledon live wherever you are in the world.

Carlos Alcaraz vs. Novak Djokovic: Where and when is it?

The 2023 Wimbledon Men’s Final is set to take place on Sunday, July 16, on Centre Court at the iconic All England Club in southwest London. Play is set to begin at 2 p.m. BST local time (9 a.m. ET, 6 a.m. PT in the US and Canada, and 11 p.m. AEST in Australia).

How to watch Carlos Alcaraz vs. Novak Djokovic online from anywhere using a VPN

If you find yourself unable to view Wimbledon locally, you may need a different way to watch the world’s greatest grass-court tennis players — that’s where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on match day by encrypting your traffic, and it’s also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.

With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.

Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Australia, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you’re streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions.

Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals taking place right now.

Livestream Carlos Alcaraz vs. Novak Djokovic in the US

Linear US TV coverage of the Wimbledon Men’s Final is with ESPN, while the action can also be streamed via ESPN Plus.

Most live TV streaming services offer a free trial or discounts during the first month and allow you to cancel anytime. All require a solid internet connection. Looking for more information? Check out our live TV streaming services guide.

Livestream Carlos Alcaraz vs. Novak Djokovic in the UK for free

Tennis fans in the UK are arguably the luckiest in the world, as the BBC is once again showing the entire tournament across free-to-air channels BBC One, BBC Two and the Red Button.

That also means you can livestream all the action from SW19 on BBC iPlayer.

Stream Carlos Alcaraz vs. Novak Djokovic in Australia for free

Tennis fans Down Under can watch live coverage of the Wimbledon Men’s Final on free-to-air channel 9Gem. That also means you’ll be able to watch the action online via the network’s streaming service 9Now.

For grass court aficionados, pay-TV service Stan Sport is also live streaming every remaining match on every court, ad-free.

Stream Carlos Alcaraz vs. Novak Djokovic in Canada

Live coverage of the Wimbledon Men’s Final 2023 will be available in Canada via TSN. Cord cutters can watch via the network’s streaming service TSN Plus.

Quick tips for streaming Wimbledon 2023 using a VPN

• With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming the tennis action live may vary.
• If you don’t see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the “search for city or country” option.
• If you’re having trouble getting the game after you’ve turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs — like Roku — don’t have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
• All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network’s sports app, you’ll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
• And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.

Telly TVs are finally here. The TV startup announced today that the first batch of its dual-screen TVs has shipped to a select group of users. Those users have agreed to be part of Telly’s beta program, through which the company will test its product and its integration with some of its new partners — which include Neilsen, the TV viewership tracking company, as well as Magnite and Microsoft Advertising, which will be charged with creating advertising opportunities.

Read More: Telly Offers Free 55-Inch TVs, But Here’s What It Will Actually Cost You

Additionally, Telly has partnered with Harman Kardon to deliver the company’s six-driver integrated soundbar, while the TV will also include a Spotify application allowing users to stream for free on Spotify’s free tier or sign in to their premium account.

“Telly’s unique business model and technology will completely transform TV measurement,” Bob Ivins, Telly’s head of data strategy, said in a blog post on Thursday. “The selection process for our public beta program ensures Telly will have fully scaled and representative measurement insights available to advertisers, data partners and programmers by this summer.”

Telly’s insights business tools are designed to use the viewership and user data collected from the TVs to help advertisers and content owners target and measure the effectiveness of their advertising.

The company burst onto the scene in May when it announced it planned to offer consumers a free 55-inch TV with an integrated soundbar, a camera and a second screen below the main display. In exchange for the use of the TV, users need to agree to on-screen advertising and activity tracking.

Telly plans to ship half a million TVs by the end of 2023 and millions more the following year. Those interested in getting their own Telly must sign up on the company’s website to reserve a unit.

No matter the age of your television, it’s still possible to bring it into the modern age. And for all the functionality you’ll enjoy, it doesn’t need to cost very much. Smart TV is another way to say “streaming TV,” and compatible devices offer dozens of streaming services, from free (the Roku Channel) to premium cable replacements (YouTube TV).

If you have a TV made since 2005, then it will likely have an HDMI port, which means you easily can add an inexpensive device to get you up and streaming. From bare-bones streaming adapters to soundbars to gaming-friendly set-tops, there is a smart TV device out there for you. Firstly, here are four of our favorites.

How to install a streaming device

If you buy yourself a new smart device, there are a number of easy steps you’ll need to take. Each device works a little differently, and we have step-by-step instructions for Roku and Amazon Fire TV in particular. If you’re not using one of those, or want a general overview, this is what you’ll need:

1. Wi-Fi: First, make sure you have your Wi-Fi details handy — you will need the access point name (your router) and your password.
2. Is there a smartphone app? Some devices also require the installation of an app for your smartphone or tablet, so check your phone’s app store. These apps can also make inputting the Wi-Fi details easier.
3. Find a spare HDMI port: On the back of your TV, find a spare HDMI port, and remember what number it is. For instance, HDMI 1 or 2 are usually free. However, if your television is older than 2005, an inexpensive HDMI-to-AV adapter may be in order.
4. Power: Plug in the supplied power cable and attach it to your device — note that while some TVs do have USB ports, it’s best not to use them, as they may not provide enough power to run your streaming device.
5. Plug it in: Plug the device into the port on your TV, switch the TV to the HDMI input you chose, and then follow the device’s on-screen instructions.

Congratulations — you now have a smart TV!

Smart TV FAQs

After logging 100 million sign-ups in less than a week, Meta’s new app, Threads, has received a software update for users of iOS 17. Meta’s Instagram team launched Threads on July 5, and the text-based conversation app, billed as a Twitter rival, quickly caught on.

TechCrunch earlier spotted the news about the update, noting that Instagram’s Cameron Roth listed a bug fix for the iOS 17 beta that prevents Threads from crashing. Some iPhone users had experienced problems when attaching photos, leading people to find workarounds like using copy and paste. Other updates include profile tweaks and a feature that lets you double tap to search. The Threads user count continues to climb.

“Threads reached 100 million sign-ups over the weekend,” Zuckerberg wrote in a post Monday on Threads. “That’s mostly organic demand and we haven’t even turned on many promotions yet. Can’t believe it’s only been 5 days!”

Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, on Monday called the surge of sign-ups on Threads “insane,” and promised the team would “make this thing great.”

While the burst of sign-ups doesn’t necessarily mean people will use Threads long term, the milestone is notable. For comparison, OpenAI’s chatbot ChatGPT, which kicked off an AI rush late last year, surpassed 100 million monthly active users after two months. At the end of 2022, Twitter had 259 million daily active users. Instagram has 1.39 billion daily active users.

Joining Threads is pretty easy: Sign in with your Instagram credentials and keep your username, followers and verification status.

Though the platform has reportedly been in the works since January, the Threads rollout comes on the heels of Twitter owner Elon Musk announcing limits to how many tweets you can read on Twitter per day. The limits were temporary, but the damage done seems to be a bit more permanent.

Amid all the changes at Twitter, social media users have been looking for an alternative, such as Mastodon and Bluesky. Threads provides the option to post text, videos and photos, and the ability to engage in real-time conversations.

Read on to learn more about how to join Threads and what features are available. For more, here’s why you might want to wait to join Threads and how Meta is using AI to organize your feeds.

What is Threads?

Created by Meta’s Instagram team, Threads is a platform that allows you to publish short posts or updates that are up to 500 characters. You can include links, photos or videos up to five minutes long. The app is linked to your Instagram account, and according to Meta, you can “easily share a Threads post to your Instagram story, or share your post as a link on any other platform you choose.”

Your feed will include posts from people and accounts you follow on Instagram or Threads, as well as recommendations for undiscovered content. You also have the ability to filter specific words from your feed and restrict who is allowed to mention you.

Threads is free to use and is available to download from the App Store (iOS) and the Play Store (Android).

The app launched in more than 100 countries, but its release has been delayed in the European Union, reportedly due to data-sharing concerns between Instagram and Threads. Meta is also reportedly blocking attempts by people in the EU to access Threads using a VPN, telling TechCrunch in a statement that “we’ve taken additional steps to prevent people based there from accessing it at this time.”

How to sign up for Threads

You must have an Instagram account to join Threads, as the service requires you to use your Instagram login credentials to sign in.

First, launch the Threads application and select the Instagram profile you want to make a Thread account for. If you have multiple Instagram accounts, you can switch at the login page.

Next, add your name, bio and any links you want to show on your Threads profile. You can also just hit the Import from Instagram button to port over that information from your IG profile.

Finally, choose to follow the same accounts you follow on Instagram, on Threads. You can do this one by one, by scrolling through the accounts you follow on Instagram or by searching for an account. You can also just follow every single account you follow on Instagram with a single tap — hit Follow all.

The last page will give you a bit of info about Threads and its future, like how Threads and Instagram are intrinsically tied and how you’ll soon be able to interact with other social media platforms, like Mastadon. You can hit Join Threads to begin browsing through your timeline.

A quick guide to using Threads

The Threads user interface is pretty simple for now. Everything you need you can find at the bottom in the navigation bar: home, search, new thread, activity and profile. There are also your settings, but we’ll get into that a little bit later. To start, let’s go through what each button in the navigation bar means.

The first, on the left is home, which is where your timeline lives. You may be a bit startled to see posts from users you don’t follow, but that’s how the current iteration of Threads works. Here you can like, leave a comment on, repost and share posts. Oh also, Threads posts aren’t in chronological order right now, but Meta is looking at how to let users see feeds chronologically.

Then we have search, where you’ll find recommended profiles and can manually search for other accounts. A few of the biggest existing accounts include Mr. Beast, Jennifer Lopez, the NBA, Marvel, the Kardashians and Zuckerberg himself.

Next is new thread, which is where you create posts. You can write up to 500 characters and include links, photos and videos. For now, hashtags aren’t a thing.

In activity, you’ll see who you recently followed, who recently followed you, replies to your posts, mentions and activity from verified users.

And last we have profile, where you can view your Threads profile. Here you’ll see your name, profile photo, biography, links, followers, threads and replies. You can also edit your profile and browse through various settings.

A little more about the settings in Threads

Speaking of settings, let’s spend a little more time on which settings you can adjust in Threads. In the profile section, hit the globe on the top-left or the two-dash icon on the top-right to access your settings, where you can configure your notifications, privacy and account.

Notifications is pretty straightforward. Toggle off push notifications for threads and replies and following and followers. You can also just pause all of them.

In privacy, you can make your profile private, which means only approved followers can check out and interact with your posts and replies. You can also choose who mentions you, mute accounts and hide offensive words and phrases. At the bottom, you’ll see two settings: one for blocking profiles and the other for hiding likes. If you configure any of these two settings, changes will apply to both Threads and Instagram.

Account is where you can set up reminders to take a break from Threads and deactivate your profile. There are other settings that apply to both Threads and Instagram, including two-factor authentication and password changes.

Can you really not delete your Threads account?

If you’ve seen the news, many users are upset about Meta’s policy regarding deleting your Threads account. Yes, you can delete your Threads account, but you also have to delete your Instagram account, because they’re tied together as one. If you don’t want to delete your Instagram, you do have the option to individually deactivate your Threads account.

This won’t delete your account and data for good, but it will hide your profile, posts and comments from everyone until you decide to come back. Here’s how to deactivate your threads account.

Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, posted that although Threads is powered by Instagram, the company is looking for a way to allow users to delete their Threads account separately.

No feed for only people you follow? And no chronological feed?

That’s right. Besides the whole can’t-delete-Threads-without-Instagram thing, people are also upset that their timeline is a mess. For starters, if you join Threads and follow a bunch of people, you may still see posts from people you don’t follow in your feed. Again, Mosseri posted that chronological feeds options and a following feed will eventually come to Threads.

What about advertisements on Threads?

According to Mosseri, advertisements are currently not a priority. “So humbled by everyone signing up, but we gotta make sure this is an app people want to keep using before we worry about making money…” The company is reportedly talking to advertisers.

What features are coming to Threads?

Mosseri and others have posted about what features may eventually make it to Threads, because according to Mosseri, this current Threads is just the first version. Below are a few of the features and settings mentioned as in the works for Threads:

• Chronological feed
• Following feed
• Delete Threads account without also having to delete Instagram account
• Improved search
• Hashtags
• Graph syncing
• Messaging (maybe)
• Support for ActivityPub (allows Threads to be part of the fediverse, “a social network of different servers operated by third parties that are connected and can communicate with each other”)
• Multi-account options
• Web interface

Meta’s Threads vs. Twitter

Competition between the two tech giants is going beyond the proposed cage match between Musk and Zuckerberg. With Threads’ built-in connection to Instagram, it can make it much easier to gain users within a short period of time.

Forrester analyst Mike Proulx said that Meta is taking advantage of the current wave of dissatisfaction with Twitter, but noted that the company has had shaky launches of other services.

“While credit should be given to Meta’s steadfast test and learn strategy, the company doesn’t exactly have a successful track record launching standalone apps outside its core family,” Proulx said in a statement to CNET, pointing to projects like Slingshot and IGTV.

Proulx added that the market is inundated with Twitter challengers such as Bluesky, Mastodon and Hive. “This only serves to fracture the Twitter alternative-seeking user base,” he said.

Twitter is clearly aware of the challenge from Threads. A lawyer for the social network sent a letter to Zuckerberg last week threatening legal action over the app, accusing Meta of intentionally stealing “Twitter’s trade secrets.”

For more, check out CNET’s coverage on social media platforms, including TikTok rules and Meta’s paid verification system for Instagram and Facebook.

The US Federal Trade Commission has reportedly launched an investigation into whether OpenAI, the company behind popular AI chatbot ChatGPT, has violated consumer protection laws.

The FTC sent OpenAI a 20-page request for documents covering concerns related to data privacy and reputational harm, according to a report Thursday from The Washington Post. The agency also asked for details on OpenAI’s large language model, the technology behind its generative AI chatbot, including all sources used to train the model and how data was obtained, according to the request, which was shared by the Post.

CNET hasn’t independently verified the request. The FTC declined to comment.

Artificial intelligence technologies have been around for years, but the field has advanced rapidly and begun to seep into everyday life. OpenAI released ChatGPT late last year, kicking off a plethora of generative AI products from Microsoft, Google, Adobe and others.

With prompts, modern chatbots can produce email responses, travel itineraries and even poetry, among other things, though quality varies. Chatbots, however, are prone to spitting out incorrect answers and sometimes sources that don’t exist, also known as hallucinations.

The FTC asked OpenAI for information on steps it’s taken to reduce hallucinations as well as details on any complaints received about ChatGPT making “false, misleading, disparaging or harmful statements” about people, according to the request shared by the Post. OpenAI is facing a defamation suit over ChatGPT allegedly making up legal claims against a Georgia radio talk show host.

In a statement posted to Twitter, OpenAI Sam Altman said “it’s super important to us that out technology is safe and pro-consumer.” He added that OpenAI is “confident we follow the law,” but will work with the FTC.

“We protect user privacy and design our systems to learn about the world, not private individuals,” Altman said.

it is very disappointing to see the FTC’s request start with a leak and does not help build trust.
that said, it’s super important to us that out technology is safe and pro-consumer, and we are confident we follow the law. of course we will work with the FTC.

— Sam Altman (@sama) July 13, 2023

The FTC also reportedly asked for the number of people impacted in March by a bug that exposed some personal data of ChatGPT Plus subscribers, including payment information. At the time, OpenAI said the number of people whose data was revealed was “extremely low.”

For more on artificial intelligence, check out CNET’s comparison of AI chatbots and see how AI is impacting hiring.

Editors’ note: CNET is using an AI engine to help create some stories. For more, see this post.

The best of the best of women’s basketball hit the court Saturday evening in Sin City for the annual WNBA All-Star Game.

Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson and New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart are team captains for the second consecutive year, with the Aces boasting the most number of players represented by one team, with four of their stars set to be involved in the action.

This year’s edition of the midseason showcase will see Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner lining up for Team Stewart as a No. 1 pick, just months after her release from detainment in Russia, while home-turf heroine Chelsea Gray was first pick for Team Wilson.

The game is set to get underway at 8:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. PT) on Saturday, July 15, on ESPN.

Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the game live wherever you are in the world.

WNBA All-Star Game 2023: When and where?

Team Stewart takes on Team Wilson at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, July 15. The action is set to get underway at 8:30 p.m. ET, 5:30 p.m. ET in the US (1:30 a.m. BST in the UK and 10:30 a.m. AEST in Australia on Sunday, July 16).

What are the rosters for the 2023 WNBA All-Star Game?

The results of the All Star drafts are as follows.

Team Stewart:

• Breanna Stewart (NY)
• Brittney Griner (PHX)
• Jewell Loyd (SEA)
• Satou Sabally (DAL)
• Nneka Ogwumike (LA)
• Courtney Vandersloot (NY)
• Sabrina Ionescu (NY)
• Ezi Magbegor (SEA)
• Napheesa Collier (MIN)
• Kelsey Mitchell (IND)
• Kahleah Copper (CHI)

Team Wilson:

• A’ja Wilson (LV)
• Chelsea Gray (LV)
• Jackie Young (LV)
• Aliyah Boston (IND)
• Arike Ogunbowale (DAL)
• Kelsey Plum (LV)
• Alisha Gray (ATL)
• Alyssa Thomas (CON)
• Cheyenne Parker (ATL)
• DeWanna Bonner (CON)
• Elena Delle Donne (WAS)

How to watch the WNBA All-Star Game 2023 online from anywhere using a VPN

If you find yourself unable to view the game locally, you may need a different way to watch the game — that’s where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it’s also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.

With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.

Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Canada, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you’re streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions.

Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals taking place right now.

Livestream the WNBA All-Star Game 2023 in the US

The WNBA All-Star Game is set to be broadcast in primetime on ABC for the first time, with coverage starting at 8:30 p.m. E.T on Saturday.

Livestream the WNBA All-Star Game 2023 in the UK

WNBA rights in the UK are with Sky Sports, which will exclusively broadcast the All-Star Game live in the region on its Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Arena channels. If you already have Sky Sports as part of your TV package, you can stream the game via its Sky Go app, but cord-cutters will want to get set up with a Now account, and a Now Sports membership, to stream the game.

Livestream the WNBA All-Star Game 2023 in Canada

Live coverage of the WNBA All-Star Gamewill be available in Canada via TSN. Cord cutters can watch via the network’s streaming service TSN Plus.

Livestream the WNBA All-Star Game 2023 in Australia

Viewers Down Under can watch this year’s All-Star Game on ESPN via Foxtel. If you’re not a Fox subscriber, your best option is to sign up to streaming service Kayo Sports.

Quick tips for streaming the WNBA All-Star Game 2023 using a VPN

• With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming the All-Star game may vary.
• If you don’t see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the “search for city or country” option.
• If you’re having trouble getting the game after you’ve turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs — like Roku — don’t have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
• All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network’s sports app, you’ll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
• And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.

Amazon Prime Day has officially ended, but some of the deals haven’t. Whether you’re looking for a new television or a fresh set of sheets, there are still plenty of deals up for grabs.

We’ve combed through the collection of Amazon Prime Day deals left so that you don’t have to. That entails hours scrolling through page after page to find the best deals out there. Below, you’ll find our list of the best Prime Day savings on items like Apple products, Amazon TVs and so much more. Deals are ending pretty quickly though now that Prime Day is over, so we’ll be updating this list regularly to keep the savings flowing. Be sure to keep checking in to make sure you don’t miss a thing.

Best Prime Day 2023 deals still available

If you’re looking for some of the best bargains available now that Prime Day has ended, keep scrolling. We’ve gone through the sales and have highlighted some of the best deals we’ve seen so far below. We’ll continue to add more deals as we find them, so keep checking back.

• Microsoft Surface Go 3: $670 (save $60, low stock)
• Apple Watch Series 8: $330 (save $69 with coupon)
• Samsung Galaxy Buds Live: $98 (save $52)
• Google Pixel 7 Pro: $761 (save $138)
• JBL Boombox 2: $400 (save $50)
• Fitbit Charge 5: $120 (save $30)

• Amazon 65-inch Omni Series Fire TV: $560 (save $200)
• Apple iPad (9th gen): $250 (save $79)
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE: $430 (save $100)
• Kindle Scribe Premium pen: $51 (save $9)

• Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 gaming headset: $124 (save $26, low stock)

• Logitech G502 Hero wired gaming mouse: $40 (save $40)
• SanDisk 256GB Nintendo Switch microSD card: $23 (save $30)

• HyperX Cloud II gaming headset: $80 (save $20)

• Dewalt 20V Max Cordless Drill and Impact Driver: $159 (save $80)

• Dremel 4300 rotary tool kit: $85 (save $40)

• Hisense A4 Series 40-inch TV: $158 (save $52)
• Samsung 43-inch Neo QLED 4K smart TV: $823 (save $375)
• Toshiba 50-inch C350 4K smart Fire TV: $200 (save $130)
• LG S75Q 3.1.2 channel soundbar: $297 (save $303)
• Anker power strip surge protector (2100J): $23 save $13)
• TP-Link Wi-Fi extender: $15 (save $20)

• Natrol sleep aid gummies (60-pack): $12 (save $8 with coupon)
• Coolvie 10-inch mattress (queen): $288 (save $172)
• LuxClub 6-piece bamboo sheet set (queen): $35 (save $22)
• Topcee 20-pound weighted blanket: $28 (save $52, including coupon)
• Pilot G2 premium gel roller pens $4 (save $8)
• Fab totes 6-pack clothes storage: $22 (save $20)

• Apple MacBook Air M1: $750 (save $249)
• Apple iPad Air (5th gen): $500 (save $99)
• Apple iPad Mini (6th Gen): $400 (save $99)
• Apple iPad Pro (6th Gen): $1,049 (save $50)
• Apple Pencil (2nd Gen): $89 (save $40)

More Prime Day deals on tech

• Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED Series smart TVs: Up to 25% off
• HP gaming monitors and desktops: Up to 22% off
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: $200 (save $80)
• Canon cameras and bundles: Up to 20% off

More Prime Day deals on home

• FoodSaver vacuum sealer bags: $25 (save $11)
• Solo Stove Pi pizza oven: $400 (save $100, including coupon)
• Amrapur Overseas 6-piece towel set: $24 (save $66)
• Keurig K-Mini coffee machine: $60 (save $40 with coupon)
• Dyson TP07 Purifier Cool: $550 (save $100, low stock)
• KitchenAid Artisan 5-quart stand mixer: $380 (save $80)
• Sharpie Tank Highlighters 36-pack: $15 (save $7)
• FoodSaver extra large vacuum sealer bags: $25 (save $11)

Prime Day deals on Amazon services

When is Amazon Prime Day 2023?

Amazon Prime Day 2023 was July 11 and 12 this year, though as in previous years, a steady stream of deals flowed in on the few days preceding the event and many of the deals will continue to be available later into the week, or at least while stocks last. Amazon staggers many of the deals to keep people coming back, so it’s worth checking to make sure you don’t miss out.

Historically, Amazon has held its Prime Day sales each July with just a couple of deviations from that regular schedule. Notably, in 2020, Amazon pushed its Prime Day sale to October due to the COVID-19 pandemic before returning it to the summer in 2021 in a slightly earlier June spot. Prime Day returned to its July spot for 2022, though Amazon did utilize that October slot once again for an additional Prime Early Access Sale event that acted as a kickoff to the holiday shopping season.

As a reference, here are the Prime Day dates from previous years:

• Prime Day 2015: July 15
• Prime Day 2016: July 12
• Prime Day 2017: July 11 to 12 (first to last longer than one day)
• Prime Day 2018: July 16 to 17
• Prime Day 2019: July 15 to 16
• Prime Day 2020: Oct. 13 to 14 (delayed by COVID-19 pandemic)
• Prime Day 2021: June 21 to 22 (the earliest to date)
• Prime Day 2022: July 12 to 13
• Prime Early Access Sale 2022: Oct. 11 to 12

How long will the Prime Day sale last?

The Prime Day 2023 sale has ended, but many deals are still available.

Amazon’s Prime Day hasn’t been a single-day affair since 2016, spanning two days for the first time in 2017 and continuing to be a 48-hour bonanza since then. Many deals launched at the sale’s opening time are set to last throughout the event, supplies permitting, with other, more limited-time Lightning deals launching and expiring during the two-day period.

Will there be a second Amazon Prime Day event this year?

We don’t yet have any concrete information on a second Prime Day-like event for the fall. Ultimately, if Amazon views last year’s Prime Early Access Sale as a success, it will probably wish to repeat it for 2023, though the event didn’t appear to make as big of a splash as Prime Day usually does. That being said, an October event gives Amazon the opportunity to get out ahead of the competition before Black Friday sales kick off in November.

What countries can participate in Prime Day?

Like in years gone by, Prime Day 2023 will be an international affair with over 20 countries participating. The full list is as follows:

• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Canada
• China
• Egypt
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Japan
• Luxembourg
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Saudi Arabia
• Singapore
• Spain
• Sweden
• Turkey
• UK
• US

How does Prime Day work?

The idea behind Prime Day is a simple one: Subscribers to Amazon’s Prime service can get exclusive discounts on thousands of products and services across the site during a limited period of time. The products, while still available to non-Prime members, will have extra savings for members, dropping many of their prices down to new all-time lows.

When you’re logged in to your Prime account and looking at a product landing page, you’ll see the discounted price if it’s on sale. You don’t need any special coupon codes, nor is there a need to use a specific payment method in order to get the discounts. If you spend your money wisely each year, you can easily make back your Prime membership cost in savings during the event.

Do you need to be a Prime member to shop the Prime Day sale?

Yes, Amazon Prime Day requires a Prime subscription if you want to nab any of the Prime-exclusive deals. You don’t have to be a paying subscriber, though, as long as the event falls within your Prime trial period. That means you can start your month-long trial just before the event and get in on the savings for free. For more info on that, check out our guide to shopping Prime Day sales without paying for Prime.

Amazon last year raised prices on Prime membership. It’s now $15 a month ($139 a year).

Will other retailers participate in Prime Day?

Each year, we see other retailers kick off July sales in order to try and compete with Amazon Prime Day and 2023 is no different. Hot on the heels of Amazon’s Prime Day announcement, we saw the unveiling of competing sales like Walmart’s Walmart Plus Week event, Target’s Circle Week sale and Best Buy’s Black Friday in July promotion. We’re covering all of the best deals at all of the major retailers.

Why did Prime Day start?

Amazon has been hosting its annual Prime Day sale since 2015. Originally, it was a 24-hour sales event to celebrate Amazon’s 20th birthday. The “Prime” in the name refers to Amazon’s subscription service, which offers free delivery on many products in as little as one to two days, and which has now expanded to encompass the Netflix-style Prime Video service and various other Amazon-related perks.

Prime Day soon became a version of “Black Friday in July” for Amazon, allowing the retailer to have a branded 48-hour shopping extravaganza in an otherwise sleepy retail season. Unlike Black Friday, however, the Prime Day branding lets Amazon differentiate its summer sale from competitors while selling Prime memberships and Amazon-branded hardware such as Echo speakers and Fire tablets, which encourage customers to stay in the Amazon ecosystem. The fact that the sale also allows Amazon and its partners to clear out inventory and warehouse space ahead of the holiday shopping season doesn’t hurt, either.

Where can you find deals right now?

The CNET Deals team covers all of the best price drops, discounts and deals daily from all the top retailers. Whether it’s a one-day sale at Woot, a weekend sale at Best Buy or a coupon code for a product at Amazon, if it’s a great deal, we’ll be covering it.

Be sure to check out all of the great deals each day at CNET.com/deals and sign up for our CNET Deals newsletter for a daily digest of deals delivered to your inbox. You can also sign up for CNET Deals text alerts for curated deals during the event, and install out our new CNET Shopping browser extension to help ensure that purchases you make all year round will be at the lowest price available.

Sony teased its “Project Leonardo” accessibility controller at CES 2023, and on Thursday it formally introduced a new way to play on the PlayStation 5 with the Access Controller, a highly customizable gamepad built for gamers with disabilities that will be released in December.

Sony has lagged for years behind Microsoft in offering an accessible first-party game controller. The rectangular Xbox Adaptive Controller was launched in 2018 for $100.

Read more: Inside Microsoft’s Lab With the Xbox Adaptive Controller

The PS5-compatible Access Controller is cheaper at $90, but also radically different in design, with large interchangeable buttons radially arranged around a circle with an adjacent joystick for directional control.

That design lets the Access Controller be used from any orientation or direction, said Isabell Tomatis, Sony’s hardware and peripherals vice president, in a blog post. The company has been developing the controller for five years and worked with accessibility organizations and experts to refine its design and features.

The controller comes with 19 differently sized button caps and 23 icons to label each button for which traditional input it corresponds to (X, circle, square, triangle, R1/L1, etc.). It also has four 3.5mm aux expansion ports to plug in additional buttons, switches or accessories, and can save 30 profile configurations for different setups.

While Microsoft has kept the lead on accessible gaming with its Xbox Adaptive Controller and a new line of adaptive accessories released last year, Sony’s new controller will be welcomed by disabled PS5 gamers. The Access Controller can be preordered on the PlayStation website starting July 21 and will go on sale on Dec. 6.

Read more: Veterans Who Lost Limbs Learn to Game Again With Adaptive Controllers

The Rakuten Viber chat app is bringing its $2-per-month premium subscription service to the US Thursday, which provides exclusive features and ad-free access to the chat app.

Viber Plus, which launched internationally in May, includes enhancements to the app like transcription of voice messages, access to paid stickers, the ability to change the Viber app icon and customer service access over live chat.

Viber Plus will also receive an Invisible Mode in August, which allows for checking messages privately without other contacts knowing you’ve read a text.

Signing up for Viber Plus is done from within the Rakuten Viber app, with the subscription being charged through either Apple’s App Store or the Google Play Store.

Viber Plus joins Telegram in offering a premium tier, with the latter’s premium service focusing on expanding the service’s limits on file uploads and download speeds. Meanwhile, Viber rival WhatsApp recently launched the ability to move chat history from one phone to another without needing to use a third-party cloud backup service.