As the Affordable Connectivity Program runs out of money, 23 million households face higher internet bills in May. Read...

The cheapest internet plan isn`t always the best deal. Consider the cost per Mbps when comparing internet plans for your new home. Read...

Venafi launches a 90-Day TLS Readiness Solution to help organisations improve security posture and comply with Google`s TLS certificate lifespan reduction proposal, supporting a more agile web response. Read...

As the Affordable Connectivity Program runs out of money, 23 million households face higher internet bills in May. Read...

Whether you’re looking for a productivity desktop, a gaming PC powerhouse, or a stylish all-in-one Windows machine, we’ve got you covered. The team at PCWorld sort through all of the daily computer sales and put together a curated list of the best deals available. But not all deals are really deals, so we only choose those offered by reputable companies and that include great hardware to ensure you get the best value for your money. We’ve also included some helpful answers to common questions about buying a computer at the bottom of this article. If you’re considering a laptop instead, be sure to check out our best laptop deals, updated daily. Note: Tech deals come and go quickly, so it’s possible some of these computer discounts will have expired before this article’s next update. Best gaming desktop computer deals Alienware Aurora R15, Ryzen 9/RTX 4070/16GB RAM/512GB SSD/1TB HDD, $1,449.99 (37% off on Dell) Alienware Aurora R16, Core i9/RTX 4070/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,699.99 (17% off on Dell) Legion Tower 7i, Core i9/RTX 4080 Super/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $2,318.39 (26% off on Lenovo) CLX SET Gaming Desktop, Ryzen 7/RTX 4080 Super/32GB RAM/2TB SSD/6TB HDD, $3,099.99 (21% off on BestBuy) iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh, Ryzen 7/RTX 4060/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $999.00 (23% off on BestBuy) Yeyian Yumi, Core i5/RTX 4060/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $799.99 (33% off on Newegg) ABS Cyclone Aqua, Core i5/RTX 4060 Ti/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $929.99 (14% off on Newegg) My top picks: Dell is offering two great deals on Alienware gaming desktops this week. The first is an Aurora R15 for $850 off and the second is the updated Aurora R16 model for $350 off both on Dell’s website. Each has their advantages, but if I had to choose I’d go with the Aurora R16. Not only does it provide double the RAM, but you’ll get better performance with the Core i9-13900F than you will with the Ryzen 9 7900—it’s a bit pricier as a result, but worth the extra cost if you can swing it. If you’re in the market for a top of the line gaming rig then the CLX SET Gaming Desktop on sale for $800 off on BestBuy is the deal to get. It comes loaded with a powerhouse Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU, an RTX 4080 Super GPU, and a massive 8TB of onboard storage. With so much storage and firepower, it could easily double as a great content creation machine as well. Best mainstream desktop computer deals IdeaCentre Mini, Core i5/8GB RAM/512GB SSD, $499.99 (23% off on Lenovo) HP Envy Desktop, Core i7/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $799.99 (20% off on BestBuy) HP Envy i5 Desktop, Core i5/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $669.99 (11% off on Amazon) Apple Mac Mini, M2/8GB RAM/256GB SSD, $549.00 (8% off on Amazon) My top picks: Those looking for a mini-PC are in luck as the excellent IdeaCentre Mini is on sale for $150 off on Lenovo. It is one of the best small form-factor PCs on the market and this version not only gives you a respectable Core i5-13500H CPU, but also plenty of onboard storage—double what you usually get with a mini-PC. If a mini-PC isn’t your cup of tea, then the HP Envy desktop for $200 off on BestBuy is another great option. Strong performance backed by the latest Core i7 CPU and plenty of onboard storage make this a solid home office or family computer that packs a bit more of a punch. Best all-in-one computer deals All-in-one desktop computers combine a PC’s hardware with a modern display to make a desktop computer that has both form and function. Since everything is built together, you can save precious desktop space with an all-in-one. They make capable work computers and they can also be excellent home computers with the wide range of features appealing to the whole family. Lenovo IdeaCentre AiO 5i, Core i7/16GB RAM/512GB SSD/24-inch 1080p touch display, $899.99 (20% off on Lenovo) HP Envy AiO 34, Core i7/RTX 3060/16GB RAM/1TB SSD/34-inch 5K display, $1,799.99 (23% off on HP) Acer Aspire C27, Core i5/16GB RAM/512GB SSD/27-inch 1080p display, $699.99 (22% off on Amazon) Apple iMac, M1/8GB RAM/256GB SSD/27-inch 5K display, $849.99 (45% off on BestBuy) My top picks: Lenovo’s AiO 5i model on sale for $230 off Lenovo is a great all-in-one model with solid specs. Not only do you get good performance components and a crisp 1080p touch display, but you’ll get the reliability that comes with all Lenovo products. In a rare deal for an Apple computer, the M1 iMac is on sale for $400 off on BestBuy’s website. Sure, you could about double to get the latest model with an M3 chip, but the M1 model will still give you good performance and unless you’re doing heavy rendering work it probably won’t matter anyways. Save yourself some money and go with this M1 iMac while it’s on sale. Computer deals FAQ 1. What are good websites to find computer deals? There are a ton of sites that sell computers, and scouring through all of them would take you a lot of time—that’s why we do it for you here and highlight the best deals we find. However, to save you some time and frustration, you need to be smart about where you look at any given time of the year. If you’re looking for a new computer during the holidays or around popular sale periods such as Black Friday or back-to-school, then you are likely to find great deals directly through first party vendor websites. These include the retail storefronts of popular computer manufacturers such as HP, Dell, and Lenovo. However, if you are looking in between sales periods, it’s generally a good idea to search through large third-party retailers such as Amazon, Adorama, Walmart, BestBuy, and Newegg. Oftentimes these websites will offer limited Deals of the Day type sales in hopes of getting rid of excess stock. On the upside, you can score still-decent PCs at a steep discount. 2. When’s the best time to shop for a PC computer? Typically you’ll want to time your PC computer shopping around a prominent sales period. The biggest sales periods are Black Friday/Cyber Monday in late November and Amazon Prime Day in early-to-mid July. The best sales often occur leading up to and during these two events and they are great times to snag a new PC computer for cheap. Other holiday shopping periods such as the New Year sales in January, President’s Day sales in April, and the back-to-school sales event in August are also good times to find discounts on computers. 3. What type of desktop should I get? You’ll see a ton of options when searching for a desktop computer, but they all mainly fit into four main categories: productivity tower PCs, gaming PCs, mini PCS, and all-in-ones (AiO). Which you should end up buying is entirely dependent upon what your needs are and what you want to do with your computer. If you are looking for something that will work in a home office or family room, then a productivity PC or AiO with a solid CPU and lots of RAM and storage is probably the way to go. If gaming is your main concern, a gaming PC can offer a lot more bang for your buck than a laptop and you should focus on getting the best GPU possible. Or if you just want something that can fit anywhere and provide basic computing then a mini PC is a good bet. 4. What CPU and GPU should I get? When looking at your new computer’s CPU, get at least an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, both of which will provide plenty of processing power for everyday computing tasks. If you don’t intend to do any PC gaming, then feel free to save some money by going with integrated graphics. However, if you are looking to get your game on, we recommend at least an Nvidia GeForce 3060 or AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT, as these are the least expensive discrete graphics cards that can handle ray tracing well. If you aren’t interested in those cutting-edge lighting effects, however, the RTX 3050 and Radeon RX 6600 also provide good 1080p gaming performance at even lower prices. 5. How much memory and storage does my PC need? As for RAM, we think its best to shoot for 16GB at the minimum for productivity and gaming, but for family computers and internet browsing, 8GB should suffice. Storage size is dependent upon your personal needs, but it is generally a good idea to opt for an SSD over an standard HDD as they are much faster and don’t significantly affect the price of a desktop. Before deciding, it’s best to consider what your intended use of the computer will be. Are you just doing work or web browsing? Then something like 512GB will be plenty. If you want to load up a lot of large files such as games or content creation projects, then you’ll need at least 1 or 2TB or storage. However, just remember that even if your computer doesn’t have enough storage built-in you can always upgrade your SSD or go with an external drive to increase your available storage options. 6. Is it a good idea to buy a refurbished computer? Refurbished computers are used machines that have been repaired, upgraded, and cleaned for the purpose of reselling. They’re usually open-box returns, overstock, or models with minor cosmetic damage (scratches, scuffs, etc). Refurbished computers can be a bargain hunter’s dream as they’re likely still in good (or great) condition and you can save a lot of money. That being said, refurbished computers can have their downsides as well. In addition to cosmetic blemishes, some of the internal components might be a little older or outdated and they might not be in peak condition due to previous usage. If you do consider buying a refurbished computer I recommend looking at eBay as they offer a one-year warranty. You can also check out manufacturer’s retail storefronts like Dell’s Outlet Store and Apple’s Refurbished Store—just be sure to look at the terms of warranty offered before purchasing. Desktop PCs, Gaming Desktop PCs Read...

“Logging in without any passwords, how’s that supposed to work?” you may be asking yourself. After all, user names and passwords are so much a part of everyday life that it’s hard to imagine whether it might not work without them. Yes, you can log in without a password, and it’s even more convenient, faster, and more secure than before. This time it’s not just an advertising promise, a fundamental change is actually underway. Because the status quo is downright sobering: Billions of personal accounts have been hacked worldwide. In Germany, almost one in three people have had their online accounts spied on, according to a representative survey commissioned by the consumer advice center. Microsoft not only advises using passkeys to increase security and convenience when logging in, but also offers the option of not using passwords at all. Microsoft not only advises using passkeys to increase security and convenience when logging in, but also offers the option of not using passwords at all. Foundry Microsoft not only advises using passkeys to increase security and convenience when logging in, but also offers the option of not using passwords at all. Foundry Foundry There are many reasons for this, some of which are due to the carelessness of some users. After all, not everyone wants to assign a unique and secure password to all of their 100 or so accounts — despite all the well-intentioned advice. The consequences are well known. However, the situation is not as hopeless as it seemed for a long time. You can log in to more and more internet services, from Amazon to Whatsapp, using the new “passkeys.” Not only are they easier and more convenient to manage, they are also much more secure. You no longer have to remember anything, so you can’t forget anything, and you don’t even need new equipment. You can get started straight away with your PC or smartphone. Further reading: I’m ditching my passwords—and you should too PC and smartphone are all you need to log in securely We focus on the practical use of passkeys and only explain the technology behind them to the extent that it helps you understand them and have the necessary trust. Passkeys are a further development of the established Fido 2 security standard with asymmetric encryption. When you set up a passkey to log in to an online service, your PC or mobile phone generates a key pair. The public key is sent to the website and stored there, the private key is secret and remains in the crypto chip of your device — i.e. in the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) on a computer. If you use a smartphone, the private key is also securely synchronized in the cloud of the operating system, i.e. Apple or Google. This is one of several advantages of the smartphone, which we will come back to in a moment. Once a passkey has been set up, the next time you visit the website (or app), you simply tell it that you want to log in. The online service then sends your device a so-called challenge: a task that can only be solved with the help of your private key stored in your device and which you authorize using your fingerprint, face scan, or PIN. Only the digitally signed solution to the challenge is sent back, not the private key itself. As this process also takes the original domain into account, it provides reliable protection against phishing. Even if a website is a deceptively genuine imitation, the passkey refuses the log-in. Services with passkey support There is no official directory of all providers with passwordless login. Lists are provided by Passkeys.io, Passkeys Directory, and Keeper, among others. New providers with Passkey support may not be included at first. Important services are listed below. 1Password Adobe Amazon Apple Bitwarden (passwords) Dashlane (passwords) Ebay GitHub (Software) Google Kayak (Travelling) Keepass XC (passwords) Keeper (Passwords) Linkedin Microsoft Mozilla (Firefox) Nintendo Nvidia PayPal Shopify (E-Commerce) Sony Playstation Synology Tiktok Uber (e.g. taxi) Whatsapp X (Twitter) Yahoo Zoho (e.g. Office) Here we go: Try out Passkeys A Hello-enabled camera or a fingerprint sensor on the laptop or PC make logging in via Passkeys particularly convenient. A Hello-enabled camera or a fingerprint sensor on the laptop or PC make logging in via Passkeys particularly convenient. Foundry A Hello-enabled camera or a fingerprint sensor on the laptop or PC make logging in via Passkeys particularly convenient. Foundry Foundry If you only want to use Passkeys on your PC at home, you can store your private keys exclusively on your computer. The requirements are straightforward, a compatible browser such as Chrome, Edge, or, more recently, Firefox (from version 122) is all you need. First create a login PIN for Windows Hello in the Windows settings under Accounts > Login options. This is hardware-bound, so unlike a password, it’s only valid for this one computer. If available, you can also set up fingerprint or face recognition for greater convenience. For our passkey-in-a-minute promise, open the test page https://webauthn.io in your browser. In the “example_ username” field, enter a name of your choice, click on “Register,” and authenticate yourself via Windows Hello in the next step. You may need to confirm the “This device” option, followed by the messages “Master key saved” and “Success! Now try to authenticate …” — all in less than 60 seconds. Please take this request literally and log in without a password using the passkey you have just created. To do this, click on the “Authenticate” button and authenticate yourself again: “You’re logged in”! As your Webauthn test account is automatically deleted after one day, you do not need to do anything else. Further reading: How to prevent (or survive) a ransomware attack Log in to your PC with a smartphone Smartphones are more practical than PCs for passwordless logins for several reasons: Firstly, it stores the passkeys in the mobile operating system’s password manager just as securely Secondly, as we will show in a moment, it also enables the new login procedure on the PC Thirdly, you almost always have it with you Fourthly, the Android (from version 9) and iOS (from version 16) operating systems synchronize the passkeys automatically and in encrypted form in the cloud If the mobile device breaks or is lost, you have a backup right away. Synchronization is not yet available for Windows. You can read more about the backup strategy for passkeys in the box at the bottom of this page. This is how it works: To create a passkey via your smartphone, open the test page https://webauthn.io on your PC again, assign a user name, click on “Register” and then on the option “iPhone, iPad or Android device.” Confirm with “Next” and hold the phone camera on the QR code shown on the PC monitor. Now confirm the passkey option shown on the smartphone and follow the next steps. Android and iOS differ only slightly here. Depending on the device configuration, you may still need to enter the unlock PIN before authenticating with a fingerprint or face scan. You already know the rest. Aim your phone’s camera at the QR code to complete the registration process for your phone. Aim your phone’s camera at the QR code to complete the registration process for your phone.Foundry Aim your phone’s camera at the QR code to complete the registration process for your phone.Foundry Foundry Logging in is even quicker and more convenient if you allow this step to be skipped on your smartphone after the QR scan. In the future, all you need to do to log in on the PC is select the linked mobile device and authorize the login using a finger or face scan. Authentication takes place via Bluetooth (from version 5.0). If your computer fails to fulfil this requirement, a USB Bluetooth dongle for around $10 will help. You can log in to the actual online accounts later in the same way using a passkey. The challenge request runs in the background, the solution is sent back digitally signed in a matter of seconds — and you are securely logged in. Logging in without a password in practice You now know how passkeys work. To familiarize yourself with the concept, we recommend only switching one or two accounts to begin with. The box above lists important providers that support the method. Most of these services currently still allow the parallel use of passkey and password. This makes logging in convenient for you, but insecure passwords still pose a risk. Microsoft at least offers the option of removing the password completely in the personal settings under Security > Advanced security options > Passwordless account. With NAS manufacturer Synology, you even have to choose between a password and a passkey. To create a passkey, first log in to the service of your choice in the PC browser. The setup option can usually be found in the account configuration under “Security.” The next steps differ from provider to provider, both in terms of the terminology and the setup itself. In some cases, you may also encounter unexpected things such as additional apps and other hurdles. For example, the Google passkey was initially linked to Windows Hello and thus to the PC during testing. Only afterwards was it possible to create another passkey on a “different device” via the passkey management — i.e. on the smartphone as desired. Further reading: 5 outdated security practices you shouldn’t use anymore Microsoft, on the other hand, first requires its own Authenticator app on the smartphone, only then can you switch to the operating system’s password manager. These examples show how important it is to familiarize yourself with passkeys. However, if you know that it works, you can get there by trying it out or using a Google search. Tip: Passkeys are also suitable for particularly security-relevant applications, such as payments, which should be protected by a second factor. You can quickly authorize, say, Paypal transactions with your fingerprint without having to enter a short code or do anything else first. Conclusion Cloud synchronization of passkeys offers the advantage over conventional hardware-based Fido 2 authentication in that you don’t have to set up passwordless login for every device. At the same time, management with the smartphone ensures a backup of all private keys and thus the possibility of restoring them if the hardware breaks down or is lost. If you only use the passkeys on your computer at home, you can in principle also save them on your PC. However, please do not forget to create a restore option just in case (see box below). The passkeys can be managed on the Windows PC in the Settings app under Accounts > Passkeys, or on the smartphone in the password managers from Apple or Google also under “Settings.” Protection from being locked out A Fido 2 stick like this is one of several backup options for passkeys. However, the most convenient option is synchronization with the smartphone in the cloud. A Fido 2 stick like this is one of several backup options for passkeys. However, the most convenient option is synchronization with the smartphone in the cloud. Yubico A Fido 2 stick like this is one of several backup options for passkeys. However, the most convenient option is synchronization with the smartphone in the cloud. Yubico Yubico If you forget a conventional online password, you can simply create a new one using the option of the same name: so convenient, but also so insecure. But what happens if the hardware with the stored private keys is defective or lost? Because only you have these keys — which is the central component of this security concept. So take precautions to avoid locking yourself out. If you follow our advice and use your smartphone to store your passkeys instead of your PC, there is hardly any danger. This is because Apple and Google automatically synchronize the passkeys in encrypted form in the cloud. If your mobile phone is lost or defective, you can then quickly restore the keys on a replacement device. Things are more difficult on a Windows PC: Although Microsoft also wants to implement synchronization, it has so far only been implemented in Insider pre-release versions of the operating system. A Fido 2 stick with a crypto chip, which is available from around $30, is also suitable as a backup. However, you must also save your passkeys on the stick beforehand (!) using the “Security key” option. Many online services also offer additional options for two-factor authentication and recovery. Please remember to set these up beforehand. This article was translated from German to English and originally appeared on pcwelt.de. Security Software and Services Read...

At a GlanceExpert`s Rating ProsTop rated antivirus protectionExpanded protection against malicious websites and remote attacksClean, straightforward interfaceConsSome PCs may experience a performance hit during heavier workloadsSeveral features are a bit rudimentaryOur VerdictAVG does a superb job of safeguarding your PC. It offers a clean, straightforward interface and additional online protections, while still providing the top-notch antivirus protection it’s known for—and does so without charging as much as the competition. AVG is best known for its excellent free antivirus software—so why pay a premium for the AVG Internet Security suite? In a word: convenience. With security software, the more you pay, the more comprehensive your protection becomes. That can be valuable if you find keeping up with online threats too overwhelming or time consuming. There’s something to be said for a program that can handle the major elements for you. And that’s what AVG Internet Security, the company’s entry-level version of its paid antivirus software, provides. By moving up to a paid subscription, you get additional features that keep you safer during your off days. No antivirus program is bulletproof, of course, but this one hits the major points while not overloading you with extras you won’t use. Whether it’s right for you depends on how much you prioritize simplicity. Note: This review is part of our best antivirus roundup. Go there for details about competing products and how we tested them. How much does AVG Internet Security cost? First, the basics—let’s talk about cost. If purchased directly from AVG, jumping from the free plan to the company’s Internet Security package is cheaper for the first year, and then reverts to the full price thereafter. Single-device plan (1 PC) $47 for the first year $76 per year thereafter 10-device plan (Multiple devices) $60 for the first year $100 per year thereafter AVG doesn’t offer family plans, but if you purchase a multi-device plan (which supports PC, Mac, Android, and iOS), you can share the device quota with family members. Even if you’re flying solo, the extra cash for multi-device coverage can be worth it—these days it’s common to own at least a computer and phone, and often a tablet as well. AVG’s multidevice plans cost more, but you can share that limit with others. AVG’s multidevice plans cost more, but you can share that limit with others.AVG AVG’s multidevice plans cost more, but you can share that limit with others.AVG AVG Compared to the competition, AVG prioritizes more devices rather than extra features. Take for example Norton—its closest equivalent plan includes VPN access, but you can only use it across five devices. Also surprising: Avast, which actually owns AVG, charges more for almost the exact same plan. For more savings, you can buy a license for AVG Internet Security through retailers like Amazon or Newegg, which offer multi-year plans as well as ones with fewer devices—so you can get a subscription appropriately sized for your situation, if you prefer. What does AVG Internet Security include? AVG Internet Security adds five more features to the free plan’s antivirus, firewall, web and email threat, and network protection. You get safeguards for the passwords saved to your browsers; webcam takeovers; unknown access to files with sensitive data; malicious redirects for websites you’re trying to visit (aka DNS hijacking); and attacks conducted through Windows’ remote desktop protocol. This particular plan does not include access to a VPN. AVG also doesn’t have its own password manager or parental controls, so you can’t get those by changing your subscription. Key features of AVG Internet Security Installation and user interface To install AVG Internet Security, either download the free version and then upgrade, or first buy the paid subscription and install afterward. AVG’s dashboard is clean and logical, though possibly gloomy for those who like light-themed apps. The nearly black background is punctuated with bright green text to cue you in to important information. Both your PC’s status and key features are clearly highlighted in the dashboard. AVG’s dashboard is fairly straightforward, with the exception of running other scans—though it’s not obvious, you can click on the text to open the menu. AVG’s dashboard is fairly straightforward, with the exception of running other scans—though it’s not obvious, you can click on the text to open the menu.PCWorld AVG’s dashboard is fairly straightforward, with the exception of running other scans—though it’s not obvious, you can click on the text to open the menu.PCWorld PCWorld Starting a scan from the dashboard is easy—for a quick scan, you press the Run Smart Scan button toward the bottom of the screen. You can choose a different type of scan by clicking the text that says Run other scans. Your options are deep scan, file or folder scan, boot-time scan, USB/DVD scan, and a performance scan. Using the performance scan requires a separate subscription to AVG TuneUp, or a further upgrade to an AVG Ultimate plan. Above the scan options are the dashboard tiles. Currently, there are four tiles related to the software’s features—the fifth is now reserved for the AVG store, through which you can purchase subscriptions for other AVG software not included with Internet Security. If you click any of the main dashboard tiles—Computer, Web & Email, Hacker Attacks, and Personal Data—you’ll see explanations for each of the software’s components. You can also broadly customize your settings, either by toggling off a feature or fiddling with the defaults. For the best protection, most people should leave everything on and then further add items for protection where applicable. To stay protected, leave these antivirus protections on. To stay protected, leave these antivirus protections on.PCWorld To stay protected, leave these antivirus protections on.PCWorld PCWorld However, if you run into conflicts or annoyances that require a little fine-tuning, AVG does provide more granular control. To access, you’ll click on the Menu hamburger icon at the top right, then choose Settings. This dropdown menu gives access to features like the data shredder, subscription info, browser extensions, and support as well. These detailed settings are a boon for software nerds, incidentally—particularly those of us who serve as tech support for loved ones. You can tweak a fair number of things, including privacy settings (you can opt out from data sharing right from the app), and even set a password to keep others from changing settings. The only real issue with AVG’s app is the continued upsells for its other products. If you thought that paying for AVG would stop the flow, alas, no. It only reduces the amount. Virus, malware, and threat protection Real-time protection AVG Internet Security protects your PC against real-time threats in multiple ways. On your PC, the software scans files you add or open, checks apps for unusual behavior, and controls access to select folders often targeted by ransomware. Ransomware protection is customizable, so you can add more folders to the default list. Email downloaded to your PC is screened for dangerous attachments and malicious links, too. When you’re on the web, AVG Internet Security scans the data transmitted to your computer for malware and for any sneaky DNS redirections to fake websites. It also monitors traffic going to and from apps, and locks down the passwords saved to your browsers. You get protection from remote access attacks, too—AVG blocks remote connection attempts from unknown sources, and it restricts access to your webcam and microphone. As a small protection against being caught unawares from data breaches, AVG Internet Security keeps tabs on your email address. If it’s spotted in a leak, you’ll get a notification in the app. Power users can customize scan settings and get more control over how deep the screening goes. Power users can customize scan settings and get more control over how deep the screening goes. PCWorld Power users can customize scan settings and get more control over how deep the screening goes. PCWorld PCWorld Scheduled and manual scans By default, a smart scan (the equivalent of a quick scan in other antivirus software) is scheduled for once a month. You can adjust this timing and depth of scan, as well as add more scans to the list. You have four kinds to choose from: Deep Scan, File or Folder Scan, Boot-time Scan, and USB/DVD Scan. Each type of scan is customizable in settings—for example, Deep Scan normally scans for files that are vulnerable to malware, and only for common installation apps. But you can make it dig further and have it scan all files, if you like. You can also change how the program handles infected files. Additional features Browser extensions If you install AVG’s browser extension, you can add an extra layer of protection while visiting websites. It’ll flag unknown sites and also add status badges to Google and Bing search results. In my experience, I found it slightly overzealous at first—it threw up a warning when I navigated directly to www.google.com—but it seemed to calm down after that. AVG’s browser extension verifies links in search results for Bing as well as Google. AVG’s browser extension verifies links in search results for Bing as well as Google.PCWorld AVG’s browser extension verifies links in search results for Bing as well as Google.PCWorld PCWorld Data shredder Formerly known as File Shredder, this feature lets you securely delete files, folders, or whole drives by overwriting them with other data. On the face of it, this sounds like a good feature—and it can be, if you want to clear data from a hard disk drive (HDD).  However, most modern computers have solid state drives (SSD), which save data in a different way than mechanical drives. At best, you won’t actually securely overwrite the data using this method, and at worst, you can shorten the life of your SSD. (You’ll want to use this method instead.) Customer support Aside from AVG’s support pages and forums, you can contact technical support through an online chat or through a phone call. The support pages are best for quick overviews and/or walkthroughs of various features, while the forums can help with troubleshooting—provided you’re willing to dig through several threads. Updates and maintenance  Updates for both virus definitions and the app itself run automatically in the background, though you can change these to only remind you when an update is available or go full manual (which is not advised). If you want to manually trigger the update yourself, there’s also a button to check for updates. You can find this by heading to Settings > General > Update. Performance AVG generally gets extremely high marks for antivirus and malware protection from leading organizations that evaluate security software. In AV-Test’s zero-day attack and malware tests for January and February 2024 (the most current as of this article’s latest update), AVG Internet Security detected 100 percent of the threats. When faced with 278 zero-day attack samples (including web and email threats) and 15,362 samples of recently widespread and prevalent malware, AVG blocked them all. AV-Comparatives / PCWorld AV-Comparatives / PCWorld AV-Comparatives / PCWorld Similarly, in AV-Comparatives’ real-world protection test for February through March 2024, AVG’s antivirus engine caught 100 percent of the 246 test cases, with 5 false positives. That means if your PC encounters malicious web addresses, exploits (like drive-by downloads), or URLs that link directly to malware while on the web, AVG should do an excellent job of noticing and keeping you from harm. AVG also hit high marks in AV-Comparatives’ March 2024 malware protection test, scoring a 95.6 percent offline detection rate, 98.8 percent online detection rate, and 99.95 percent online protection rate, with ten false positives. AVG falters a little when dealing with more sophisticated, targeted threats, like malicious scripts and fileless attacks. It caught 11 of the 15 test cases in AV-Comparatives’ November 2023 Advanced Threat Protection Test. However, antivirus software seems to be still ramping up on this front overall—AVG detected samples missed by higher performing rivals missed. AV-Comparatives / PCWorld AV-Comparatives / PCWorld AV-Comparatives / PCWorld During my hardware performance tests on a modest Acer Aspire 3 laptop with an AMD Ryzen 5 7520U processor, a 128GB SSD, 8GB of RAM, and Windows 11 Home, AVG had no tangible impact on most typical tasks performed on a PC, as simulated by PCMark 10—e.g., video chatting, web browsing, gaming, image and document editing in free apps like GIMP and LibreOffice. Surprisingly, it also had little effect on our Handbrake encoding test, too. However, running the same deep scan while using Microsoft Office (as simulated by UL Procyon) did cause a dip in performance on our budget laptop—an almost 20 percent drop. That means if you’re on a cheaper PC and slinging larger data sets in Excel, you’re best served scheduling your system scans for off-hours. The hit was a more palatable 9 percent decrease when AVG was left to idle in the background, keeping real-time watch for threats. As for features, Sensitive Data Shield (which lets you scan your system for files containing high-risk pieces of personal information) was a bit hit or miss. For example, one invoice was flagged, but not another similar document that lacked the word “invoice.” Other protections aren’t actually accessible with the Internet Security plan—though the interface is designed to make you think it is until the very last moment. E.g.: Running a Performance Scan will display action items. But if you click on the button to resolve them all, you get a screen asking you to pay for AVG TuneUp, as shown above. The fact that the advertisements don’t completely cease once you start paying for AVG is a bit off-putting—it makes the app feel incomplete, even though you’ve got a full package. Conclusion AVG Internet Security is a fantastic option for people seeking to be more hands-off with online security without paying a ton for the convenience. In fact, it’s solid enough to still earn a recommendation despite how strong the free version is on its own. (And the continued upsells, because really, they’re incredibly annoying to see in a paid product.) It offers great performance and an easy-to-understand interface along with several helpful security features. Editor’s note: Because online services are often iterative, gaining new features and performance improvements over time, this review is subject to change in order to accurately reflect the current state of the service. Any changes to text or our final review verdict will be noted at the top of this article. Antivirus, Business, Desktop PCs, Online Services, Security Software and Services, Technology Industry Read...

If you’re looking to score a fast laptop at a killer price, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re on the hunt for a blazing fast gaming rig, a lightweight 2-in-1, or an everyday Chromebook, we’ve assembled a list of the best laptop deals available right now, using our finely honed editorial judgement to only recommend truly compelling deals on worthwhile notebooks. For more notebook options, check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops available right now. We’ve got can’t-miss picks for every use case and budget, putting our thousands of hours of hands-on testing to work for you. Best laptop deals (at a glance) Lenovo IdeaPad 1, $229.99 ($190 off at Microcenter) Asus Vivobook 14, $249.99 ($180 off at Best Buy) Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3, $299 ($230 off at B&H) HP Envy x360, $569.99 ($379.01 off at Adorama) HP Dragonfly Pro, $799 ($600 off at B&H) Dell XPS 13, $799 ($300 off at Dell) Acer Swift Go 14, $799.99 ($200 off at Amazon) Dell Inspiron 16, $819.99 ($540 off at Dell) XPG Xenia, $999 ($700.99 off at Walmart) Lenovo Flex 7, $1,039.99 ($220 off at Adorama) Lenovo Legion Pro 5i, $1,179 ($620 off at B&H) Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1, $1,199.99 ($450 off at Best Buy) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4, $1,229 ($650 off at Adorama) HP Omen Laptop, $1,249.99 ($450 off at HP) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon $1,391.42 ($1,007.58 off at Lenovo) Best laptops deals under $500 Lenovo IdeaPad 1: $249.99 ($170 off at Microcenter) Lenovo Lenovo Lenovo The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 has an AMD Ryzen 5 5599Y processor inside of it, which is capable of handling day-to-day tasks like browsing the web and checking e-mail. The 14-inch 1080p display is perfect for everyday use and the connectivity options include one USB 2.0 Type-A, one USB 3.2 Type-C, one USB 3.2 Type-A, one HDMI, and one audio. The port selection is surprisingly diverse for such an inexpensive machine, so you don’t have to carry around an adapter. The 720p webcam isn’t great, but you can always plug into an external webcam if you want to look better on Zoom calls. View Deal Asus Vivobook 14: $249.99 ($180 off at Best Buy) Asus Asus Asus The Asus Vivobook is an inexpensive Windows laptop with a 1080p display. The laptop’s Intel i3-1215U CPU is a few generations behind at this point, but it’s still powerful enough to handle everyday tasks like checking e-mail and watching Netflix. It also comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of SSD storage. The 14-inch 1080p display has a brightness level of 250 nits, which isn’t super bright, but it’s perfectly fine for web surfing and office work. In fact, with dimmer displays, you’ll likely get better battery life out of the machine, as the display can be a major power suck. This is a great machine for anyone that’s on a tight budget. View Deal Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3: $299 ($230 off at B&H) Lenovo Lenovo Lenovo The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is another good option for everyday work, school, or home use because of its Intel Core i3-1315U processor and robust connectivity options. You should be able to zip right through office tasks or binge your favorite show on Netflix, and the large 15.6-inch 1080p matte display is sharp enough for those types of tasks. The port selection includes one USB-C 3.0, two USB-A 3.0, one HDMI, and one audio–effectively eliminating the need for an adapter. Similar to other laptops in this price range, it has a 720p webcam, which isn’t the best, but it’s a reasonable sacrifice in the budget laptop realm. View Deal Best laptops deals under $1,000 HP Envy x360: $569.99 ($379.01 off at Adorama) HP HP HP The HP Envy x360 is powerful, lightweight, and versatile. The 2-in-1 form factor means you can fold the screen back and use the laptop like a tablet, and it comes equipped with a good amount of RAM (16GB) and storage (512GB SSD). The 1080p display is quite large at 15.6-inches and it’s a touchscreen, which is perfect for habitual notetakers and doodlers. The keyboard is also full-sized and has backlighting–useful for when you’re using the laptop in low light environments. View Deal HP Dragonfly Pro: $799 ($600 off at B&H) HP HP HP The HP Dragonfly Pro is a lightweight laptop with a lovely 1200p touchscreen display. It weighs just 3.1 pounds, which is hardly a back breaker–great news if you’re a frequent traveler. It’s also powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 7736U CPU and AMD Radeon 680M graphics, so you shouldn’t have any problem flying through office work or daily tasks. The 14-inch 1200p touchscreen display has an aspect ratio of 16:10 and a maximum brightness of 400 nits. The taller aspect ratio is nice because it makes scrolling through documents and webpages a lot easier. Connectivity options also include two USB-C and one USB-C 3.1. Overall, this is a solid laptop, especially for $600 off. View Deal Dell XPS 13: $799 ($300 off at Dell) Dell Dell Dell The Dell XPS 13 is a good laptop for office work, school work, everyday activities, and so on. It’s rocking an Intel Core i7-1250U CPU, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage–that’s more than enough power for watching movies, writing papers, surfing the web, and more. The 13.4-inch display has a resolution of 1920×1200, a refresh rate of 60Hz, and a maximum brightness of 500 nits. That means the display is capable of producing a vibrant, sharp-looking picture. Additional bits include an aluminum chassis, a 51 watt-hour battery, and a chic Sky colorway. View Deal Acer Swift Go 14: $799 ($200 off at Amazon) Acer Acer Acer The Acer Swift Go 14 is one of the most well-rounded laptops you can buy. We awarded it 4 out of 5 stars in our review, praising how well-rounded it is. It features plenty of connectivity options, a wonderful typing experience, a zippy processor, and much more. The model that’s on sale today has less storage than the one we reviewed, but other than that they’re nearly identical. According to our review, it outperforms other laptops with the same processor, so you should be able to blitz through office work, coursework, everyday tasks, and so on. The 14-inch display also has a resolution of 1920X1200 and is touch-enabled. It’s fine for casual use, but black colors look washed out. View Deal Dell Inspiron 16: $859.99 ($500 off at Dell) Dell Dell Dell The Dell Inspiron 16 is a great laptop for day-to-day use as well as some light gaming. In addition to the powerful Intel Core i7-1360P CPU and 1TB of SSD storage, this machine also has an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2050 GPU, which should be powerful enough to run most games at 1080p resolution. The 1600p display is a roomy 16-inches with a refresh rate of 60Hz and a maximum brightness of 300 nits. Have we seen brighter screens? Sure. That said, it’s bright enough for daily use as well as some casual gaming. Other cool features include a 1080p webcam, up to 13 hours of battery life (according to Dell), and a fingerprint reader. View Deal XPS Xenia 15G: $999 ($700.99 off at Walmart) XPG XPG XPG If you’re looking for a powerful gaming laptop, the XPG Xenia will certainly fit the bill. You don’t see many gaming laptops with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU go on sale for under $1,000 often, so this is a true deal. Between the Intel Core i7-13700H CPU and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, you should be able to play triple-A titles on the High or Ultra graphics detail. This machine even comes with 1TB of SSD storage, which is good news if you’ve got a massive backlog of games. The 15.6-inch 1080p display should also provide smooth gameplay thanks to the 144Hz refresh rate. If you can afford it, this would be a better long-term gaming option than the $800 models listed above thanks to the RTX 4060’s much faster performance. View Deal Best laptops deals under $1,500 Lenovo Flex 7: $1,039.99 ($220 off at Adorama) Lenovo Lenovo Lenovo The Lenovo Flex 7 is a great laptop for those who want an affordable 2-in-1. You’re getting a lightweight design as well as a decent amount of power for just over $1,000. It has an Intel Core i7-1355U CPU, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. Zipping through spreadsheet work, everyday tasks, and so on should be no problem for this machine. In addition to the 2-in-1 form factor, in which the screen swings back 360 degrees, it also weighs just 3.53 pounds. That means you can easily slip it in a backpack or messenger back and take it with you anywhere. View Deal Lenovo Legion Pro 5i: $1,179 ($620 off at B&H) Lenovo Lenovo Lenovo The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i is a good option for those who play more intensive titles. We say this because of the display’s ridiculously high 240Hz refresh rate. Gameplay should be as smooth as your mother’s freshly churned butter. There’s a lot of power behind that display, too. You’re getting an Intel Core i7-13700HX CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, 32GB of RAM (that’s a lot!), and 1TB of SSD storage. Other goodies include an Ethernet port, an RGB backlit keyboard, and a 1080p webcam. View Deal Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1: $1,199.99 ($450 off at Best Buy) Lenovo Lenovo Lenovo The Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 is a powerful, versatile machine with a stunning 4K display. What more could you ask for? Underneath the hood, you’ll find an Intel Core i7-1360P CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage–so it should have no issues zipping through day-to-day tasks, spreadsheet work, and so on. The 14-inch touch display, which has a resolution of 3840×2400 (4K!), is a real stunner, too. This is the kind of display that’s meant for watching movies, graphically-intensive work, and so on. It also comes with a stylus, which is great because you don’t have to pay extra for a standalone accessory. View Deal Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4: $1,229 ($650 off at Adorama) Lenovo Lenovo Lenovo The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 is a powerful machine with a 1200p display, an array of versatile ports, and 512GB of SSD storage. It’s also lightweight at just under three pounds, making it the perfect travel companion. Driven by an Intel Core i7-1365U CPU, it should be able to handle both day-to-day tasks as well as heavier loads. Connectivity options include one Ethernet, one HDMI 2.1, one headphone/microphone combo jack, one USB 3.2 Gen 1, one USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On), and two Thunderbolt 4. That means you don’t have to worry about carrying an adapter around with you. View Deal HP Omen Laptop: $1,249.99 ($450 off at HP) HP HP HP The HP Omen is a great laptop for gamers. Not only does it have a big screen with a fast refresh rate, but it also boasts RTX 4060 graphics as well as RGB backlit keyboard with anti-ghosting technology, allowing you to press down multiple keys at once. Crack this baby open and you’ll find an Intel Core i7-13700HX CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. That means this machine is capable of chewing right through those graphically demanding titles. The 1080p display, which measures a massive 17.3-inches, has a refresh rate of 144Hz and a response time of 7ms, so images should look fluid and realistic. View Deal Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon: $1,391.42 ($1,007.58 off at Lenovo) Lenovo Lenovo Lenovo The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a competent business laptop with a lot of great features. First, let’s talk hardware. This machine weighs well under three pounds and yet it manages to squeeze in an Intel Core i5-1335U, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage. It has a decent amount of power, especially for such a lightweight laptop. You should be able to zip through office work, everyday activities, and more. The 14-inch 1200p display has a maximum brightness of 400 nits and a refresh rate of 60Hz, which should be clear enough for productivity tasks. Plus, you’re getting a 1080p webcam, a backlight keyboard, a fingerprint reader, and ThinkPad’s famously comfortable keyboard with the red nub in the middle. View Deal FAQ 1. How much RAM will I need in my laptop? You’ll want at least 8GB, though 16GB is preferable, especially if you play games. Don’t buy laptops with under 4GB of RAM or 128GB of SSD storage—though on a Chromebook or a budget Windows machine, this configuration is acceptable. Check out our article on how much RAM does a laptop need for more in-depth info. 2. What’s the difference between a Chromebook and a Windows laptop? The one big difference between a Chromebook and a Windows laptop is the operating system. Chromebooks run ChromeOS and Windows run, well, Microsoft Windows. Chromebooks make good everyday machines because they’re designed for browsing the web, checking e-mail, and so on. They use less resources and are generally more affordable than the Windows variety. They also don’t need antivirus protection. A Windows laptop is a lot more versatile in what it can do, and not just in terms of running local programs. You can really pump a Windows laptop up with a ton of RAM, storage, and so on. 3. When should I look for a laptop deal? You’ll likely find the best laptop deals during Prime Day (mid-July), Black Friday (November 29th), and back-to-school season (June-August). Sure, you’ll find good laptop deals throughout the year, but if you really want to save big, we’d recommend scoping out your favorite online retailers during those times. 4. Which retailers offer the best deals? You can find all kinds of deals across a wide range of online retailers such as Newegg, Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon, and so on. However, we’d recommend checking out deals from laptop manufacturers like Lenovo, HP, and Dell. You’ll usually find many different configurations on sale and the discounts can be pretty darn steep. For more options, check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops available right now. Laptops Read...

It’s likely that you regularly come across or work with PDF files — they’re ubiquitous in today’s cross-platform world. Often, you can use free software to view or comment on a PDF file. But what if you need to edit a PDF? That’s where a PDF editor comes in. The best PDF editors allows you to edit, create, alter, and convert PDF files just like you would with any other text document. Adobe Acrobat is the most famous option for most people. But while it’s excellent both in features and utility, it’s also pretty expensive. Thankfully, in recent years a whole host of third-party PDF editors have sprung up in order to provide less expensive alternatives. (If you’re wondering why Windows doesn’t have a decent PDF editor, you’re not alone.) Our picks cover the gamut of PDF editing needs and budgets. Why you should trust us: At PCWorld, we’ve been testing PC hardware and software for over 40 years. Our evaluation process is always hands-on and thorough, taking into account real-world usage needs. We don’t ever recommend something we wouldn’t be comfortable using ourselves. To learn more about our criteria for PDF editors scroll to the bottom of this article. PROMOTIONEaseUS PDF Editor – Edit, Convert, Compress & Protect PDFs Integrate PDF maker, PDF editor, PDF converter, and PDF reader in one full pack with all the basics you need. The clean interface simplifies your PDF work to edit, convert, comment, annotate, merge, split,  background, page, watermark, sign PDFs, or fill forms. Your PDF workloads are down by batch processing efficiently.Now 25% OFF Exclusive Code: PCWORLD25Free Download> Get It Now | 25% off Adobe Acrobat Pro – Best overall Pros Easily navigable tabbed interface Comprehensive PDF editing features Streamlined sharing feature makes it easier to fill documents and get signatures Cons Rich feature set can be overwhelming for new users Adobe Acrobat Pro remains the industry standard for good reason. Its rich combination of creation, editing, reviewing, and security features are mimicked by the best alternative options, but we feel Acrobat still does it best. Its recent interface redesign makes it much easier to navigate through its robust toolset than the nested menus of yore, and its cloud subscription option puts its advanced features within reach of more individuals and small businesses. (See how it compares to the Adobe Acrobat Standard.) Though many of its features are available in other, cheaper PDF editors, Acrobat is still the editor against which all others are judged. And, as of this year, it’s also the first PDF editor that we know of to incorporate AI into the feature mix. Read our full Adobe Acrobat Pro review Foxit PDF Editor 13 – Best overall runner-up Pros Multi-platform Business-ready capabilities AI integration helps with document editing Cons Can be expensive depending on product license Foxit PDF Editor 13 hits all the right notes for a premium PDF editor and can even take on the formidable Adobe Acrobat. It’s packed with features that are sure to please power users—all the requisite content editing tools; review and markup features; form fill and signing support; and robust security options for sensitive documents, such as permissions, password protection, and data redaction. It supports tons of file formats, and adding hyperlinks, images, and files to a PDF is trouble-free. Indeed, ease-of-use is one of Foxit’s great strengths. The program uses a Microsoft Office-style ribbon interface which groups tasks in a familiar and intuitive interface, making for a seamless integration with your workflow. It also provides ChatGPT integration so you can easily get help with your documents from an AI assistant. Yes, it’s priced on the higher side for a PDF editor, but with all it has going for it, Nitro PDF Pro more than earns its keep. Plus, you can try it out for free for seven days to see if you like it before making a commitment. If you’re looking for an Acrobat replacement, you won’t find many better. Read our full Foxit PDF Editor review EaseUS PDF editor – Best budget option Pros Full set of editing tools Annotation options enable easy collaboration Straightforward interface Cons Windows only Needs subscription to remove usage limits Best Prices Today: $49.95 at EaseUS EaseUs might not have the name recognition of some of the other editors on this list, but it’s more than capable of holding its own in the crowded PDF editor market. It provides all of the essential tools for managing PDF files without any of the elaborate or hard-to-understand features. It allows users to jump right in to their toolset and get straight to editing with only what they need. While EaseUS’s features are great, they are also pretty standard fare among PDF editors. What makes it stand out is its affordable price—it’s a great value for those who regularly edit PDFs and don’t want to pay out the nose. EaseUS also offers a fully functional free version (with embedded watermarks on your edited documents) so users can take it for a spin to see if it meets their needs before they commit to paying any money. Read our full EaseUS PDF Editor review PDF Candy – Best free option Pros Many advanced features OCR capability Very easy to use Cons No Mac support Free trial only offers basic features PDF Candy is the rare free PDF editor that offers a lot of the features you’d typically have to pay for. We’re talking scanning, multiple file-conversion options, and OCR functionality. All of this combines to make PDF Candy stand out among the multitude of lesser free PDF editors. It does have a bit of a wonky interface, but once you get the hang of it you’re off and running. Unfortunately, while the free version has access to the expansive toolset of the paid version, you’re limited to one PDF task per hour. If you want unfettered access, you need to shell out $6 per month, or $48 per year. Read our full PDF Candy review PDF Expert – Best full-featured editor for Apple devices Pros Syncs across Mac, iPhone, and iPad Comprehensive editing and annotation tools Simple, intuitive interface Cons Requires annual payment Lifetime license enables use on Mac only PDF Expert is an excellent editor that fits seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem, making it our pick for Macs, iPads, and iPhone users. While macOS does include a PDF editor in its Preview app, iOS devices don’t have a native PDF editor and PDF Expert fills that gap nicely. It has a clean and intuitive interface and offers a plethora of easy-to-use editing options such as page management, converting scanned files into editable documents, and conversion to other file formats, among other things. The pricing plan is also considerably cheaper than most of the other top picks, meaning this is a no-brainer for Apple users. Read our full PDF Expert (iOS) review Apple Preview PDF editor – Best free option for Mac users Pros Full set of PDF markup tools Supports form filling PDFs can be protected with passwords, encryption, and permission controls Cons Limited native sharing options Only available to Mac users Mac users needn’t look beyond the macOS for their PDF editing needs, since there is a full set of PDF markup tools already available at their disposal in Apple Preview. It has the chops to handle most personal and business PDF editing needs, including encryption, password protection, and permissions for files. Apple Preview’s PDF features and capabilities are impressive and should be all you need for most common editing tasks. The drawback, of course, is that only Mac users can take advantage of them. Read our full Apple Preview PDF editor review pdfFiller – Best web-based editor Pros Intuitive web-based interface Robust security options Lots of business-ready capabilities Cons Business features won’t be needed by some users Requires annual commitment to get best value Best Prices Today: $20 at pdfFiller pdfFiller is a browser-based PDF editor that allows you do to just about everything PDF-related—editing, securing, sharing, creating, and storing PDF files—all from its intuitive and simple web interface. Its design is similar to a desktop app, with the toolbar across the top, and document thumbnails along the side, so it’s very easy to select the page you want to work on and perform the desired function, be it adding, deleting, or copying/pasting text; changing font style, size, and color; and so on. A standard set of markup tools is also available. It has a surprisingly deep set of features for both personal and business use. For instance the Premium plan offers an impressive legal document library, as well as SignNow support. While incredibly versatile, not all of pdfFiller’s advanced features will suit everyone. Fortunately, there are three subscription tiers, which gives users a way to meet their editing needs without paying extra for unnecessary features: Basic for $8/mo; Plus for $12/mo; Premium for $15/mo with an annual commitment. Month-to-month options are also available, but at a higher cost, of course. Read our full pdfFiller review A word about online PDF editors Why spend a chunk of change on a desktop editor when free online PDF editors abound? The simple answer is because you get what you pay for. Generally, free online editors will let you add text and comments, merge and split documents, and convert files to and from PDF. With rare exception, however, they won’t let you edit existing text and many have file-size and page-volume restrictions. And a lot of them will watermark your edited document. For these reasons, web PDF editors are best reserved for simple, fast editing jobs. Call in these big dogs for anything more demanding. What to look for in a PDF editor PDF editors come in a variety of flavors, offering varying feature sets—from basic functionality to power-user tools. It’s important to know what features best match your workflow before you commit to a PDF editor. Create, convert, and export PDFs The most fundamental function of a PDF editor is to make PDFs, either from scratch, scanned hard copies, or by converting digital documents. A good PDF editor should be able to transform a variety of file types—from Microsoft Office formats to images to HTML—and do so seamlessly, preserving the original formatting. It should also include OCR technology to make the PDF text searchable and editable. Likewise, a good PDF editor must be able to export PDFs into other editable formats such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, HTML, or plain text, maintaining the original files hyperlinks, images, and other elements. Content editing Another bit of magic that PDF editors unlock is the ability to modify text; insert, resize, and move images; and reorganize pages in the PDF. A good one will perform these tasks as easily as in a text document or slide deck, allowing in-line editing, dragging-and dropping graphics, and adding or removing hyperlinks. Review and annotate A good PDF editor should also let you or anyone else using it add comments and other annotations to PDF files during review. It should have tools to mark up both text documents and graphic-heavy files like webpages. Common options include sticky notes, callout boxes, highlighting, freehand drawing tools, and stamps with messages like “approved,” “revised,” and “confidential.” Security All businesses deal with documents containing sensitive data. Look for a PDF editor that includes security features that allow access for authorized eyes only. Good options will usually offer several levels of security, including password protection, permissions setting, and content redaction, which “blacks out” selected text and images. Most PDF editors will also offer one or more ways to electronically sign documents. Mobile support While deep PDF editing is best done on a desktop, it’s nice to be able to review and annotate files when you’re out and about. While PDFs can typically be reviewed in any PDF reader or editor, regardless of which one they were created in, consider looking for an editor that has a dedicated mobile app, is optimized for mobile devices, or allows cloud access to features through a mobile browser. One of the great things about a PDF is that it can be read and edited in any PDF program regardless of which one it was created in. So beyond the features outlined here, let your personal preferences guide you in making your decision. FAQ 1. What is the difference between a PDF document and a PDF form? While there are a number of different types of PDF file formats, they all fall under the umbrella term of PDF documents. A PDF form is a type of PDF document that has editable form fields a user can fill out. Typically, parts of the document are static and can’t be changed in a PDF form, such as questions in a survey or instructions about filling out the form. In a PDF form, the content fields a user fills out are open to editing and can offer a list of possible answer options or can be written in freely. 2. Are PDF documents and Word files different? Yes. They are two entirely different document formats. While you can export from one file format to another, they are not the same. Word file formats are usually used for word processing, editing, and making changes to text. PDF documents on the other hand, are most often utilized for viewing, sharing, and printing. Additionally, Word files are read and write and contain some version of the “.doc” file format. Whereas PDF files are typically read-only and contain the “.pdf” file format. 3. Can you protect PDF documents from being edited by other people? Yes. If you have a PDF document that you don’t want anyone else to edit, you can protect the file. You can do this by opening the file in Acrobat, for instance, and clicking Tools > Protect. Then you have a few options as to whether you want to simply restrict editing with a password, or if you want to encrypt the file for further safety. Once you choose how you want to protect the PDF document, you can set a password and save. 4. Can you merge PDFs with a free PDF editor? As a matter of fact, many free PDF editors allow you to merge two or more PDFs into one document. Such is the case with our top free pick PDF Candy. Open up the PDF editor application or website in your browser and search for the Merge option. It will then ask you to add the files of all PDFs you wish to merge. Once the files have been added, arrange the page order and alignment before proceeding with the merge. Afterwards, all of your previously PDF files will be merged into one new PDF document. 5. Does Google have a free PDF editor? Yes and no. Google doesn’t provide a designated free PDF editor itself, but there are third-party Chrome extensions that you can use to help get the job done. Alternatively, you can make use of Google Drive to edit a PDF document. Simply upload the document onto your Google Drive and then select the file and right-click and select Open with > Google Docs. The file will be opened as an editable Google Docs text document. Then just make your edits and when you’re finished click File > Download >PDF Document to revert it back to a PDF file. This method is a quick and easy way to edit a simple PDF document, but be careful as Google Docs can run into formatting issues if your original document has complex visual formatting such as tables and graphs. In this case, it is best to use a designated free or premium PDF editor. Professional Software Read...

Settling into your new home includes setting up your internet service. Here`s how to go about it, whether transferring or switching internet providers. Read...