The Best Games of 2021 Were an Explosion of Color and Charisma

As the pandemic continued, these exuberant titles looked beyond the long dark night.

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Looking for New Headphones or Earbuds? Take Our Quiz

We’ve tested dozens of over-ear headphones and earbuds. Here’s how to find your perfect, WIRED-approved pair.

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19 Gift Ideas for People Working From Home

Upgrade your loved one’s home office with these picks that make every day a little easier—and a little more fun.

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Why Computers Don’t Need to Match Human Intelligence

With continuing advances in machine learning, it makes less and less sense to compare AI to the human mind.

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52 Last-Minute Christmas Gifts on Sale Now

You can blame the supply chain for late packages, but there’s still time to get some in before New Years.

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The Race to Find ‘Green’ Helium

Helium is a critical—and finite—resource. The future of our most indispensable technologies depends on a new supply.

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Google Warns That NSO Hacking Is On Par With Elite Spy Groups

ForcedEntry is “one of the most technically sophisticated exploits” Project Zero security researchers have ever seen.

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The Best MagSafe Accessories for Your New iPhone

Kit out your iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 with a magnetic tripod, grip, battery, or bike mount.

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For Queer Communities, Being Counted Has Downsides

It can feel good that national censuses are collecting more data about gender and sexuality. But increased attention can come at the price of real action.

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Did Climate Change Make That Freak Weather Even Worse?

When a shocking storm or heat wave happens, attribution scientists are on the case, helping to show the public the real-life effects of global warming.

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Heat Up the Holidays With the Best Sexy Gifts for Lovers

The best present is one you get to share. Our favorite vibrators, lube, and candles will make this holiday one to remember.

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21 Things That Made the World a Better Place in 2021

From vaccinations to electric vehicles and cheese, the second year of the pandemic still had some high points.

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The Biggest Deepfake Abuse Site Is Growing in Disturbing Ways

A referral program and partner sites have spurred the spread of invasive, AI-generated “nude” images.

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This Observatory Will Help Reveal the Shape of the Universe

Opening next year, the Vera Rubin Observatory can show how dark matter affects the evolution of galaxies.

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See Little Robots Get Swole in This Virtual 'Gym'

The bizarre robots look like cobbled-together Tetris pieces. A new system "evolves" them to run, climb, and throw stuff better.

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Britain’s Flexible Working Plans Look Like a Flop

Many employees and companies want to find new ways of working—but government legislation is stuck in the past.

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Oxo's Super-Simple Coffee Machine Makes Super-Good Joe

The Oxo Brew 9-Cup Coffee Maker sets a new standard for drip brewing. It's also remarkably unfussy.

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This Marvel Game Soundtrack Has an Epic Origin Story

Guardians of the Galaxy has one of the 2021's most ambitious video game scores. An MCU-obsessed composer and a made-up metal band brought it to life.

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Upside Foods Sues an Ex-Employee Over Secret Lab-Grown Meat Tech

A three-person team within the startup was tasked with developing top-secret tech. When a cofounder was fired, things started to fall apart.

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A Gene-Tweaked Jellyfish Offers a Glimpse at Other Minds

Researchers have created jellyfish whose nerve cells light up when they fire, offering a tantalizing view of neurology before the rise of the brain.

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Supply Chain Container Ships Have a Size Problem

All eyes were on the Ever Given when it got stuck in the Suez Canal, but it’s not the only too-big boat for too-small ports—a problem for holiday deliveries.

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The Best Kindles to Take Your Library Anywhere

Amazon has six ebook readers. Here’s how they stack up—and which one might be right for you.

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How to Guard Against Smishing Attacks on Your Phone

“Smishing" is an attempt to collect logins or other sensitive information with a malicious text message—and it's on the rise.

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This Digital Bank Is Designed for the LGBTQ+ Community

New York-based Daylight is rethinking fintech with a social twist.

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The Fall and Rise of Real-Time Strategy Games

RTS games used to dominate sales charts and spawn entire esports leagues. Can new entries bring the beloved genre back to life?

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21 Great Gaming and TV Deals for the Holidays

There's still time to order a few games, accessories, and maybe even a TV before the holidays are over.

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The Gig Economy’s Days in Europe Are Numbered

Court cases and a new draft law from the European Commission are chipping away at the controversial industry. What comes next may look very different.

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The Office Is an Efficiency Trap

As office design evolved over the last century, one feature remained: the goal of filling your life with even more work.

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17 Holiday Gifts for Your Stressed Best Friend

Relaxing means something different to everyone. From meditation tools to silky robes, these ideas are sure to please.

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Who’s Buying and Selling Artfully Folded Ham on Facebook?

The pandemic has spurred an explosion of home cooks selling dubiously-edible, but Instagram-friendly “graze boxes.”

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We Tested the First All-Mountain Skis That Fold in Half

Military tech has been used to create the world's first folding all-mountain skis. And they aren't half bad.

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When It Comes to Buses, Will Hydrogen or Electric Win?

Clean transport needs clean vehicles. New power developments are crucial for a mass transit revolution, and each has pros and cons.

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4 Dead Infants, a Convicted Mother, and a Genetic Mystery

Kathleen Folbigg was found guilty of killing her babies. One scientist suspected the real culprit was mutant DNA—and went on a tireless quest to prove it.

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This New Tech Cuts Through Rock Without Grinding Into It

A startup called Petra uses super-hot gas to penetrate bedrock. The method could make it cheaper to move utilities underground—and make electric lines safer.

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11 TikTok-Viral Gifts That Are Actually Worth It

We tried out the gadgets that kept showing up in our feeds. Here are the ones that deserve the hype—and would make awesome presents.

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E-Scooters Are Everywhere in Europe. So Are Grisly Accidents

Crashes, nuisance, and clutter are creating hostility to the industry’s startups. Scandinavian cities are forcing them to change course.

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Snag Free Beans From Our Fave Coffee Subscription Service

WIRED readers can get their first bag from Atlas Coffee Club—and an additional sampler—for just the cost of shipping.

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DoorDash Joins the Instant Delivery Game—With Employees

For a new service in Manhattan, the couriers will cross paths with the company's traditional gig worker contractors, who generally aren't eligible for benefits.

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Why I Love to Scrounge in Video Games

It is so satisfying to ruffle the pockets of every dead body and poke around the library.

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Who Are We If Not Our Faces?

Undergoing dozens of operations to treat Crouzon syndrome made me look more “normal.” It also made me question my identity.

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The Withings ScanWatch Is a Classy Everyday Fitness Tracker

This refined and elegant smartwatch boasts ECG and SpO2 sensors, fitness and sleep tracking, and stellar battery life.

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These Retro Gaming Consoles Deliver a Dose of Nostalgia

From the stylish Evercade to the old-school Sega Genesis Mini, these machines will have you bleeping, blooping, and blasting back to the good old days.

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All That Glitters Isn't Litter

A new plant-based material sparkles without plastics. That could be better for the environment—but it's also harder to make in industrial quantities.

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Is There a Genetic Link to Being an Extremely Good Boy?

Guide dogs need the right personality, health, and training. Scientists are studying the genetics behind the traits that make a dog suited to working.

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There's $2B for Broadband on Reservations. It Won't Be Enough

The recently approved US infrastructure law aims to close the digital divide for Native peoples. But the demand far outstrips the money allocated.

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What Will Work Look Like in 2022? (Hint: Not the Metaverse)

Here’s what industry leaders think about the future of work, from changing office hours to, yes, staying in the meatspace.

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Here's How 3 Space Companies Aim to Replace the ISS

NASA is investing in Blue Origin, Nanoracks, and Northrop Grumman as they develop competing designs for a next-generation space station.

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The Real Reason Hold Music Bothers You So Much

We swear your call is very important to us.

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The Serial 1 Is a Ho-Hum Harley Ebike

With the just-adequate Serial 1, Harley-Davidson’s sub-brand missed an opportunity to make an ebike that stands out from the pack.

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The Best Laptop Backpacks for Work (and Life)

Whether you're riding a bike or schlepping a camera, a bag is your constant companion. These WIRED-reviewed packs do the job right.

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The Great Neutrino Mystery Could Point to Missing Particles

Years of conflicting measurements have led physicists to propose a “dark sector” of invisible particles that could explain dark matter and the universe’s expansion.

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The Case of Tennis Star Peng Shuai Reveals the Real Purpose of China's Censorship

Censorship in China is about more than topics and keywords. It’s about destroying social resources.

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Why Do People Make (and Watch) 5-Hour iCarly Analysis Videos?

Meet the obsessives creating extensive, multi-hour videos on YouTube examining long defunct Nickelodeon shows.

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The FTC Sues Nvidia to Block Its Historic Deal With Arm

Regulators say the merger would create a semiconductor chip conglomerate and stifle innovation across the industry.

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A Planned Parenthood LA Hack Affects 400,000 Patients

Plus: A Ubiquiti hack revelation, predictive policing, and more of the week's top security news.

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Can Gambia Turn the Tide to Save Its Shrinking Beaches?

In an economically developing country reliant on tourism, the rapidly eroding “smiling coast” shows the urgent need for action on climate change.

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These Are Our Favorite Hair Straighteners

Curls and waves are beautiful. But when you want to smooth them out, these hot tools—irons, brushes, and combs—work wonders.

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It’s Never Been More Obvious That You Suck at Video Games

Comparing ourselves to professional gamers and checking online ranking systems can be humbling—and fun.

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NSO Group Spyware Hits at Least 9 US State Department Phones

The incident lays bare how hollow the surveillance company’s reassurances about the limits of its hacking tools have always been.

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What Crypto Can Expect From Twitter’s New CEO

@jack is out at Twitter, but his crypto-mania is alive and well under Parag Agrawal.

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Jack Dorsey’s Twitter Failed African Countries

Throughout the continent, the former CEO’s hubris and negligence allowed disinformation and abuse to run rampant.

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How to Use Your Smartphone as a Hot Spot

Learn how to use tethering to turn your phone into a Wi-Fi hub for other devices to connect to.

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2021’s Spotify Wrapped Is a Haunting, Hilarious Time Capsule

There's a lot to be gleaned from people’s listening patterns in the past year.

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Subscriptions Are Eating My Paycheck!

Plus: In memory of Jim Warren, a whole lot of space trash, and Omicron’s path.

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Web3 Is Silicon Valley’s Rosy Vision of the Future

This week, we imagine a new version of the web that takes the power from the platforms and puts it back into the hands of the people.

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Meta’s Biggest Encryption Mistake Is What It Promised

The company’s decision to delay the rollout makes sense—because its initial plan never did.

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Why Buzz Lightyear’s Rocket Launch Looks Better Than Reality

We use video analysis to compare an animated liftoff to an actual one, proving that truth is more boring than fiction.

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18 Gifts for People Who Just Need a Good Night’s Sleep

Sweet dreams are made of these, from special lamps to noise machines.

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Your Rooftop Garden Could Be a Solar-Powered Working Farm

A new scientific field proposes an idea that could help generate food and energy while reducing a building's cooling costs.

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Meta’s Failed Giphy Deal Could End Big Tech’s Spending Spree

There was a time, not so long ago, when Meta’s big-money deal to acquire Giphy would have been waved through. No more.

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A Software Bug Let Hackers Drain $31M From a Crypto Service

An attacker exploited a vulnerability in MonoX Finance's smart contract to inflate the price of its digital token and then cash out.

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Congress Takes Aim at the Algorithms

A new crop of Section 230 reform proposals focuses on amplification, not content moderation. But the devil is in the details.

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Facebook Will Force More At-Risk Accounts to Use Two-Factor

The platform joins Google and others in requiring stronger protections for its most vulnerable users.

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How to Not Melt Down Over Our Warming Planet

WIRED spoke with Maria Ojala, a psychologist studying climate anxiety, about how you can stay focused and active in the face of dread.

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Ex-Googler Timnit Gebru Starts Her Own AI Research Center

The researcher, who says Google fired her a year ago, wants to ask questions about responsible use of artificial intelligence.

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DJI's Action 2 Camera Adds Magnets—and Fresh Flaws

This new modular camera borrows some ideas from competitors like Insta360 and GoPro—and it holds it all together with magnets.

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This Is What It Will Take to End Deforestation by 2030

Nations around the world made a vital climate crisis declaration to save forests within the next decade. Can they actually do it?

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Why Do Games Still Struggle With Trans Inclusion?

AAA titles often feel exploitative of trans people and trauma. But some indie games are getting it right.

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David Attenborough’s Unending Mission to Save Our Planet

“We tend to think we are the be all and end all—but we’re not. The sooner we can realize that the natural world goes its way, not our way, the better.”

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The Movement to Hold AI Accountable Gains More Steam

A New York City law requires algorithms used in hiring to be “audited” for bias. It’s the first in the US—and part of a larger push toward regulation.

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The Twitter Wildfire Watcher Who Tracks California’s Blazes

When fire ignites, the race begins to alert the state’s residents of the path of destruction. One of the leading voices lives on the other side of the world.

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Jack Dorsey’s Square Is Now Block

Payments company Square has a new name befitting its CEO's blockchain obsession.

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The US National Space Council Is Back and Focused on Security

Led by vice president Kamala Harris, the first council meeting of the Biden administration drew attention to keeping space safe for NASA and industry players.

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This Drone Uses Piercing Talons to Perch—or Snatch Things

What do you get when you slap 3D-printed raptor legs on a quadcopter? A robot that can land like a falcon to keep an eye on the forest.

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18 Hours of Omicron Chaos at Schiphol Airport

On November 25, two planes took off from South Africa for Amsterdam. By the time they landed, the Omicron variant had thrown the world into chaos.

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Six-Word Sci-Fi: Stories Written by You

Here's this month's prompt, how to submit, and an illustrated archive of past favorites.

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How Science Will Solve the Omicron Variant’s Mysteries

So far, panic about the mysterious new Covid variant has outpaced actual information. Here’s what scientists around the world are trying to uncover.

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Speak in (Many) Tongues With This Pocket Translator

Pocketalk’s mobile device acts as a real-time translator so two people can hold a conversation while speaking different languages.

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Researchers Have a Method to Spot Reddit’s State-Backed Trolls

Academics claim they can sniff out the telltale signs of troll-like behavior. But is it really as simple as monitoring cute animal postings?

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More Companies Offer Fertility Benefits. It’s Only the Beginning

Employer support for staff who wish to freeze their eggs has great potential—but broader support for parents still lags behind.

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These Startups Deliver Groceries Fast—Without Gig Workers

Facing a tight labor market and even tighter schedules, some companies are hiring employees, with benefits.

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The Matrix Is the Best Hacker Movie

Most people point to Sneakers or WarGames. They’re all wrong. The Wachowskis actually invented the ultimate cyber superhero.

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Welcome to the (Synthetic) Meatspace

Reactor-grown nuggets, human-edited genetic code, and new mRNA technologies could change our relationship to life itself.

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WIRED Peers Into the Future of Reality

Two decades after The Matrix, technologies have emerged that make us question what is real—in ways stranger, if less sinister, than the movie imagined.

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The Most Efficient Way to Debug the Simulation

Look, some of these tickets just have to be marked WONTFIX so everyone can move on.

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What The Matrix Got Wrong About Cities of the Future

Where the movie foresaw a distinction between digital and physical reality, modern cities are merging them, and not necessarily in a good way.

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It’s Time to Reimagine the Future of Cyberpunk

In the 20th century, the genre imagined the body modifications and protective streetwear that could save us from our own future. Now it needs to envision humanity anew.

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Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Is Ready to Blow Your Mind

The actor isn’t just the new Morpheus. He’s the future of Hollywood.

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Malicious Google Play Apps Stole User Banking Info

Using tricks to sidestep the app store's restrictions, malware operators pillaged passwords, keystrokes, and other data.

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253 Last-Chance Cyber Monday Deals You Can Still Get Now

These discounts are the last ones standing—for the moment.

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