Tag: 12
CFTC Files Charges Against $12 Million ‘Bitcoin Ponzi Scheme’
BTC, ADA, BNB, DOGE and SHIB Price Analysis for August 12
The best VPN deals as of Aug. 12: ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Proton VPN, and more
UPDATE: Aug. 12, 2022, 11:22 a.m. EDT This story has been updated.
Using a virtual private network (VPN) is one of the best ways to protect your online data and stay anonymous on the web, whether you’re trying to stream movies abroad, torrent, bypass geo-restrictions, or just plain browse. Most providers’ plans cost anywhere from $2 to $12 per month, though many lure customers in with discounted introductory rates that skyrocket after your initial term. To help you lock in a plan that’ll fit your budget in the short and long term, we’re compiling a weekly roundup of the best deals on all the VPNs we’ve personally tested. Below, you can check out our top picks as of Aug. 12.
ExpressVPN — save 49% on a 15-month plan
Read our full review of ExpressVPN.
A reliable server network, a user-friendly app, a strong commitment to data protection, and a headquarters in the privacy-forward British Virgin Islands make ExpressVPN our favorite full-featured VPN on the market. It also happens to be one of the most expensive VPNs out there, which is why we highly recommend taking advantage of a promotion it’s been running since early June: You can enroll in a 15-month plan at just $6.67/month, which is 49% off its standard $12.95/month rate. (Bonus: Your purchase is covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee and comes with a year’s worth of unlimited cloud backups from Backblaze — that’s a $7/month value by itself.) You’ll switch to an $8.32/month annual plan after the first term is up. Bitcoin is accepted.
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NordVPN — save 67% on a 2-year Standard plan
Read our full review of NordVPN.
Power users shouldn’t think twice about signing up for NordVPN, another industry giant based in the British Virgin Islands that packs robust security features like double encryption, obfuscated servers, dark web monitoring, malware protection, ad and tracker blockers, and Onion Over VPN, a tool that combines your VPN connection with the Tor network for an extra layer of privacy. All of its subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, the cheapest one being its two-year Standard plan: New customers can sign up for an introductory rate of just $3.99/month, or 67% off its usual $11.99/month pricing. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP are accepted.
Optional upgrades include:
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NordVPN Plus (with cross-platform password manager and data breach scanner) — $4.69/month
$10.58/month(save 56%) for two years -
NordVPN Complete (with a cross-platform password manager, data breach scanner, and 1TB encrypted cloud storage) — $5.99/month
$16.57/month(save 64%) for two years
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Proton VPN — save 50% on a two-year Plus plan
Read our full review of ProtonVPN.
The Swiss-based Proton VPN is another great pick for privacy wonks, with open-source apps and critical infrastructure that’s stored inside a data center requiring biometric access. We recommend its Plus plan, which gets you full access to its server network, streaming service and P2P support, ad/tracker/malware protection, and a Tor over VPN tool that lets you direct traffic through the Tor network with a single click. Monthly subscriptions go for $9.99, but you’ll pay just $4.99/month if you commit to two years (with a 30-day money-back guarantee) — that’s a 50% savings. Bitcoin is accepted.
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CyberGhost VPN — save 82% on a 39-month plan
Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.
This Romania-based provider lays claim to the biggest, most globally diverse network we’ve seen, with special severs optimized for streaming, gaming, and P2P to maintain consistent connections. Sign up for 39 months of CyberGhost coverage at $2.29/month (or 82% off its standard monthly fee of $12.99), and you’ll be able to renew at that exact same rate every 36 months thereafter. Like all of CyberGhost’s multi-year plans, that’s protected by a 45-day money-back guarantee and includes free access to its ID Guard and Privacy Guard tools. Bitcoin is accepted.
Optional add-ons include:
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Dedicated IP — $3.75/month
$5/month(save 25%) for three years -
CyberGhost Password Manager — $2/month
$3.49/month(save 43%) for one year
Editor’s note: The CyberGhost website features a countdown to a deadline for locking in that three years + three months rate, but we’re pretty sure it’s just a marketing ploy.
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TunnelBear — save 67% on a three-year Unlimited plan
Read our full review of TunnelBear.
Our go-to recommendation for anyone who’s never used the technology before, TunnelBear is a simple, lightweight VPN with an intuitive (and adorable) interface. Though it’s incapable of unblocking streaming sites and based in Canada, a Five Eyes country, it should serve you well if you’re just surfing the web. We recommend its Unlimited plan over the free version for unlimited browsing and priority customer service, which goes for just $3.33/month when you enroll for three years — that’s 67% off its usual $9.99/month rate and a fixed price that won’t increase after your first term. Bitcoin is accepted and refunds are offered on a case-by-case basis.
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Private Internet Access (PIA) — save 82% on a 26-month plan
It’s nothing particularly special (and its U.S. headquarters location isn’t ideal), but for users in search of a basic VPN with open-source apps, built-in ad blocking, and a free email breach monitor, PIA is worth a look. At the time of writing, you could score 26 months of coverage for only $2.19/month — that shaves 82% off its regular rate of $11.99/month and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. You’ll switch to an annual plan at $4.75/month after the initial term is over, which still isn’t terrible. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin are accepted.
Optional add-ons include:
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Dedicated IP — $4/month
$5/month(save 20%) for two years -
Antivirus by PIA — $1.45/month
$4.50/month(save 68%) for two years
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IPVanish — save 64% on a one-year plan
Read our full review of IPVanish.
Another middle-of-the-road pick with a U.S. headquarters (boo), IPVanish makes up for a lack of advanced security features with a minimalist, straightforward app and support for unlimited simultaneous connections. You can get your first term of its annual plan for just $3.99/month (or 64% off its standard monthly rate of $10.99), which comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and free antivirus protection from VIPRE. After that first year is up, you’ll get bumped to $7.50/month. Crypto is not accepted.
Editor’s Note: IPVanish and VIPRE are owned by Ziff Davis, Mashable’s publisher. Any Ziff Davis products featured on Mashable are covered independently by our editorial team.
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PureVPN — save 82% on a 27-month plan
Read our full review of PureVPN.
We don’t have a ton of nice things to say about PureVPN — our review turned up slow download speeds, buggy apps, iffy Netflix support, and a questionable privacy policy — but hey, it’s cheap! Enroll in a 27-month plan and you’ll pay only $1.99/month, which is an 82% discount on its normal monthly rate of $10.95. (Don’t be afraid to take advantage of its 31-day money-back guarantee if necessary.) You’ll switch to a $4.50/month yearly plan at the end of that initial term. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin are accepted.
Optional add-ons include:
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Dedicated IP — $2.99/month
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Port forwarding — $0.99/month
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Dedicated IP with port forwarding — $3.49/month
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DDoS protection — $3.99/month
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Crypto Week Closing in Red: Cardano (ADA) at 2% Loss, Ethereum (ETH) Below $1,800: Crypto Market Review, August 12
‘Wordle’ today, August 12: Answer, hints, and help for word of the day (#419)
Today’s Wordle 419 answer and hint: Friday, August 12
‘Quordle’ today: Here are the answers and hints for August 12
Welp, you made it to Friday. You fought your way through another whole week, and now Quordle has the nerve to overheat your brain? At a time like this you need to be transitioning to the weekend, not beating your head against the wall because of four confusing words!
The good news is: the Quordle answers are about to be revealed to you. But first, maybe glance at our strategy guide before you get fully spoiled. Scroll all the way to the bottom if you want, or breeze through this article slowly, hoping the answer might materialize. Hey, I’m not here to tell you how to spend your Friday.
What is Quordle?
Quordle is a five-letter word guessing game similar to Wordle, except each guess applies letters to four words at the same time. You get nine guesses instead of six to correctly guess all four words. It looks like playing four Wordle games at the same time, and that is essentially what it is. But it’s not nearly as intimidating as it sounds.
Is Quordle harder than Wordle?
Yes, though not diabolically so.
Where did Quordle come from?
Amid the Wordle boom of late 2021 and early 2022, when everyone was learning to love free, in-browser, once-a-day word guessing games, creator Freddie Meyer says he took inspiration from one of the first big Wordle variations, Dordle — the one where you essentially play two Wordles at once. He took things up a notch, and released Quordle on January 30. Meyer’s creation was covered in The Guardian six days later, and now, according to Meyer, it attracts millions of daily users. Today, Meyer earns modest revenue from Patreon, where dedicated Quordle fans can donate to keep their favorite puzzle game running.
How is Quordle pronounced?
“Kwordle.” It should rhyme with “Wordle,” and definitely should not be pronounced exactly like “curdle.”
Is Quordle strategy different from Wordle?
Yes and no.
Your starting strategy should be the same as with Wordle. In fact, if you have a favorite Wordle opening word, there’s no reason to change that here. We suggest something rich in vowels, featuring common letters like C, R, and N. But you do you.
After your first guess, however, you’ll notice things getting out of control if you play Quordle exactly like Wordle.
What should I do in Quordle that I don’t do in Wordle?
Solving a Wordle puzzle can famously come down to a series of single letter-change variations. If you’ve narrowed it down to “-IGHT,” you could guess “MIGHT” “NIGHT” “LIGHT” and “SIGHT” and one of those will probably be the solution — though this is also a famous way to end up losing in Wordle, particularly if you play on “hard mode.” In Quordle, however, this sort of single-letter winnowing is a deadly trap, and it hints at the important strategic difference between Wordle and Quordle: In Quordle, you can’t afford to waste guesses unless you’re eliminating as many letters as possible at all times.
Guessing a completely random word that you already know isn’t the solution, just to eliminate three or four possible letters you haven’t tried yet, is thought of as a desperate, latch-ditch move in Wordle. In Quordle, however, it’s a normal part of the player’s strategic toolset.
Is there a way to get the answer faster?
In my experience Quordle can be a slow game, sometimes dragging out longer than it would take to play Wordle four times. But a sort of blunt-force guessing approach can speed things up. The following strategy also works with Wordle if you only want the solution, and don’t care about having the fewest possible guesses:
Try starting with a series of words that puts all the vowels (including Y) on the board, along with some other common letters. I’ve had good luck with the three words: “NOTES,” “ACRID,” and “LUMPY.” YouTuber DougMansLand suggests four words: “CANOE,” “SKIRT,” “PLUMB,” and “FUDGY.”
Most of the alphabet is now eliminated, and you’ll only have the ability to make one or two wrong guesses if you use this strategy. But in most cases you’ll have all the information you need to guess the remaining words without any wrong guesses.
If you’ve already run out of strategy, though, and you’re still stumped, here are some hints:
A semi-useful hint about August 12’s puzzle
Synonyms for all four words are in the following sentence (in no particular order).
I’m remorseful about this, but I got so distracted by a beautiful holiday song that I didn’t notice your savory pastry got snatched by a bird, and carried off into the clear blue sky.
Are there any double or triple letters in today’s Quordle words?
Only one of the words has double letters today.
Are any rare letters being used in today’s Quordle like Q or Z?
Watch out: the last letter of the alphabet snuck in there.
What do today’s Quordle words start with?
C, S, S, and A.
What are the answers for today’s Quordle?
Are you sure you want to know?
There’s still time to turn back.
OK you asked for it. The answers are:
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CAROL
-
SORRY
-
SCONE
-
AZURE
I’m a size 12 – the key to a flattering style for your midsection lies in three inexpensive pieces
A MIDSIZED fashion guru has revealed three staples that make for a flattering style when it comes to your midsection.
The TikTok creator showed off the three affordable pieces in a video while detailing how they can be worn together as a full outfit.
Raeann often recreates model’s videos with her stylings for a midsized body[/caption]
The star’s shorts, shoes, and leather jacket made for a flattering, glamorous look[/caption]
TikTok model Raeann Langas took to the app to recreate another model’s look but with midsized clothing for a flattering midsection.
Raeann, a size 12, shared how she created the look by focusing on her jean shorts, lace-up heels, and a stunning leather jacket.
In the comments of the video, the star revealed that she got her shorts from Abercrombie & Fitch – where similar shorts normally run for around $45.
The impressive jacket is from ASOS. The brand has many biker-style leather jackets ranging from about $50 to over $120.
READ MORE ON MIDSIZE
Finally, the highly-anticipated shoes are from REVOLVE – where they’re sold for just under $200. Similar shoes at other outlets are sold for over $300, proving that Revolve offers a great deal.
The fashion expert recommends a white tube top with the outfit, but shared that she couldn’t find hers.
“Please remember it’s not about looking better!” Raeann wrote in the comments, discouraging people from comparing her and the original model.
“I just want to show women of all sizes they can wear whatever makes them feel good!”
Most read in lifestyle
Another midsized fashion expert on TikTok, Eliana Armas, posted a video with some style advice for “girls who are size eight and above.”
She says: “Stop buying items that look good on other girls who are size zero to two.
“Start buying items that look good on girls that look like you!”
Another influencer shared the best Target items for a cheap midsized wardrobe for summer.
In the comments, Raeann revealed that she got her shorts from Abercrombie & Fitch[/caption]