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    How we test VPNs in 2024

    Virtual private networks (VPNs) are services that you can use to hide your online activity and obscure your digital footprint to prevent advertisers — and others — from tracking you. VPNs are also useful in bypassing firewalls, accessing content restricted to specific locations, and masking what websites you visit, and when. VPNs have become so popular that the digital marketplace is full of them. All VPN providers are competing for your attention and money (as the majority of VPNs are offered on a subscription basis), and it can be difficult to cut through the noise and find good, reputable VPN services suitable for your needs. This is where ZDNET comes in. Our experts provide hands-on reviews of the top VPNs on the market today, backed by extensive testing and research. This is how we test VPN software to make the right recommendations for you based on your needs. How ZDNET tests VPNs in 2024 Charlie Osborne/ZDNETNowadays, VPNs offer such an extensive list of features that choosing the right VPN can be a daunting and confusing experience. As the majority of reputable VPN services must be paid for, it is essential that you are able to either test out or pick the right VPN from the start. This becomes critical if you need extensive security, if you live somewhere known for censorship, or if you are in a country that frowns upon VPN usage — or bans it entirely outside of state-controlled solutions.This is why ZDNET has developed a comprehensive testing structure that accounts for all of the major features VPN users want today: speed, stability, security, server availability, and flexible plans. We also want to see clear and transparent privacy policies, external security audits, warrant canaries, and a dedication to resolving security issues and vulnerabilities as they are reported.We also consider a VPN’s other selling points, such as whether additional services are on the table — including cloud storage, password managers, and data breach scanners — and just how well these VPNs perform in typical home environments. A thorough ZDNET review of a VPN takes time, and includes multiple tests to ensure reliability, strong connectivity, and reasonable speeds. This independent process is necessary if we are going to give you authentic and genuine assessments of a VPN’s strengths, weaknesses, and how they perform over an extended period of time so that you can make an informed decision before taking the plunge. ZDNET VPN experts include David Gerwirtz, an expert in DIY IT and hardware, a US policy advisor, and a computer scientist. Together with Charlie Osborne, a cybersecurity journalist, and other ZDNET authors, we combine decades of experience using, testing, researching, and reviewing VPN software. We have run hundreds of speed tests on numerous VPNs throughout the years — including over a dozen VPNs more recently — and we have also conducted in-depth research on each VPN, including soliciting customer feedback and speaking to other experts. If a VPN is going to meet our standards as a top recommendation, it must perform well in numerous criteria. See below for the most significant criteria we test for, and how. How we test VPN speeds More

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    What is Matter? How the connectivity standard can change your smart home

    Matter has received much attention in the Internet of Things (IoT) arena since its announcement in late 2019. The CSA, the organization which created Matter and Zigbee, wants to make Matter the new connectivity standard for smart homes.Since smart home devices and hubs started appearing on the market, the lack of compatibility between brands and devices has been a big problem. For years, you had to choose your home automation systems carefully, or you might end up with incompatible devices and have to juggle multiple apps to control your home.Also: Move over, Alexa and HomeKit: A new Assistant is here to open source your smart homeThe CSA aims to change that situation with Matter. This standard could diminish interoperability woes in home automation systems.Tech companies got involved quickly. Apple’s Corey Wang, a producer in Human Interface Design, mentioned Matter during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2022), pointing out the need to have more compatibility across brands in smart home devices for a truly connected home. Google added Matter-over-Thread support for its smart home hubs with Thread built-in. In 2021, Amazon announced that almost all Echo devices More

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    The FCC restores net neutrality – here’s what it means for the internet

    The decision, overseen by FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel, marks a significant policy reversal from the Trump administration’s deregulatory stance.  Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images Seven years ago, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), under President Donald Trump’s hand-picked Chair Ajit Pai, a former Verizon in-house lawyer, killed off net neutrality. In a decisive move, the now Democrat-controlled FCC […] More

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    The best business internet providers of 2024

    As one of two Tier 1 internet providers in this list (the other is AT&T), Verizon has more control over its network than competitors that have to purchase access from upstream providers. In addition, Verizon boasts that its services are available nationwide, although your location will determine which exact services are available.Fios Business Internet is Verizon’s fastest offering. This fiber-based service is available in nine states, all in the Northeastern US. The company offers four tiers, starting at 200 Mbps and going up to 2048 Mbps, at prices ranging from $69 to $249 per month, with price guarantees that increase with each tier. All plans offer the option of a single digital voice line for your business for $20, and you can get additional discounts for bundling with Verizon Wireless plans for business.Verizon also offers Internet Dedicated services, at speeds ranging from 1.5 Mbps up to 100 Gbps, with the fastest connection advertised as being suitable for data centers and cloud providers managing multiple simultaneous downloads of very large files. All plans come with strict service level agreements of 100% availability. If neither of those services is available at your location, you can choose 5G or LTE internet plans. Be aware that these options come with monthly data limits, unlike broadband offerings. Unlike some of its competitors, Verizon charges additional fees for equipment and some services, so be sure to include the full list of charges when comparing prices. More

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    I’m starting to like Xfinity. Why? Its AI bot just fixed my TV – and that’s not all

    JuSun/Getty Images I never thought this would happen, but Xfinity is wheedling its way into my affections. Or, at least, out of my disaffections. Also: Switching to better internet? Do these 5 things before you change ISPs Sometimes the Comcast company has truly tested my patience — and not just mine. Whether it’s customers who […] More