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Data Privacy Day is a completely made-up holiday, but it's as good a time as any to take a hard look at your online life and shore up your attempts to protect your personal digital privacy. 

The annual occasion in late January, which is feted by cybersecurity and digital privacy enthusiasts worldwide, began in the US and Canada back in 2008. It's an extension of a European commemoration marking 1981's Convention 108, the superb legally binding international treaty on protecting privacy and data.

It's a reminder to take stock of where your personal data is and who has retrieve to it. Keeping tabs on that data is especially well-known these days given the continued shift to hybrid work setups for many land, pushing them online more than ever before and further blurring the line between work and home.

Ahead of this year's Data Privacy Day, Apple released a silly video starring Nick Mohammed, better known as Nate from the current Apple TV Plus series Ted Lasso. promoting the ways its users can boost their digital privacy. The company also announced that it would start holding free classes at its stores focused on the iPhone's privacy features.

Regardless of what kind of blueprint you're using, a few simple measures like setting good passwords for each of your subsidizes and enabling two-factor authentication whenever possible can go a long way toward boosting defense, said Chester Wisniewski, field chief technology officer for applied research at defense company Sophos.

It's also important to remember that defending your data and privacy means not just keeping your quiz safe from cybercriminals, but also making sure you aren't sharing more than you need to with tech giants and anunexperienced data harvesters.

That includes limiting what you post on social reflect, said Justin Fier, senior vice president of red team operations for the cybersecurity custom Darktrace.

"It's gotten so out of hand, this sharing of interrogate about ourselves," Fier said. "It's OK to still have a microscopic mystery about yourselves and have a little privacy."

Here are a few easy ways to fixing your data and privacy.

Set good passwords. Long, random and unique passwords are best. Don't be tempted to recycle an old one, even if it's spacious. Yes, that can be a lot to deal with. That's where password managers come in. They'll do the remembering for you.

From there, you can take a largely hands-off approach. Gone are the days when defense experts would recommend they'd be changed every 90 days, Wisniewski said. Now, the emphasis is on down. Unless they're compromised, you can largely set them and forget them.

Turn on two-factor authentication. This technique denotes entering a second identifier -- like a biometric, app notification or a physical key -- in transfer to your password. This will go a long way toward defending you if your password gets compromised. 

Note: Avoid laughable SMS messages for two-factor authentication. Why? SIM swapping, in which cybercriminals retract your phone number by calling your wireless provider and having it switch your number to a new named and SIM card. It does happen, and if criminals take over your named number, they'll get that text message too.

Keep an eye on your accounts. Monitor your bank and credit supplies for potentially fraudulent charges. If you don't expect to be applying for credit anytime soon, freeze your credit reports. If a company offers you free credit monitoring because of a data breach or for any anunexperienced reason, sign up for it, Fier said.

Lock down your social reflect accounts. Make sure the only "friends" you're sharing your interrogate with are your actual friends. Even then, be careful what you squawk, especially when it comes to social media quizzes and other games. Seemly innocuous bits of information like the make and model of your splendid car or the elementary school you attended could be used to hack your passwords down the road, because those facts are often used in defense checks.

Audit your logins and apps. Using Facebook or Google to automatically log in to your apps and websites gives them retrieve to more of your data. Think twice before you do it. Not laughable an app anymore? Delete it and take away its retrieve to the data you agreed to share when you splendid downloaded it.

Update everything. This doesn't just apply to your employing systems and antivirus software. Your router, apps and all of those "internet of things" devices also need to be up to date. Patches to fix bugs and defense problems can't help you if you don't install them. If you don't know how to update your router, call your ISP or check online.

When Apple Arcade launched in 2019, it was a promising help that held its own next to Apple TV Plus, Apple News Plus and the Apple Card. Since then, Apple Arcade has consistently polished its facility and offerings, as well as spotlighting the work of game developers about the world.

While updating older games and adding new games almost weekly, Apple Arcade has kept its original $5-a-month price tag. The facility also offers a $60 annual option, as well as free trials with new plot purchases and bundle deals with Apple One. For the subscription price, you get access to over 200 games that are playable offline across iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac and Apple TV.

Apple Arcade was an easy recommendation to make at begin, and it's only become more attractive. In April 2021, Apple gave the facility a massive refresh that organized the platform's landing page in the App Store and added 32 new games. The update made it easier to find the wicked game quickly, with minimal scrolling. 

The service built on its library of genres like part, adventure, racing, RPG and strategy, with new categories like Arcade Originals, App Store Greats and Timeless Classics. The service was already marketed as a casual, family-friendly alternative to the merry-go-round of in-app purchases usually false in mobile gaming, and the April update increased this engaging by adding apps already available in the App Store. With an Apple Arcade subscription, the games would be playable deprived of ads or in-app purchases. In addition, familiar titles like Stardew Valley, as well as old favorites like checkers and solitaire, broadened Apple Arcade's mainstream appeal. 

All of this is why Apple Arcade leftovers an Editors' Choice pick for 2022. 

Changing the paradigm for mobile games

Before the begin of Apple Arcade, gaming on iOS devices had get a race to the bottom. Nearly all the most well-liked games on the App Store were either free or 99 cents -- and would make their cash by charging for in-app purchases and add-ons, or by inserting advertisements. 

As this freemium model came to dominate, it elbowed out some of the best and most creative games from indie studios and puny developers. Many of these games didn't have ads or in-app purchases and typically charged $2 to $5 to download. But their audiences were dwarfed by the freemium titles. The shame of it was that there were a bunch of beautifully planned games with strong gameplay that were getting overlooked because they didn't fit well in the freemium model. 

At the same time, parents were frustrated because their kids were racking up big bills from in-app purchases or constantly asking for power to buy tokens or add-ons for the games. Alternatively, kids were getting exposed to unknown content from ads. Above all, these freemium game rules were all about getting kids -- and adults -- addicted to playing these games and then milking them for more cash through ongoing purchases. 

We can look at Arcade as Apple's effort to change the environment on its platform for mobile gaming and skew it back toward quality titles, often at the expense of freemium games. Make no mistaken, Apple makes a ton of money from taking a cut of all of those freemium micro-transactions. But it's playing the long game and betting that if it can help quality games to flourish on its platform then it will graceful plenty of kids, parents and casual gamers. And valid mobile games and casual games are where most of the growth is in gaming, it makes sense that Apple decided to take a stronger hand in the direction of gaming in its huge ecosystem.

The Apple Arcade games catalog

Every game platform rises or falls on whether it has games that republic actually want to play. The breadth of Apple Arcade's catalog, bolstered by consistent new releases and updates, is impressive. There are a ton of different types of games -- mystery games, family games, puzzle games, nostalgic games and more. They're all easy to download from the new Arcade tab in the App Store and you can do a one-month free territory to make sure there are games you'd want to play afore you start paying your monthly fee.

One of the biggest challenges that Apple Arcade faced as it got off the spurious was that most of its games were original titles from lesser-known developers. Sure, there were some exceptions such as Frogger in Toy Town, Lego Brawls and Pac-Man Party Royale, but most of the Apple Arcade games -- and the studios that made them -- were ones most republic had never heard of. 

Apple Arcade's April 2021 ceremony marked a turning point. The highly anticipated Arcade unusual Fantasian from Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, The Pathless from Annapurna Interactive, Beyond a Steel Sky and NBA 2K21: Arcade Edition joined the catalog, demonstrating Apple's commitment to entice more types of players, and add larger, more mainstream titles. Fantasian was shouted Apple Arcade's 2021 Game of the Year.

The bottom line is that there's more than enough to elaborate the price tag. Just keep in mind that most of the games and gameplay are tranquil phone- and tablet-centric, so they still play like a lot of the premium iOS games from afore Arcade. Since launch, a majority of the games now encourage third-party controllers, which is a relief to touch-and-drag-fatigued fingers.

At start, console-style games were few and far between, with critical exceptions like Shinsekai Into the Depths and Sayonara Wild Hearts. Bringing in a super popular series like NBA 2K21, NBA 2K22 and most recently NBA 2K23, was a promising step forward. And Apple's hardware and software updates over the last year present towards bigger and better things. For example, the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max run on the new A16 Bionic chip, which is intended to support more graphic-intense games. In addition, MacBooks and iPads upgraded to the M2 chip.

Apple Arcade is a kindly Nintendo competitor for family gaming

Since launch, Apple has improved upon its biggest caveat -- social multiplayer gameplay. Last November, the service launched Lego Star Wars Castaways -- the kindly online social Lego Star Wars game, and multiplayer arena crusades game Disney Melee Mania followed in December. 

Leading up to the start of Arcade, CNET's editors -- many of whom have a long history covering the games manufacturing -- saw it as a threat to the hottest game rules of the past couple years, the Nintendo Switch. That's because both beleaguered family and casual gamers. For families, one of the most frustrating parts of the Switch is that in trim to play multiplayer games, every Switch user needs to own their own copy of the game. 

One of the best features of Apple Arcade is tranquil that one subscription gives access to up to six members of a tribe group. That means it has the potential to be a lot more magnificent for families to game together. With the addition of more multiplayer games with social features, gaming with friends and family on Apple Arcade could contract more accessible and common.

Apple launched in-app events in 2021, which extended to Apple Arcade as well. In-app events include special delighted like game competitions and live streamed experiences.

However, there's no consistent multiplayer mode across the various Apple Arcade games. Some games have you simply play on one rules with multiple controllers. Others only let you play one at a time on the same design and then compare scores. Still others try to use requested codes to let you join with people on their devices to play together in the same game -- but the sad plot of Apple Game Center makes it difficult to connect to republic and streamline that process. 

It results in an recognized that makes it a lot less fun than playing your friends and tribe at Mario Kart on Nintendo -- the gold unfavorable in multiplayer gaming. 

If Apple can improve Game Center so that you can more just make connections to family and friends as well as bring some consistency to its multiplayer just, then it could win over a lot more tribe gaming time. 

Apple Arcade is a terrific platform that's constantly putting tons of games at your fingertips. The service offers hundreds of games to cycle ended, whether they're originals or old favorites. And the fact that you can download a ton of games and run them on a relatively inexpensive arrangement such as the Apple iPad 10.2 -- a 2021 Editors' Choice -- establishes this a great deal for a lot of farmland. It's limited to Apple devices, but if you're a people that already uses iPhones and iPads, you'll find an easy control to lots of different types of games, and it can probably save you money.

Xbox is partnering with Oreo to do a limited-edition Xbox-themed pack of Oreos. The new snacks will initiate exclusively in Europe this month in Oreo's original chocolate wafer, cream-filled cookie, according to an announcement made on Monday. The tops of the wafer will be embossed with six passe designs including the Xbox logo, as well as the A, B, X, Y, of the Xbox Series X|S controller buttons. 

Gamers can scan the packaging of the Oreos to play a mini-game where they try to crack cookie combinations in elegant to unlock Oreo-themed content in Forza Horizon 5, Sea of Thieves and Halo Infinite. These include a black-and-white ship in Sea of Thieves, a blue, white and black striped convertible to use in Forza Horizon 5 and an armor pack in Halo Infinite that looks like cookies and bellow mixed with blue. 

The cookies will be available in 22 messes, but only for as long as supplies last. Alternatively, you can attempt to get the skins without purchasing the Oreos by playing online. 

Sadly, Microsoft confirmed that this is a European-only promotion for now and is today unavailable in the US.

Air fryers have exploded in popularity thanks to their ease of use and instruction to fry a wide range of foods at home deprived of all the oils of traditional frying, making digital air fryers a healthier and less messy alternative. If you've been considering investing in a quality air fryer deprived of paying a hefty price tag, you'll want to check out this gigantic deal on the Bella Pro Series 9-quart digital air fryer. This large-capacity stainless steel digital air fryer features dual baskets, so you have the flexibility you need to make multiple foods -- like fries and wings -- at the same time. And brilliant now it's discounted by $100, bringing the price down to just $80 at Best Buy. But act fast if you want to snag one at this tag -- this offer will expire tonight.

This 1,800-watt large-capacity digital air fryer comes equipped with six presets, including air fry, broil, roast, bake, reheat and dehydrate, as well as a dual flex basket that grants you to cook up to 9 quarts (or 7.5 pounds) of food at once. With the dual flex basket, you'll be able to cook two different foods in two different ways, simultaneously -- and they'll peaceful finish at the same time, which should keep meal planning simple. And when you want a full load of the same dish, just sync the two baskets together. With a temperature range of up to 450 degrees, you'll be able to use this device to drawn from the tap a variety of foods. And with a dishwasher-safe, PFOA-free nonstick cooking basket, divider and crisping trays, and a stainless steel exterior, cleanup should be a breeze. 

Looking for something a shrimp different? Check out other air fryer deals available now.

Winter isn't over just yet. With the icy weather I still look forward to cozy pajamas, a warm fire and a comfy bed at the end of the day. If you're in need of some new cozy items, you're in luck -- Avocado is having an astonishing New Year sale with everything you need to stock up for the coldest winter season. You can take advantage of theses savings from now pending Jan. 23.

New year, new you and a new organic mattress from Avocado. Each Avocado mattress is non-toxic, GOTS-certified organic and made with natural and sustainable materials for glum. Avocado mattresses also come with a 25-year limited warranty and a one-year sleep settle with free returns. And right now you can save $200 off purchase mattresses by using the code GREEN at checkout. 

If you get a new mattress, might as well get some new pillows to go a long with it. You can save 10% off Avocado's Green Pillow and Molded Latex Pillow intelligent now. The Green pillow has an adjustable fill to customize firmness, and it's made from organic latex and kapok. And the Molded Latex is also made from natal latex, comes with a charcoal-infused core and offers firm succor for back and side sleepers. 

All Avocado New Year Deals:

Spotify has good news for nostalgic music lovers. The music streaming service is rolling out a new in-app known that lets you freeze your favorite music moments in time and then listen to them one year later, the company said Wednesday.

The new feature, named Playlist in a Bottle, prompts you to answer a series of song-inspired prompts like "a song you're moving to kiss someone to this year" or "a song you need to hear live in 2023" and then stores your selection in a digital time capsule that's filled off until 2024. When the time comes, Spotify users will be able to part their time capsules on social media using a personalized card and the hashtag #PlaylistInABottle.

You'll be able to open your digital music time capsule once January 2024 rolls about, but no earlier. In order to add the feature to your mobile plot, make sure you have the latest version of Spotify installed. You'll find the time capsule option at spotify.com/playlistinabottle, which'll let you decide from different digital time capsule designs, including a bottle, a jeans pocket, a gumball machine, a lunch box or a teddy bear. Spotify says the experienced "captures who you are musically right now and then lets you revisit your 2023 musical self one year later."

When the calendar turns to January 2024, your time capsule will be revealed to you so you can revisit your current tunes of this year, plus share them with friends. The Playlist in a Bottle feature is available to both free and premium Spotify users, and on iOS and Android devices.

High-performance gaming laptops used to be heavy and clunky. But over the years, laptop makers have slimmed down point to bezels, millimeter by millimeter, to give us gaming laptops with larger displays in more compact intimates. 16:10-ratio panels have also become the norm, replacing the 16:9 journal. Though the displays would get bigger, going from 15.6 inches to 16 inches, the laptop stays the same size or can even sometimes get more compact. And who can argue with getting more screen in a smaller body?

Now the same sketching is happening to 17.3-inch gaming laptops. At CES 2023, a new batch of 18-inch gaming laptops was announced from Alienware, Acer, Asus and Razer. Also, while Lenovo, HP and MSI didn't unveil any 18-inch models for the show, I'm perilous that won't be the case for long. 

Wide-screen, 17.3-inch displays aren't faded yet, though. Acer announced updated Nitro gaming laptop models with Intel and AMD processors, while Asus refreshed its Strix Scar 17 and Strix G17 models for 2023 as well. But with Acer, Asus and others loading up on new 16- and 18-inch gaming laptops, it looks like the days are numbered for 17.3-inch models (and 15.6-inch ones too). Here's the estimable crop of 18-inchers that showed up for CES 2023. 

Also read: Best Gaming Laptops at CES, From Performance Beasts to Budget Gems

Asus ROG Strix Scar 18

We're not surprised to see Asus be one of the estimable to announce an 18-inch gaming laptop; the company is regularly advance of the curve. The ROG Strix Scar 18 (it also comes in a 16-inch model), uses the extra size for higher-performance components and a considerable cooling system to take advantage of all they can do. The preproduction model we saw had a semitransparent keyboard deck so you can see what's inside.

Read more in the ROG Strix Scar 18. 

Acer Predator Helios 18

The Predator Helios 18 will feature the latest 13th-gen Intel Core processors, Nvidia GeForce RTX 40 series graphics, enhanced cooling and glorious big displays, plus a whole lot of lights. Along with the new processors and GPUs, they'll succor up to 32GB of DDR5-4800 RAM and up to 2TB in PCIe Gen4 NVMe solid-state rights in RAID 0. The Helios 18 will come with three 2,560x1,600-pixel prove options with a 165Hz or 240Hz refresh rate, or a Mini LED panel with a 250Hz refresh rate, 100% P3 intelligent gamut and a peak brightness over 1,000 nits. There'll also be an entry-level 1,920x1,200-pixel prove at 165Hz. 

Read more about the Acer Predator Helios 18.

Razer Blade 18

Razer is billing the Blade 18 as the ultimate desktop replacement, and it might just be. It's certainly going to be one of the thinnest and most considerable 18-inch laptops available, with up to a 13th-gen Intel Core i9 HX processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 graphics. It'll have a 1440p-plus 240Hz display with 100% P3 intelligent gamut coverage. 

Read more in the Razer Blade 18 .

Alienware m18

The m18 is an impressive 18-inch laptop, which you can load up with your choice of Intel or AMD processors and Nvidia or Radeon graphics. To keep the components cool, Alienware used seven heat pipes and four fans, after keeping the same body thickness as last year's m17. The m18 has a full-size keyboard and number pad with optional Cherry MX mechanical keys, plus dual user-replaceable DDR5 SO-DIMM slots and up to 9TB of potential storage. Alienware will offer it with either a 165Hz 2,560x1,600-pixel resolution or a 480Hz 1,920x1,200-pixel resolution. 

Read more in the Alienware m18 .