IT General

SAVE $80: As of Dec. 6, the iPad (9th Gen) is on sale for $249 at Walmart. That's a 24% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad (9th Gen) $249.00 at Walmart
$329.00 Save $80.00 Get Deal

If you're looking for a tablet upgrade and having the latest model isn't high on your priority list, you need to check out this great Walmart deal on the iPad (9th Gen). From Dec. 6, this model is on sale for $249.99, saving you $80 on list price. This deal is specific to the 64GB, WiFi model.

This is an ideal option if you want an iPad that doesn't break the bank. Despite being a slightly older model, the iPad (9th Gen) still offers an impressive performance. It features a bright and colorful 10.2-inch Retina display with True Tone for comfortable viewing and is powered by the A13 Bionic chip, so you get a smooth, quick performance. No buffering or annoying load times when multitasking, gaming, or switching between apps.

SEE ALSO: The latest Apple AirPods 4 are at their lowest-ever price on Amazon

The 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage is a great feature, ensuring you are focused and able to engage in video calls, while the 8MP back camera is great for photos and scanning documents. With up to 256GB of storage, Touch ID for secure access, and compatibility with the Apple Pencil (1st Gen) and Smart Keyboard, it’s an ideal option for both work tasks and entertainment.

Head to Walmart to grab this great deal.

SAVE $50: As of Dec. 6, the JBL Tune 230NC TWS are on sale for $44.95 at Amazon. That's a 50% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Tune 230NC TWS $44.95 at Amazon
$99.95 Save $55.00 Get Deal

If you're looking for a new pair of earbuds but don't want to break the bank, we have just the pair for you. A new pair doesn't need to cost hundreds of dollars, in fact, you can grab a great pair for under $50. And that's what you'll find from this latest Amazon deal on the JBL Tune 230NC TWS.

As of Dec. 6, you can find these earbuds reduced by 55% at Amazon, now just $44.95. This is also their lowest price since July, so you can think of it as a late Black Friday bargain.

SEE ALSO: The latest Apple AirPods 4 are at their lowest-ever price on Amazon

The JBL Tune 230NC TWS earbuds are a great budget option for earbuds that still deliver incredible sound and features. They boast 10mm drivers and JBL’s Pure Bass Sound, making sure every song, podcast, and phonecall sounds perfect. If the fit isn’t quite right, not to worry, they come with several size options to adjust to your needs.

Active Noise Cancelling blocks distractions, while Smart Ambient and TalkThru modes let you stay aware or chat easily without taking them off. You’ll get up to 40 hours of battery life (or 32 hours with noise canceling), plus a quick 10-minute charge gives you two additional hours of playtime. Not to mention, these earbuds are IPX4 water- and sweat-resistant, making them ideal for workouts or rainy days.

Head to Amazon for this great deal.

SAVE $40: As of Dec. 6, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are down to $139 on Amazon. That's a saving of $40 off the $179 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $139.00 at Amazon
$179.00 Save $40.00 Get Deal

The Apple AirPods 4 are here, and they’ve brought some serious upgrades to the table. Apple die-hards and earbud users will all agree that this deal is worth checking out. As of Dec. 6, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are down to $139 on Amazon. That saving of $40 off the $179 list price is a solid opportunity to dodge some Apple tax.

Designed for all-day comfort, the AirPods 4 has a refined contour and shorter stems for a better fit. Thanks to an IP54 dust, sweat, and water-resistant rating, they’re perfect for everything from long commutes to intense workouts. Quick-press controls let you toggle between calls, music, and other features without fumbling with your device.

SEE ALSO: Some iPhone 16 owners are experiencing massive battery drain on iOS 18

The H2 chip is AirPods 4 secret weapon, powering an impressive mix of Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, and Transparency Mode. These modes work together to adjust your audio experience on the fly. For example, conversation awareness will automatically lower the volume when speaking to someone nearby, so there is no need to manually pull out an earbud or change a setting.

Upgrades don’t stop there. The Personalized Spatial Audio feature creates a 360-degree soundscape with dynamic head tracking, making it feel like you’re in a private theater. Binging out your favorite series and checking out the new Killswitch Engage album takes immersion to the next level. Always on the go, the Voice Isolation feature improves call quality by reducing background noise, ensuring your voice is heard clearly, even in loud environments.

The redesigned USB-C Charging Case is the smallest in the industry and has multiple charging options. Apple Watch chargers, Qi-certified pads, and USB-C cables are all fair game. The AirPods 4 offer up to four hours of listening time per charge with ANC enabled and up to 30 hours of total playtime when paired with the case and ANC turned off.

This Apple AirPods 4 deal is best for the newest model. If you’ve been holding out for a price drop, now’s your chance to snag them for $139 on Amazon. With features like these, your ears (and wallet) will thank you.

SAVE $130: As of Dec. 6, the Toshiba 43-inch Class C350 Series Smart Fire TV is available for $149.99 at Best Buy. That’s a $130 discount off its usual $279.99 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Toshiba Toshiba 43-Inch Class C350 TV $149.99 at Best Buy
$279.99 Save $130.00 Get Deal

Looking for a budget-friendly way to enjoy your favorite shows, movies, and games in 4K? This Toshiba Smart Fire TV deal is an absolute steal. The Toshiba 43-inch Class C350 Series 4K UHD Smart Fire TV is available for just $149.99 at Best Buy. That's $130 off its regular $279.99 price, a discount almost as sharp as its display.

The C350 is a smart TV powerhouse, combining a sleek bezel-less design with solid features like 4K Ultra HD resolution and Dolby Vision HDR. Thanks to Toshiba's Regza Engine 4K, you can expect stunning picture quality with vibrant, lifelike colors and crisp details. That includes streaming the latest blockbuster or enjoying a nostalgic rewatch.

SEE ALSO: This TCL Q5 65-inch Smart Fire TV is $150 off for a limited time

Audio buffs will also appreciate the inclusion of DTS Virtual:X, which delivers immersive surround sound to elevate your entertainment experience. Pair that with Dolby Atmos, and you'll feel like you've brought the cinema home (minus the overpriced popcorn.)

Gamers will appreciate that the C350 includes an auto-low latency game mode, reducing input lag and keeping button punches responsive. This makes it a great TV for current-gen consoles like the PS5 or Xbox Series X. With support for Apple AirPlay, you can easily share content from your iPhone or iPad to the big screen.

Navigating the TV is a breeze thanks to Fire TV integration, which includes Alexa Voice Remote. Alexa lets you switch inputs, search for content, and even control your smart home devices with your voice. Fire TV provides access to over 1 million streaming titles, including favorites from apps like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more.

At just $149.99, the Toshiba 43-inch Class C350 Series Smart Fire TV offers incredible value for anyone looking to upgrade their home entertainment setup without splurging. Movie buffs, gamers, or someone who wants a beautiful screen will all agree that this deal is hard to beat.

SAVE $120: As of Dec. 6, LG 34-inch UltraWide IPS LED FHD monitor is on sale for $209.99 at Best Buy. That’s $120 off its usual price of $329.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 34-Inch UltraWide IPS LED FHD Monitor $209.99 at Best Buy
$329.99 Save $120.00 Get Deal

If your desk setup has been feeling a little cramped, an LG UltraWide monitor deal is what you need. The LG 34-inch UltraWide IPS LED FHD monitor is available for just $209.99 at Best Buy. That's $120 off its regular $329.99 price, making it a stellar deal for gamers, multitaskers, and anyone looking to upgrade their screen real estate.

LG 34WQ500-B features a massive 34-inch IPS display with a wide 21:9 aspect ratio. This means solid visuals for everything from Netflix binges to gaming marathons. The WFHD resolution (2560 x 1080) ensures sharp clarity, while VESA DisplayHDR 400 support delivers vivid, true-to-life colors. Working on color-sensitive creative projects or enjoying your favorite shows? This monitor's 99% sRGB color gamut shows solid accuracy and vibrancy.

SEE ALSO: I love budget gaming monitors, and this impressive Samsung 4K monitor is a steal at $130 off

If you're a gamer, this monitor has you covered with AMD FreeSync compatibility. This feature eliminates annoying screen tearing and stuttering for a buttery-smooth experience, even in fast-paced games. The 100Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time further enhance motion clarity, keeping you immersed in the action. Add in the virtually borderless design, and losing yourself in your game or movie is easy.

Beyond gaming, the LG UltraWide is a multitasker's dream. It has enough room to keep multiple windows open side-by-side, making it easier for video editing, coding, or juggling spreadsheets. Having everything you need accessible on one screen makes this monitor a productivity powerhouse. Need to connect multiple devices? The HDMI and DisplayPort inputs make it easy to hook up your PC, gaming console, or peripherals with minimal hassle.

At just $209.99, this is one of the best prices we've seen for this model. Typically retailing at $329.99, this $120 discount makes it a must-buy for anyone in the market for an UltraWide monitor. This monitor will improve your standard screen experience without breaking the bank.

This LG UltraWide monitor deal is available now at Best Buy, but like all good things, it won't last forever. If you've been eyeing an upgrade, now's the time to grab it.

SAVE $150: As of Dec. 6, the TCL 65-inch Q5-Series 4K UHD HDR PRO+ QLED Smart Fire TV is on sale for $399.99 at Best Buy. That's a $150 saving off its usual $549.99 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 65-inch Q5-Series $399.99 at Best Buy
$549.99 Save $150.00 Get Deal

If you're shopping for a TV upgrade that blends premium features with an accessible price tag, the TCL Q5 65-inch Smart Fire TV is a strong contender. I've tested plenty of budget-friendly TVs, and this one consistently punches above its weight. Right now, it's available for $399.99 at Best Buy. That's a full $150 off its regular price of $549.99. This is a solid opportunity to snag a high-performance QLED for under $400.

Let's be real: not all TVs in this price range are created equal. Some give you flat colors and clunky interfaces, but the TCL Q5 throws a party on your screen. With its QLED display powered by Quantum Dot technology, this TV serves up vibrant colors and strong brightness that makes everything from rom-coms to Marvel marathons feel like a front-row experience. Dolby Vision and HDR PRO+ tech ensure every scene gets the love it deserves.

SEE ALSO: New consumer protection rules would block data brokers from selling Americans' sensitive info

Game Accelerator 120 ensures your refresh rate is as smooth as your skills (or as close as it gets). Auto Game Mode (ALLM) automatically optimizes your setup for a lag-free experience. Gunning for leaderboard glory or getting absolutely wrecked in Call of Duty? This TV won't slow you down. And thanks to Motion Rate 240, action sequences and fast-moving sports look buttery smooth instead of blurry messes.

The TCL Q5's sound game is no slouch either. Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X deliver quality audio. Feel like keeping it to yourself? Bluetooth Personal Audio lets you hook up your favorite headphones so you can binge your guilty-pleasure reality shows without judgment.

Fire TV is baked right in, giving you instant access to all the big streaming apps. Alexa voice controls make it even easier. It even works with Apple AirPlay 2, so you can stream videos, photos, and TikToks (we won't judge) directly from your iPhone.

Wrapped in a sleek, bezel-less design, this TV looks as good off as it does on. At $399.99, you're not just saving $150, you're getting a deal that feels almost criminal. Sales like this never last long; do pull the trigger if you've been waiting for an affordable living room beast.

TL;DR: Live stream Australia vs. India for free on 7Plus. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 1st Test between Australia and India ended with a surprising victory for the away side. India were coming off a 3-0 defeat to New Zealand on home turf, so expectations were low for the visitors. But they pulled away and won by 295 runs.

Can Australia level the Test series in Adelaide? If you want to watch Australia vs. India (2nd Test) for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Australia vs. India (2nd Test)?

The 2nd Test between Australia and India takes place from Dec. 6 to Dec. 10. This Test match takes place at the Adelaide Oval.

The full schedule for India's five-Test tour of Australia is as follows:

• Australia vs. India (1st Test) — Nov. 22 to Nov. 26

• Australia vs. India (2nd Test) — Dec. 6 to Dec. 10

• Australia vs. India (3rd Test) — Dec. 14 to Dec. 18

• Australia vs. India (4th Test) — Dec. 25 to Dec. 30

• Australia vs. India (5th Test) — Jan. 2 to Jan. 7

The good news for fans is that every Test match in this series is available to live stream for free.

How to watch Australia vs. India for free

Australia vs. India (2nd Test) is available to live stream for free on 7Plus in Australia.

If you're abroad for this Test series, you might need to use a VPN to unblock 7Plus. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can access free live streams of Australia vs. India from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of Australia vs. India by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Visit 7Plus

5. Stream Australia vs. India for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Australia vs. India (2nd Test) without committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream this Test series before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to your favorite streaming platforms from anywhere in the world, you will need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for 7Plus?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live cricket on 7Plus, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Australia vs. India (2nd Test) for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream New Zealand vs. England for free on TVNZ+. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

England won the 1st Test against New Zealand by eight wickets. It was a surprising victory after recent results. England were looking to bounce back after a disappointing defeat against Pakistan, and New Zealand were coming off a 3-0 win against India away from home. But that's Test cricket.

If you want to watch New Zealand vs. England (2nd Test) for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is New Zealand vs. England (2nd Test)?

The 2nd Test between New Zealand and England takes place from Dec. 6 to Dec. 10. This Test match takes place at the Basin Reserve.

The full schedule for England's three-Test tour of New Zealand (local time) is as follows:

• New Zealand vs. England (1st Test) — Nov. 28 to Dec. 2

• New Zealand vs. England (2nd Test) — Dec. 6 to Dec. 10

• New Zealand vs. England (3rd Test) — Dec. 14 to Dec. 18

The good news for fans is that every Test match in this series is available to live stream for free.

How to watch New Zealand vs. England for free

New Zealand vs. England (2nd Test) is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+ in New Zealand.

If you're abroad for this Test series, you might need to use a VPN to unblock TVNZ+. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand, meaning you can access free live streams of New Zealand vs. England from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of New Zealand vs. England by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in New Zealand

4. Visit TVNZ+

5. Stream New Zealand vs. England for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch New Zealand vs. England (2nd Test) without committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream this Test series before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for TVNZ+?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live cricket on TVNZ+, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including New Zealand

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream New Zealand vs. England (2nd Test) for free with ExpressVPN.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for December 6 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 6 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To push forcefully or roughly.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

SHOVE.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 6

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Wordle.

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 4 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: To confuse

• Green: A spell with harmful intent

• Blue: Iconic Pixar toys by nickname

• Purple: Informal endings that trend in slang

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Baffle

• Green: Curse

• Blue: Toy Story Characters, Familiarly

• Purple: Colloquial Suffixes

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #544 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Baffle: PERPLEX, PUZZLE, STUMP, VEX

• Curse: HEX, JINX, POX, SPELL

• Toy Story Characters, Familiarly: BUZZ, HAMM, REX, SKINNY

• Colloquial Suffixes: CORE, GATE, MANIA, PILLED

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 5

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

In today's age of digital everything, it seems hardly a day goes by without news of a new cybersecurity threat. Unfortunately, the ongoing Salt Typhoon hack is much larger and more serious than your average breach. Senate Intelligence Committee chairman Senator Mark R. Warner even labelled the Salt Typhoon attack the "worst telecom hack in [U.S.] history by far," the hackers gaining access to numerous Americans' data and monitoring political targets' communications for years.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2024 Salt Typhoon hack.

SEE ALSO: Hackers are now sending scam QR codes via physical mail — and they can steal your passwords What is Salt Typhoon?

Salt Typhoon is a hacking group which is reportedly sponsored by the Chinese government. Active since 2020, the group has carried out attacks against targets in the U.S. as well as globally.

The group typically uses advanced persistent threat (APT) attacks, covertly gaining access to targeted networks and remaining there undetected for a lengthy period of time. Such methods allow attackers to gather extensive information about their targeted organisation.

Though commonly referred to as Salt Typhoon, the group has also been dubbed GhostEmperor, FamousSparrow, Earth Estries, and UNC2286. The name "Salt Typhoon" was given to it by Microsoft, which uses "Typhoon" to label all nation-state threat actors from China.

What is the Salt Typhoon telecom hack?

On Wednesday, the U.S. government disclosed that at least eight telecommunications companies have been infiltrated by Salt Typhoon's hackers, following reports emerging earlier this year of a state-sponsored Chinese cyberattack on internet service providers.

The 2024 Salt Typhoon hack is believed to have actually been ongoing for one or two years, and remains active even now, with Salt Typhoon allegedly still able to access many telecommunication systems. While officials are working on ridding systems of the intruders, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has said it is "impossible" to tell when all the hackers will be completely evicted.

According to U.S. officials, the Salt Typhoon hack is an espionage campaign sponsored by Chinese authorities. The Chinese government has denied any involvement in the cyberattacks.

"The U.S. needs to stop its own cyberattacks against other countries and refrain from using cyber security to smear and slander China," a spokesperson from China's embassy in Washington said in a statement to the Associated Press.

Which U.S. telecoms are impacted by the Salt Typhoon hack?

A full list of organisations impacted by the Salt Typhoon hack has not been released, however we do know that the campaign targeted telecommunications companies across the globe. Anne Neuberger, U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Tech, stated on Wednesday that "dozens of countries" have been affected, with the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand all confirmed targets.

In the U.S., Salt Typhoon allegedly breached at least eight telecommunications companies. The Wall Street Journal reports that this list includes:

• Verizon

• AT&T

• T-Mobile

• Lumen Technologies

Am I impacted by the Salt Typhoon hack?

U.S. officials stated that while they believe the Salt Typhoon hack did not affect every American, it has impacted "a large number" of people, most of whom were located in the greater Washington area. The hackers reportedly accessed these individuals' metadata, such as records of numbers which had contacted each other, but not the content of such communications.

On its own merit, most of this compromised metadata appears to be of little interest to Salt Typhoon. Instead, the hackers are believed to have used such information to identify the communications of particular targeted individuals. Salt Typhoon is alleged to have been searching for corporate intellectual property as well as specific government and political targets, which reportedly included Donald Trump, Senator J.D. Vance, and people from within both Trump and Kamala Harris' presidential campaigns.

Upon identifying them, the hackers focused on accessing these individuals' communications, reading texts and listening in to audio calls. As of November, approximately 150 individual targets had been identified and notified, most of them within the Washington, D.C. area.

"The actors stole a large volume of records, including data on where, when, and with whom individuals were communicating," a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) official told the Washington Post.

Salt Typhoon's hackers reportedly also accessed the U.S. law enforcement's system for requesting wiretaps. Though officials told the Washington Post that there's no evidence the hackers were able to listen in on the network, they may have been able to identify individuals the U.S. government is investigating.

The full scope of the Salt Typhoon hack still isn't entirely clear. Fortunately, Neuberger has stated that no classified information is believed to have been compromised.

How is the U.S. government responding to the Salt Typhoon hack? Tweet may have been deleted

Following nows of the Salt Typhoon cyberattack, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has said it is "taking decisive steps to address vulnerabilities in U.S. telecommunications network." 

Specifically, the FCC has proposed clarifying laws which require telecommunications companies to secure their networks against hackers. This would make clear that such security measures not only include equipment, but also how the telecommunications carriers manage their networks.

The FCC has also proposed a new annual certification requirement for telecommunications companies, including certified compliance with new cybersecurity risk management plans.

"While the Commission’s counterparts in the intelligence community are determining the scope and impact of the Salt Typhoon attack, we need to put in place a modern framework to help companies secure their networks and better prevent and respond to cyberattacks in the future," said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

A Senate Commerce subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Salt Typhoon hack on Dec. 11 to examine security threats and protective measures.

TL;DR: Watch the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for free on ORF or ServusTV. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Max Verstappen has secured the F1 title, but there is still a lot to fight for in the last race of the season. The constructors' crown is still up for grabs in the season finale, so every team will be doing everything they can to influence the result. It's going to be a fascinating battle to end the season.

If you're interested in watching the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?

The 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix takes place over 58 laps of the 5.281-kilometre Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island. The full schedule can be found here:

• Practice 1 — 4:30 to 5:30 a.m. ET on Dec. 6

• Practice 2 — 8 to 9 a.m. ET on Dec. 6

• Practice 3 — 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. ET on Dec. 7

• Qualifying — 9 to 10 a.m. ET on Dec. 7

• Race — 8 a.m. ET on Dec. 8

The good news for fans is that it's possible to live stream the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix without spending anything.

How to watch the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for free

You can find free live streams of F1 on these platforms:

• Austria — ORF or ServusTV (12 races each)

ORF and ServusTV are geo-restricted to Austria, so you might need to use a VPN to access these free live streams from abroad. VPNs are tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can access free live streams of F1 from anywhere in the world.

Unblock free streaming services by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Austria

4. Connect to ORF or ServusTV

5. Watch the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from anywhere in the world

Please be aware that Formula 1 take the view that the use of a VPN to watch content from another territory may be a breach of the relevant broadcasters’ terms of service and may constitute copyright infringement. It is your responsibility to ensure that your use of a VPN is legal and Mashable does not encourage any illegal use of a VPN.

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch F1 live streams without actually spending anything. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does mean you can stream the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming F1 live is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for F1?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for live streaming F1 for free, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

• Fast streaming speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for free with ExpressVPN.

Connections is a game from the New York Times that challenges you to find the association between words. It sounds easy, but it isn't—Connections categories can be almost anything, and they're usually quite specific. If you need a hand getting the answers, we've got you covered.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 6 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Ways to describe being good at sports

• Green: Singular talents

• Blue: Professional speeders

• Purple: You'd find these teams on the pitch

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Synonyms for athletic

• Green: MLB teams in singular form

• Blue: NASCAR Cup Series champions

• Purple: Last words of Premier League clubs

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #74 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Synonyms for athletic - ENERGETIC, MUSCULAR, POWERFUL, STRONG

• MLB teams in singular form - ATHLETIC, MARLIN, ROYAL, TWIN

• NASCAR Cup Series champions - EARNHARDT, GORDON, JOHNSON, PETTY

• Last words of Premier League clubs: ALBION, FOREST, HAM, PALACE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 6 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 6 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Find your people

These words describe a group of people.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words are different types of social groups.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Fellowship.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for December 6

• Club

• Clique

• Group

• Circle

• Bunch

• Society

• Crowd

• Fellowship

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.

Bitcoin has just hit $100,000.

Buoyed by Donald Trump's reelection and the promise of a pro-cryptocurrency administration, crypto investors are going all in on the digital currency. With the price of Bitcoin rising high, cryptocurrency is seemingly seeping back into the public consciousness after the crypto crashes of 2022.

And, it appears the memecoin fad is having a resurgence right now too. On the same day Bitcoin hit its new six-figure record high, the viral "Hawk Tuah" girl Hailey Welch launched her own cryptocurrency token $HAWK.

SEE ALSO: Who is the 'Hawk Tuah' girl, and what does it mean?

Upon launch, $HAWK jumped to a market cap of $500 million. Within minutes, the token crashed. Its current market cap is around $36 million. Hawk Tuah fans quickly took to social media to share how they lost thousands of dollars.

Things are starting to look a lot like 2021 all over again. 

Celebrity crypto is a scam

During the last crypto rush of 2021, some celebrities and online influencers quickly saw that there was money to be made. Some musicians, reality TV stars, and e-sports names endorsed altcoins or even went ahead and made their own branded memecoins.

Cryptocurrency is a risky investment to begin with. Crypto tokens are a highly volatile speculative asset. There is currently very little governmental oversight or regulation when it comes to the crypto market. Even Bitcoin, seen as the most "safe" bet in the crypto world, has had major ebbs and flows. If you have to sell during one of the down periods, you might lose a chunk of change.

Furthermore, now anyone can create a crypto token. Over the past few years, there have been platforms that have helped make the process very easy. Dogecoin, easily the most popular memecoin, set a standard of success that no other memecoin has been able to replicate.

Yet, the allure of making easy money and getting rich quick through crypto tokens and memecoins have drawn in lots of money from people. 

Back in 2021, memecoins created by celebrities and influencers were all the rage. As Mashable reported then, many turned out to be a scam.

Rug pulls are quite common with memecoins, especially those created by influencers and celebrities. 

Here's what often happens: A famous or notable individual launches a memecoin. Their fans are encouraged to purchase to support their favorite creator while also making money for themselves. However, before the memecoin is officially launched, the memecoin creator puts aside a certain amount of tokens for themselves or their friends. They either give these out freely or provide an unadvertised pre-launch sale at well below the price that the token will go for at launch. When the token does go on sale, the public buys, pushing the value of the memecoin up. But, as soon as that happens, those who received coins at pre-launch dump their holdings for profit, plummeting its value and eventually crashing the memecoin. The celebrity or influencer's fans are often then left holding the bag, their money tied up in a now-worthless token that they will never be able to sell.

It may seem obvious that one should not accept financial advice from celebrities. Way back in 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a stark warning about the speculative machinations of public figures. "Investors should be skeptical of investment advice posted to social media platforms, and should not make decisions based on celebrity endorsements," Enforcement Division Co-Director Steven Peikin wrote in the same statement announcing Floyd Mayweather Jr. and DJ Khaled were charged with illegally touting initial coin offerings. "Social media influencers are often paid promoters, not investment professionals, and the securities they’re touting, regardless of whether they are issued using traditional certificates or on the blockchain, could be frauds."

However, in an age or parasocial relationships, many fans feel like they can trust their favorite influencers. There's a feeling that "they wouldn't scam me." But, time and time again, celebrity memecoins have failed, with insiders making money off of the influencer's fans.

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Take the aforementioned and recently launched $HAWK. In a X Spaces stream, YouTuber Coffeezilla who investigates cryptocurrency scams, confronts Welch and the developers behind her crypto token about how things played out after the launch. Its a tale we've heard before. The vast majority of the tokens were held by just a few crypto wallets before the public launch. After it launched, according to Coffeezilla, those insiders dumped the token. $HAWK's value plummeted and all of those buyers who got in at launch are left with a significant financial loss.

There is no recourse for those memecoin buyers. There are no refunds, no way for them to get their money back. Most memecoins have zero utility, so there's no use case for the tokens either. The only way they're getting back what they put in is if Welch and her team can somehow convince another group of suckers to put their money into this worthless token.

Hopefully, after reading this, you won't be one of those suckers.

Google Wallet is not only a payments app but has also slowly but steadily adding support for putting your ID in there, digitally. Now, one more US state is joining the list.

4K TVs are commonplace, 4K streaming is within reach for many broadband users, and 4K Blu-rays are still sought after by film geeks. The problem is most content is not in 4K, and many studios are turning to AI upscaling technology to convert content to 4K, with (to put it mildly) very mixed results.

We can understand paying for premium AI model tiers to an extent, as long as it's an actually useful expense and you're getting your money's worth of it. As far as this new, ultra-expensive ChatGPT Pro tier goes, though, there's no reason any normal person needs this.

Handheld PCs are awesome, because they combine the power of the PC platform with the form factor of handheld gaming. However, some games aren't going to work well with a controller, which is why I just connected a regular mouse and keyboard. Job done.