Tech / Technology

Best antivirus software deals: Norton, Bitdefender, and more

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The best antivirus software deals as of Oct. 27 include discounts from brands like Norton, Bitdefender, and plenty more.
Person working on laptop.

UPDATE: Oct. 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m. EDT This list has been updated with the latest and greatest antivirus software deals across the web.

Best antivirus deals this week:
Best antivirus deal for Macs

Norton Antivirus Plus (one year, one device)

$19.99
(save $40)

Norton AntiVirus Plus on laptop screen

Best antivirus deal for PCs

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus (one year, one device)

$24.99
(save $35)

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus digital logo

The best antivirus software can protect you from online threats such as viruses, malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. Even if you think you’re being as careful as you can possibly be, these cybersecurity tools provide extra protection as you surf the web. New threats are emerging every day, so take our advice: Get your computer set up with antivirus software ASAP. To help you secure your devices, here are the best antivirus software deals we found this week.

SEE ALSO:

Your Mac *does* need antivirus software. Here are your best bets.

Best antivirus deal for Macs


Norton AntiVirus Plus on laptop screen

Credit: Norton


Norton Antivirus Plus (one year, one device)

$19.99 at Norton (save $40)

Why we like it

Norton Antivirus Plus provides all the basics you need from a well-rounded antivirus software package, and it’s super affordable at just $19.99 (for your first year, at least). With it, you’ll get full malware, ransomware, and hacking protection, 2GB of cloud backup, as well as a password manager. There are other Norton packages that include VPNs, identity theft protection, and more, but this is a great option for Macs, which don’t usually require a top-of-the-line security package.

Best antivirus deal for PCs


Bitdefender Antivirus Plus digital logo

Credit: Bitdefender


Bitdefender Antivirus Plus (one year, one device)

$24.99 at Bitdefender (save $35)

Why we like it

Bitdefender’s one-year Antivirus Plus plan not only protects you in real-time from malware, ransomware, spyware, and adware, but it also sets you up with a secure VPN for safer internet browsing, as well as phishing and online fraud protection while you shop. At only $24.99 for your first year, its one-device tier is a steal.

More antivirus software deals:

Tech / Technology

Meta rejected Unbound’s sex toy ads — until they marketed to men

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Sexual wellness brand Unbound made ads for a fake male-focused company, Thunderthrust. Meta approved Thunderthrust’s ads.
rejected and approved unbound and thunderthrust facebook ads

For years, online and offline spaces have rejected ads for products to help make sex better for women — but approved ones for men. In 2019, sex toy brand Dame sued the MTA over rejected subway ads (which they eventually settled). That same year, Dame and fellow brand Unbound pointed out this discrepancy with a quiz on what ads are blocked versus which are approved. When the ad centers a women’s sex toy, it’s rejected; when it’s about an erectile dysfunction product, it’s approved.

It’s sad to say that in 2023, the case is still the same. Now, Unbound tested whether Meta would approve its product ads if they were targeted to men — and it did.

When Unbound submitted ads for products like its Ollie wand vibrator, Bandit cock ring, or Cuffies handcuffs as they are, Meta rejected them. These ads feature the bright-colored products alone or with hands, usually in front of a colorful or sky backdrop.

“We want as many people as possible to have the best sex possible,” Unbound’s CEO and co-founder Polly Rodriguez said in a video on Twitter. “But the problem is that we cannot reach them.”

SEE ALSO:

I put AI photos on my Hinge dating profile. They were the most liked by far

Unbound’s senior content manager Maddy Siriouthay went on to explain that many advertising platforms write their compliance policies through the lens of family planning — products that assist or prevent pregnancy. Here is a snippet from Meta’s Adult Product or Services ad policy:

Ads must not promote the sale or use of adult products or services. Ads promoting sexual and reproductive health products or services, like contraception and family planning, must be targeted to people 18 years or older and must not focus on sexual pleasure.

In practice, however, Unbound found a plethora of ads to improve erectile dysfunction and “male” sexual performance. Some of these ads contained explicit language and body parts.

As an experiment, Unbound edited their products to be in stereotypical dude colors (gray), changed the target audience, and created a name for a fake male fitness and performance enhancing company, Thunderthrust. The toys themselves stayed the same, and Unbound submitted Thunderthrust ads for approval.

unbound ollie wand vibrator ad rejected by meta

Unbound’s original ad for Ollie, its wand vibrator, rejected by Meta.
Credit: Unbound

thunderthrust black and white ad featuring bare back of male with black wand vibrator

Unbound’s “Thunderthrust” ad for Ollie, approved by Meta.
Credit: Unbound

Meta approved these male-targeted ads.

This is a long-standing problem that companies like Unbound are fighting against. Earlier this year, these brands along with the Center for Intimacy Justice filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requesting that the FTC take action against Meta’s rejection of female-focused ads. This comes after Meta’s policy change in October 2022 to allow sexual health, wellness, and reproductive health ads — but, judging from this experiment, there’s still more to be done.

The Center has an ongoing petition to #StopCensoringSexualHealth, which Unbound workers encourage people to sign in its Thunderthrust videos.

“These policies are discriminatory in the way they are written, because they only allow one gender identity access to the tools and information that support a holistic definition of sexual wellness,” said Rodriguez in a second Twitter video.

Want more sex and dating stories in your inbox? Sign up for Mashable’s new weekly After Dark newsletter.

“We’d love to talk to Meta about improving the policies so that they are less gendered in how they are written and applied, and we’d welcome any conversation at any point in time,” Rodriguez told Mashable, while commenting that Meta has historically not been willing to come to the table.

Mashable reached out to Meta for comment and will update this story if received.

“Vibrator ads might seem a tedious hill to die on,” said Siriouthay in Unbound’s video, “but companies like Meta which own social media networks like Facebook and Instagram have major influence in what we see every day, which can then influence our subconscious beliefs, and the choices we make, and the opportunities we have.”

Tech / Technology

Best headphones for under £100

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The best cheap headphones for under £100, including models from Sony and JBL.
A pair of green headphones on a green and pink background

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

What are the true essentials that every modern person needs? Water, food, oxygen, and oh yeah, a cracking set of headphones. Indeed, you can’t put a price on a great pair of headphones. Except for when you’re working on a budget. Sometimes you just have to put a price on them. In this case, £100 or less.

There is a common trap that a lot of shoppers fall into with headphones: The (false) notion that you need to spend big to get the best technology. Sure, you probably have a better guarantee with the most expensive devices from the biggest brands, but that doesn’t mean quality can’t be found at a more reasonable price point.

Switched-on shoppers will find deals on tech, including laptops, desktops, smartphones, and more, with just a little know-how. See below: You’ll also find great-sounding, tech-savvy headphones at low prices — without comprising on quality.

What’s the best headphones brand?

There are plenty of brands out there — from household name manufacturers to lesser-known audio wizards — offering big sound, total comfort, and serious style. You already know the big-name players such as Philips, Sony, Bose, and Apple. And sticking to the top brands always has plus points. You know you’re getting the best. There are however lots of other brands to consider. There’s great value and surprisingly good spec on offer from smaller brand names like JBL.

What are the most important headphones features?

Choosing a pair of affordable headphones doesn’t mean simply knowing where to get the lowest prices. It means knowing the key features and the spec that best suits your lifestyle and listening habits. Consider whether you prefer old school wired headphones or something that’s wireless and Bluetooth-equipped. Other features to research include built-in microphones for making calls, or apps that allow you to control the music levels and other functions. Also, check out what kind of drivers the headphones offer. Drivers are little bits of tech that convert electronic signals into sound. The best performing drivers within this price point are between 30mm-50mm. Look for performance across the range of frequencies — the highs, mids, and lows.

What is noise cancellation?

This is another important feature in up-to-date headphones. It’s pretty much as it sounds — a feature built into headphones that keeps out external noise, allowing you to fully immerse yourself into the music distraction-free. There are two basic kinds of noise cancellation: Passive and active noise cancelling.

Passive noise cancellation is achieved by the design and build of the headphones, which physically blocks out noise. This might include large over-ear cups that create a seal which prevents external sound seeping through.

Active noise cancellation (ANC) uses a system of small microphones which pick up in-coming sounds and create anti-noise sound waves to cancel them out. Advanced variations include noise cancelling which adapts to your surroundings — or can even be customised — and a transparency mode which allows certain sounds to bleed through, so you can tune back in to reality or have a conversation IRL.

Do closed-back or open-back headphones sound better?

“Closed-back” and “open-back” are other terms you may have come across. Closed-back headphones have hard-shell ear cups which direct the sound towards your ears and keep out external noise. They’re best for listening on-the move or in busy places. Open-back headphones have ventilation — usually with a mesh design on the ear cup — which allows sound to go both ways. This causes sound leakage both ways, but creates a more natural, realistic sound.

To the untrained ear, open-back sounds like a cheap alternative. But the open-back design is usually reserved for top, audiophile-friendly models because the sound is actually superior — closer to listening to a stereo or even a band playing live. At this price point, however, closed-back are more common.

What are the best headphones for under £100?

You could go and hunt down the best value headphones that the internet has to offer, but — fortunately for you — we’re absolute gluttons for audio-based punishment. We’ve done the hard work of tracking down the best headphones that go easy on your bank balance. Just choose the pair that sounds good.

These are the best headphones for under £100 in 2023.

Tech / Technology

Best wireless headphones for TV in 2023 (UK)

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The best wireless headphones for watching TV, including popular models from top brands like Sony and Bose.
Wireless headphones

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

There’s no doubt that watching TV is one of the all-time great hobbies. Who doesn’t love a good session in front of the box after a hard day’s work? But sometimes your home life can get in the way of your TV time. So, if you’re a proud TV addict, you need a pair of good headphones.

You might live in a busy household where people are constantly in and out, playing loudly around you, or are working on their own activities and hobbies. Simply put, your family or housemates might annoy the hell out of you when you’re trying enjoy your latest Netflix obsession. Or maybe you annoy them with your loud TV watching.

Thank goodness, then, for wireless headphones. Wireless headphones make it possible to fully immerse into a show or movie without bothering people around you.

Do you need headphones for watching TV?

Reasons for having headphones for the TV can vary. Perhaps viewers are hard of hearing, or maybe you don’t want to disturb everyone else in the house. In the day and age of everyone having different devices — often in the same room — it makes sense to have headphones for the TV. Even if you’re not using them all the time. And, hey, there’s always the option of getting a pair that double up for TV and everyday use.

What should you look for when buying headphones for the TV?

Sound is important when you’re buying any pair of headphones, but if you’re buying specifically for watching TV, you’ll need to consider the sort of things you’ll be watching. Will you need heavy bass for the rumbling carnage of action movies? Or nuanced detail for quieter, pensive moments? Or maybe all-round, un-fussy performance for casually watching sport and comedy?

If you’re relaxing in front of the TV, chances are you don’t want to actually be connected to the TV — what you need are wireless headphones.

What’s best, Bluetooth or radio frequency technology?

Most wireless headphones are Bluetooth-enabled, the standard technology these days for hooking your headphones to a smart device. It might be standard, but this is not necessarily the best tech for wirelessly watching TV. There might be some lag between what you’re watching on the screen and what you hear in your headphones, which means the picture and sound might be slightly out of sync. Bluetooth is a good option for podcasts or music on your smartphone or laptop, but it’s not always the best for watching TV.

Believe it or not, headphones that use old school radio frequency technology (RF) are excellent for watching TV because lag or latency is minuscule and virtually seamless between picture and audio. This doesn’t mean there aren’t good Bluetooth options out there, but it’s something to consider when shopping.

What are Bluetooth codecs?

If you do want to buy a Bluetooth-enabled set of headphones, check out which codecs they support. These encode and decode digital audio signals. Codecs decode at a specific bitrate, which determines whether the headphones have a high or low latency (AKA lag), which is measured in milliseconds. High latency means your picture and sound may be out of sync.

Look out for headphones with low latency that support Qaulcomm’s aptX codecs, which are generally rated as the best codecs for streaming video content or hooking up to a TV.

Do you need noise cancelling headphones to watch TV?

Ultimately, it’s down to personal preference but if you want a totally immersive experience, noise cancelling headphones will block out the world and put you right at the centre of a movie or show.

There are two kinds of noise cancellation — passive and active noise cancelling. Passive noise cancellation is achieved by the design and build of the headphones, which physically block out noise. Active noise cancellation (usually called ANC) uses a system of small microphones which pick up incoming sounds and create anti-noise sound waves to cancel them out.

What are the best headphones for watching TV?

If that seems like a lot of information to take in, don’t worry, because we’ve scoured the reviews and have come up with a list of your best options for watching TV. We’ve lined up all the best wireless headphones for watching your favourite show or movie, including popular devices from top brands like Sony and Bose.

There should be something for everyone and every budget in this list. We recommend taking your time and considering everything that has made the cut. Weigh these headphones up against your priorities and a favourite should emerge.

These are the best wireless headphones for watching TV in 2023.

Tech / Technology

Best Apple deal: MacBook Pro refurb for just $400

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This refurbished 13.3″ Apple MacBook Pro with SSD has some light signs of wear, making it only $400 instead of $550.
MacBook Pro

TL;DR: As of October 27, get this refurbished MacBook Pro 13.3″ for only $399.99 — that’s 27% off.

Even if you have a smartphone or tablet, a laptop is a different type of convenience. While it may be a little bigger than a tablet, you get much more power to get work done or watch videos. This 13.3″ MacBook Pro weighs less than two pounds, so taking it on the go is pretty convenient. And Apple is one of those brands that is just known for its quality products. 

This MacBook Pro combines a sleek design with powerful performance and versatility to create a perfect device for work, play, home, and travel. And for a limited time, you can get a storage-rich refurbished model for just $399.99.

This MacBook Pro comes from the model year 2016, which isn’t very far behind the tech times. So even though it’s refurbished, it comes with some great features and specs. It has a grade “B” refurbished rating, meaning it’s in great working condition but might have some cosmetic blemishes.

With its 2.0GHz Intel Core i5 Dual-Core processor, you can multitask with ease and even add some extra juice when you need it via the Turbo Boost (up to 2.7GHz). It features 8GB RAM and a generous 256GB SSD to store videos, documents, apps, and files locally for easy retrieval.

The battery gives you up to 10 hours of life to help you get through a busy workday or travel day without needing to charge it constantly. This laptop has WiFi, Bluetooth 4.2, and an HD FaceTime camera, so you can take video calls clearly and professionally.

Grab a refurbished MacBook for a fraction of the cost of a new one to surprise your favorite student, professional, or busy parent for the holidays.

Pick up this refurbished Apple MacBook Pro for just $399.99 (reg. $550) while it’s still on sale.

Prices subject to change.


A gray MacBook Pro

Credit: Apple


Apple Macbook Pro 13.3″ Core i5, 2.0GHz 8GB RAM 256GB SSD (Refurbished)

$399.99 at the Mashable Shop