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TL;DR: Through 23 February, Mashable readers can get lifetime access to FastestVPN PRO on 15 devices for just £23.78 (reg. £476.10).

Opens in a new window Credit: FastestVPN FastestVPN PRO: Lifetime Subscription (15 Devices) £23.78 at the Mashable Shop
£476.10 Save £452.32 Get Deal

Online security and privacy are both extremely important when it comes to using the internet, so having a reliable virtual private network (VPN) is always a smart idea. Whether you’re conducting online banking, working with sensitive data, or just want some added privacy, you could benefit from using a VPN.

FastestVPN PRO offers a comprehensive solution that not only helps protect your digital life but also enhances your online experience with a plethora of advanced features. And through 23 February, you can get a lifetime subscription to FastestVPN PRO while it’s on sale for £23.78 (reg. £476.10).

FastestVPN PRO lives up to its name by providing lightning-fast speeds with a 99.9% uptime guarantee. With access to over 350 high-speed servers globally, users can enjoy seamless browsing, streaming, and downloading without any lag or buffering. Whether you're accessing the internet from your Windows PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Smart TV, or router, FastestVPN ensures a smooth and uninterrupted connection.

Using the WireGuard protocol, users experience secure and unhindered speeds of up to 10 GBPS on the fastest available servers. The inclusion of double VPN servers adds an extra layer of protection, encrypting your data twice for enhanced privacy. Plus, the Internet Kill Switch feature ensures that your IP address remains hidden even if your connection drops unexpectedly, preventing any potential breaches.

The inclusion of a NAT firewall and ad blocker ensures that your device is shielded from potential threats and intrusive advertisements. Additionally, the AES 256-bit encryption safeguards your data with military-grade protection, giving you peace of mind knowing that your information is secure.

This VPN is very user-friendly, making it accessible to users of all levels. The intuitive interface allows for easy navigation and setup, while the multi-device login feature enables you to protect up to 15 devices simultaneously.

Until 23 February at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can grab a lifetime subscription to FastestVPN PRO on sale for £23.78 (reg. £476.10) at the Mashable Shop.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: A Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac lifetime license is on sale for £31.73 (reg. £181.71) at the Mashable Shop.

It's a whole new year — the perfect time to upgrade your productivity. If you need to use classic Microsoft tools like Word and Excel on your MacBook, then this is your chance. Mashable Readers can get Microsoft Office for Mac lifetime device licenses on sale for only £31.73.

If you use a Mac for work or personal projects, this suite offers enhanced productivity. Why can't Apple produce a decent Microsoft Word alternative? We can't answer that, but we can help you get this classic software at a discount. Even though it’s a slightly older version of Office (the most recent version is the 2021 edition), it still packs a wallop with reliable features and well-loved apps. 

Office 2019 for Mac includes essential applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. These tools are designed to meet various needs, whether you're drafting important documents, managing work or home finances, creating presentations, or organising your email and calendar.

It also includes other favourite apps, including OneNote, for amplified note-taking in one central place. It also comes with Teams Classic 2019. 

One of the best aspects of MS Office 2019 is that it’s a one-time purchase. For £31.73, you get lifetime access to the suite without the need for recurring subscription fees, like you would with Microsoft 365. The license covers one Mac device, and it lasts as long as your device does.

This Microsoft Office deal won't last forever. Get Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac on sale for £31.73 (reg. £181.71) at the Mashable Shop.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac £31.73 at The Mashable Shop
£181.71 Save £149.98 Get Deal

TL;DR: Unblock porn sites like YouPorn with a VPN. The best service for unblocking free porn sites is ExpressVPN.

There are many locations around the world that block access to porn sites like Xnxx and XVideos. There are probably good reasons for these restrictions, but sometimes you simply want to access your favourite site at an entirely appropriate moment. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

If you're looking for the best way to unblock YouPorn for free fro anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock YouPorn for free

VPNs can help you access porn sites from anywhere in the world. By hiding your real IP address (digital location) and connecting you to a secure server in another location, you can trick these sites into providing you with access, even if there is a block in place over your network.

Unblock YouPorn from anywhere in the world by following this simple process:

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 a location that supports access to YouPorn

4. Unblock YouPorn

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 unblocking porn sites are not free. However, many leading services offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By using these offers, you can unblock porn sites like YouPorn without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can temporarily unblock sites like YouPorn for free. This method can come in handy if you're travelling and frequently using unknown or unsecured networks.

What is the best VPN for porn?

When it comes to bypassing content restrictions, ExpressVPN leads the way. This high-speed service offers a wide range of streaming-friendly features:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• 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 generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unblock YouPorn for free with ExpressVPN.

Android gaming has changed a lot over the years, but some classic Android games have stood the test of time—and are even still available to download from the Play Store!

Every once in awhile, NASA publishes a photo of something in space taken by one of their probes. But how exactly do probes in deep space send those photos back to us on Earth? Well, it's actually pretty simple, and you use technology operating on similar principles every day without realizing it.

Valve's latest Source SDK update contains the full client and server code for TF2. The company has also confirmed that classic Source Engine titles will soon gain 64-bit binary support.

I bought my first ultrawide monitor back in February 2018. It was a game changer for me. I went from two 27-inch 16:9 monitors to one 34-inch 21:9 and absolutely loved it.

Did you notice what looks like a dislike button next to comments on your Instagram account? You're not the only one, but you are one of a select few.

Instagram is testing a new feature that would allow users to downrank comments that they don't like, be it because they're negative, harmful, or maybe just because they disagree with them, Social Media Today spotted. Instagram head Adam Mosseri said in a post on Threads that the downrank button "gives people a private way to signal that they don’t feel good about that particular comment."

But it isn't like downvoting a comment on YouTube or Reddit because these won't be public, and there won't be a total downvote tally shown.

SEE ALSO: Is Instagram blocking the #Democrat hashtag?

"I want to be clear: this is a test, there is no dislike count, nor will anyone know if you tap the button. Eventually, we may integrate this signal into comments ranking to move disliked comments lower down. Our hope is that this might help make comments more friendly on Instagram," Mosseri wrote.

This isn't the first time Meta has tested out downvotes, and, as is true with many Meta tests, this doesn't necessarily mean the feature will come to Instagram widely any time soon — or ever. In true Meta fashion, this might just be another test to see how they're going to keep the platform safe, fun, and addicting without stepping on any political toes.

We had Cobra Kai star, Ralph Macchio, go through a list of fighters from the entire Karate Kid saga and pick his top 5 fighters of all-time. Some of his picks surprised us.

The entire Cobra Kai series is currently streaming only on Netflix. 

After aggressively seeking access to the Treasury Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has its sights set on the Social Security administration, with the SSA’s top official abruptly resigning after refusing DOGE access to the agency’s data trove on millions of Americans.

Palace intrigue at the SSA

Former SSA acting commissioner Michelle King left the agency this weekend after more than 30 years of employment there. Numerous reports, including from the New York Times, indicate King chose to leave instead of handing over the proverbial keys to the kingdom to DOGE. Her temporary replacement is Leland Dudek, who ran the agency’s anti-fraud office and, on LinkedIn, praised DOGE’s stated goals of targeting waste and fraud and said he would assist with their mission. King’s permanent replacement will likely be Frank Bisignano, the CEO of payment processing company Fiserv and former high-ranking executive at both JP Morgan Chase and Citigroup. Bisignano still needs to be confirmed by the Senate, but he faces no significant opposition there.

SEE ALSO: What Elon Musk could do with the digital keys to the kingdom Why is DOGE targeting the SSA?

Social Security provides retirement funds for Americans who paid into the system via taxes taken out of their employment pay. Social Security accounts for one-fifth of federal spending, with about $1.5 trillion disbursed in 2024, according to an audit. That same audit found that between 2015 and 2022, a touch under $72 billion was wasted on fraud, mostly involving recipients receiving improper payments. That sounds like a large number, but it amounts to less than 1% of all benefit funds.

Still, Musk has claimed there is rampant fraud at the agency, which necessitates his team gaining access to SSA data. At the White House, Musk specifically made the claim that people born 150 years ago were receiving benefits; he made the same dead-people-getting-checks claim on X (but took it even further).

Tweet may have been deleted

President Biden’s SSA commissioner Martin O’Malley, a former Maryland governor, told the New York Times that Musk’s claims are nonsense.

Why was King hesitant to grant DOGE the data?

The DOGE team is seeking access to SSA’s internal data, with two anonymous sources telling the New York Times that the information contains “extensive” data on Americans, like addresses, banking information, medical records, earnings statements, and employment history. There is no confirmation yet on whether DOGE members successfully obtained the data and, if so, how many individuals are now in possession of it. Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, a nonprofit advocating for the expansion of Social Security, gamed out terrifying scenarios in a report in Kiplinger’s. Altman said granting access to the data could make the information susceptible to hackers and scammers, including those adept at targeting the elderly. Additionally, “if there is an intent to punish perceived enemies, someone could erase your earnings record, making it impossible to collect the Social Security and Medicare benefits you have earned,” Altman told the outlet.

Why Musk and DOGE make some people very nervous

The people powering DOGE are overwhelmingly young (most are in their 20s), and many have no prior government experience. The U.S. government’s Office of Personnel Management has listed some of the “experts” advising Musk as his former interns. In his role as a special advisor, Musk himself is boiling over with conflicts of interest, since his companies, like SpaceX and Tesla, have contracts with the U.S. government worth billions. Possibly to address this conflict, White House Office of Administration director Joshua Fisher declared on Monday that Musk is not an official employee of DOGE, but instead serves as a senior advisor to the president. To compound the confusion, Fisher did not make clear who does currently serve as the official head of DOGE.

Wi-Fi networks power a lot of our routines, from streaming shows to placing delivery orders. It can be easy to forget that these networks can expose where you go to anyone lurking on the same connection. But just a few straightforward changes can reduce the risk of Wi-Fi-related attacks.

Lately, Microsoft has been on a crusade to make Edge faster. With the latest update to Edge 132, the company is taking extra measures to get one step closer to that goal.

Amazon has recently decided to shut down its mobile app's short video and photo feature called Inspire. Inspire, which started in 2022, lets users find products through videos and pictures made by influencers, brands, and other customers, similar to what TikTok does.

We've seen countless hardware mods on iPhones over the years, but someone just set out to make one of the wildest ones we've seen. The result is an iPhone that looks and very much feels like a Nokia Lumia phone.

Pi-hole, the popular software for network-wide content blocking, just released the Pi-hole v6 update. It has a redesigned interface, many performance improvements, and more.

Few things can push your data cap to the limit quite like downloading modern video games. But with careful planning and smart choices, you can still enjoy your favorite hobby without breaking your data budget.

TL;DR: Mashable readers can get an Internxt 10TB cloud storage lifetime subscription for A$385 (reg. A$4,718) by using the code STORAGE30 at checkout for a limited time. 

Are you doing a ‘low-buy year,’ like half the internet? Even if you're not, you’re probably looking for ways to save as much money as possible. Many people are canceling subscriptions, and the first one to go could be Dropbox or Google Drive. Instead, store your files with this lifetime cloud storage deal.

You’ll no longer be chained to expensive monthly payments — just pay once and be set on cloud storage for life. Get 10TB of storage with Internxt for A$385 with code STORAGE30 at checkout. That's 92% off. And if you don’t need that much space, 2TB and 5TB plans are also available on sale.

Cloud storage without fees

With Internxt, you may be paying more upfront, but your cloud storage plan will pay for itself in time, saving you money in the long run.

You also won’t have to worry about running out of storage space on your phone, computer, or tablet ever again with 10TB to go around. Here are how many files you can store with 10TB at your disposal:

• 2 million photos

• 250 hours of 4K video

• 6.5 million documents

Another thing you won’t have to worry about is security. All of your Internxt files are end-to-end encrypted for your peace of mind.

Imagine never worrying about cloud storage again. That’s Internxt. Use code STORAGE30 at checkout to get this affordable cloud storage plan for A$385 (reg. A$4,718) for a limited time.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 10TB Plan A$385.00 at the Mashable Shop
A$4,718.00 Save A$4,333.00 Get Deal

Adding smart home devices gives you more control over your environment. They make your home safer and more secure, and they're just fun to use, too.

It comes as no surprise that Instagram Reels is copying TikTok in just about every way it can. The videos loop. The like, comment, and share buttons are on the right side of the screen. Even the buttons on the bottom match. But one of the most useful parts of TikTok — being able to speed up videos while you watch them — was long not a feature available to Reels users. Until now.

To speed up a video to twice its normal speed on Instagram Reels, you'll have to employ a tactic all too familiar to TikTok users. All you have to do is press and hold on the side of the video, and it'll speed right up. Unlike TikTok, which speeds up videos while users press down on the right side of their screen, you can press on the right or the left side of the Reel to achieve this. Like TikTok, it will only speed up while you're pressing and holding down. This feature isn't yet available to everyone.

SEE ALSO: Instagram is showing your friends which Reels you’ve liked

"We’re working on new ways to improve the Instagram Reels experience and are currently testing the ability to playback a reel in 2x speed. This is testing with a small group of people to start," a Meta spokesperson said in a statement to Mashable.

People love to watch videos on 2x speed. Some people do it while watching movies (which, to me, is unhinged, but is your right), YouTube videos, TikToks, and, now Reels too. While this might seem like a problem — how long until we start trying to speed our loved ones up? — it's probably not that big of a deal. As Mashable deputy UK editor Sam Haysom reported in 2022, research shows that students who watched videos at faster speeds "performed just as well in the tests as those watching at normal speeds."

"I was surprised at how effective students are at learning at 2X and even 2.5X speed," Murphy told Mashable at the time. "Our results demonstrated that students are good learners and can remember information even in circumstances that conventional wisdom suggests should be bad for learning. Given students' resiliency to faster playback speeds, I was encouraged that students could potentially use this strategy to enhance their comprehension."

Whether this has a significant impact on our offline communication remains to be seen. But I, for one, am ecstatic that I might be able to watch old movie trailers and videos I already saw on TikTok much faster on Reels now.

TL;DR: Watch Bayern Munich vs. Celtic in the Champions League for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League is getting serious. Places in the last 16 are at a premium, with the playoff round delivering huge matchups between Europe's elite.

Celtic and Bayern Munich are facing off in the second leg of their tie. If you want to watch Bayern Munich vs. Celtic in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Bayern Munich vs. Celtic?

Bayern Munich vs. Celtic in the Champions League starts at 8 p.m. GMT on Feb. 18. This fixture takes place at the Allianz Arena.

How to watch Bayern Munich vs. Celtic for free

Bayern Munich vs. Celtic is available to live stream on Prime Video in the UK, but you don't need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime to watch this fixture. Instead, you can watch Bayern Munich vs. Celtic (plus more Champions League fixtures) for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

Fans from outside the UK will need to use a VPN to watch the Champions League for free on Prime Video. This process is straightforward:

1. Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you're not already a member)

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

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

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

5. Watch Bayern Munich vs. Celtic for free from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

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 Bayern Munich vs. Celtic on Prime Video without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Champions League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Prime Video?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Prime Video, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• 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.

Stream Bayern Munich vs. Celtic in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.