Web.com discloses major data breach

Web.com has announced that it as well as Register.com and Network Solutions all suffered a data breach in August.

A disclosure notice that was published across all three sites, revealed that on October 16, the company had “determined that a third-party gained unauthorized access to a limited number of our computer systems in late August 2019, and as a result, account information may have been accessed”.

According to Web.com, contact details including user's names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and which web hosting products they had purchased were all acquired by hackers as a result of the data breach.

While customer passwords have been reset as an added precautionary measure, a spokesperson for Web.com explained to Brian Krebs that it encrypts all user passwords and that the company believes no passwords were obtained by the attackers, saying:

“We encrypt account passwords and do not believe this information is vulnerable as a specific result of this incident. As an added precautionary measure, customers will be required to reset passwords the next time they log in to their accounts. As with any online service or platform, it is also good security practice to change passwords often and use a unique password for each service.”

Data breach

Thankfully no credit card data was compromised during the incident which Web.com has already reported to federal authorities.

The web host confirmed in its disclosure notice that all of its customers' credit card numbers are stored in a Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliant encryption standard and that there was no sign that the attackers were able to access users' credit card information. However, Web.com is encouraging customers to monitor their credit card accounts and notify their providers if they do find any suspicious charges.

Security awareness advocate at KnowBe4, Javvad Malik warned that the attackers behind the Web.com data breach may try to use the customer information they acquired to launch phishing attacks, saying:

“Without more details on the incident, it is difficult to establish the objectives of the attackers. It could be possible that this was an opportunistic attack to steal credentials or personal information. It's important for companies of all sizes and verticals to invest in security, especially where customer data is involved, not just payment information. 

"Customers who are affected should change their passwords, and also check their accounts to ensure no changes have been made to any of their details or sites. They should also be extra vigilant against any potential phishing emails that criminals may send using the information stolen from these breaches.”

Via Forbes

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Apple AirPods vs AirPods Pro: is it worth upgrading to the newer true wireless earbuds?

Trying to choose between the Apple AirPods and the AirPods Pro? The true wireless earbuds may look similar, but there are lots of differences between the two.

The original Apple AirPods may be among the most recognizable wireless earbuds in the world, and were lightly upgraded in 2019, three years after their initial launch in 2016. 

The AirPods Pro, however, represent a culmination of years’ worth of work in the true wireless earbuds space, as a higher-end version of the Apple earbuds. 

Not only are the AirPods Pro exceptionally easy to setup, they’re also far more comfortable and come with tons of new features like noise cancellation and adaptive EQ. That's why they made our round up of the best true wireless earbuds of 2020.

That being said, they’re also way more expensive than the standard AirPods, and that’s led a lot of people to wonder if it’s worth upgrading to the AirPods Pro, or if they should simply stick to the cheaper AirPods that were updated in 2019. 

It's also worth considering that we may be in store for new versions of both true wireless earbud models in the near future; we've heard rumors of the AirPods 3 and the AirPods Pro Lite, both of which are said to be launching in 2020.

The answer will be different for everyone, but to help you understand which AirPods model is right for you we’ve broken down the eight main differences below.

Difference #1: The AirPods Pro have noise-cancelation 

Probably the most noticeable difference is that the AirPods Pro actually use active noise cancellation rather than relying only on passive noise reduction from the eartips. 

The level of noise cancellation on the Pro can be customized, and can even be set to Transparency Mode to allow you to hear what’s happening around you without taking off the headphones. There’s basically no drawbacks to having it.

The regular AirPods, unfortunately, don’t offer any level of active noise cancelation, and only offer a noise reduction effect by their tight seal.

Difference #2: The AirPods Pro are water-resistant 

If you’re planning on taking your Apple earbuds to the gym, you should probably pick up the more expensive AirPods Pro as they’re water-resistant IPX4 – i.e. sweat- and water-resistant – compared to the non-water-resistant AirPods.

Now, that doesn’t mean you should take your new high-end AirPods Pro in the pool with you – if they fall out or stay submerged too long they'll get ruined. If you’re looking for something you can take into the pool with you, you'll need a pair of waterproof earbuds

AirPods Pro

Difference #3: The AirPods Pro have custom eartips 

In terms of finding the right fit, the AirPods Pro will offer more customization than the one-size-fits-all Apple AirPods: inside the box you’ll find a number of eartips and if you’re not sure which to use, Apple will even help you find the correct fit with a quick audio test and can tailor the sound to suit your ear structure.

Because the eartips on the AirPods are plastic, you're stuck with them – although some people do find them more comfortable than silicone eartips, which have to be pushed into your ear.

Difference #4: AirPods Pro have a pressure valve inside 

If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable when wearing a pair of in-ear headphones, it’s because there’s a small, annoying-but-not-life-threatening pressure build-up inside your ear. To combat that, the AirPods Pro uses a very small pressure valve to reduce the pressure inside your ear – a feature Apple borrowed from the Powerbeats Pro

It’s a small perk of the Pro series of headphones, but one worth considering, especially if you’re sensitive to pressure build-up.

AirPods Pro

Difference #5: The AirPods Pro have Adaptive EQ 

Also inside the earbuds themselves are internal microphones that can measure volume. These are absolutely crucial for effective noise cancellation but, as an added bonus, can also be used for features like Adaptive EQ that optimizes sound quality for your physiology. 

How does it work? According to Apple, the AirPods Pro “automatically tunes the low- and mid-frequencies” by using a custom high dynamic range amplifier that “produces pure, incredibly clear sound while also extending battery life.” Nifty!  

Difference #6: ...and offer wider soundstage and a slight uptick in clarity 

While you won’t find a massive difference in audio performance between the two AirPods, many folks have noticed a slightly wider soundstage (how clearly you can hear individual instruments) and a slight uptick in overall clarity when using the AirPods Pro. That’s likely because the AirPods Pro have a slightly larger frequency range and a slightly larger chamber that allows for the sound to expand more. 

AirPods Pro

Difference #7: The AirPods Pro are shorter and stouter than the AirPods 

OK, so this is really more of an aesthetic difference than a functional one, but the AirPods Pro are a bit shorter and stouter than the regular AirPods. The iconic tips of the headphones don’t reach as far down your ear with the Pro, but they will cover up more of your ear due to their larger housing. 

Both have a somewhat futuristic look to them, however, which some find unappealing – and some love. Either way, both models are unmistakably 'Apple'.

Difference #8: The AirPods Pro are way, way more expensive 

Finally, a category where the regular AirPods stand a chance: At $249 / £249 / AU$399, the AirPods Pro are significantly more expensive than the regular AirPods ($159 / £159 / AU$249) that come with a standard case. 

If you want to swap out the regular case for the wireless charging case, the price of the regular AirPods jumps to $199 / £199 / AU$319, putting it within arm's reach of the AirPods Pro. 

These prices regularly dip, however – particularly for the regular AirPods. You can check out the best AirPods and AirPods Pro deals we've found in your region below:

Are there any similarities? 

We’ve focused on the differences so far, but really the two true wireless earbuds have tons in common, too. 

For one, they’re both true wireless earbuds with similarly sized cases and a battery life of around 3.5 hours per charge, and over 24 hours with the battery case. T

hey also have a fairly similar sound quality with only minor differences in the soundstage / clarity. They both use the new Apple H1 Wireless chip that enables hands-free “Hey Siri” functionality, and work seamlessly with iOS. 

Which ones should you buy? 

If you’re bothered by outside noises while at work or while you’re commuting, need water-resistance for the gym or are sensitive to pressure build-up in your ears, it’s probably worth paying a bit more for the Apple AirPods Pro. 

But if your chief concerns are sound quality or battery life, you can save yourself a ton of money by sticking with the basic AirPods.  

Of course, we suggest you read both our Apple AirPods Pro review and our Apple AirPods (2019) review to learn even more about them, but hopefully you know a bit more now than you did five minutes ago.

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These were the worst malware strains of 2019

Webroot has released its third annual Nastiest Malware list highlighting 2019's worst cybersecurity threats and the fact that consumers and businesses alike need to take cybersecurity education more seriously.

Ransomware campaigns continued to see success this year by evolving to a more targeted model initially adopted in previous years and SMBs remain a prime target as they struggle with limited security budgets and cybersecurity skills.

Emotet, Trickbot and Ryuk was one of the most successful chains of 2019 in terms of financial damages. These malware strains have shifted their focus to more reconnaissance-based operation in which they assign a value to a targeted network after it has been infected and then send the ransom for that amount after moving laterally inside the network.

Gandcrab was the most successful instance of ransomware as a service to date and its authors have boasted shared profits in excess of $2bn. However, after Gandcrab's authors retired, Sodinokibi (Sodin/REvil) rose to take its place.

Back for its second year on the Nastiest Malware list, the Crysis/Dharma ransomware was actively distributed during the first half of 2019 and it was distributed through RDP compromise.

Phishing and botnets

Email-based malware campaigns increased dramatically in both complexity and believeability in 2019. Phishing campaigns also became more personalized and sextortion emails became quite popular as well.

When it comes to phishing, company impersonation posed a huge threat to businesses as cybercriminals would pretend to be from legitimate companies in order to have employees open their emails. Business email compromise (BEC) attacks were used to target individuals responsible for sending payments and cybercriminals used spoof email accounts or impersonated company executives to prey on unsuspecting victims.

According to Webroot, botnets remained a dominant force in the infection attack chain and no other type of malware was able to deliver more payloads of ransomware or cryptomining.

Emotet was the most prevalent malware of 2018 and it continued its dominance in 2019. Despite a brief shutdown in June, Emotet resurfaced in September as the largest botnet delivering various malicious payloads. Trickbot was also a major threat and its modular infrastructure makes it difficult to remove on any network it infects. Combining this botnet with the Ryuk ransomware made for one of the most devastating targeted attacks of 2019. Dridex was once considered one of the most prominent banking Trojans but is now used as an implant in the infection chain alongside the Bitpaymer ransomware.

Security analyst at Webroot, Tyler Moffit provided further insight on this year's Nastiest Malware list, saying:

"It comes as no surprise that we continue to see cybercriminals evolve their tactics. They may be using the same strains of malware, but they are making better use of the immense volume of stolen personal information available to craft more convincing targeted attacks. Consumers and organizations need to adopt a layered security approach and not underestimate the power of consistent security training as they work to improve their cyber resiliency and protection."

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Schools are facing more cyberattacks than ever before

Cyberattacks against schools have increased dramatically and this year has already seen almost as many incidents as the previous two years combined, according to Barracuda which analyzed data compiled by the K-12 Cybersecurity Resource Center (k-12 CRC) which has been tracking reported attacks against schools since 2016.

So far in 2019, there have been 301 attacks against schools compared to 124 in 2018 and 218 in 2017. However, these figures only account for reported cases and it is highly likely that additional cases either went unreported or even undetected as stealthy malware is used to steal information, participate in botnets or mine cryptocurrency.

In a recently published report from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), it was revealed that 83 percent of 430 schools across the UK had experienced at least one cybersecurity incident even though 98 percent of schools used antivirus software and 99 percent had some sort of firewall protection.

By using a single source of open threat intelligence data a list of all known websites belonging to US and UK schools, researchers from Barracuda found 234 unique malware samples that tried to connect to school domain names. The firm also found 123 IP addresses with the same set of schools that had a negative reputation which could point to additional malicious activity.

Cyberattacks against schools

Barracuda's research found that data breaches (31%), malware (23%), phishing (13%), network or school infrastructure hacks (10%) and denial-of-service attacks (4%) were the most common threats targeting schools.

There are a number of reasons behind this increase in cyberattacks against schools including the fact that many school districts only have one or two IT personnel with no dedicated cybersecurity staff. The increase in school-issued devices in recent years is another factor as it has drastically expanded the attack surface along with the number of systems which need to be secured.

Phishing accounted for 13 percent of the incidents reported to the K-12 Cybersecurity Resource Center. However, the real number of phishing related incidents is probably much higher as phishing is unlikely to be reported in a school setting unless an incident occurs as a result or the campaign is large enough to warrant attention.

To better protect against cyberattacks, Barracuda recommends that schools increase their perimeter security through network firewalls, web filters and email protection, internal network security by keeping up with security patches and their incident response capabilities. Maintaining a capable IT security staff is also an essential step to preventing cyberattacks in the first place.

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Why your computer, not your smartphone, is the key to big Black Friday purchases

When you’re searching through Black Friday deals, it’s likely you’re doing so on mobile or desktop – over the last few years, shopping trends have massively skewed towards buying products online rather than in person, as it’s easier to shop on the go or when you’re bored in a meeting.

On top of that, mobile shopping is gradually gaining ground on desktop browsing, and now new data has come out that explores how people spend their money online over Black Friday.

This data comes from Adobe Analytics, which conducted a report on holiday shopping trends, including Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas. Included are a few stats regarding online shopping, comparing mobile and desktop purchases, and it might help you decide how to shop over the Black Friday season. 

You use your PC for big Black Friday purchases 

One of the most notable stats from Adobe’s report explored what platform you use to make big or small purchases, and the result is revealing. Adobe found that people shopping on desktops had ‘carts’ that were 28% more expensive than on phones.

Woman using laptop


By ‘carts’ we mean the entire basket when you reach the checkout, and this usually came from people buying more expensive products on a desktop, with phones reserved for cheaper items.

The divide between purchase sizes is, according to Adobe, because shopping on a computer makes it a lot easier to do research around your product – for example, you might buy some new shirts on your phone because you only need to see the picture to know how good they are for you, but if you’re looking to buy a new TV, it’s worth doing more thorough research to see if it's worth lots of your hard-earned money.

If you’re in the latter camp and want to make a big purchase that you’ve researched for, you’re in the right place. TechRadar gives expert reviews on all the best product in any given tech category, so search around our site to research the best laptop, smartphone, TV, games console, speaker or more.

Another reason people may prefer computers over desktop is because Adobe found people considered desktop checkouts easier to use than mobile ones, which encouraged people to hunt down the best deals on mobile but actually make the purchase from the comfort of their mouse and keyboard.

New Black Friday spending be on phones 

At the moment, roughly 54% online sales are on desktop compared to just 38% on smartphone (and the rest on tablet) according to Adobe, but more stats show this could change very soon.

Man using smartphone

The report suggests that of all the new spending in 2019, compared to 2018, three quarters of it will be done on smartphones. That’s $14bn of the roughly $19bn new money spent that wasn’t changing hands last year – a significant amount.

Note that we refer to ‘spending’ rather than purchases. This is because only half of new purchases will be made from phones. What does this mean? Well, it seems people will be making a few more purchases, but spending a lot more money, suggesting these will be more expensive products.

So while traditionally people have used computers to make bigger purchases, this could be changing in 2019.

People are more efficient at shopping on phones 

Checking for Black Friday deals on your phone has one advantage that might make it preferable for you – according to Adobe’s statistics, it takes you a lot less time on a phone to find that great Black Friday bargain compared to on desktop (and, of course, in real life too).

When you’re checking for Black Friday deals now, you'll spend 11% less time compared to 2016, and you’ll visit 16% fewer different pages. Despite this, spending-per minute is a whopping 63% higher now.

Twitter on a smartphone

Clearly websites have found ways to be more efficient when it comes to marketing their discounted products, putting them front and center so people can see them better. Also, with more website creating mobile-specific user interfaces and smartphone use getting more ingrained in our culture, it’s likely it’s just easier to navigate the web on a phone too.

It’s different news for social media though, because while there are loads of great social media pages to follow for deals, and people will follow links that are posted, they won't usually spend money as a result. Roughly 11% of visits to deals pages comes from social media posts, which is triple that of 2016, however only about 4% of actual revenue came from these posts.

It’s clear then that people aren’t as influenced by influencers as we’d believe, especially given that 57% of people admitted they’d got purchase inspiration from social media, but only 20% actually made purchases based on this. Is influencer culture a bit of a fad then? Over Black Friday it is, at least.

In the next few years, phone spending could trump desktop spending – in fact, Adobe estimates this could happen by Christmas 2019 – and with it our spending habits change too. It’s worth checking out the full study then, so you can fully understand how your platform of choice pushes you to spend in different ways. 

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New Zealand vs Wales live stream: how to watch today’s Rugby World Cup 2019 Bronze Final from anywhere

With still so much pride at stake at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, both New Zealand and Wales will need to pick themselves up as they play for their countries in this third place play-off (or Bronze Final, to use the official term). To see who prevails, be sure to take our advice on getting a New Zealand vs Wales live stream from absolutely anywhere.

The All Blacks will likely be the more shell shocked of the two sides, having been resolutely outfought and outplayed in their last four clash with England.

Wales' match with South Africa was a tighter affair which will have left fans lamenting injuries to key players, with a number of war-wounded stars set to miss this so-called Bronze Final match, too.

The match will also provide a chance to say farewell to both coaches and key players on both sides. Steve Hansen and Warren Gatland will both be taking charge of New Zealand and Wales respectively for the last time in the match. Meanwhile veteran players Kieran Read, Ben Smith, Ryan Crotty and Sonny Bill Williams will turn out for the last time as All Blacks.

George North (hamstring) and Liam Williams (ankle) are both ruled out for Wales, adding to a long list of players unavailable for the Welsh. 

Can the All Blacks bounce back or will the weakened Welsh battle on to clinch third place? You can watch all the action from pretty much anywhere on Earth by following our Rugby World Cup New Zealand vs Wales Bronze Final live stream guide below.

How to watch the 2019 Rugby World Cup from outside your country

If you're abroad for any of the Rugby World Cup and don't want to miss out on catching the coverage from your home country, you'll inevitably find it geo-blocked when you try to stream online. But don't sweat. With the option of a VPN, you can tune into those fixtures no matter where you are in the world without resorting to some dodgy feed on Reddit. And best of all, it's really easy to do (or read on for details on how to stream coverage from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA).

How to stream Wales live in the UK for FREE

How to watch the All Blacks live in New Zealand

How to live stream New Zealand vs Wales in Australia

How to live stream New Zealand vs Wales in the US

  • Hulu with Live TV $40 per month - Hulu with Live TV includes CBS, Fox, NBC and ESPN.
  • FuboTV $35 for the first month - FuboTV gives you the first month at a discounted rate but after that the price increases to $45 a month. The service includes CBS, Fox, NBC and the NFL Network but does not come with ESPN.
  • DirecTV Now $50 per month - DirecTV Now includes CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN and for $5 extra you can add the NFL Network.
  • YouTubeTV $40 per month - YouTubeTV gives you access to CBS, Fox, NBC and ESPN.

Divider

Live stream New Zealand vs Wales in South Africa

Live stream Rugby World Cup 2019 match in Canada

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There’s not long left to vote for ‘Ultimate Game of the Year’ in the Golden Joystick Awards

There's not long left to cast your vote for 'Ultimate Game of the Year' in the Golden Joystick Awards 2019.

This special category sees indies and AAA titles going head to head to be crowned "Ultimate Game of the Year" – the best of the whole bunch.

Here's the full shortlist:

  • Apex Legends (EA / Respawn Entertainment)
  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (Activision Blizzard / Infinity Ward)
  • Control (505 Games / Remedy Entertainment)
  • Disco Elysium (Studio ZA/UM / Studio ZA/UM)
  • Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Nintendo / Intelligent Systems)
  • Gears 5 (Xbox Game Studios / The Coalition)
  • Outer Wilds (Annapurna Interactive / Mobius Digital)
  • Resident Evil 2 Remake (Capcom / Capcom)
  • Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (Activision / FromSoftware)
  • Telling Lies (Annapurna Interactive / Furious Bee)
  • The Outer Worlds (Private Division / Obsidian Entertainment)
  • Untitled Goose Game (House House / Panic Inc.)

You can vote for your favorite over at our sister site GamesRadar. Remember voting closes at 5pm GMT on November 1, 2019.

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Huge retro arcade cabinet deals appear in Walmart’s early Black Friday sale

If you're a curmudgeonly 30- or- 40-something that's neck deep in reliving your single-digit and teenage years through retro games, does Walmart have some deals for you.

The early Walmart Black Friday sale has now included a number of retro arcade cabinets from the likes of the retro wizards at Arcade 1Up and Japanese game developer-slash-hardware maker SNK. You can save upwards of $100 on some of these products.

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Millions of stolen corporate logins leaked online

Login details for millions of corporate accounts have been put up for sale on the dark web, new reports have claimed.

Research from ImmuniWeb found over 21m credentials belonging to Fortune 500 companies available to puchase online, with over 16m of these being compromised during the last 12 months.

Upon examining the credentials, the firm discovered that as many as 95 percent of them contained unencrypted plaintext passwords.

The company used its Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) technology to crawl through generally accessible places and resources on the Tor network, across various web forums, Pastebin, IRC channels, social networks, messenger chats and other locations known for offering, selling or distributing stolen or leaked data.

Stolen credentials

According to ImmuniWeb, the most popular sources of the exposed breaches were third parties, trusted third parties which includes partners, suppliers or vendors and the companies themselves.

The firm did not try to login into any of the accounts it found and instead, ImmuniWeb verified their accuracy and reliability be correlating, cross-checking and juxtaposing the data from different public sources aided by machine learning. Its own machine learning models were also used to find anomalies and spot fake leaks, duplicates or default passwords which were set automatically.

When it came to the industries with the highest number of stolen credentials, technology (5m) took the top spot followed by financials (4.9m) and healthcare (1.9m).

Out of the 21m credentials ImmuniWeb discovered, only 4.9m were fully unique passwords which suggests that many users are using identical or similar passwords. In the technology sector for example, password, 1qaz2wsx, career121, abc123 and passwordI were the top five passwords.

Of the industries examined by ImmuniWeb, the retail sector had the highest percentage of weak passwords at 47 percent followed by telecommunications at 37.57 percent and industrials at 37.36 percent.

CEO and founder of ImmuniWeb, Ilia Kolochenko provided further insight on the report's findings, saying:

“These numbers are both frustrating and alarming. Cybercriminals are smart and pragmatic, they focus on the shortest, cheapest and safest way to get your crown jewels. The great wealth of stolen credentials accessible on the Dark Web is a modern-day Klondike for mushrooming threat actors who don’t even need to invest in expensive 0day or time-consuming APTs. With some persistence, they easily break-in being unnoticed by security systems and grab what they want. Worse, many such intrusions are technically uninvestigable due to lack of logs or control over the breached [third-party] systems.”

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Fingerprint unlock arrives in WhatsApp for Android – here’s how to enable it

After testing the feature on beta users for a little while, WhatsApp is now rolling out fingerprint unlock to all Android users. It brings biometric security to Android some 8 months after similar options landed on iPhone.

The Fingerprint Lock security feature is available in version 2.19.222 of the Android WhatsApp app, and it gives Android users a security option that is more in line with what is available in the iOS version of the app. iPhone users already have Touch ID and Face ID support, and now WhatsApp says: "today we're introducing similar authentication, allowing you to unlock the app with your fingerprint, on supported Android phones".

For now, at least, fingerprints are the only security options available. WhatsApp has not enabled face unlocking for Android users, nor suggested that it will in the future.

Once enabled, the feature prevents other people from accessing WhatsApp and reading your messages. The only way to get into the app is to scan a registered finger. The description of the setting within the app explains: "When enabled, you'll need to use fingerprint to open WhatsApp. You'll still be able to answer calls if WhatsApp is locked."

Touch to unlock

To enable Fingerprint lock, just head to Settings > Account > Privacy > Fingerprint lock. Turn on Unlock with fingerprint, and confirm your fingerprint.

You can also choose how long WhatsApp should wait before it locks – either immediately, after a minute,or after 30 minutes.

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The best Bose headphones of 2019

Bose has long been one of the biggest names in the audio world, with its high quality headphones and speakers, appealing to audiophiles and casual music listeners alike. 

While the brand covers everything from aviation headsets to audio sunglasses, Bose is best known for its headphones, with its successful QuietComfort noise-canceling range taking the world by storm since its launch in 2015. 

Ranging from over-ear headphones to sporty true wireless earbuds, Bose headphones don’t always come cheap; however, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming up soon, prices could drop lower than we’ve ever seen, giving us the best Bose headphones deals of 2019. 

So, which model should you buy? It really depends on what you’re going to be using your new Bose headphones for. If you’re looking for some lightweight noise-canceling over-ears to wear on long haul flights, try the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700. Need a pair of earphones to soundtrack your workout? Check out the Bose QuietComfort 30

We’ve tested lots of headphones over the years, so to make your decision easier, we’ve put together this handy guide in which we rank the best Bose headphones you can buy.

bose noise cancelling headphones 700


If you're looking for a new pair of noise-canceling headphones, we'd definitely recommend the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700; they may not quite beat the Sony WH-1000XM3s in terms of battery life and price, but they're still a brilliant pair of over-ear cans. 

Traditionally, noise-canceling headphones have been designed to block out the environmental sounds around you, so that you can hear your music more clearly (or catch some shut-eye on a busy train) – and with the right headphones, it's really effective. 

If you’re making a phone call however, the person you’re speaking to can still hear everything that’s happening around you, degrading the sound quality of your calls.

The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 seek to remedy this, by applying noise-cancelation to phone calls as well as music, which is fantastic feature that few other brands have mastered.

So how do they sound? The audio quality is undeniably good, with a vibrant, lively character and well-balanced soundstage – overall, the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 sound great, look stunning, and the noise-cancelation is out of this world, making them the best Bose headphones you can buy. 

Read the full review: Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

best noise-cancelling headphones

Image credit: TechRadar

A nearly identical product to the already-excellent Bose QuietComfort 35 but updated for 2018 with Google Assistant, the QC 35 II are a great choice if you want to spend slightly less than the 700s. 

As they've only recently been usurped by the Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, these are the headphones to watch over Black Friday and Cyber Monday; we're expecting these still-brilliant cans to get some big discounts during the sales period.

With Google Assistant built-in, you get the class-leading noise cancellation Bose is known for, good sound quality and incredible comfort, plus a convenient assistant to answer any inquiries you might have while traveling.  

For these reasons, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II are an excellent pair of headphones for travelers and commuters, with a good balance of features that will satisfy most mainstream listeners. 

Read the full review: Bose QuietComfort 35 II review

Launched in 2015, the Bose QuietComfort 25 were once the best noise-cancelling headphones we've ever used, with a well-balanced and finely-tuned soundstage. 

With the noise-cancellation turned on, we never felt further immersed and concentrated than when we let the QC25 engulf our ears – but that was a few years ago and time has moved on since. 

Bose has released not just one sequel to these headphones, but two: the QC35 and QC35 II with Google Assistant built in, both of which we'd recommend above the QC25 – not to mention the Noise Cancelling Headphones 700.

Still, if you don't mind using these older, wired headphones, the QC25s are still a brilliant set of cans that provide over 35 hours of very good noise-canceling performance with one AAA battery – and nowadays you can find them for pretty cheap, which is well worth considering when making your buying decision. 

Read the full review: Bose QuietComfort 25 review

Noise cancelation doesn't have to mean wearing bulky over-ear headphones with big cushiony earpads – you can block out the world with compact earbuds, too. 

The BoseQuiet Control 30s bring noise cancelation to the wireless neckbud, which rivals that of some of its older QuietComfort models – impressive for diminutive earbuds.

They aren't the best-sounding earbuds in the world, veering a little on the bassy side, which can prevent you from hearing the subtle details in your music. That means the QC 30s probably won't appeal to audiophiles, but for runners who rely on pounding bass to soundtrack their workout, they could be an ideal match. 

The neckband style can also be divisive – some people love it and some people hate it, but there's no doubt that it offers a level of security that true wireless earbuds cannot. 

Noise-canceling earbuds have come a long way since the QuietControl 30 came onto the scene, but they're still a good pair of wireless earphones; and they could well be discounted in the run up to the holiday season.

Read the full review: Bose QC 30 review

The Bose SoundSport Free are an excellent-sounding pair of true wireless earbuds with an ultra-reliable connection. With an IPX4 water-resistance rating, they can an easily withstand the abuses of working out, and they sound great – as long as you're listening in a quiet environment. 

This is due to their open design that lets environmental noise passthrough the earbuds; this design also means that they don't offer the most secure fit.

Battery life is decent, and a recent update means that connectivity is better than ever. There are other true wireless earbuds we'd recommend over the SoundSport Free, like the Sony WF-1000XM3 or the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1, but if they're heavily discounted over Black Friday, they may be worth a look.

Read the full review: Bose SoundSport Free review

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UFC 244 live stream: how to watch Masvidal vs Diaz from anywhere on Saturday

UFC returns to NYC tonight with its next big PPV but this time things are going to be a little different as there are no major championship bouts on the main card. Instead we’ll get to see Jorge Masvidal square off against Nate Diaz in a welterweight grudge match as the main event of UFC 244. Discover the best ways to get a UFC 244 live stream - no matter where you are in the world.

In Masvidal vs Diaz, we have two fighters both wanting the chance to win the newly-created and one time only “BMF” title to determine who is the baddest battler in the UFC.

UFC had originally planned for a welterweight championship fight between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington for the main event of UFC 244. However, negotiations between the two broke down and the promotion instead decided to reward fans with a match that has been brewing since Diaz called out Masvidal after defeating Anthony Pettis in the co-main event of UFC 241.

Now Diaz the ‘West Coast Gangster’ will have his chance at the ‘East Coast Goon’ Masvidal at UFC 244 on Saturday at Madison Square Garden. To sweeten the deal, the “BMF” title will be awarded by none other than Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

Elsewhere on the card, Kelvin Gastelum will take on Darren Till in a middleweight bout for the first time in his UFC career in the co-main event and Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson will go up against Vicente Luque in a welterweight bout.

Whether you’ll be cheering for Masvidal or Diaz during Saturday’s MMA action, we’ll show you how to live stream UFC 244’s card from anywhere in the world - for US viewers, you should just head straight to ESPN+

Live stream UFC 244 from outside your country

Worry not if you're a huge UFC fan but aren't in the US to watch that ESPN+ coverage this weekend. If you find the coverage is geo-blocked, you can try using a VPN to change your IP address to a US server and watch this week's main card just as if you were back at home - the same goes wherever you're from and wanting to still see your domestic coverage from abroad.

How to watch UFC online in the US exclusively on ESPN+

Live stream UFC 244 in the UK

Live stream UFC 244 on PPV in Australia

The UFC 244 card in full

Main Card

-Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz

-Kelvin Gastelum vs. Darren Till

-Vicente Luque vs. Stephen Thompson

-Blagoy Ivanov vs. Derrick Lewis

-Gregor Gillespie vs. Kevin Lee

Preliminary Card

-Corey Anderson vs. Johnny Walker

-Makwan Amirkhani vs. Shane Burgos

-Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Brad Tavares

-Andrei Arlovski vs. Jair Rozenstruik

Early Preliminary Card

-Katlyn Chookagian vs. Jennifer Maia

-Lyman Good vs. Chance Rencountre

-Julio Arce vs. Hakeem Dawodu

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