Michael K. Williams, best known for his Emmy-nominated performance on The Wire, has died, according to reports from multiple outlets. He was 54.

“It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Emmy nominated actor Michael Kenneth Williams,” Williams’ publicist Marianna Shafran said in a statement, via The Hollywood Reporter. “They ask for your privacy while grieving this unsurmountable loss.”

Williams was found in dead in his Brooklyn residence at 2 p.m. on Monday afternoon, according to the New York City Police Department. His acting credits include series such as The Wire, Boardwalk Empire, The Night Of, and When They See Us; as well as films Inherent Vice, 12 Years A Slave, Gone Baby Gone, and The Road. He is currently in Emmy consideration for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Lovecraft Country.

“The depth of my love for this brother, can only be matched by the depth of my pain learning of his loss,” said Williams The Wire co-star Wendell Pierce in a tweet. “A immensely talented man with the ability to give voice to the human condition portraying the lives of those whose humanity is seldom elevated until he sings their truth.”

Tweet may have been deleted

Once upon a time in a faraway land, there was a special fairytale we just couldn’t stop telling.

In 2021, the story of Cinderella — a kind maiden whisked away by her fairy godmother from a terrible life with an evil step-family to a picture-perfect romance with a charming prince — has been told more times than you can count. From Broadway to TV and film, good ol’ Cinderelly has been played by icons of all ilks, including pop star Camila Cabello in Amazon’s latest adaptation.

But which of these tellings is the most magical of them all? We’ve scoured the many, many options available across streaming platforms and picked the 12 (yes, just like the strokes of midnight!) best for you to consider cuing up next time you need a little magic. Enjoy!

Note: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1957), featuring living legend Julie Andrews, is not available to stream. But if it was, you can bet it would be very high up on this list.

12. Cinderella (2021)

Who plays Cinderella: Camila Cabello

What this adaptation does best: Writer-director Kay Cannon, perhaps best known for her work on New Girl and the Pitch Perfect trilogy, delivers high production value and some solid comedy with Amazon’s 2021 adaptation, featuring Billie Porter, Nicholas Galitzine, Idina Menzel, Pierce Brosnan, Minnie Driver, and more. You’ll find Cannon’s reimagining lacks the heart or elegance of titles higher up on this list, but it does have some great covers of contemporary songs and an ear-worm of a title track in Cabello’s pop ballad “Million to One.”

How to watch: Cinderella (2021) is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

11. Another Cinderella Story (2008)

Who plays Cinderella: Selena Gomez

What this adaptation does best: In the first of three sequels to A Cinderella Story (2004), Selena Gomez stars as an aspiring dancer plagued by a terrible home life and an equally bleak existence at school. But when fate lands her slick moves in front of a hunky pop star, played by Drew Seeley, a modern miracle begins to unfold. It’s a fun blend of DCOM vibes (though the movie was release by Warner Bros., Gomez is at peak Wizards of Waverly Place fame) and aughts dance films like Step Up that makes for a descent, if not particularly substantive throwback.

How to watch: Another Cinderella Story is available for rent/purchase through Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play, YouTube, and the Microsoft Store.

10. Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Season 1, episode 10 (1995)

Who plays Cinderella: Voiced by Daphne Zuniga

What this adaptation does best: Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child is a multicultural anthology series reimagining classic stories for children of all backgrounds. Its take on Cinderella, released as part of Season 1 in 1995, offers vital onscreen Mexican representation for the genre as well as adorable illustrations you’ll enjoy at any age.

How to watch: Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child is streaming on HBO Max.

9. Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1965)

Who plays Cinderella: Lesley Ann Warren

What this adaptation does best: If you were a child of the ‘80s or ‘90s, then chances are you crossed paths with a VHS copy of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella circa 1965. While the movie hasn’t aged in all the ways one might like (the spotty camerawork and video quality make it feel a bit like community theater), the breakout performance of Lesley Ann Warren as Cinderella stands the test of time. Not only does the actress deliver melodious vocals, her girl-next-door-charm makes this fairly straight-forward retelling feel special. Plus, she’s wearing that iconic fur-trimmed gown. You know the one.

How to watch: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1965) is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

8. Cinderfella (1960)

Who plays Cinderella: Jerry Lewis

What this adaptation does best: Comedy legend Jerry Lewis leads as the titular Cinderfella in this 1960 gender-swapped telling, featuring Anna Maria Alberghetti as Princess Charming and jazz icon Count Basie as The Bandleader. With fantastic music and some seriously skillful dancing, this telling is very much of its time. It won’t be for all audiences but if “Fred Astaire-meets-fairytale” intrigues you at all, cue it up.

How to watch: Cinderfella is available for rent/purchase through Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play, YouTube, and the Microsoft Store.

7. Sesame Street: CinderElmo (1999)

Who plays Cinderella: Voiced by Kevin Clash

What this adaptation does best: Yes, CinderElmo is as adorable as you’re imagining, but there’s even more to be excited about with this magical children’s special. Come for the promise of seeing the Muppets take on this classic fairytale with all their zany Muppet-ness. Stay because Keri Russell is Princess Charming, Oliver Platt is the Fairy Godperson, and Kathy Najimy is the Evil Stepmother. It’s a stacked and stuffed cast that will sell you on every second of this 65-minute delight.

How to watch: Sesame Street: CinderElmo is available for rent/purchase through Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play, and the Microsoft Store.

6. A Cinderella Story (2004)

Who plays Cinderella: Hilary Duff

What this adaptation does best: We have so much to thank A Cinderella Story for that it’s hard to even know where to begin. Is it the rain-soaked kiss between Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray? Is it Regina King’s speech about never letting the fear of striking out keep you from the game? Is it Jennifer Coolidge holding a cookie and saying, “so moist”? Regardless, this is an aughts film for the ages — one that takes the classic Cinderella story and adds so many great scenes you almost forget it’s based on anything.

How to watch: A Cinderella Story is streaming on Netflix.

5. Disney’s Cinderella (2015)

Who plays Cinderella: Lily James

What this adaptation does best: It’s the #1 title on our ranking of Disney live-action remakes: Cinderella (2015). Directed by Kenneth Branagh, this film has the shot-by-shot visual loyalty of The Lion King (2019) but the updated narrative smarts of Mulan (2021) — a winning combo that helps its star-studded cast shine. Lily James is a magnificent Cinderella, opposite an especially dashing Prince Charming from Richard Madden. But it’s Cate Blanchett who steals the show as one truly wicked Stepmother. Going forward, hers will be the performance to beat.

How to watch: Cinderella (2015) is streaming on STARZ.

4. Ella Enchanted (2004)

Who plays Cinderella: Anne Hathaway

What this adaptation does best: Based on Gail Carson Levine’s YA novel of the same name, Ella Enchanted expands on the original Cinderella story in myriad ways. There’s a curse akin to Sleeping Beauty but with obedience instead of narcolepsy; a band of mythical creatures who come together to rebel against the king; and even a jazzy cover of “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” complete with show-stopping choreography. Anne Hathaway stars in one of her first and most iconic roles.

How to watch: Ella Enchanted is streaming on HBO Max.

3. Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)

Who plays Cinderella: Drew Barrymore

What this adaptation does best: Ever After is a ‘90s title so beloved and so particular to its time that it can be hard to remember it has anything to do with Cinderella — but it most certainly does. Directed by Andy Tennant, this historical romance stars Drew Barrymore as Danielle de Barbarac, an orphaned maiden of Renaissance-era France. Living with her cruel stepmother, the Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent played by the incomparable Anjelica Huston, Danielle faces an uncertain future until the promise of art and love sets her free. This telling may be a bit dark for children, though adults will appreciate its melancholy, yet hopeful tone and complex themes.

How to watch: Ever After: A Cinderella Story is streaming on Disney+.

2. Disney’s Cinderella (1950)

Who plays Cinderella: Voiced by Ilene Woods

What this adaptation does best: Only the eleventh movie made by Disney, Cinderella (1950) is without question the most universally recognized film adaptation of this fairytale — and with good reason. Beautiful songs, characteristic of Disney’s unique approach to musicals at the time, and artful animation make it stand out as a particularly exquisite approach to the story. From Ilene Woods’ enchanting vocals on “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes” to that unforgettable fairy godmother transformation scene, it’s a fairytale, plain and simple.

How to watch: Disney’s Cinderella (1950) is streaming on Disney+.

1. Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1997)

Who plays Cinderella: Brandy

What this adaptation does best: Although it was divisive among critics at the time of its release, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1997) reigns supreme as the best Cinderella story available in 2021. Spectacular performances from music icons Brandy and Whitney Houston as Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother are an obvious sell. More important, however, is the diverse representation director Robert L. Freedman’s musical film provides with a cast that also includes Paolo Montalbán, Victor Garber, Whoopie Goldberg, Bernadette Peters, Jason Alexander, and more.

How to watch: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1997) is streaming on Disney+.

This Labor Day, put down your burger and White Claw, and spend some time thinking about the American worker.

Sure, it can be easy to take a cynical view of the holiday, signed into law by President Grover Cleveland in 1894 after he sent thousands of U.S. troops to break a railroad strike in 27 states, leading to more than 50 deaths.

While workers got a day off, the holiday didn’t do much to materially improve their lives. It wasn’t until 1938, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Fair Labor Standards Act, that workers got a minimum wage and 44-hour work week. (It was lowered to 40 hours two years later.)

In 2021, there is still a lot of work to do. The federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 per hour since 2009. Homelessness has risen for a fourth straight year. All while CEO pay continues to skyrocket.

Here is a look at workers fighting for higher wages and better working conditions throughout U.S. history.

The reality of life postpartum and the images we see of it could not be further apart.

But a new photo campaign by Australian leakproof apparel brand Modibodi and Getty Images hopes to bridge that gulf by showing what life in the 12-month post-birth period is really like.

Getty photographers from around the world took portraits of mothers in the first year after giving birth to create the ‘Embodied: Postpartum Unfiltered’ gallery.

The campaign aims to redefine portrayals of postpartum life beyond the ‘baby bliss’ or ‘baby blues’ stereotypes. Instead, the photos show new mums and their babies amid the emotional and physical reality of this period of time.

Modibodi founder and CEO Kristy Chong says that the brand found the range of available images limited when launching a new range of postpartum range of leak-proof bras, camisoles, and briefs, and reusable nappies.

“Most postpartum images were disheartening photos of mums scared or frustrated. At the other end of the spectrum were glossy celeb mum and bub snaps,” she says. “We knew this had to change.”

The image gallery contains more than 1,500 photos taken by 27 photographers from around the world. Svetlana Zhukova, director of custom solutions at Getty Images, says the photographers “tapped into their own families and friends to capture the very real perspectives from this vulnerable part of many women’s lives.”

The images can be accessed on gettyimages.com using the keywords ‘postpartum,’ ’embodied,’ and ‘unfiltered’ from Oct. 1 2021.

Businesses, brands, and media organisations are encouraged to licence the images when portraying the postpartum experience.

Chong says that postpartum life isn’t portrayed authentically in media and advertising — particularly the highpoints and lowpoints, the tiredness, loneliness, and anxiety.

“I’ve had four different postpartum experiences,” says Chong. “Among the intense feelings of happiness and limitless love was a sense that I had to keep the challenging parts like loneliness, cracked nipples, postpartum bleeding, exhaustion, and bladder leaks a secret.”

“While it’s not the experience for all new mums, breastfeeding in public was hard for me. Sentiment was changing towards it being OK to feed in public, however, all my life I had been told to cover up my breasts, that they are private,” adds Chong.

“It was hard for me to switch my brain to feel relaxed and comfortable about getting my boobs out to breastfeed in public. Instead I’d struggle with these wraps to cover myself and my bub would feel the tension and not feed very well.”

As part of the campaign, Modibodi wants parents from around the world to share their own postpartum images on social media using the #PostpartumUnfiltered hashtag.

In order to succeed in college, you’re gonna need a little help from the internet.

College can be scary and overwhelming, and it’s hard to know where to get a little help with your academic tasks. Knowing which websites can help you with various aspects of college life, especially when it comes to assignments, can make all the difference.

We’ve collected 10 websites that will help you along the way in your studies — in fact, you might already be using a few. They’re all great resources that can assist you with essay writing, organization, and troubleshooting math and science problems.

1. Canvas or Blackboard

Canvas and Blackboard are the leading learning management systems. Depending on your campus and your individual classes, one of these websites (or a website like it) will be where your professors post announcements, the syllabus, and your grades. It’s also where you will submit assignments.

2. Your school’s library website

We can’t emphasize this enough — your school’s library website will list all the resources that your school subscribes to and how to access them. Before hitting GoogleScholar when starting on a research paper, check out your library website because there is probably a guide on how to start research on different topics. There will also be the contact info for research librarians, don’t hesitate to set up a meeting with one of them because they will know about resources that may be hard for you to find on your own.

3. Facebook

Lots of student organizations use Facebook to communicate and it’s a great place to find out about events on campus that you might not otherwise know about. Many student organizations use Facebook Groups to communicate with members and following event organization pPages can keep you in the loop about events happening on campus.

4. Desmos

Desmos is an online graphing calculator that’s way easier to use than a physical graphing calculator.

5. Wolfram Alpha

Wolfram Alpha is an answer engine that’s way better than Yahoo Answers. Search your question and chances are Wolfram Alpha will have a step-by-step solution. Wolfram Alpha is a lifesaver for math and science classes, but can also answer your humanities and life questions. Pop this guy into the search bar “∫ln(4x^3) + 6x δx” and you’ll get an answer!

6. Chegg

Chegg is a website with all kinds of student services, from textbook and e-book rentals to flashcards. The most helpful part of Chegg is CheggStudy, which has textbook solutions and expert Q&A. Textbook solutions are the step-by-step answers to questions found in textbooks. If you post a question on Chegg, an expert will post a step-by-step solution to it. You can also search and see all the questions previously asked and answered through the expert Q&A function. CheggStudy costs $14.95 per month, but chances are someone you know pays for it or has a login, so ask around.

If you’re studying math, CheggStudy is helpful because it has both solutions to textbook problems and expert Q&A to draw answers from. It’s likely that — whatever you’re studying — your question is from a textbook or someone else has already asked it or something similar, so Chegg is a great problem solving tool.

7. Google Calendar

Google Calendar is a great way to organize your busy schedule. Through Google Calendar you can keep track of your classes, deadlines, and extracurriculars.

8. Jstor

Jstor is an online research database that your school may subscribe to. Jstor has access to 12 million academic journal articles, primary sources, and books. Check your school’s library website to see which research databases it subscribes to.

9. Ebsco

Ebsco is another online research database that your school may subscribe to. It’s a good first stop on your research journey for any paper. Your school’s library website will tell you if you have access to Ebsco.

10. Word Hippo

No list of websites for college students is complete without a thesaurus. Word Hippo is an elite thesaurus that will help you make sure your essays aren’t too repetitive.

This might be surprising, but the best VPNs aren’t necessarily the most expensive. Some of the best VPNs are actually really affordable, which is great news for anyone looking to secure cheap online security and data protection.

You have come to the right place if you’re looking for a premium VPN with advanced features, without the big price tag. We’ve lined up some great value options for absolutely everyone, and there is no need to compromise on security, connection speed, customer support, or anything else.

But first, there are a few things we need to cover.

What is a VPN?

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide valuable protection for your data and identity when you’re navigating the online world. How do they do this? VPNs offer online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network that hides your real IP address and makes all of your information unreadable.

All of your activity is untraceable and secure, because your online traffic passes through an encrypted tunnel. Everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware. VPNs are primarily designed to provide online security, but there is another reason that millions of people use these services.

VPNs can also be used to stream movies and shows from around the world, and the process is actually really simple. We’ve already mentioned how VPNs provide anonymity by hiding your real IP address. Well, this technique can also be used to manipulate the streaming market. By hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a server in another location, you can trick your favourite streaming sites into thinking that you are based in a different country. This provides access to all the extra content that would normally be restricted in your location.

Should you consider free VPNs?

The question that everyone wants an answer to is whether you really need to pay for a VPN. There are plenty of free VPNs out there, but do these offer the features you need to browse, shop, and stream securely? Unfortunately, there is usually some sort of catch with free versions (usually in the form of a limitation on your data usage or connection speed).

Occasional users will probably be satisfied with a free VPN, but if you’re going to be streaming or downloading on a regular basis, you should look elsewhere. The only exception to this rule is a free trial. These come without limitations, but obviously don’t tend to last for a long time. PureVPN offers one of the best free trials, but this isn’t a long-term solution. 

The conclusion is that the best option for securing your data and streaming more content from around the world is with a paid subscription. The sad fact is that you’ll have to pay to gain access to advanced security features without limitations on your usage. It’s not all bad news though, because there are plenty of cheap plans out there, especially if you’re willing to commit to a lengthy contract.

What are the most important things to consider before subscribing?

The process of actually selecting a VPN can be seriously tricky, especially if you don’t know what to consider. Most of the best VPNs offer many of the same features with similar packages, so it’s important to know what matters.

To make your life a little bit easier, we have shortlisted a few things to consider before making any sort of decision:

Network size and location — The best VPNs offer a large network of geographically diverse servers. The more servers (and server locations) offered by a VPN, the more likely you are to find a reliable and fast connection. This is also particularly important for streaming, as you should always be able to connect to a server in the country with the content you want to watch.

Trustworthiness — We recommend finding an experienced provider with a strong track record and a clear privacy policy. It’s important that your VPN of choice guarantees your data won’t be logged or collected. If it isn’t obvious what happens to your data, you should steer clear.

Jurisdiction — It’s a good idea to look for VPNs based in the British Virgin Islands, Panama, Switzerland, and other privacy-friendly countries. VPNs based in countries that fall under the jurisdiction of the intelligence-sharing alliances should be avoided: the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, France, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Spain. VPNs in these countries can be forced by authorities to collect and hand over user data.

Customer support — VPNs can be difficult to understand if you’re not an experienced user, and even if you are, problems can occur. Whether you’re a total beginner or not, customer support is key for dealing with any potential issues that might arise. You should also consider whether customer support is offered by phone, email, or web chat.

Make sure you consider these features before deciding on the VPN that suits you and your lifestyle. Once you have narrowed down your options, you can begin the process of finding the best deal.

What is the best VPN?

We’re sorry to burst your bubble, but there isn’t one VPN that beats all the rest. The best VPN for you really comes down to your own set of personal preferences. Once you find a few options that tick your boxes, you need to consider the best deals.

We have reached out to partners in order to provide you with market-leading prices on VPN subscriptions, with performance and security in mind. All of these VPN services have been handpicked not only because of the prices and deals on offer, but because they all offer the most important features to protect your online data and identity.

There are also plenty of services to consider on this list if your priority is unlocking streaming sites like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. Online security should always be the priority, but we know that many subscribers use these services to unlock more content from around the world. We get it, and we’re here to help.

These are the best and cheapest VPN deals in September 2021.

Everyone loves settling down for a streaming session, right? Lining up all your favourite snacks and drinks, surrounding yourself with cushions and blankets, and then spending hours in front of a screen can be a truly therapeutic experience, but there is one big problem with this hobby: There is a limited amount of content out there to keep you satisfied.

Regular streamers can quickly get to a point when it feels like there’s nothing left to watch, and what are you supposed to do then? Don’t panic, because there is a simple solution to this problem.

If you’ve reached this point of saturation, you should consider investing in a VPN.

What is a VPN?

VPNs are security tools that provide protection for your information by creating a private network that hides your real IP address. All of your activity is untraceable and secure, because all of your online traffic passes through an encrypted tunnel. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like hackers, viruses, and malware.

The act of hiding your real IP address is what can trick leading streaming sites into thinking you are based in another country.

What are the advantages of using a VPN?

First and foremost, VPNs are used to provide protection for your sensitive information. This is obviously important, but there’s another reason that VPNs are so popular. These tools can be also be used to watch content that is normally blocked in your location.

By hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a server in another country, you can watch all your favourite content from that location. For example, you could watch all the extra films and shows on American Netflix that are not usually accessible outside of the U.S. There is so much content out there that can be accessed with the help of a VPN.

We’re all in need of something that can bypass geo-restrictions to access all of this blocked entertainment, and that something is a VPN. These services are kind of like keys to the online world, granting you access to more of the shows and films you love.

How do you access American Netflix with a VPN?

If you think the process of accessing American Netflix is going to be tricky with a VPN, think again. It’s actually a really simple process that absolutely everyone can understand.

All you need to do is open up your preferred VPN, select an American server in order to spoof your IP to a U.S. address, and then head to Netflix. This quick and easy action makes Netflix think you’re in the U.S. when you’re actually in the UK, so you can watch all that great content that is normally unavailable. Not too complicated, right?

If you’re worried that this whole thing sounds a bit illegal, then maybe we can reassure you. It’s currently legal to watch Netflix while using a VPN, although we should point out that Netflix states in its terms of service that it may restrict your account without compensation or notice if you are engaged in “improper” use. We’re not entirely sure what that means, but consider yourself warned.

We should make it very clear that you still need to be subscribed to Netflix for this trick to work. A VPN is not going to grant access to the streaming site for free. A VPN provides access to more libraries from around the world, once you’re subscribed.

What is the best VPN for Netflix?

There are a lot of VPN services out there that can effectively unblock American Netflix, but which is the best? There are plenty of strong options for you to consider, but we wouldn’t want you wasting your time checking everything out. To save you time, we’ve handpicked your best options. Each service has a different set of features that will suit some users better than others, and it’s all about finding something that works for you.

It’s tough to pick the best VPN for accessing American Netflix, but ExpressVPN does stand out from the competition for a number of reasons. It has a streaming-friendly interface, security focused features, and strong connection speeds. All of this provides users with a straightforward and speedy streaming experience. Speed is probably the most important feature to consider when it comes to picking a VPN for streaming. Using a VPN to connect to another country often affects your download speed, which can be devastating when you are trying to binge on your favourite show. We found that using ExpressVPN consistently results in the lowest buffering time when streaming Netflix in 4K. It is however a little pricey.

ExpressVPN is at the top of this list because it combines essential features with impressive results, but it isn’t the only option available to you. We have lined up all the best VPNs for unblocking Netflix, with something for everyone on this list. We’ve highlighted the best deals on the likes of Surfshark, PureVPN, CyberGhost VPN, NordVPN, and ZenMateVPN.

These are the best VPNs for Netflix in 2021.

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

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

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

What even is a VPN, anyway?

VPNs provide protection for your data and identity by creating a private network that hides your real IP address. All of your activity is untraceable and secure because everything passes through an encrypted tunnel.

Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside is protected against online threats. This means that hackers, governments, and your internet service provider will be unable to access any of your information.

What are the advantages of using a VPN?

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

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

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

What should you consider before selecting a VPN?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is the best VPN?

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

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

These are the best VPN deals in September 2021.

If you’re one of the 10.2 million subscribers who show up to the mat for Yoga with Adriene, you’ll be well aware that Benji is often the star of the show, the embodiment of downward dog.

The star of the best yoga YouTube channels for practicing at home, Adriene Mishler has been posting practices for nine years now, always accompanied by her loveable blue heeler, Benji, who often wanders around in the space before finding a suitable napping spot.

Celebrating her channel’s ninth birthday since launching in 2012, Mishler posted a trailer for a cute new animated series starring none other than her four-legged sidekick. “In this inaugural episode, Benji learns Box Breath and Star Pose to help navigate anxiety after spending a bit too long cooped up inside the house,” she wrote in an email newsletter.

The full 12-minute episode is only available for paid subscribers of YWA’s Find What Feels Good online community. If you’re not a subscriber, you can enjoy the trailer, which features the most adorable animated version of the yoga teacher and her pup, both of whom have got many of us through some really tough times.

The story was written by Mishler and Jeff Mills, while the animation and design is by Will Rose, with music by David Hamburger.

Welcome to the wonderful world of VPNs. These popular security tools protect your identity and data, bypass online restrictions, and much more. If this is all very new to you, you’ve probably got a lot of questions. Don’t worry, because we can help.

We’ve done all the hard work for you and researched these services to provide the information that matters. We’re nice like that.

This is the definitive breakdown of everything you need to know about VPNs.

What is a VPN?

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide important protection for your data and identity when you’re online. They offer this online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network that hides your real IP address. This means that all of your activity is untraceable and secure.

Basically, you can think about VPNs as encrypted tunnels through which all of your online traffic passes through. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware.

What are the advantages of using a VPN?

Any sort of activity on an unsecured WiFi network leaves your private information and browsing habits exposed to the world, unless you’re using a VPN. There’s no need to panic, because whether you’re sending important emails, doing some online shopping, or paying essential bills, VPNs make sure that everything remains private and anonymous.

First and foremost, VPNs are designed to provide online security, but there is another reason that millions of people use these services: streaming more content from around the world. By hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a server in another location, you can trick your favourite streaming services into thinking that you are based in a different country. This means that you can watch all of the shows and films from global libraries, like all the extra content on American Netflix. This is the quickest and easiest way of boosting your content options, without the need to rely on a dodgy stream.

What are the most important things to consider when selecting a VPN?

There are plenty of things that you should consider when it comes to VPNs, but we don’t have all day. Instead of listing off every feature offered by the best VPNs, we have highlighted a selection of the most important things to think about.

Before you make any sort of decision, you should look out for connection speed, server network, number of logins, and more important features:

Connection speed: Using a VPN is going to produce a drop in your connection speed, but you shouldn’t accept a significant drop that is going to result in buffering. Be sure to select a VPN that doesn’t negatively impact your connection speed to the point that you can’t watch a film or download a file without frustration.

Number of connections: Some VPNs let you connect an unlimited number of devices with the same account. Others limit you to just a single device. You should look out for a service that offers multiple simultaneous connections, so you can stay protected on all your devices at the same time.

Server network: The very best VPNs provide access to literally thousands of geographically diverse servers. It’s useful if a VPN has a lot of servers in key locations, because you should always be able to find a stable and speedy connection for streaming, shopping, or browsing anonymously. It’s not a straightforward case of more is better, but it’s always good to have options.

Privacy policy: It’s worth paying special attention to the data-handling, storage, and usage practices of the VPN you are planning on using. These practices should be laid out in a privacy policy, and if they aren’t clear, it’s best to avoid. Most VPNs require access to your IP address, online transactions, and browsing history, plus your personal details when you sign up. If privacy is the objective, it’s absolutely essential that your VPN is not going to store these details. If it does, the whole thing is kind of pointless.

Encryption: There are different levels of encryption, and whilst it’s important to take note of the grade provided by your VPN, the best options will all offer powerful protection for your data. You are likely to come across terms like “military-grade” and “enterprise-grade,” which just means that you can rely on it to do its job.

Bandwidth: There are some VPNs out there that place monthly caps on network bandwidth, meaning you can only download a certain amount of data. You should avoid these services, unless you’re on a free trial. If you’re paying for a VPN, you should be able to download and upload as much as you want.

There are other things to consider, like price and subscription options, but these features are a good place to start.

Do you need to pay for a VPN?

The good news is that there are plenty of free versions of popular VPNs, plus free trials of VPNs with full access to everything you get with a premium plan. Alternatively, you can pay for a VPN. So which option is best for you and your lifestyle?

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

What we’re saying is that the best option for streaming securely and accessing the online world without restrictions is with a paid subscription to a VPN. To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you need to pay up. The best VPNs are generally the most expensive, but there are plenty of cheap plans out there, especially if you’re willing to commit to a lengthy contract.

What is the best VPN?

There are a lot of VPN providers out there all offering different sets of features, with different pricing structures. We recommend taking some time to carefully access your options, and decide on what you really need from your provider. Once you have established your priorities, you can check out this roundup of the very best VPNs.

We have tracked down everything on offer and lined up a selection of the very best VPNs for streaming, shopping, and everything else. We have tried to find something for everyone and every budget, and you can find popular services like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost VPN in this list. All you need to do is weigh up these options against your own set of priorities, and then pick a favourite from the bunch. Simple, right?

These are the best VPNs in 2021.