Tech / Technology

Best VPN deals in November 2023 (UK)

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The best deals on popular VPNs like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost VPN.
Surfshark on laptop

The online world can be a dangerous place, with hackers, viruses, and surveillance software lurking in every corner of the web. We’re not trying to scare you, but have you ever considered just how much of your personal data is exposed to this sort of thing whilst you’re browsing? If not, you probably should. You might be surprised by the results.

Your data is seriously valuable stuff these days, and everyone is looking to get their hands on it. Once you come to understand that the internet is insecure, it’s perfectly normal to feel a little concerned about how much of your data is up for grabs. There’s no need to panic though, because there is a simple and effective way that you can stay protected.

SEE ALSO:

The best VPNs for remaining anonymous online

To stay safe online and keep all of your data and personal information secure, you really should consider investing in a VPN.

What is a VPN?

VPNs provide protection for your data and identity by creating a private network that hides your real IP address. All of your activity is untraceable and secure because everything passes through an encrypted tunnel. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside is protected against online threats. This means that hackers, governments, and your internet service provider will be unable to access any of your information.

Do you need a VPN?

Investing in a VPN is one of the best ways to ensure your safety and anonymity online. VPNs are vital tools in the fight against scammers and cybercriminals, but there’s another reason you might consider these security services. And it has nothing to do with security.

VPNs can be used to unlock streaming services from around the world, including the likes of Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. How do they do this? It’s actually a really simple process, and it can significantly boost your content options. All you need to do is open up your preferred VPN, connect to a server from another country in order to spoof your IP to another address, and then head to your preferred streaming site. This process tricks the site into thinking you are based in another country, meaning you can watch all that great content that is normally blocked.

VPNs are really useful for cybersecurity and streaming, which means they should be a worthwhile investment for just about everyone.

What should you know before subscribing to a VPN?

Selecting a VPN that is right for you is not easy, because there are a lot of options all offering similar packages. To make the decision a little simpler, we have highlighted a selection of the most important things to consider before making any sort of purchase:

  • Connection speed — This is absolutely vital whether you’re looking to use a VPN for online security or streaming. It’s normal for a VPN to result in a drop in your connection speed, but you shouldn’t accept anything significant.

  • Encryption — We know that a lot of people will be using VPNs for streaming, but these services are primarily designed to provide cybersecurity, so encryption is important. The best VPNs will offer powerful protection for your data, meaning that everything is unreadable and untraceable.

  • Number of connections — You should seek out a VPN that offers multiple simultaneous connections, so you can stay protected on all your devices at the same time. This is also beneficial for large families or households with multiple people likely to be online at the same time.

  • Privacy policy — The best VPNs should be very clear about how they handle, store, and use your data. These practices should be laid out in a privacy policy, and if they aren’t super clear, you should look elsewhere.

  • Server network — The best VPNs provide access to thousands of servers located all around the world. This is useful as you should always be able to find a stable and speedy connection for streaming, shopping, or browsing.

There are plenty of other things that are worth considering, like bandwidth, apps for certain operating systems, and customer support, but these are probably the most important features to keep in mind.

Should you use free VPNs?

With free versions of popular VPNs and free trials of VPNs with full access to everything you get with a premium plan, why would you ever pay? As with most things in life, you get what you pay for with VPNs.

There tends to always be a catch with free versions, and it’s normally in the form of limited data usage. If you’re just an occasional user, these plans will work fine. But if you’re going to be streaming or downloading, this isn’t going to work. Free trials are a little bit different: they come with everything you get in a paid plan, but obviously they don’t tend to last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn’t a long-term solution.

To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you need to pay up. The best VPNs are generally the most expensive, but there are plenty of cheap plans out there, especially if you’re willing to commit to a lengthy contract.

What is the best VPN?

There are a lot of VPNs out there, and we recommend taking some time to carefully access all your options. Once you have established exactly what you need, you can turn your attention to finding the best deals on all the top VPNs.

We have reached out to partners in order to line up a list of the best deals on the most popular providers, to help you save big. You can find all the best deals on the likes of ExpressVPN, NordVPN, PureVPN, and more.

These are the best VPN deals in 2023.

Tech / Technology

Best headphones for iPhone in 2023 (UK)

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Find the perfect partner for your iPhone with this selection of top headphones from brands like Apple and Sony.
Apple iPhone and AirBuds

Listen closely: your whole life is packed inside your phone. And if listening to music — not to mention podcasts and audiobooks — is one of life’s true pleasures, you need a good set of headphones or earbuds to connect to your phone.

That’s especially true for iPhone users. As dedicated Apple fans will know, the Apple iOS is a uniquely designed system, built for syncing Apple products together. That means only certain headphones will do (though the best ones aren’t always Apple-produced, by the way). And the ones that come bundled with your iPhone just don’t sound as good as a dedicated set. They also leak sound like crazy.

If you’re serious about your sounds — and you should be — you need a pair that both suit the capabilities of your iPhone and your lifestyle. It’s important to know what you’re looking for, so we’ve gone ahead and done the research for you.

Do you need wireless headphones for your iPhone?

To put it simply, yes. If you have an iPhone, it’s probably time to go wireless. You have to go back several generations to find an iPhone that has a regular 3.5mm audio jack input. Apple has insisted on equipping its phones with a Lightning port for several years now. Apple headphones also use Lightning connections so they can plug straight into your phone. And if you have a pair of wired non-Apple headphones, Apple also sells an adaptor which connects a regular audio jack to the Lightning connection. But these adaptors are unreliable and break all-too easily. The best option is to connect your iPhone to the headphones. It’s much easier and means fewer cables.

What is true wireless?

True wireless — or “truly” wireless as it’s sometimes called — refers to headphones that have no cord connected to your phone or device. True wireless headphones can use different types of wireless technology to transmit the sound into your ears. The most common form is Bluetooth. Wireless sound quality can be affected by factors such as distance and obstructions between your headphones and device, but also the codec software that your headphones support. Codecs are algorithms that encode and decode digital audio signals. Look out for headphones with low latency that support Qaulcomm’s aptX codecs, which are usually rated as the best codecs — particularly for streaming video on your phone and ensuring the picture and audio stay in sync.

Are AirPods the best headphones for the iPhone?

Yes and no. AirPods are great — especially AirPods Pro and AirPods Pro Max (as you’ll see below) — but they’re also expensive. They’re definitely a good one-stop solution as they’re so convenient to set up with your iPhone and they fit the Apple aesthetic perfectly. However, if you’re keen to search around and spend a little longer setting things up (or spend a little less), there are other good options out there.

Should you buy the cheapest pair of headphones?

You can spend a few pounds on the cheapest pair of headphones, but you might as well just use the buds that come free with your iPhone. Going cheap is a false economy and you’ll sacrifice quality and function. If you regularly listen to music, it’s worth investing a little more. The sound quality is going to be much better.

What is noise cancellation?

Noise cancellation blocks out ambient noise, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in your music. It’s usually a mark of the best, most advanced headphones.

There are two kinds of noise cancellation: Passive and active noise cancellation. Passive noise cancellation is achieved by the design and build of the headphones, which physically block out noise by having oversized ear cups that create a seal. Active noise cancellation (ANC) uses a system of small microphones that pick up incoming sounds and create anti-noise sound waves to cancel them out. Also, look out for advanced ANC modes such as “transparency mode”. This allows a certain level of ambient noise to seep in, such as other people’s voices. It’s handy for listening out for train platform announcements or having conversations with pals and colleagues.

What are the best headphones for the iPhone?

Think about the main reasons that you need new headphones: Are you going to be using them while you travel? Will you be listening to music mainly at home? Or while exercising? We’ve looked at a number of different scenarios and figured out the best headphones or earbuds for you and your lifestyle. In other words, we’ve done the hard work for you. There should be something for everyone and every budget in this list. We’ve lined up a selection of impressive options from top brands.

These are the best headphones for your iPhone in 2023.

Tech / Technology

Best VPN for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

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Find lobbies with less skilled opponents on ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’.
Two gamers on a sofa

TL;DR: ExpressVPN is the best VPN for gaming. Find Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 lobbies with less skilled opponents with this high-speed VPN.


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Credit: ExpressVPN


ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free)

£82.82 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is a revamp of the legendary 2011 game of the same name, and we absolutely cannot wait to play.

This eagerly anticipated game is set for release on Nov. 8, which means players from around the world will be preparing to roll back the clock and engage in a marathon session. It will be just like the good old days, right?

We don’t want to bring the vibe down, but the 2023 version uses Skill-Based Matchmaking. This is meant to match people of relatively similar skill levels before each game. This has caused a lot of complaints, as some gamers believe this makes the game too competitive and punishes those looking for a more casual gaming experience. 

This is frustrating, but all is not lost because gamers can use VPNs to get the most out of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

Do you need a VPN for Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3?

If you’re looking to dominate the battlefield, you could benefit from investing in a gaming-friendly VPN. These services offer everything you need for a secure and successful gaming experience.

You can use a VPN to secure access to easier lobbies when playing online. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, tricking Call of Duty into thinking you are based elsewhere. That means you could connect to a country with fewer active gamers, so your chance of meeting skilled players is reduced.

This process sounds complicated, but it’s actually really straightforward:

  1. Sign up for 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 a country with fewer active gamers (Turkey or Eastern European is recommended)

  4. Play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

  5. Find lobbies with less skilled opponents

What is the best VPN for gaming?

There are a number of gaming-friendly VPNs, including NordVPN and CyberGhost VPN. These will get the job done, but ExpressVPN is the best of the best. This high-speed VPN offers everything you need to improve your gaming experience:

  • Servers in 94 countries

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to five simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82, saving you 49% on list price. This plan includes an extra three months of coverage and a year of unlimited cloud backup for free. All subscribers also get a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can recover your cash if things don’t work out.

Save 49% on the best VPN for gaming.

Tech / Technology

Artificial reefs could be a new climate solution

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A research team building the world’s largest artificial reef may have unlocked a new climate solution.

Since 1950, we have lost half of our oceans’ coral reefs. As sea temperatures rise due to the relentless burning of fossil fuels, endangering the fragile marine ecosystems, scientists are urgently looking for solutions.

One example is located off the coast in southern Texas. It’s a giant 2.5-square mile artificial reef comprised of intentionally sunken vessels, concrete rail ties, and cinder block, which aims to sequester carbon while providing habitat for marine species. The project was created by scientists at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and supported by non-profit Friends of RGV Reef. It also received funding from Canadian oil giant Enbridge which, while investing in some environmental projects, has continued to emit millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases each year, build pipelines endangering both the planet and Indigenous communities and, as reported by the Guardian in 2021, worked with police to crackdown on protesters opposing the building of Line 3 in Minnesota.

The research team behind the artificial reef is trying to determine whether the human-made construction can be successful at carbon capturing and sequestration. Though the study just completed the first part of its two-year investigation, results are already encouraging: the team has found that the reef is, in fact, sequestering carbon. What’s left to establish is whether the amounts captured are sufficient to make a significant impact.

With an estimated 25 percent of marine species living in and around coral reefs, the underwater ecosystems have been deemed “the rainforests of the seas.” Though recently there have been encouraging discoveries of coral reefs untouched by humans, a lot more work still needs to be done to ensure their preservation. And yes, cutting down carbon emissions is number one on the list.