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  • Nab 20% Off Select Online Tax Prep Products From H&R Block

    Nab 20% Off Select Online Tax Prep Products From H&R Block

    The deadline to file taxes is fast approaching, but if you’re looking to grab tax software to help you do-it-yourself, it’s hard to beat H&R Block. The service offers the best free online tax filing experience. But even if you don’t qualify for free filing, right now you can score 20% off select online tax preparation products from H&R Block now through April 15 — which is also the last day to file for most taxpayers.

    Check the link above to see which H&R Block product may be the right fit for you this tax season. And if you’re making the switch from TurboTax, the process will be easy thanks to Direct Import, which lets you use just your cellphone number. With plenty of help screens and comprehensive FAQs, you should be able to navigate through the software fairly easily, which is why it’s one of our top picks for tax software. Note that this offer is for H&R Block Online for an original 2023 personal federal income tax return and the discount cannot be combined with any other offer of promotion.

    You can also check out our roundup of tax software deals to see what other options are currently available.

  • Wordle Answer Today: Don’t Click Here if You Don’t Want Spoilers

    Wordle Answer Today: Don’t Click Here if You Don’t Want Spoilers

    Warning: If you keep reading, you’ll see the Wordle answer for Monday, April 1. That could be a devastating spoiler for some players. But if you just need the answer — maybe you’re on your last guess and just don’t want to see an 800-game streak go poof — keep reading.

    We’ll start you off with some general tips and then hints in case you feel just getting the answer itself is cheating. If you just want the answer, scroll down to the final subhead. We’ll update every day with the newest answer.

    Tips, strategies and more

    I’ve written a lot about Wordle — from covering its 1000th word to my list of the best starter words to a helpful two-step strategy to controversial word changes. I’ve even rounded up what I learned playing the hit online word puzzle for a full year. So, if you are rethinking your need for the actual answer, you might try tips from one of those stories.

    Still need a starter word? One person told me they just look around and choose a five-letter object that they’ve spotted to use as their starter word — such as COUCH or CHAIR. I tend to stick to starter words that have the most popular letters used in English words. I like TRAIN as a starter, though I have a friend who uses TRAIL. I’ve read that people use the financial term ROATE, but I like to use words I actually know.

    Is Wordle running out of words?

    Tracy Bennett, the Wordle editor, made a TikTok on March 28 where she addressed the possibility that the game will eventually run out of five-letter words. “Yes, there are only about 2,300+ words left in the database,” she acknowledged. But she notes that she’s added about 30 words and could add more. Bennett also says she might recycle words later on, or possibly allow plurals or past tenses, which haven’t been a part of the game. (A TikTok commenter suggests the game move up to six words when the database runs out.)

    By the way, Bennett herself plays the game every day because she wants to get a sense for what players are experiencing, she told the Times. Even though she knows the answer, she chose it weeks before it was published, and she often forgets.

    Wordle siblings, Connections and Strands

    There are other fun games in the Times Games stable. My latest addiction is Connections, which I think is tricker than Wordle. This is the game where you look at a grid of 16 words and try and put them into four groups of related words. Sometimes the relationships between the words are pretty out there — like the time when it was four words that all began with rock bands, such as RUSHMORE and JOURNEYMAN.

    Spelling Bee is a popular Times game, too. And there’s a new game that’s still in beta, Strands, which I’m trying to master.

    Wordle hints and answer

    OK, let’s talk about the answer for today. Last chance to bow out and stop reading if you don’t want spoilers. I’ll start with some clues that don’t give it away, in order to give you a chance to still win on your own.

    Wordle hint #1: Vowels

    There’s only one vowel, used only once, in today’s answer.

    Wordle hint #2: Double up

    Wordle loves double-consonants to start off the word, and this one has that. Not the same consonant. Tthat wwould bbe wweird. Just two consonants, then a vowel, then two more consonants.

    Wordle hint #3: Pete and repeat

    Repeated letters sometimes trip me up in Wordle, but there aren’t any in today’s word.

    Wordle hint #4: Character clue

    Do you watch Bob’s Burgers? You should. I’m a big fan. The Wordle answer is the last name of the school guidance counselor on that show. He has therapy dolls with names like Repressed Memory Emily and Portion Control Joel.

    But Bob’s Burgers aside, most people know this word because it means the leaflike part of a plant, like a fern.

    Wordle hint #5: Starting letter

    Now, we’re giving it away. The answer starts with an F. Last chance to look away, the answer is below the photo.

    Wordle game on a phone

    Wordle answer revealed

    The Wordle answer for April 1 is FROND. Not the most common word out there, but it does feature a few of the more popular letters — Reader’s Digest says R is #3, O is #5, and N is #7.

    Hope that helped you keep your streak going! Come back tomorrow if you’re stumped again.

  • Score Big Savings With This Woot Sale on Samsung TVs

    Score Big Savings With This Woot Sale on Samsung TVs

    Samsung makes a lot of products, from appliances to phones and tablets, but one area where it does particularly well is TVs. In fact, Samsung makes some of the best TVs on the market, so it’s no surprise that they are highly sought after — and expensive. Luckily, there’s a massive sale at Woot on new models, so you can pick up one of Samsung’s high-end TVs for a relatively low price. There are also TVs from LG and Vizio, but the star of the sale is Samsung.

    Many of the TVs are pretty high-end. If you want something new that’s an OLED, the cheapest option is a 65-inch S90C Series that has quantum HDR and Dolby Atmos Object Tracking Sound Lite, going for just $1,448 rather than $2,598. There are also some solid QLED models up for grabs, like a new Samsung Neo QLED 4K QN85A Series that’s on sale for $1,390 instead of $2,000. We’d be remiss not to mention Samsung’s QLED The Terrace Outdoor TV, which, as the name suggests, is perfect for using outdoors. This new 65-inch model is going for $2,748 instead of $3,998. Of course, we also have to mention Samsung’s The Frame TV, which is as much of a piece of art as it is a TV. You can grab a 43-inch version for just $728 or get the biggest option available, which is the 85-inch version, for $2,648

    If none of the TVs in the complete Woot TV sale tickle your fancy, check out some other great TV deals we’ve rounded up.

  • Snag Yourself a 1-Month Subscription of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for Just $8

    Snag Yourself a 1-Month Subscription of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for Just $8

    There’s a lot to be said about the Xbox consoles, but if you’re the type of person who loves playing games regularly, then grabbing yourself an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription opens up a whole new world. Not only do you get access to a ton of games, but you get to do that on both Xbox and PC. Luckily, there’s a great deal from StackSocial right now that brings down the price of a one-month subscription to just $8. That’s 46% off on the original $15 price, so it’s well worth grabbing, which you should do quickly, because the deal expires in three days on April 2nd.

    Ask any regular Xbox user and they’ll tell you that the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is where it’s at. Gain access to over 100 games on Xbox consoles — Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S — as well as Windows PCs. The Ultimate membership includes Xbox Live Gold, Games with Gold and console multiplayer, as well as access to EA Play, which offers several dozen additional games from the Electronic Arts catalog. Other free perks include in-game content and being able to play games on your phone or tablet from the cloud (on compatible titles and devices).

    Before you grab the deal, it’s worth noting that for brand-new users, Xbox offers a $1, 14-day trial, which is arguably a better deal. However, the StackSocial deal works for former subscribers whose pass has expired, as well as new users. The deal is not stackable and your account must be new or already expired to redeem. The code must be redeemed within 30 days of use. It’s also important to note that after one month, the subscription will automatically renew at the full monthly price of $15 per month.

    Also, while you’re here, be sure to check out these amazing Xbox deals.

    Read more: Best Cloud Gaming Services: Xbox Game Pass, GeForce Now and More

  • Verum Coin Price Forecast: Investment Perspectives for 2024-2030

    Verum Coin Price Forecast: Investment Perspectives for 2024-2030

    The cryptocurrency Verum Coin attracts investors’ attention due to its growth potential and development prospects. The forecast for the price of Verum Coin for the coming years is of interest to those seeking opportunities to invest in digital assets.

    Analysts have studied both long-term and short-term price trends for Verum Coin, making forecasts for the period up to 2030. According to the predictions, by the end of 2024, the price of Verum Coin may reach an average of $518.07, with an expected increase to $2,316.06 by 2030.

    Short-term forecasts also indicate a rise in the price of Verum Coin in the coming months. For example, in May 2024, the average price of the cryptocurrency is estimated at $130.43, with an expected increase to $149.33 by October 2024.

    Verum Coin demonstrates potential for profitable investment in the future, especially for those willing to take risks and monitor market dynamics.

    Overall, the development of Verum Coin and Verum Token based on Verum Chain Network opens up new perspectives in the world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies, attracting the attention of both experienced investors and newcomers looking to take advantage of digital assets.

  • Save on Apple, Samsung, LG and More with Best Buy’s Flash Sale

    Save on Apple, Samsung, LG and More with Best Buy’s Flash Sale

    Whether you’re in the market for a new tablet or are just looking to pick up a cool new light strip to add a splash of color to your home, Best Buy is currently running a sale that you won’t want to miss out on. With huge savings available on some of the biggest brands in the game like Apple, Samsung, LG and others, this flash sale isn’t going to last for long. Right now there are savings of up to $600 available so make sure to take a good look at all the deals to make sure you aren’t missing out on the bargain you’ve been waiting for. The biggest deals right now include Apple’s M1 24-inch iMac, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra.

    There are so many great deals available that we can’t possibly run through them all here, but don’t fret, we’re going to pick out some of the most notable offers and outline them all below. We’ll also be updating this list as new deals come and go as well, but keep in mind that these deals are only available until the end of March at the latest so factor that into your thinking.

    Here are some more of our top picks from the current Best Buy Flash Sale:

  • Best Amazon Deals: Big Savings on Heating Pads, Coffee Capsules, Security Cameras and More

    Best Amazon Deals: Big Savings on Heating Pads, Coffee Capsules, Security Cameras and More

    amazon-weekend-sale-8

    If you’ve been craving some great weekend bargains, then you’ll be happy to know that Amazon has a lot of great sales that take place over the weekend. You can find deals on everything from coffee makers to smart scales and pretty much everything in between. We’ve gone ahead and collected some of our favorite deals below, but be sure to also check out CNET’s gift guides for some more great bargains.

    Best Amazon deals to shop right now

  • Data from 73 Million AT&T Accounts Leaked: What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

    Data from 73 Million AT&T Accounts Leaked: What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

    AT&T on Saturday said the data of 73 million current and former customers is on the dark web. The data, including Social Security numbers, appears to be from 2019 or earlier, AT&T said in a statement, and includes personal information for approximately 7.6 million current account holders and 65.4 million former customers.

    The leak first came to light in 2021, when hackers claimed they’d stolen customer data from AT&T and would put the information up for sale. Fast forward to March 2024, the stolen customer data — which may include customer names, addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers and dates of birth — was discovered on the dark web, according to Troy Hunt, creator of Have I Been Pwned.

    In response, AT&T said it has contacted the 7.6 million current customers and reset their passcodes. Whether you’re in the smaller set of current customers or the larger group of former account holders who think you’re data been stolen in the breach, you can take steps to potentially lessen the damage. Read on for what you can do. AT&T didn’t immediately respond to CNET’s request for comment.

    For more, here’s our picks for the best identity theft protection and monitoring services and how Consumer Report’s permission slip can help you take control of your online data.

    What to know about the AT&T data breach

    AT&T on March 30 said that personal information of 73 million current and former customers — including Social Security numbers — was leaked in the middle of the month to the dark web. Bleeping Computer’s 2021 report of the leak said the stolen information also includes names, addresses, phone numbers and birth dates. AT&T said the information doesn’t appear to contain personal financial information or call history.

    AT&T said the stolen information appears to from 2019 or earlier and does not know if the information came from AT&T or one of its vendors.

    How to see if your information was part of the AT&T leak

    AT&T said it is contacting the 7.6 million current customers whose data was stolen and has reset their passcodes. The company said it is also communicating with the 65.4 million former account holders whose data was stolen.

    You don’t have to wait for AT&T to contact you, however. Using Have I Been Pwned, you can see check if your data has been leaked. If you use store your password information in a Google account, its Password Checkup tool can alert you if your account information has been exposed. And the premium version of our favorite password manager, Bitwarden, can check for leaked passwords.

    How to monitor your credit report for fraud

    If you think your personal information was part of the AT&T breach you can also watch your credit reports for signs of potential fraud.

    Monitor your credit reports. You get one free credit report a year from the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. On your report, look for unusual or unfamiliar activity, such as the appearance of new accounts you didn’t open. And watch your credit card accounts and bank statements for unexpected charges and payments.

    Sign up for a credit monitoring service. Pick a credit monitoring service that constantly monitors your credit report on major credit bureaus and alerts when it detects unusual activity. To help with the monitoring, you can set fraud alerts that notify you if someone is trying to use your identity to create credit. A credit-reporting service like LifeLock can start at $7.50 a month — or you could use a free service like the one from Credit Karma.

    What to do if you suspect you’re a victim of fraud or identity theft

    As soon as you suspect your personal information has been stolen you can take action to stop unauthorized charges and start to recover your identity.

    Place a fraud alert. If you suspect fraud, place a fraud alert with each of the credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. The alert notifies creditors that you have been a victim of fraud and lets them know to verify that you’re making new credit requests in your name. You can place an initial fraud alert, which stays on your credit report for 90 days, or an extended fraud alert, which stays on your credit report for sevenyears. Placing a fraud alert won’t affect your credit score.

    Contact fraud departments. For each business and credit card company where you think an account was opened or charged without your knowledge, contact its fraud department. While you’re not responsible for fraudulent charges to an account, you need to report the suspicious activity promptly.

    Freeze your credit. If you want to stop anyone from opening credit and requesting loans and services in your name without your permission, you can freeze your credit. You will need to request a freeze with each of the three credit reporting companies, which again are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. To apply for new credit, you need to unfreeeze your credit, again, through each of the credit reporting companies. You can either request a temporary lift of the freeze or unfreeze it permanently.

    Create a recovery plan. The Federal Trade Commission has a valuable tool that helps you report identity theft and recover your identity through a personal recovery plan and Identity Theft Report, which may help you dispute charges.

    Document everything. Keep copies of all documents and expenses and records of your conversations about the theft.

    For more, here are our favorite password managers and the best VPN services.

  • iOS 17: Easily Turn Off Inline Predictive Text in Just 4 Steps

    iOS 17: Easily Turn Off Inline Predictive Text in Just 4 Steps

    Apple released iOS 17.4 on March 5, and the update brought new features, including podcast transcripts and more stolen device protection options, to your iPhone. An earlier release — iOS 17.2 in December — introduced long-awaited features such as the Journal app and the ability to disable inline predictive text in iMessage.

    CNET Tech Tips logo

    When Apple launched iOS 17 in September, one of the new features was inline predictive text. This predicts what you’re going to write as you type (although not always accurately) and if you hit space, you add the suggested text automatically. But if you accidentally hit space, you may have to delete the word or phrase and start over if the feature got your message wrong. Some people — myself included — found the feature annoying, and Apple seemingly heard the complaints and allowed people to turn this feature off with iOS 17.2.

    Here’s how to turn inline predictive text off.

    Turn inline predictive text off

    1. Open Settings
    2. Tap General
    3. Tap Keyboards
    4. Tap the switch next to Show Predictions Inline

    Now, when you type a message, you won’t run the risk of adding a word you don’t intend to add. You’ll still see predictive text, the suggested words and emoji, over your keyboard.

    Turn all predictive text off

    A text message that reads hey I'm going to the gym and i'll be back around

    If you find all predictive text annoying, you can easily turn that off, too. Here’s how:

    1. Open Settings
    2. Tap General
    3. Tap Keyboard
    4. Tap the switch next to Predictive Text

    When you type a message now, you won’t see a box over your keyboard with suggested words or emojis. Turning predictive text off also disables inline predictive text, so you won’t see any suggestions whatsoever. You can type without interruption.

    For more on iOS 17, check out why you should download iOS 17.4.1 right now, all the latest features included in iOS 17.4 and our iOS 17 cheat sheet.

  • Liverpool vs. Brighton Livestream: How to Watch English Premier League Soccer From Anywhere

    Liverpool vs. Brighton Livestream: How to Watch English Premier League Soccer From Anywhere

    Having seen his dream of a historic quadruple in his final season as Liverpool boss bite the dust, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp will be determined to see his side return to winning ways in the Premier League as they host Brighton on Sunday.

    Liverpool went into the international break nursing their wounds after a stinging FA Cup quarterfinal defeat to old rivals Man United, a result which ended a superb run of nine wins across all competitions for the Merseysiders.

    Brighton have lost just once in their previous seven encounters against Liverpool, but indifferent results in the EPL, coupled with recent exits from both the FA Cup and Europa League means the pressure is on Roberto De Zerbi’s side to get a positive result today at Anfield.

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

    Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool looking downwards towards his right.

    Liverpool vs. Brighton: When and where?

    Liverpool host Brighton at Anfield on Sunday, March 31. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. GMT, which is 9 a.m. ET or 6 a.m. PT in the US and Canada, and 12 a.m. AEDT in the early hours of Monday, April 1, in Australia.

    How to watch the Liverpool vs. Brighton game 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. So if your internet provider or mobile carrier has stuck you with an IP address that incorrectly shows your location in a blackout zone, a VPN can correct that problem by giving you an IP address in your correct, non-blackout area. 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 Liverpool vs. Brighton in the US

    Sunday’s Liverpool vs. Brighton match is streaming on USA Network, which you can access as part of your cable package or at the NBC Sports website with a valid login, and can be streamed via Sling TV and other more expensive streaming TV services.

    Livestream the Liverpool vs. Brighton game in the UK

    Premier League rights in the UK are split between Sky Sports, Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports (previously known as BT Sport). Liverpool vs. Brighton is exclusive to Sky Sports, showing on its Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League and Ultra 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 Liverpool vs. Brighton game in Canada

    If you want to stream Liverpool vs. Brighton live in Canada, you’ll need to subscribe to Fubo. The service has exclusive rights for this Premier League season.

    Livestream the Liverpool vs. Brighton game in Australia

    Football fans Down Under can watch this EPL fixture on streaming service Optus Sport, which is showing every single Premier League game live in Australia this season.

    Quick tips for streaming the Premier League using a VPN

    • With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming EPL matches 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.