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Would it surprise you to learn that Pornhub is the seventh most-visited website in the world?

That's according to SEMRush, a popular web analytics company. In total, Pornhub saw more than 5.2 billion visits in May 2024, including over 1 billion visits from U.S. viewers. Pornhub is also a really sticky website, with 80 percent of visitors staying on the site to view multiple pages.

People in the United States aren't the only ones watching a lot of porn, either. Users in Indonesia, Brazil, and France (of course) also love visiting the hub.

So, if you like porn, you’re definitely not alone. But if you’re interested in going beyond the world of pornography and trying out some of your fantasies IRL, then Pornhub alternatives like NSFW dating sites can help you find a like-minded playmate.

SEE ALSO: How to unblock and watch Pornhub for free

Whether you’re looking to explore your kinky fantasies, make a lasting romantic connection, or just want to hook up, there's a little something for everyone on this list. These sites aren't perfect, and some of them get pretty raunchy. But if you're tired of getting off all by your lonesome (goon caves can get pretty lonely), then you try some of our favorite X-rated dating sites as an alternative to Pornhub. Here's the scoop on what you're getting yourself into.

The lowdown on NSFW dating sites

Keep in mind that “dating” on NSFW sites like Grindr, Sniffies, and AdultFriendFinder is about as subtle as the platforms’ names: The vast majority of users are there to find a one-night stand, a threesome, or an ongoing sex buddy situation — not a long-term partner. Of course, if you're searching for X-rated and NSFW dating sites, we're guessing that's not a problem.

Take note: NSFW dating sites don't operate without mutual consent, boundary-setting, and respect. When building out your profile, be specific and honest about your intentions and what you’re looking for so you can find people who genuinely match up with you and your interests or fetishes.

SEE ALSO: The top 10 porn sites to visit when you want to get off

And if you like the instant gratification and virtual aspect of internet porn, you can also try cam sites and sexting apps that let you meet and chat with adult performers right away.

What else is important to know when using an NSFW dating site?

Besides not giving away any personal information, especially for things like anonymous encounters on cam or sexting sites, know the risks when it comes to sending nude or partially nude photos containing identifying details like your face or tattoos. While it’s against the law in many places to circulate private sexual images, that doesn’t stop people from doing it.

SEE ALSO: Best sex toys for couples looking to switch things up between the sheets

Like Pornhub, most of these sites are free to access, with some offering various levels of paid membership fees to unlock bonus features. Others, like Tinder and Grindr, are largely free to use. So, if you're tired of seeing the same content over and over again at the hub, check out these Pornhub alternatives for NSFW encounters.

Before clicking through, consider yourself warned: NSFW content awaits.

Dating can be a challenge no matter your age, but the truth is that the older we get, the more in tune we become with our wants and needs.

While the over-50 dating pool might seem smaller, it's actually getting bigger all the time. Thanks to online dating, you now have new opportunities to connect with people who share your interests and values. If you’re still hesitant, consider this: A 2023 survey conducted by Pew Research Center found that 26 percent of singles ages 50 and up now use dating sites and apps to find love, casual fun, and friendship.

SEE ALSO: The dating app glossary: The A to Z of terms you need to know What is the most successful dating site for seniors?

While niche sites like SeniorMatch, Singles50, and Just Senior Singles might come to mind, we've found that these platforms can be expensive and sometimes even predatory, offering a poor user experience and limited matches. They've also been known to attract scammers.

Instead, we recommend looking to larger, more established platforms like eharmony, SilverSingles, and Match. These popular apps aren't just for the younger crowd — they're filled with singles of all ages, including a significant number of mature users. In fact, that Pew Research Center survey found that adults ages 30 to 49 and 50 to 64 are twice as likely to use Match compared to other age groups.

Whether you're looking for something casual or a committed relationship, we've got you covered. We've tested the best dating sites for seniors, considering both age-specific options and mainstream apps with a large pool of singles over 50 and 60.

SEE ALSO: What are romance scams and how can you avoid them?

Below, you’ll find our top picks for the best dating sites and apps for seniors based on our own experiences, hands-on reviews, and comparative research on the experiences of other online daters. We’ve also answered some FAQs to help you get the most out of your online dating experience, from setting up your profile to avoiding romance scams.

Note that prices for dating apps and sites are constantly changing. We update this guide regularly, but there might be minor price differences.

Deciding to get back into the dating game can be nerve-wracking at any age. But the stakes may feel a little higher if you're in your 40s.

You may assume that people in your demographic either aren't interested in dating or are already settled into long-term relationships. However, according to a recent Pew Research Center analysis of Census Bureau data, as of 2021, nearly 25 percent of 40-somethings in the U.S. have never been married. Additionally, only 22 percent of unmarried adults ages 40 to 44 were cohabiting couples.

SEE ALSO: Dating predictions for the rest of 2024

So, have people in their 40s given up on finding love? Not at all. In fact, according to the Pew Research analysis, approximately one in four 40-year-olds who weren't married in 2001 tied the knot by age 60. But unlike people in their 20s and 30s, single people over 40 know what they want and aren't afraid to wait a little longer to find the right person.

How to start dating again at 40

Now, after that speech and spew of statistics, you're probably wondering what our grand plan is to get you out on the dance floor. The answer? Online dating. Before you scoff, hear us out.

Online dating is a great way to meet new people in a low-pressure environment. The best dating sites for people over 40 make it so easy to connect with potential partners. You can filter through profiles and find matches who share your interests and values. Imagine if you could do that when scanning the room at a party — it would save a lot of time and effort.

But before you download a bunch of apps, Kiana Reeves, Somatic Sex Educator, Intimacy Coach, and Chief Education Officer at Foria, recommends taking a moment for self-reflection: "We join dating sites because we’re looking for connection, whether in the form of a serious relationship, a casual fling, or something in between. With that in mind, it’s important to identify the kind of connection you’re looking for before you join any dating sites, apps, etc."

SEE ALSO: Tired of casual dates? Try the best dating apps for serious relationships

Next, consider your approach to online dating, Reeves says. "Are you looking for a casual swipe-through site to meet people in a new city? Are you someone who likes to make the first move? Are you looking for someone who is only interested in a serious relationship? Are you looking for someone who shares your same faith? How much time are you planning to devote to making a connection?"

Once you've clarified your dating goals, Reeves recommends "joining a couple [apps] to start out with, so you can feel out what kind of user experience makes the most sense for you." She adds, "Of course, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s totally fine to just join one to start."

Ready to find love after 40? Or maybe you're looking for a no-pressure friend with benefits? We've got you. As data nerds, we've done the research, sourced expert advice, and did a lot of hands-on testing to find the best options for forty-something singles. Our comprehensive guide to the best dating apps for over-40 singles is here to help.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 10 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for August 10

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Not just for poking

The hint for the theme is the relative shape of the objects are relevant.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The answers are related to different kinds of sticks.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Sticks.

NYT Strands word list for August 10

• Control

• Hockey

• Licorice

• Sticks

• Swizzle

• Cinnamon

• Memory

Looking for other daily online games? Find one you might like – or hints for another game you're already playing – on Mashable's Games page.

TL;DR: Live stream France vs. USA at Paris 2024 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

After two thrilling semi-finals, it's France and the USA who will be going head-to-head for a gold medal at Paris 2024.

The semi-finals were incredibly close, with both teams winning by just four points. However, strong performances from both France and the USA meant Germany and Serbia will compete in the bronze medal match.

The final is set to be a great game, with the French team including names like Andrew Albicy and Frank Ntilikina, and on the US side LeBron James and Kevin Durant.

To watch France vs. USA at Paris 2024 for free from anywhere in the world, keep reading to find out all the information you need.

When is France vs. USA at Paris 2024?

France vs. USA at Paris 2024 takes place at 3:30 p.m. ET on Aug. 10.

How to watch France vs. USA at Paris 2024 for free

You can live stream France vs. USA at Paris 2024 for free on BBC iPlayer.

Unfortunately, BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but basketball fans from across the world can still access this by using a VPN. VPNs are helpful tools that hide your real IP address (i.e., your digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK. With this, you can unblock free streaming sites like BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world, and watch the basketball final at Paris 2024.

Unblock BBC iPlayer for free by following this easy process:

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 the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream France vs. USA from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are usually not free, but most do tend to offer free trial periods or money-back guarantees. If you take advantage of these offers, you can unblock BBC iPlayer without having to spend any cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it gives you time to stream the basketball final before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream France vs. USA at Paris 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Through Sept. 3, if you want to prep a computer for work or school, you can get Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro for only £43.10. Once they're set up on your device, your license will never expire.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle £43.10 at the Mashable Shop
£343.39 Save £300.29 Get Deal

If you're shopping for a computer or upgrading an old one, you might also want to update it with a new operating system and the apps you're going to use every day. 

Whether you're getting a computer for school, work, or just to use at home, Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office could be welcome additions to any machine, and you only have to pay for them once with this lifetime deal. With this bundle, you can get a shiny new OS, the latest Windows 11 security features, and a full suite of productivity apps — all for the mad price of £43.10 (reg. £343.39) until Sept. 3. 

Update your computer for less

Microsoft Office Pro 2021 is different from Microsoft 365. Though, this version comes with many of the same apps, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access. However, these are slightly older versions and can only be installed on one device. The tradeoff is that you aren't paying for them every month, and you can use them as long as you have the computer they're installed on. 

Windows 11 Pro isn't compatible with every computer, so double-check your device's specs before purchasing. Once it's installed, you might notice some exciting changes that are immediately apparent. Changes like rounded window edges and snap layouts, and that's not even touching on all the security upgrades. 

If you're installing on a school or work computer, tools like bitlocker encryption, wake and lock, and support for biometrics login could be welcome upgrades, too. If this is a home computer, then check out what the DirectX 12 Ultimate does for gaming compatibility. 

Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office for life

Don't miss your chance to give your computer a serious productivity overhaul. 

Until Sept. 3 at 11:59 p.m. PT, take advantage of this sale on a Microsoft Office 2021 lifetime license and Windows 11 Pro for £43.10. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

TL;DR: Access free live streams of the 2024 US Open on 9Now and TVNZ+. Unblock these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Novak Djokovic is yet to win a Grand Slam this year, which feels weird. The Serbian star is obviously used to winning, so he probably feels pretty weird about the whole thing as well.

The last Grand Slam that Djokovic won was the US Open, and he's back to defend his crown. Standing in his way are the next generation of stars, including Carlos Alcaraz and Jannick Sinner.

If you want to watch the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the US Open?

The US Open is a hardcourt tennis tournament held annually at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center within Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, New York. The US Open is the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the year, after the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon.

The current singles champions are Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff.

When is the 2024 US Open?

The 2024 US Open takes place from Aug. 26 to Sept. 8.

How to watch the 2024 US Open for free in the UK

These free streaming services are offering coverage of the 2024 US Open:

• Australia — 9Now

• New Zealand — TVNZ+

9Now and TVNZ+ are geo-restricted to Australia and New Zealand respectively, but fans in the UK can access these free streaming services with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in Australia and New Zealand, meaning you can unblock 9Now and TVNZ+ without hassle.

Access free live streams of the 2024 US Open by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to 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 Australia or New Zealand

4. Visit 9Now or TVNZ+

5. Watch the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) £82.12 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but top VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the US Open without committing with your cash. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch every US Open match before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the US Open?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the US Open for free in the UK, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia and New Zealand

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.12 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream the 2024 US Open for free in the UK with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Take a wide range of free online courses from Stanford University with edX.

Anyone can become a student of Stanford University with a little help from edX. This popular online course provider hosts absolutely loads of online courses from this famous school. It's worth taking some time to look around at all the options, because there really is a lot on offer.

edX offers online courses on topics like Python, mathematics, computer science, and much more. These are the best Stanford University courses you can take for free this month.

• Algorithms: Design and Analysis

• Communicating with Presence

• Compilers

• Computer Science 101

• Databases: Advanced Topics in SQL

• Databases: Modeling and Theory

• Databases: OLAP and Recursion

• Databases: Relational Databases and SQL

• Designing Your Career

• How to Learn Math: For Students

• How You Say It Matters: A Toolkit for Improving Communications About Academic Standing

• Introduction to Food and Health

• Introduction to the Natural Capital Project Approach

• Language, Proof, and Logic

• Living at the Nuclear Brink

• Nano at Stanford

• Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers 1

• Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers 2

• R Programming Fundamentals

• Semantics of First-Order Logic

• Statistical Learning with Python

• Statistical Learning with R

• The Threat of Nuclear Terrorism

• Your Body in the World: Adapting to Your Next Big Adventure

These free courses do not include certificates of completion, but that's the only catch. You can still learn at your own pace with unlimited access to all the resources on offer, so what exactly is stopping you from enrolling in something you're passionate about?

Find the best free online courses from Stanford University at edX.

Opens in a new window Credit: Stanford University Stanford University Courses Free at edX Get Deal

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for August 10's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 10 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 10 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Healer.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter M.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

MEDIC.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for August 10's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 7 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Red

• Green: Available to work

• Blue: Microsoft tools

• Purple: Movies based on real people

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Things that are Red

• Green: Be in Commission

• Blue: Microsoft Products

• Purple: Biopics

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #426 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Things that are Red: DEVIL, MARS, ROSE, STRAWBERRY

• Be in Commission: FUNCTION, OPERATE, RUN, WORK

• Microsoft Products: EDGE, OFFICE, TEAMS, WINDOWS

• Biopics: BLONDE, JOBS, MILK, VICE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Thanks to a new feature, "blue checks" may no longer dominate reply threads on X.

There has been a lot of criticism over the past few years regarding how Elon Musk changed the blue check. The blue checkmark was previously used to verify the authenticity of notable users when the platform was known as Twitter. Under Musk, X now doles out blue checks to anyone who pays $8 per month for X Premium. On top of that, blue check subscribers were given priority in the mentions of posts.

SEE ALSO: How Elon Musk and X's decision to sue advertisers may have just backfired

As a result, X users would often find blue checkmark accounts' posts sitting at the top of the replies to their own post, even if these replies were completely irrelevant to the conversation.

\And here's how it looks on X for web:

Sort replies on X for web Credit: X screenshot

The latter two reply sorting options are pretty straightforward. "Most recent" shows replies in chronological order from newest to oldest. "Most liked" shows the replies with most likes first. Blue check accounts appear to have completely lost any advantage that the paid subscription provided them when selecting either of these two menu options.

It's unclear exactly how X is determining how to sort posts via the "most relevant" option. However, it appears to be the same sorting method as the previous default. Blue checks do still appear to be prioritized in this view.

Any user can change the reply sorting options on any post that they view, not just their own posts.

It'll be interesting to see if these new options prove to be popular with X's user base. If many X users prefer to view replies via most liked or most recent, it seems like X Premium subscriber rates could potentially take a hit as one of blue check users' paid subscription benefits loses some of its power.

Nearly 3 billion people are affected by a recent data breach at a background check company. A large database compilation filled with billions of users' credentials was published just last month. Customers with AT&T, ADT, and countless other firms have had their sensitive data stolen by cyber criminals recently.

Data breaches are seemingly on the rise. Many times, there's little to nothing that the average consumer can do about it. Sometimes, affected individuals aren't even aware that their data was part of a breach.

If you do find out that you're the victim of a data breach, that means a company that has your data was compromised. Hackers, scammers, thieves, and other nefarious individuals now have access to data about you.

SEE ALSO: [Update: Meta responds] Scammers are using Meta's copyright takedown tool against influencers

Here's what you can do to protect yourself:

Change your passwords

First things first, change the password of the account affected by the data breach. Oftentimes, there's so much data stolen that most users will have a chance to stop any unauthorized use of their account.

Yes, you've been told time and time again to not use the same password for multiple accounts, but we know that you have. Cybercriminals can easily make the connection to those other accounts so go and change the passwords for any secondary accounts tied to your name or username that are the same or similar to the one that has been stolen. 

Use two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication will stop any unauthorized access to your account, even if someone else has your password. If the service or platform in question offers two-factor authentication, it's highly recommended that you turn it on.

There are two basic types of two-factor authentication: one that texts users a code, and one that requires the use of an authentication app — usually (but not always) on a mobile phone. Since phone numbers can be stolen and SMS messages can be intercepted, it's highly recommended that users go with an authentication app. When signing into a platform once an authentication app has been enabled, a user will be required to open the mobile app, temporarily memorize the constantly changing code that appears on their screen, and input it into the platform that they are trying to access.

Monitor your accounts

It's important to know exactly what accounts on what platforms were affected to discern exactly what type of information could have been stolen. Services like haveibeenpwned.com help users monitor whether their account credentials have been stolen in a data breach.

Even if you know which account was affected in a breach, you should still check to see if there were any cascading effects that made its way to your other accounts.

After finding which accounts were affected, check with the company who experienced the data breach to see if they have any additional information or recommendations as to what their users should do to protect themselves.

Check your credit reports

Be on the lookout for the worst case scenario: Your identity being stolen as a result of a data breach.

It's certainly horrible to find a social media account compromised and going through a platform's process to regain access is never fun. But that ordeal pales in comparison to the headaches you'll have in store if someone used your data to access your bank account or commit fraud.

It's important to monitor your credit report if there's a breach at a company that stored relevant financial-related data. You can get a completely free credit report at annualcreditreport.com. In addition, services like Credit Karma provide a free daily summary of your credit score and report information.

If you are a victim of identify theft, it's important to immediately contact your bank and the credit institutions. You'll need to freeze your credit, apply for a new credit card number, and even potentially close accounts. Victims of identity theft can report a crime as well at identitytheft.gov.

Again, most users will likely find that they just need to change passwords and sign up for two-factor authentication. But, if you're one of the more unlucky victims of a data breach whose victimizer crossed over from from stealing data to stealing money, you need to be proactive and take action to protect your finances as soon as you can.

The billionaire owner of the social media platform X and Tesla’s chief executive will deliver the keynote speech at an annual event.

After purchasing Twitter, Mr. Musk failed to cash out Omid Kordestani’s stock, according to allegations in a new lawsuit.

A proposed $15 million settlement stipulates that account holders can file for losses related to breaches disclosed in 2022 and 2023. A deadline looms for those claims.

ChatGPT's Voice Mode has some security flaws, but OpenAI says it's on top of it.

On Thursday OpenAI published a report on GPT-4o's safety features, addressing known issues that occur when using the model. GPT-4o is the underlying model that powers the latest version of ChatGPT, and comes with a Voice Mode that was recently released to a select group of users with a ChatGPT Plus subscription.

SEE ALSO: What OpenAI's Scarlett Johansson drama tells us about the future of AI

The "safety challenges" identified include standard risks like prompting the model with erotic and violent responses, other disallowed content, and "ungrounded inference" and "sensitive trait attribution" — assumptions that might be discriminatory or biased, in other words. OpenAI says it has trained the model to block any outputs flagged in these categories. However, the report also says mitigations don't include "nonverbal vocalizations or other sound effect" such as erotic moans, violent screams, and gunshots. One can infer, then, that prompts involving certain sensitive nonverbal sounds might improperly receive a response.

OpenAI also mentioned unique challenges that come with vocally communicating with the model. Red-teamers discovered that GPT-4o could be prompted to impersonate someone or accidentally emulate the user's voice. To combat this, OpenAI only allows pre-authorized voices (minus the notorious Scarlett Johansson-sounding voice). GPT-4o can also identify other voices besides the speaker's voice, which presents a serious privacy and surveillance issue. But it has been trained to deny those requests — unless the model is being prompted on a famous quote.

Red-teamers also noted that GPT-4o could be prompted to speak persuasively or emphatically, a feature that could be more harmful than text outputs when it comes to misinformation and conspiracy theories.

Notably, OpenAI also addressed potential copyright issues that have plagued the company and the overall development of generative AI, which trains on data scraped from the web. GPT-4o has been trained to refuse requests for copyrighted content and has additional filters for blocking outputs containing music. On that note, ChatGPT's Voice Mode has been directed not to sing under any circumstances.

OpenAI's numerous risk mitigations covered in the lengthy document were carried out before Voice Mode was released. So the ostensive message of the report says that while GPT-4o is capable of certain risky behavior, it won't do it.

However, OpenAI says, "These evaluations measure only the clinical knowledge of these models, and do not measure their utility in real-world workflows." So it's been tested in a controlled environment, but when the broader public gets their hands on GPT-4o, it could be a different beast when out in the wild.

Mashable reached out to OpenAI for additional clarity about these mitigations, and will update if we hear back.

SAVE $105: As of August 9, the Apple iPad (9th gen) is $224 at Amazon. That's 32% off its normal price of $329 and the new lowest price we've tracked.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple iPad (9th gen) $224.00 at Amazon
$329.00 Save $105.00 Get Deal

Still looking to add a new iPad to your tablet collection? There's a new deal floating around that beats a similar one that we tracked earlier this week, and you won't want to miss out.

As of August 9, you can snatch up the Apple iPad (9th gen) at Amazon for just $224, which is down from its normal price of $329. That's $5 cheaper than when we shared this deal on August 7, and a new low price for this model. That means it's prime time to add it to your cart.

This is a fantastic option whether you're lookinig for a daily driver table or just something to enjoy the errant Netflix session. It can handle whatever you throw at it thanks to its A13 Bionic chip, and its 10.2-inch Retina display will have no trouble showcasing your favorite TV shows and movies in crisp and bright color. Additionally, it comes with an ultrawide front camera perfect for Zoom calls or taking a ton of selfies, whatever you prioritize.

It's not just good or entertainment or scrolling around online, though. You can use this iPad with your Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard to make it a portable workstation while you're on the go. It's got plenty of storage space at 64GB, and enough battery life to last you all day – or longer, if you use it sparingly.

You can grab one for yourself, or it might be a good idea to go ahead and lock one of these iPads in for the holidays. They're coming up a lot faster than you might think, after all.

SAVE 46%: Get Cync by GE smart light bulbs for just $12.99 at Best Buy, down from the list price of $23.99. That's a discount of $11, almost 50% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: CE GE Cync Direct Connect smart light bulbs (pack of two) $12.99 at Amazon
$23.99 Save $11.00 Get Deal

It's back-to-school time, and there are a ton of deals right now on products for kids and teens alike. If you've been looking for an affordable way to jazz up a teen's bedroom or a college dorm room, this GE Cync Direct Connect smart light bulb deal is for you.

As of August 9, you can get a two-pack of the GE Cync Direct Connect smart light bulb for just $12.99 at Best Buy. That's a 46% (or $11) discount from the list price of $23.99.

These are a lot more affordable than the Philips Hue bulbs, and you're getting all the features you would want from a smart bulb, especially at this price. The biggest advantage these bulbs have is that they don't need a hub. So when you invest the $13, that's all you need to get started with some cool lighting for your dorm room.

You can also set schedules, cook up scenes, control your lighting remotely (even from outside your home,) and get Alexa and Hey Google support. These are the full-color version, which means you can make an RGB theme to go along with your gaming PC too, if you want.

SAVE 40%: As of today, Aug 9, the GoveeLife Smart Tea Kettle is on sale for just $35.99. This limited-time Amazon deal saves shoppers $24 off the smart tea kettle's usual price of $59.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: GoveeLife GoveeLife Smart Tea Kettle $35.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $24.00 Get Deal

New - and high up - on the list of things I never knew I needed until just now: a smart, voice-controlled tea kettle for brewing tea just as it was intended.

Today at Amazon, you can score the GoveeLife Smart Tea Kettle for just $35.99 at Amazon. That's $24 (or 40%) off the voice-controlled kettle's usual price of $59.99. It's a return to the Kettle's best price, which we also saw last month.

If you're like me, you bring your water to a boil on the stove with your old-school kettle, taking the exact temperature instructions on the box of your tea of choice totally for granted. But any true tea connoisseur will tell you that those steeping temperatures matter: water temperature has a major impact on the tea's favor. With the Goveeife Smart Tea Kettle, you have to-the-exact-degree temperature control within the range of 104°F to 212°F. You can control the WiFi-enabled Bluetooth tea kettle through the app, voice commands, or simple buttons. Not only do you have full control over temperature, but you can also set the Kettle on a schedule to save yourself some extra time in the morning.

Take your daily tea ritual to the next level when you score the GoveeLife Smart Tea Kettle for just $35.99 at Amazon.

SAVE $59.99: As of Aug. 9, you can get Madden NFL 24 on the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 for just $10 at Best Buy. Snag this deal and prepare for the launch of Madden NFL 25 on Aug. 16.

'Madden NFL 24' deals Xbox Series X/S 'Madden NFL 24' $10 at Best Buy (save $59.99) Get Deal PlayStation 5 'Madden NFL 24' $10 at Best Buy (save $59.99) Get Deal

Look, we know that Madden NFL 25 is out in just a few days on Aug. 16, and under normal circumstances, there'd really be no point in hopping into the previous entry if you haven't already done so. But, the circumstances have changed: Madden NFL 24 is a mere $10 on the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 ahead of 25's release. That's $59.99 in savings, and more than enough reason to play the game for a few days in anticipation of the new one.

SEE ALSO: Why 'College Football '25' means so much to its long-suffering fans

While you're at it, you may even want to place your preorder for Madden NFL 25, which you can do right now for the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 (as well as their previous console generations), and PC. If you pre-order Best Buy, you'll even get a fun little bonus in the form of a $10 Best Buy gift card. So, if you're going to pick up a copy anywhere, we say do it there.

And if you really can't get enough virtual football, we highly recommend picking up EA College Football 25 to round out your sports game collection, which we think is even better than the Madden titles. That'll run you $69.99 for the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 versions.