With cyber criminality and fraud against banks running rampant in recent years and showing no signs of slacking off, banking organisations around the world are coming to understand that they need to be doing much more effective due diligence when managing inbound customer contacts via voice calls or web chats.First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO) is one of the myriad of consumer and commercial banks all over the world that has to deal with these challenges on a day-to-day basis, but in the past few years, it has undergone a quiet revolution in how it identifies and verifies its customers, after enlisting the help of emergent voice security specialist Pindrop.Based in Nebraska in the US, FNBO was founded by two brothers during the pioneer days of the 1850s. Over a century and a half later, FNBO today runs a full service retail and business banking operation spanning Americas central Great Plains region, from Illinois down to Texas, and westward to the Rocky Mountains.Working at one of the largest privately held banks in the US, with over $30bn in assets, Steve Furlong, FNBO director of fraud management, spends his days ensuring the security of thousands of inbound customer contacts, not all of them from his own customers FNBO also operates Visa and Mastercard credit cards on behalf of other commercial organisations, with partners including hospitality companies, nonprofits and retailers alike.The core cyber security challenge Furlongs fraud team faces is clearly a know-your-customer (KYC) issue. Am I really speaking to the true cardholder? says Furlong. Am I transacting with the right person, and not a fraudster, a man-in-the-middle, or even a deepfake?The difficulties associated with customer verification are something Furlong recognises well after many years in the world of fraud. Historically, he had always been told to work to two core tenets first, he was not to lose any money, but second, he was to make it very easy for customers to do whatever they wanted to do. Its easy to see how these two goals can be fundamentally in conflict with each other.Its an extremely tough challenge, he tells Computer Weekly. My gut tells me to put every bit of protection in place that I can and make it very hard for anybody to interact using all of the KBA [knowledge-based-authentication] tools out there and making people jump through hoops.For a long time, says Furlong, he approached the fraud problem with this in mind, asking for as much data as needed the colour of your first car, your favourite primary school teacher, your first pets name, your address in 1995 checks that many legitimate customers would inevitably fail and then have to go to a physical branch to have their government photo IDs confirmed.Thats a horrible experience, concedes Furlong. But from a fraud viewpoint, its super successful, so it was the hat that I used to wear, and I think everybody in my world did.But as times changed, we realised we couldnt keep putting customers through these hoops we would lose them, he says. And as we became more partner-centric, issuing cards for other companies and brands, we would get complaints from them saying, youre denying our customer, and not only that, youre doing it in our store!Furlong was also experiencing friction with his colleagues in FNBOs contact centres, whose goals were to eliminate time spent on calls, answer questions, and solve problems more quickly and efficiently. He describes it as the antithesis of his old way of thinking.It was this growing need to better meet the challenges of in-the-moment customer authentication and verification that first led FNBO to Pindrop about five years ago. Pindrop got its start in the early 2010s, when its founder, Vijay Balasubramaniyan (who holds a PhD in telecoms security), became frustrated at having legitimate transactions flagged and denied by his bank when visiting India, simply because there was no easy way to prove his identity.Furlong first heard about Pindrop through industry contacts via whom he learned other banks were starting to implement its Protect fraud detection product in their contact centres. However, this first engagement quickly hit a wall that meant FNBO couldnt move forward with the supplier it had to be run on-premise, which for the bank wasnt feasible.We spoke to them but we didnt move down that road because we cant allow someone behind our firewalls, says Furlong. [But] then they went to the cloud and brought out their Passport product, which is all about authentication.He reopened discussions, took the temperature of his peers and analysts, and ultimately was able to sell Pindrop to FNBOs board based on the argument that even though the organisation was not seeing a whole bunch of fraud through inbound customer service channels at that time, it could use an insurance policy against the possibility.Initially, the partnership centred only the Protect product, but during discussions at the banks Omaha headquarters, it became apparent that Passport could also help solve some of Furlongs challenges, so ultimately FNBO took the decision to move forward with both.Pindrop has a great partnership approach, says Furlong, turning to the implementation process. They sent a bunch of people out to Omaha where we had a big, day-long kick-off meeting, [and] then we had regular, biweekly meetings with their development and implementation staff.Because it was in the cloud, it was a fairly seamless process we stood up Protect within 60 days, Passport took a little longer ... to be able to integrate it in the fashion wed want to.For FNBOs customers, the implementation of Pindrop has probably gone, by-and-large, completely unnoticed, says Furlong. Its seamless to them, he says. Outside of the fact that we dont put them through so many authentication steps anymore, depending on what Pindrop is alerting us to.So, if it says, hey, this is a good person, this is Steve, the fraud scores are low, the authentication scores are high, Im not asking you three questions or sending you a one-time passcode. Im able to shorten that process a lot depending on risk.The authentication scoring process draws together various data points that Pindrops systems glean during the customer contact. These data can include, but are not limited to, information such as the geographic location of the inbound contact, or whether or not the customer has changed their device, or downgraded it this is often a sign of nefarious intent.If these scores hit a certain threshold and a contract becomes flagged as a potential risk, FNBO will escalate the contact to a dedicated contact centre where they will speak with a customer service agent who specialises in fraud and can throw down some of the more traditional KBA hurdles.Banking customers will not notice any of this, says Furlong. Weve not had any customers come to us and ask why were not asking 30 questions anymore, so in my mind, theyre liking that theyre not complaining about it!In terms of more tangible benefits, he says, these are largely being seen in FNBOs contact centres. We do get a lot of feedback on it from contact centre reps we have out there, says Furlong. They love the product because it directs them into what to do. They do not have to be fraud experts anymore. We have a fraud shop for that, so they dont have to detect fraud.Its kind of the running joke here, when we lose connection with Pindrop on our side, the agents have to go back to the other KBA processes, and they are immediately raising alarm bells to our IT team saying, hey, somethings down here; Im not getting a score. They love that score.Reflecting on the work FNBO and Pindrop have done to date, Furlong says he has been particularly impressed with the degree to which the relationship between the two firms has been a partnership, rather than a transaction.They take on an advisory role they care as much about hearing from us as we care about hearing from them on what we should be doing, he says. Theyre always working with us to know what were doing and whats the next thing on our mind; what is the next risk.And the next risk is clearly linked to the prospect of hard-to-detect, artificial intelligence-generated deepfake fraud something that has been talked about since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022.At a recent media and analyst event in Washington DC, Pindrop executives demonstrated some of the new anti-deepfake capabilities its now bringing to bear in a recently launched product called Pulse, which it claims provides near-instantaneous analysis and identification of audio deepfakes in the interactive voice response (IVR) system or at the customer service agent level. FNBO helped beta-test this product.I was presenting at a conference two years ago, and someone talked about deepfakes and asked if I was worried about them, says Furlong. I said, no, not really.But in 2023, he started to change his tune, and in 2024, he made a complete 180 on the issue. When we partnered with Pindrop on deepfakes, I was very interested to see if we were getting attacked by them, he says. And we sure were we were getting deepfake calls coming in.Read more about communications securityEnterprise collaboration is an integral part of doing business. But companies must learn to guard against voice security issues that could compromise their networks.Chinese hacking of US telecom networks raises questions about the exploitation by hostile hacking groups of government backdoors to provide lawful access to telecoms services.How Olympic-sized networking nightmares were avoided in Paris despite unprecedented traffic peaks and usage patterns.Concerningly for Furlong and FNBO, deepfakes are democratising, and have the potential to democratise cyber crime and fraud, widening the potential pool of criminality he recounts how during the beta process, he asked one of his team to go off and create a convincing deepfake to try to break through the system, something they were able to accomplish in a matter of minutes.A lot of my peers are worried about gangs and organised crime, and theyre absolutely right to be, but Im also worried about some guy sitting at home thinking hes going to go after some money as well, says Furlong.Theyre coming through the phone, through our IVR, theyre coming through chat, theyre coming through video-conferencing, he says. Its super cool that the world has come to that, and weve advanced to do these kinds of things, but its become scary as to what we can do with those things.FNBO officially implemented the deepfake detection technology in late 2024, and its already detecting attacks albeit not at a significant rate. Its at an expected rate, enough to notice, says Furlong. I would expect as we get into 2025 and 2026 that it will become very significant.Going forward, FNBO is continuing to work with Pindrop on deepfakes and other aspects of voice security currently, Furlong is looking into live call transcription and analysis to be able to tell if a customer is being victimised or prompted by a scammer.Can Pindrop do that for me by detecting pregnant pauses meaning theres a man in the middle or do they sound like theyre reading a script? says Furlong.To me, thats the next evolution of this whole piece, he concludes.

The best smart air purifier is one that not only filters out chemicals, toxins, and particles that cause allergies and other discomforts but also offers mobile app control via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, making it a part of your smart home. And as the smoke from theLA wildfirescontinues to spread across the southern California region, some state officials issue air quality advisories; keeping the air in your home clean is key. Also:How to clean a humidifier (and why you should do it today)Like most devices, however, all air purifiers are not created equally. To help you decide which air purifier will best filter out toxins without sacrificing a user-friendly, intuitive experience, we tested the top choices on the market.What is the best smart air purifier right now?Our pick for the best smart air purifier is the Levoit Vital 200S, thanks to its user-friendly app and decent price point. We've rounded up other smart air purifiers you can buy to make the air in your home cleaner as the air outside is impacted by smoke. Sort by All The best smart air purifiers of 2025 Show less View now at Amazon When testing this smart air purifier, I quickly noticed that just minutes after turning it on, I could feel the air becoming fresher and lighter. Aside from helping reduce my day-to-day allergies, the Levoit Vital 200S is my go-to for whenever the air feels stuffy, or when we want to get rid of an odor, like after cooking a fragrant meal.This air purifier has a u-shaped inlet on the front, which allows it to pull not only dust and particles but also pet hair and dander more efficiently than other models. I keep it in my office, where I spend most of my time working alongside my dog. I appreciate first-hand how effective it is at getting rid of airborne particles and pet odors.The Levoit Vital 200S is controlled by the VeSync app, which is intuitive and user-friendly, easy to navigate, and seamlessly compatible with Alexa and Google Home for voice control.Levoit Vital 200S specs: Filtration:Three-stage filtration |Filter:H13 True HEPA filter |Connectivity:Wi-Fi|Noise:24-54dB |Coverage:Large room; up to 1,900 square feet in about an hour |CADR:Not specified Pros Easy to set up Affordable User-friendly app Fast filtration Cons Not a seamless look Can definitely hear it When testing this smart air purifier, I quickly noticed that just minutes after turning it on, I could feel the air becoming fresher and lighter. Aside from helping reduce my day-to-day allergies, the Levoit Vital 200S is my go-to for whenever the air feels stuffy, or when we want to get rid of an odor, like after cooking a fragrant meal.This air purifier has a u-shaped inlet on the front, which allows it to pull not only dust and particles but also pet hair and dander more efficiently than other models. I keep it in my office, where I spend most of my time working alongside my dog. I appreciate first-hand how effective it is at getting rid of airborne particles and pet odors.The Levoit Vital 200S is controlled by the VeSync app, which is intuitive and user-friendly, easy to navigate, and seamlessly compatible with Alexa and Google Home for voice control.Levoit Vital 200S specs: Filtration:Three-stage filtration |Filter:H13 True HEPA filter |Connectivity:Wi-Fi|Noise:24-54dB |Coverage:Large room; up to 1,900 square feet in about an hour |CADR:Not specified Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon The Coway Airmega IconS has a fashionable design reminiscent of a modern piece of furniture. Its light, aspen-like color makes it blend in with any home decor, ditching the stoic and bulky design common with other air purifiers. It's perfect for those who value great air quality but don't want to sacrifice style.It also features a bonus wireless charger at the top, which I use to charge my iPhone and AirPods, making it a multipurpose device that can work in any room.While the Levoit Vital 200S is my go-to during the day, the Coway Airmega IconS is my go-to for sleep. Aside from its sleek design, this smart air purifier is more successful at helping my allergies at night, even more so than the Levoit.I've taken allergy medication daily for years due to dust and seasonal allergies causing congestion and coughing during the night, no matter where I sleep. Being able to finally ditch my nasal spray and antihistamine has made my life easier -- as easy as just telling Alexa "good night" and knowing the Coway Airmega IconS will switch on to remove airborne particles.Coway Airmega IconS specs:Filtration:Three-stage filtration |Filter:H13 True HEPA filter |Connectivity:Wi-Fi, Bluetooth|Noise:21.7-49.3dB |Coverage:Large room; up to 649 square feet |CADR: 253 Pros Blends in with nearly all styles Bonus built-in Qi wireless charger Good for large areas Cons Controls are not as intuitive as others Fabric cover can trap dust The Coway Airmega IconS has a fashionable design reminiscent of a modern piece of furniture. Its light, aspen-like color makes it blend in with any home decor, ditching the stoic and bulky design common with other air purifiers. It's perfect for those who value great air quality but don't want to sacrifice style.It also features a bonus wireless charger at the top, which I use to charge my iPhone and AirPods, making it a multipurpose device that can work in any room.While the Levoit Vital 200S is my go-to during the day, the Coway Airmega IconS is my go-to for sleep. Aside from its sleek design, this smart air purifier is more successful at helping my allergies at night, even more so than the Levoit.I've taken allergy medication daily for years due to dust and seasonal allergies causing congestion and coughing during the night, no matter where I sleep. Being able to finally ditch my nasal spray and antihistamine has made my life easier -- as easy as just telling Alexa "good night" and knowing the Coway Airmega IconS will switch on to remove airborne particles.Coway Airmega IconS specs:Filtration:Three-stage filtration |Filter:H13 True HEPA filter |Connectivity:Wi-Fi, Bluetooth|Noise:21.7-49.3dB |Coverage:Large room; up to 649 square feet |CADR: 253 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less This compact Levoit Core 200S air purifier is perfect for small areas and lightweight enough to move from one room to another, weighing just over six pounds. Though small, it offers powerful filtration, cycling the air five times per hour in a 183-square-foot room at 360 degrees to tackle air pollution.This Core 200S air purifier is the perfect appliance for the nightstand in your bedroom or in a small living room, to help you get rid of stale, stuffy air in favor of an odorless environment with improved air quality.Just like the Vital 200S model, this Levoit smart air purifier can be controlled with the VeSync mobile app, where you can set schedules and timers, as well as connect to compatible voice assistants, like Amazon Alexa.Levoit Core 200S specs:Filtration:Three-stage filtration |Filter:H13 True HEPA filter |Connectivity:Wi-Fi|Noise:24-48dB |Coverage:Small room; up to 183 square feet |CADR:118 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon The A3 air purifier from Rabbit Air has the power to perform two air changes per hour in large rooms of up to 1,070 square feet. Its Advanced HEPA filter technology can trap 99% of particles as small as 0.1 microns in size, making it highly effective at reducing allergens and pet dander in the air. It's also suitable to be placed on the floor and elevated surfaces, or mounted to a wall.Aside from being perfect for large spaces, the Rabbit Air A3 also comes with different designs to choose from in its Artist Series, ranging from monochromatic cherry blossoms to Van Gogh's Starry Night to Snoopy or Hello Kitty for a kids' room.Rabbit Air A3 specs:Filtration:Six-stage filtration |Filter:BioGS HEPA filter |Connectivity:Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |Noise:20.3-51dB|Coverage:Large areas; up to 1,070 square feet with two air changes per hour |CADR:Not specified Pros Outstanding for large rooms and areas Different design options 6-stage filtration Cons More expensive than others The A3 air purifier from Rabbit Air has the power to perform two air changes per hour in large rooms of up to 1,070 square feet. Its Advanced HEPA filter technology can trap 99% of particles as small as 0.1 microns in size, making it highly effective at reducing allergens and pet dander in the air. It's also suitable to be placed on the floor and elevated surfaces, or mounted to a wall.Aside from being perfect for large spaces, the Rabbit Air A3 also comes with different designs to choose from in its Artist Series, ranging from monochromatic cherry blossoms to Van Gogh's Starry Night to Snoopy or Hello Kitty for a kids' room.Rabbit Air A3 specs:Filtration:Six-stage filtration |Filter:BioGS HEPA filter |Connectivity:Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |Noise:20.3-51dB|Coverage:Large areas; up to 1,070 square feet with two air changes per hour |CADR:Not specified Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less This smart Toshiba air purifier can clean the air in a 483-square-foot room in only 12 minutes. It excels at removing odors from the room with high purifying efficiency. It also features a VOC alert, which ZDNET's Charlie Osborne tested."The 'VOC' alert is, perhaps, one of the most important readings to understand. Split into "clean," "fair," and "poor," volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be removed through this air purifier, as it uses activated carbon filters -- although as some customer reviews have noted, this feature is very sensitive and not every VOC noted should be a worry," Osborne said.As far as the effectiveness of the air purification, Osborne tested it against cigarette smoke and pet odor and said visitors commented on the noticeable difference in the air inside the home.Toshiba Air Purifier specs:Filtration:Three-stage filtration |Filter:H13 True HEPA filter |Connectivity:Wi-Fi|Noise:30dB |Coverage:Large rooms; up to 483 square feet |CADR:312 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less Like many of its products, the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 has gone viral. And with Dyson's signature sleek design, a 350-degree oscillating fan, 10 air speeds, and a filter that promises easy and quick changing, it's not hard to see why.In addition to a HEPA H13 standard and using air multiplier technology to generate powerful circulation and purification, the Dyson model also integrates lots of smart features. Those smart aspects include an app that allows users control and monitor their home's air quality in real-time from their phones, voice control available with Siri, Google, and Alexa, and real time air quality reporting presented on an integrated LCD screen.True to its name, the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 also serves as a fan, but allows for purifying backflow to remove toxins for when you don't want air to blow on you. At a starting price of $570, this model is on the pricer side, but consumers on Amazon overall seem report mostly satisfaction with top reviews expressing impression with the unit's purifying and cooling efficiency and versatility.Dyson Purifier Cool TP07specs:Filtration:Three-stage filtration |Filter:360 Glass HEPA (H13) and Activated Carbon filter |Connectivity: Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, iOS and Android app |Noise:78dB |Coverage:Whole room; tested in a 2860 square foot space Pros HEPA H13 filter made of recycled material Oscillating fan Easy UX and UI Supports app and voice control Night mode for light sleepers Cons Expensive 78dB can get loud Like many of its products, the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 has gone viral. And with Dyson's signature sleek design, a 350-degree oscillating fan, 10 air speeds, and a filter that promises easy and quick changing, it's not hard to see why.In addition to a HEPA H13 standard and using air multiplier technology to generate powerful circulation and purification, the Dyson model also integrates lots of smart features. Those smart aspects include an app that allows users control and monitor their home's air quality in real-time from their phones, voice control available with Siri, Google, and Alexa, and real time air quality reporting presented on an integrated LCD screen.True to its name, the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 also serves as a fan, but allows for purifying backflow to remove toxins for when you don't want air to blow on you. At a starting price of $570, this model is on the pricer side, but consumers on Amazon overall seem report mostly satisfaction with top reviews expressing impression with the unit's purifying and cooling efficiency and versatility.Dyson Purifier Cool TP07specs:Filtration:Three-stage filtration |Filter:360 Glass HEPA (H13) and Activated Carbon filter |Connectivity: Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, iOS and Android app |Noise:78dB |Coverage:Whole room; tested in a 2860 square foot space Read More Show Expert Take Show less What is the best air purifier? The best smart air purifier is the Levoit Vital 200s since it combines all the best features for improved air quality at a great price. It features an H13 True HEPA filter as part of its three-stage filtration system, can filter the air in a standard bedroom (up to 380 square feet) in only 12 minutes, and is quiet enough to stay on all night while you sleep. This smart air purifier is a breeze to set up, and the mobile app by VeSync is also quite easy to navigate. However, different preferences for price, coverage area, and noise level can affect which best air purifier is ideal for your situation. Here's how the best air purifiers stack up: Best smart air purifier Best price Coverage area Noise level Levoit Vital 200S $160 1,900 square feet 24-54dB Conway Airmega IconS $600 649 square feet 21.7-49.3cB Levoit Core 200S $90 183 square feet 24-48dB Rabbit Air A3 $750 1,070 square feet 20.3-51dB Toshiba Air Purifier $260 483 square feet 30dB Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 $500 2,800 square feet 78dB Show more Which is the right air purifier for you? Choosing the right air purifier for you will depend on what your needs and priorities are, along with your budget. You may prefer a fashionable option or a quiet one, or you may not care what it looks like, just how well it does, or where you can install it. Either way, there's a choice out there for your needs.In addition, sound can be an important factor. If you plan on running an air purifier in a bedroom, one with variable fan speeds and a low-decibel sleep mode can make it more convenient to operate at all hours.Choose this air purifier...If you want...Levoit Vital 200SOur choice for the best smart air purifier overall. It's powerful, easy-to-use, and affordable smart air purifier, regardless of room size.Coway Airmega IconSImproved air quality without sacrificing style and wide range to adjust your noise level output.Levoit Core 200SA compact, 360-degree output air purifier to fit any side table or nightstand.Rabbit Air A3A whopping six-stage filtration with different design and installation options from standard air purifiers.Toshiba Air PurifierOne of the best options to remove unwanted odors in your home or office.LG PuriCare MiniA portable air purifier that you can take anywhere for travel or work.Dyson Purifier Cool TP07A dual purifier and fan that has a sleek design, voice and app control, night mode for light sleepers, and a HEPA H13 standard. Show more How did we choose these air purifiers? To choose the best air purifiers from the hundreds on the market, I looked at several important factors:Air change per hour (ACH): ACH determines how many times the air purifier can filter the air in a room in one hour.Power: I also considered how powerful the best air purifiers are, especially to determine what room size they're better suited for. Many air purifiers, like the Levoit models, can clean almost any room, and they'll just take longer to finish the work for larger rooms. Other more compact options, like the Toshiba air purifier or the LG PuriCare Mini, don't have the most powerful motors, so they're more efficient in smaller spaces.HEPA filters: Besides size and ACH, the incorporation of HEPA filters was an important deciding factor. Short for high-efficiency particulate air, it's a pleated mechanical air filter that can remove airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. This covers 99.97% of the particles found in the air, including pollen, mold, dust, and bacteria.Personal experience: As ZDNET's smart home expert, I tested and reviewed many of my top choices myself. I gave our best choice overall, the Levoit Vital 200S, a 4/5 rating in my official review.Customer reviews: For those I didn't have the opportunity to go hands-on with, I looked through a variety of customer reviews to get a well-rounded sense of real consumer experience. Show more FAQs on smart air purifiers Do air purifiers help with dust? While air purifiers cannot get rid of all the dust on the surfaces of your home, with frequent use, they can reduce the dust in the air and you may notice dust less often. As a result, they can help prevent or reduce dust allergies.In addition to air purifiers, using your vacuum cleaner at least once per week can help you remove dust from your home, especially if you have pets. Show more Can air purifiers prevent the spread of viruses? With flu season in full swing and society on the tail-end of a global pandemic, the demand for air purifiers has gone up. But do they actually work to stop the spread of viruses?According to peer-reviewed medical studies, HEPA-filtered air cleaners can remove over 99.97% of airborne virus particles, especially when combined with other measures, even in school environments. Though it can help, the use of air purifiers alone isn't enough to stop the spread of illnesses like COVID-19, as they focus on removing potentially infectious aerosol particles from the air. Other measures, like masking and social distancing, must be followed in conjunction with air cleaners to make them effective at preventing the spread of illnesses. Show more Where to place an air purifier? When shopping for an air purifier, keep in mind where you'll be using it. There isn't a plug-in air purifier that can clean the air inside an entire household (unless it's a small living space) -- so it's best to isolate areas, such as a bedroom, kitchen, or living room.Once you know the size of the room you're working with, you can select an air purifier capable of efficiently circulating and cleaning the air in a room that size. A tabletop model is best for small spaces like a nursery or bathroom. A floor model can handle larger areas and may be portable enough to be moved from one room to another. Show more What is a HEPA filter? A HEPA filter is short for high-efficiency particulate air filter. It's the finest type of filtration, able to capture particles as small as 0.3 microns. This includes bacteria, mold spores, pollen, dust, and nearly 99.97% of airborne particles.HEPA filters are commonly used in the medical field due to the powerful filtration they offer. Activated carbon filters are also common in air purifiers and are effective at removing odors from the air. Show more How often will I need to change a filter? An important consideration for air purifiers is filter replacement. Some models require regular replacements of expensive filters, which could end up costing you hundreds of dollars per year.Before you purchase a model, look into what type of replacement filters you'll need, how much they cost, and if you can afford to replace them as required. Otherwise, choosing not to replace filters as recommended could reduce the air purifier's efficiency. After all, they are capturing and trapping harmful particles, such as mold spores and bacteria.Some air purifiers feature washable filters, which make maintenance easier. However, the most effective air purifiers include HEPA filtration and carbon filters, which need to be replaced. You can find the manufacturer's requirements in the manual.Some modern purifiers have an indicator light that warns you when it's time to replace the filters. As a rule of thumb, plan on replacing carbon air filters every three months, and other filters every six months. Show more What size air purifier do I need? To determine the best air purifier based on the size of the room or area you're hoping to clean, look at a purifier's ACH rate and recommended room size. Most air purifiers will list the rate they circulate the entire volume of the room per hour by square footage.And if you have an oddly shaped room, you might consider placing two smaller air purifiers to maximize air circulation. Show more Other smart air purifiers to consider Further ZDNET Tech Coverage Smartphones Smartwatches Tablets Laptops TVs Other Tech Resources ZDNET Recommends

The exoskeleton is designed with weekend warrior athletes in mind. It's built to offer assistance in physical activities such as hiking or biking. Here's what it's like to wear.

If you need to build a website, there are dozens of web hosting providers you can turn to, but working out what service is right for you can be challenging.At the most basic level, you'll need a domain name that pairs with a reliable host. Your web host must be able to securely store your content, manage your data, and provide a backend file management system or FTP access. Preferably, there will be inbuilt security update functions.Also:The best VPNsMany web providers offer far more than just hosting. You can also opt for a content management system (CMS), SEO assistance, website templates, AI assistants for chat or even website building, security add-ons, and much more. These features often make web hosts stand out from their competition, and even if you don't need it now, it also helps if their services are scalable.Below, you will find our top recommendations for web hosting services, ranging from providers that give you a quick and easy way to build your website all the way up to companies that provide full data center infrastructure capabilities as a service.What is the best web hosting service right now?ZDNET has conducted extensive research and hands-on testing with many of the top web hosting services. Our pick for the best web hosting service overall is Hostinger. Hostinger offers inexpensive plans, starting at only $2.49/month (three months free) during the new year. If you want to go up a level, Hostinger's premium plan has everything you need: a website builder, WordPress integration, templates, emails, SEO, marketing help, and more.Alternatively, Dreamhost is an excellent option for professionals who want advanced features, VPS, or dedicated hosting. Plans start at $2.95/month.Read on for the rest of our picks for the best web hosting services of 2025. Sort by All Security Features Price Best web hosting services of 2025 Show less View now at Hostinger Hostinger's premium plan ($2.49 per month, three months free) is excellent value for the money if you want to operate multiple websites for personal or business reasons under one account.The premium plan supports up to 100 websites. It offers 100GB of storage, up to 100 email addresses and forwarders, free SSL website security, templates, unlimited bandwidth, and a free domain name.While there's no dedicated IP address outside of cloud and VPS hosting, this won't bother most website owners. Furthermore, you'll be given basic e-commerce capabilities and one-click WordPress installation and migration. The same WordPress installation can be used to support multiple WordPress websites.Review:HostingerIf you need a theme, Hostinger also provides a drag-and-drop website builder and 150 templates. The plan includes Google Analytics integration, SEO tools, and standard DDoS protection.Overall, we consider Hostinger's premium plan an excellent option for most website owners and small businesses. Business options begin at $3.49 per month, with three months added for free.I signed up with Hostinger last year to operate a website to provide email, and so far, I have been impressed with the service and can recommend it. Aside from one incident with maintenance-related downtime, uptime has been spot on, and I have had no problems with reliability, storage, or loading speed.A downside, however, is that you can only access more advanced features -- such as daily backups and increased performance -- with more expensive subscriptions. In addition, while many customers applaud Hostinger's customer service, there are reports of bounceback and slow loads by some clients operating multiple websites.Hostinger features:cPanel: Yes |SSL: Some plans |SSH: Yes|Backups: Yes | E-commerce: Basic+|Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Support: 24/7 live chat support | Starting price: $2.49/month Security 9 Features 9 Price 10 Pros Inexpensive One-click WordPress install AI tools E-commerce plans Cons Enhanced security limited to more expensive plans Prices jump on renewal Hostinger Best web hosting service overall 4.6 / 5 Score Hostinger's premium plan ($2.49 per month, three months free) is excellent value for the money if you want to operate multiple websites for personal or business reasons under one account.The premium plan supports up to 100 websites. It offers 100GB of storage, up to 100 email addresses and forwarders, free SSL website security, templates, unlimited bandwidth, and a free domain name.While there's no dedicated IP address outside of cloud and VPS hosting, this won't bother most website owners. Furthermore, you'll be given basic e-commerce capabilities and one-click WordPress installation and migration. The same WordPress installation can be used to support multiple WordPress websites.Review:HostingerIf you need a theme, Hostinger also provides a drag-and-drop website builder and 150 templates. The plan includes Google Analytics integration, SEO tools, and standard DDoS protection.Overall, we consider Hostinger's premium plan an excellent option for most website owners and small businesses. Business options begin at $3.49 per month, with three months added for free.I signed up with Hostinger last year to operate a website to provide email, and so far, I have been impressed with the service and can recommend it. Aside from one incident with maintenance-related downtime, uptime has been spot on, and I have had no problems with reliability, storage, or loading speed.A downside, however, is that you can only access more advanced features -- such as daily backups and increased performance -- with more expensive subscriptions. In addition, while many customers applaud Hostinger's customer service, there are reports of bounceback and slow loads by some clients operating multiple websites.Hostinger features:cPanel: Yes |SSL: Some plans |SSH: Yes|Backups: Yes | E-commerce: Basic+|Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Support: 24/7 live chat support | Starting price: $2.49/month Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at DreamHost DreamHost's easy-to-use interface and customer support stand out to business owners and new webmasters alike. The hosting provider offers WordPress hosting, shared hosting, virtual private servers, dedicated servers, cloud hosting, and more.We particularly like that DreamHost offers Google Workspace integration, domain integration, and Google Cloud support. The company also provides great resources and guides that can help you grow your businesses cost-effectively. A free SSL certificate is available on all plans.Review:DreamHostNick Farnborough, the co-founder ofClavis Social, told ZDNET that he has "tried almost every host out there over the years and ultimately found DreamHost to be the best overall package, taking into account cost, performance, and ease of use."Customers online, too, have applauded this web host's customer support and value for the money, although some also note that reaching customer support teams can be challenging.Prices begin at $2.95 per month for a basic, shared plan, with email available for an additional monthly fee. The DreamPress plan, available for $16.95/month, comes with more advanced business features, including unlimited email, website migration, on-demand backups, and an AI website builder.Dreamhost also provides advanced plans for larger web projects. If you want dedicated resources, you can opt for a VPS plan that is suitable for scaling and resource-heavy projects.DreamHost features:cPanel: No, proprietary panel |SSL: Free |SSH: Yes |Backups: Yes | E-commerce: Yes |Money-back guarantee: 97 days |Support: 24/7 chat, ticket, and call-back | Starting price: $2.95/month Security 9 Features 9 Price 8 Pros Over three-month money-back guarantee Many hosting options Affordable AI tools Cons Email can be an additional cost DreamHost Best web hosting service for professionals 4.1 / 5 Score DreamHost's easy-to-use interface and customer support stand out to business owners and new webmasters alike. The hosting provider offers WordPress hosting, shared hosting, virtual private servers, dedicated servers, cloud hosting, and more.We particularly like that DreamHost offers Google Workspace integration, domain integration, and Google Cloud support. The company also provides great resources and guides that can help you grow your businesses cost-effectively. A free SSL certificate is available on all plans.Review:DreamHostNick Farnborough, the co-founder ofClavis Social, told ZDNET that he has "tried almost every host out there over the years and ultimately found DreamHost to be the best overall package, taking into account cost, performance, and ease of use."Customers online, too, have applauded this web host's customer support and value for the money, although some also note that reaching customer support teams can be challenging.Prices begin at $2.95 per month for a basic, shared plan, with email available for an additional monthly fee. The DreamPress plan, available for $16.95/month, comes with more advanced business features, including unlimited email, website migration, on-demand backups, and an AI website builder.Dreamhost also provides advanced plans for larger web projects. If you want dedicated resources, you can opt for a VPS plan that is suitable for scaling and resource-heavy projects.DreamHost features:cPanel: No, proprietary panel |SSL: Free |SSH: Yes |Backups: Yes | E-commerce: Yes |Money-back guarantee: 97 days |Support: 24/7 chat, ticket, and call-back | Starting price: $2.95/month Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Ionos Ionos is one of our top picks for affordable, long-term web hosting. The web hosting provider offers reliable, stable uptime with daily backups included on all plans. Free wildcard SSL certificates, email, one domain, and 24/7 support are also included.Customers report great customer service, uptime, easy setup, and web hosting transitions. This web host doesn't offer many of the more advanced features of competitors, but if you're after a basic, low-cost, long-term service, this could be the best option for you.The top deal is for Ionos Plus, a website hosting package suitable for larger, scalable projects and WordPress installs. On a one-year plan, you will only pay $1 per month, and you can operate unlimited websites with unlimited databases and storage.This plan includes one-click installations of around 70 apps, including WordPress and Drupal, and you will also receive a wildcard SSL certificate. However, be aware of a potential price hike after the promotional period ends, as it typically costs $12/month.Alternatively, you could opt for the basic "Essential" plans supporting one website with ten databases, alongside 10GB of storage space, which will cost you $4 per month on an annual plan. A free domain name for one year and email is included.Ionos features:cPanel: Yes |SSL: Yes, wildcard|SSH: Yes |Backups: Daily | E-commerce: Yes |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Support: 24/7 | Starting price: $1/month Security 9 Features 7 Price 10 Pros Scalable Very affordable plans 24/7 support One-click app installs Cons Paid plans can become expensive following promotion time periods Limited storage Ionos Best budget web hosting service 4.4 / 5 Score Ionos is one of our top picks for affordable, long-term web hosting. The web hosting provider offers reliable, stable uptime with daily backups included on all plans. Free wildcard SSL certificates, email, one domain, and 24/7 support are also included.Customers report great customer service, uptime, easy setup, and web hosting transitions. This web host doesn't offer many of the more advanced features of competitors, but if you're after a basic, low-cost, long-term service, this could be the best option for you.The top deal is for Ionos Plus, a website hosting package suitable for larger, scalable projects and WordPress installs. On a one-year plan, you will only pay $1 per month, and you can operate unlimited websites with unlimited databases and storage.This plan includes one-click installations of around 70 apps, including WordPress and Drupal, and you will also receive a wildcard SSL certificate. However, be aware of a potential price hike after the promotional period ends, as it typically costs $12/month.Alternatively, you could opt for the basic "Essential" plans supporting one website with ten databases, alongside 10GB of storage space, which will cost you $4 per month on an annual plan. A free domain name for one year and email is included.Ionos features:cPanel: Yes |SSL: Yes, wildcard|SSH: Yes |Backups: Daily | E-commerce: Yes |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Support: 24/7 | Starting price: $1/month Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at A2 Hosting A2 is an excellent web hosting option for beginners who want to learn the ropes without spending a fortune.A2 provides a 24/7 customer team if you need help deciding on a plan or for any installation issues afterward. For $2.99 per month, A2's basic shared hosting Ignite package includes one website, free migration, unlimited email accounts, ample storage (100GB), staging, backups, and a website builder.What we particularly like about this option is the potential to upgrade as your project grows, with extra speed, storage, and capacity available when you are ready. Turbo options, starting at $7.95 per month, offer unlimited websites, unlimited storage, and automatic backups with more computing resources made available to customers. However, keep in mind that these promotional prices are tied to three-year (36-month) contracts, and pricing does increase if you opt for a one- or two-year term instead.In summary, you can start small, but if you need more space or resources, A2 offers a range of options -- including VPS and dedicated hosting -- to accommodate growth and changing resource needs.Customers applaud the firm's 24/7 phone, email, and chat support, with assistance available during migration and beyond.A2 features:cPanel: Yes |SSL: Yes |SSH: Yes |Backups: Daily |E-commerce: Yes |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Support: 24/7 phone, email, live chat support |Starting price: $2.99/month Security 8 Features 7 Price 10 Pros Affordable Positive customer reviews Frequent sales promotions Migration assistance Cons Expensive dedicated server plans 3-year contract ties A2 web hosting Best web hosting service for beginners 4.3 / 5 Score A2 is an excellent web hosting option for beginners who want to learn the ropes without spending a fortune.A2 provides a 24/7 customer team if you need help deciding on a plan or for any installation issues afterward. For $2.99 per month, A2's basic shared hosting Ignite package includes one website, free migration, unlimited email accounts, ample storage (100GB), staging, backups, and a website builder.What we particularly like about this option is the potential to upgrade as your project grows, with extra speed, storage, and capacity available when you are ready. Turbo options, starting at $7.95 per month, offer unlimited websites, unlimited storage, and automatic backups with more computing resources made available to customers. However, keep in mind that these promotional prices are tied to three-year (36-month) contracts, and pricing does increase if you opt for a one- or two-year term instead.In summary, you can start small, but if you need more space or resources, A2 offers a range of options -- including VPS and dedicated hosting -- to accommodate growth and changing resource needs.Customers applaud the firm's 24/7 phone, email, and chat support, with assistance available during migration and beyond.A2 features:cPanel: Yes |SSL: Yes |SSH: Yes |Backups: Daily |E-commerce: Yes |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Support: 24/7 phone, email, live chat support |Starting price: $2.99/month Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at GreenGeeks GreenGeeks is a great web hosting option if you want to sign up for a sustainable, eco-conscious service.GreenGeeks has developed its marketing around the concept of being environmentally friendly, with three times the power your hosting demands replaced with wind power credits and tree planting.It's not just the environmental factor, however -- GreenGeeks prides itself on speedy, reliable service. Although the company's website could use some modernization and an overhaul, the important part is the hosting, which includes standard hosting, WordPress installs, commerce, VPS, and dedicated tiers.Basic plans cost $2.95 per month, with options to upgrade and expand over time. The basic web hosting plan only covers one website with 25GB of storage, but once you move up a level or two, you can expect support for unlimited websites, managed WordPress installations, 50GB or 100GB of storage, a free SSL certificate, and more.Customers applaud GreenGeeks' customer service, although there are reports of hidden fees related to specific products.GreenGeeks features:cPanel: Yes |SSL: Free |SSH: Yes |Backups: Varies by plan | E-commerce: Yes, WooCommerce|Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Support: Depends on the plan | Starting price: $2.95/month Security 8 Features 7 Price 6 Pros Reasonably priced Eco-friendly Long money-back guarantee WordPress repair tools Cons On-demand backups limited to premium plans No unlimited storage GreenGeeks Best web hosting service for the environmentally-conscious 3.8 / 5 Score GreenGeeks is a great web hosting option if you want to sign up for a sustainable, eco-conscious service.GreenGeeks has developed its marketing around the concept of being environmentally friendly, with three times the power your hosting demands replaced with wind power credits and tree planting.It's not just the environmental factor, however -- GreenGeeks prides itself on speedy, reliable service. Although the company's website could use some modernization and an overhaul, the important part is the hosting, which includes standard hosting, WordPress installs, commerce, VPS, and dedicated tiers.Basic plans cost $2.95 per month, with options to upgrade and expand over time. The basic web hosting plan only covers one website with 25GB of storage, but once you move up a level or two, you can expect support for unlimited websites, managed WordPress installations, 50GB or 100GB of storage, a free SSL certificate, and more.Customers applaud GreenGeeks' customer service, although there are reports of hidden fees related to specific products.GreenGeeks features:cPanel: Yes |SSL: Free |SSH: Yes |Backups: Varies by plan | E-commerce: Yes, WooCommerce|Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Support: Depends on the plan | Starting price: $2.95/month Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at GoDaddy GoDaddy has offered as wide an array of services as possible for individuals and small businesses needing an internet presence. It's widely known as a brand and many customers enjoy the service.GoDaddy is a great option if you prefer to stick with a well-known web hosting provider. It's also recently introduced AI-based services to help you find the right domain name and to assist you with branding. The comprehensive domain name search functions are useful, too.Pricing begins at $5.99 per month for one website. Specific plans may qualify you for a free domain name and SSL certificate. GoDaddy can be configured to apply WordPress updates automatically and offers malware-scanning services. Each plan comes with a one-click WordPress installation, a cPanel, and daily backups.Review:GoDaddyCustomer service is reasonable, and if you need a technical lead to get something accomplished, customers say you can usually find someone able to assist you. Unfortunately, the refund policy is restrictive, and we would say the host's website is cluttered, making it difficult to find exactly what service you need -- and for what price.However, ZDNET author David Gewirtz has decades of experience with GoDaddy, and he has come to respect how this web host provides the key services most customers want. They're not the best at anything, but they do a good job with almost everything.GoDaddy features:cPanel: Some plans |SSL: Some plans |SSH: Some plans |Backups: Some plans | E-commerce: Yes |Money-back guarantee: 30 days for annual plans, 48 hours for monthly plans |Support: 24/7/365 US-based ticket and phone | Starting price: $5.99/month Security 8 Features 8 Price 8 Pros Free, unlimited SSL for all websites on the Deluxe plan and up Tutorials online to help guide your website-creating process Good uptime Cons Limited storage GoDaddy Best web hosting service for GoDaddy domain customers 3.9 / 5 Score GoDaddy has offered as wide an array of services as possible for individuals and small businesses needing an internet presence. It's widely known as a brand and many customers enjoy the service.GoDaddy is a great option if you prefer to stick with a well-known web hosting provider. It's also recently introduced AI-based services to help you find the right domain name and to assist you with branding. The comprehensive domain name search functions are useful, too.Pricing begins at $5.99 per month for one website. Specific plans may qualify you for a free domain name and SSL certificate. GoDaddy can be configured to apply WordPress updates automatically and offers malware-scanning services. Each plan comes with a one-click WordPress installation, a cPanel, and daily backups.Review:GoDaddyCustomer service is reasonable, and if you need a technical lead to get something accomplished, customers say you can usually find someone able to assist you. Unfortunately, the refund policy is restrictive, and we would say the host's website is cluttered, making it difficult to find exactly what service you need -- and for what price.However, ZDNET author David Gewirtz has decades of experience with GoDaddy, and he has come to respect how this web host provides the key services most customers want. They're not the best at anything, but they do a good job with almost everything.GoDaddy features:cPanel: Some plans |SSL: Some plans |SSH: Some plans |Backups: Some plans | E-commerce: Yes |Money-back guarantee: 30 days for annual plans, 48 hours for monthly plans |Support: 24/7/365 US-based ticket and phone | Starting price: $5.99/month Read More Show Expert Take Show less What is the best web hosting service overall? Web hosting serviceStarting price per monthFree SSLMoney-back guarantee deadlineHostinger$2.49+Yes30 daysDreamHost$2.95+Yes97 daysIonos$1.00+Yes30 daysA2 Hosting$1.75+Yes30 daysGreenGeeks$2.99+Yes30 daysGoDaddy$5.99+Specific plans30 days Show more Which web hosting service is right for you? Choose this web hosting service...If you want...HostingerA one-size-fits-all hosting provider that will accommodate multiple businesses, side gigs, and personal websites, for less. It is a great way to streamline the website build and management process quickly.DreamHostShared web hosting packages and a wide array of features and services. Web designers and developers can take advantage of an over three-month money-back guarantee period.IonosAn affordable, long-term hosting provider. Ionos has extremely positive user reviews, with many applauding easy transitions and strong customer support.A2 HostingA web hosting plan for beginners. A2 plans are cheap, easy to understand, scalable, and include a website builder.GreenGeeksA web host that is eco-conscious. GreenGeeks provides easy-to-understand hosting packages and will plant a tree with each sign-up.GoDaddyA web hosting platform that tightly integrates with GoDaddy's impressive array of services. It does a good job with almost everything, including pricing and customer service. Show more Factors to consider when choosing a web hosting service When selecting your new web hosting provider in 2025, consider these crucial factors:Reliability: We always recommend you choose a web hosting provider with a long history of stable, reliable service. After all, your website could end up being the central hub of your business for promotion and customer communication, so constant downtime can harm your reputation.Affordability: Your budget must be based on the purpose of your web hosting package. A single, small slice of hosting real estate for a personal blog does not cost the same as running a large e-commerce store. Set a budget you can easily afford to find the right provider.Contract terms: The best deals are available for longer hosting periods, but you may only want to sign up for a few months or years. Check out the plans on offer and decide if they align with your goals.Scalability: Consider your website's most important functions or uses. If you expect to grow your business over time and have heavy traffic, you need to be able to scale hosting capabilities over time. Choose a provider with upgrade options.CMS support and templates: New website owners may want to launch their website without hiring a designer to create a custom template from scratch. See if your new host offers an easy-to-use CMS platform for backend updates, and whether website design templates are available.Customer support: Customer support is extremely important when you sign up for a web hosting service. Whether you are a beginner or want to run many websites, you should choose a provider with different options and a reputation for solid support.AI: If you're interested in testing out AI tools for support or taking over the entire job of building your initial website, check that your chosen web hosting provider offers these services. Many do, but not all. Show more How did we choose these web hosting services? When we compiled this list, we began with web hosts ZDNET authors are personally familiar with. ZDNET does extensive testing on and research into web hosting providers, taking into consideration user reviews, competitor analysis, personal usage and experiences, and more.Some of us have been running production websites for decades, with sites that have served millions of pages. Others have used web hosts for personal blogs, writing projects, and to help individuals launch small businesses.We chose these providers because we believe they offer some of the best services in the market. These are the main factors we considered:Features offered: Deciding on the best web hosting provider requires you to decide which features to prioritize. We've included options for CMS implementation, e-commerce, design services, SEO services, cybersecurity functions, and more.Price: Naturally, the price point is a very important factor when we choose our web hosting provider recommendations. We have included options suitable for varying budgets, all the way from personal blogs to small businesses and large enterprise setups that will need to scale.Contracts: We have endeavored to include a range of subscriptions and plans, including flexible options suitable for different web projects.Stability: We have included only reputable web hosting providers that provide stable services with minimal downtime. After all, there's no point in having a speedy, responsive website if downtime is a constant problem.Security: It is important that web hosting services take security seriously, so we have avoided hosts known for frequent security problems and those that lack transparency.Customer experiences: If you are going to sign up for a long-term web hosting service, you need to know how the company treats and supports its customers. We have examined customer reviews and feedback. Show more Web hosting services FAQs Which web host is best for beginners? Wix, A2, and Squarespace are two web hosts we would recommend for beginners, although many are out there. These platforms offer an abundance of creative templates, so users can gain experience in web development with an attractive site. If you have experience with CMS platforms, you could also look at WordPress.com. Show more Can you sign up for free web hosting? Yes. There are many sites that allow for free hosting, but you will likely have a generic, branded domain. For example, if you were to have a free WordPress website, your domain would be [yourwebsitename].wordpress.com.Be careful, though. Many of the free offers end after a period of time, and then you're stuck on a service that will likely charge you a considerable additional fee to keep using it. Or, the website host may allow you to have a free website on the condition that you allow ads to be displayed. Show more How much can web hosting cost? Web hosting can cost as little as a few dollars per month. Large-scale projects that require vast storage space and those that expect heavy volumes of traffic may need more support and resources, which will bump up the price. Enterprise-grade hosting can exceed hundreds of dollars per month, but this is overkill for many website owners. Show more Is web hosting the same as a domain? No. A web host is the space you rent or own that stores files, whereas a web domain, such as www.mywebsite.com, is the address visitors need to visit your website. You need both for a functioning website. Show more What are the best WordPress hosting services? If we're talking web hosts, we have to talk about WordPress. About62% of websiteswith content management systems usethe open-source CMS.The WordPress ecosystem is huge, and finding the right WordPress host is a challenge on its own. Beyond WordPress.com, the service offered by the creators of the CMS, there are numerous managed hosting providers and even more hosting providers that specialize in providing a WordPress-optimized server for your website. Nearly every hosting provider will allow a WordPress install, considering its popularity. Show more What are the best Infrastructure-as-a-Service providers? Our recommendations include IaaS providers you probably know intimately, such as Amazon. They are highly credible vendors that have been providing infrastructure for years.If you're just starting, you might not want to go all-in with an IaaS provider, although they offer the most flexibility. Some, like Amazon and Digital Ocean, allow you to point-and-click configure virtual WordPress machines or almost any other open-source content management system you may want. This might be overkill for SMBs, though. Show more What are the best point-and-click website builders? A website builder is a type of software that lets you craft your business website, generally without programming knowledge or experience. Many allow you to choose from templates and then modify those templates to suit your look and layout.Nearly all web hosting providers include some kind of website-building software, but for most hosting plans, it's often an afterthought. By contrast, the website builders listed in this section are provided by web hosting companies that have made point-and-click website building tools with excellent customer support and solid up-time.You do sacrifice some control when choosing a website builder solution, but if you've never done any web development, and you want a beautiful, usable website quickly, these services are for you. One warning: There are a lot of lock-ins here. You won't be able to transfer the look of your site (and sometimes the content) to another hosting provider easily. Keep that in mind when you choose a website builder. Show more What is the difference between a web host and a web server? A web host is a service provider, such as Wix or GoDaddy, that provides the space, storage, and resources required to keep a website online, typically under a rental agreement. A web server is a computer system that stores files and shares them to become accessible to the web. Show more Are there alternative web hosting services to consider? There are countless web hosting providers out there, and not all of them can make the list of our top recommendations despite offering excellent service. Below, you will find other hosts to consider that may be more suitable for your unique situation: Show more Further ZDNET Tech Coverage Smartphones Smartwatches Tablets Laptops TVs Other Tech Resources ZDNET Recommends

One of the leaked Switch 2 renders from peripheral maker GenkiGenkiThe saga of the leaked Switch 2 video and physical mockup from peripheral maker Genki hit a crescendo today, with Nintendo finally issuing an official statement. Its brief, its direct, and it doesnt remotely dispute that anything weve seen this week is fake.A brief refresher: earlier this week, Genki an accessory maker selling a variety of peripherals for the Switch, PlayStation 5, and various PC gaming handhelds showed off a physical mockup of the Switch 2 at its CES booth. The company also published a highly detailed video render of the next-gen Nintendo console on its website, designed to show off its upcoming Switch 2 accessories.Oh, and it also told French outlet Numerama that its products were derived from molds created with a real Switch 2 it obtained from the black market.Today, Nintendo finally broke its silence. The house of Mario told CNET Japan that "the gaming hardware that Genki claims to be Nintendo hardware at CES is unofficial and not provided to the company by Nintendo. This matches up with a more brief but similar comment given to Japanese newspaper Senkei, in which Nintendo is quoted as saying they are not official.(Both statements from Nintendo were translated from their original Japanese origin to English.)Nintendo did not issue a statement on the authenticity of the even newer leaked assets from OnLeaks and 91Mobile.MORE FOR YOUCuriously, this news seemed to be originally shared by Genki...Youre probably thinking what Im thinking, right? Nintendo is simply stating that it didnt give Genki any hardware, much less finalized hardware. Thats something the entire world already assumed, since Genki previously alleged that it snagged the hardware on the black market.Crucially, Nintendo did not take the opportunity to deny that the appearance of the Switch 2 rendered by Genki was fake. Nor did it dispute anything from the mountain of other leaks surrounding the Switch 2. Thats telling, especially since Nintendo is, lets be honest here, a highly litigious console platform holder.Currently, speculation is running rampant that Nintendo will accelerate its plans to reveal the Switch 2 in detail. Perhaps well see a Direct in January?

To create offerings that truly resonate with users, tech companies need to prioritize empathy and human-centered design.

The global power expansion demands a balance between energy innovation and reliability.

TL;DR: The Linux Foundation has announced the formation of a new group, the "Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers," aimed at funding and advancing the development of browsers built on the open-source Chromium codebase. Founding members of the alliance include Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Opera. The Linux Foundation said the new group will provide a "neutral space" for developers, software vendors, and the broader open-source community to better contribute to the Chromium ecosystem and collaborate on Chromium-based projects.The foundation emphasized that existing Chromium projects will remain under their respective developers' control and will not be absorbed by the new alliance. Instead, the new group will operate under the Linux Foundation to "remove barriers to innovation, expand adoption, and ensure that projects within the Chromium ecosystem receive the resources they need to thrive."Google explained that the Linux Foundation was selected to manage the alliance and its funding due to its proven track record of "open governance, prioritizing transparency, inclusivity, and community-driven development." The company also expressed its enthusiasm for the initiative, noting that it was "thrilled" to have garnered support from Meta, Microsoft, and Opera.Google's contributions to ChromiumGoogle claimed to have contributed more than 100,000 commits to the Chromium codebase in 2024, representing approximately 94 percent of total contributions. The company assured the community that it has no plans to scale back its efforts and intends to continue investing in the Chromium project to drive further development. Additionally, Google called on its partners to "step up" and increase their own contributions to the project. // Related StoriesMicrosoft and Opera also released statements praising the new initiative and reaffirming their commitment to the Chromium ecosystem. Microsoft stated that it would continue contributing to the Chromium codebase "to improve Edge and other Chromium-based browsers." Opera expressed optimism that the alliance would allow it "to take an even more active role in Chromium's development and future direction."Many popular modern browsers, including Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Opera, Brave, and Vivaldi, are built on the open-source Chromium codebase. In contrast, the two most widely-used non-Chromium browsers are Mozilla Firefox and Apple's Safari. Firefox relies on Mozilla's proprietary Quantum/Gecko engine, while Safari is powered by Apple's WebKit.The implications of the new alliance for non-Chromium browsers remain unclear. For browsers such as Firefox, which lack the backing of tech giants like Apple, the alliance could pose significant challenges. If the Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers initiative enables Chromium-based browsers to capture even more market share, Mozilla may face increasing pressure. This is particularly concerning given Mozilla's heavy reliance on funding from Google to sustain the development of its open-source browser.

What just happened? Lenovo Group has announced plans to establish a major PC and server assembly factory in Saudi Arabia. This decision marks a notable expansion of the company's production capacity outside of China and into the Middle East, a region experiencing rapid technological growth. The project, backed by a $2 billion investment from Alat, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, is expected to go into operation by 2026. Once operational, the facility is expected to employ thousands of workers and produce millions of PCs annually, positioning it as one of the largest high-tech manufacturing plants in the region and a significant player in the global computer production landscape."Through this powerful strategic collaboration and investment, Lenovo will have significant resources and financial flexibility to further accelerate our transformation and grow our business by capitalizing on the incredible growth momentum in KSA and the wider MEA region," said Yuanqing Yang, Chairman and CEO of Lenovo.This factory is an opportunity for Lenovo to strengthen its foothold in the rapidly expanding Middle East and African markets. The firm plans to set up a regional headquarters in Riyadh, further cementing its commitment to the area. Additionally, by manufacturing servers in Saudi Arabia, Lenovo can potentially circumvent US restrictions on supplying high-performance hardware for AI and HPC applications to China, as well as diversify its production capabilities beyond Asia.From Saudi Arabia's perspective, a world-class manufacturing facility specializing in cutting-edge technology dovetails perfectly with its Vision 2030 initiative, aimed at diversifying the country's economy beyond oil while fostering modernization.Lenovo's plans extend beyond mere assembly. The company intends to establish local research and development operations, potentially tailoring products to meet regional market needs. // Related StoriesThe scale of this venture is noteworthy. A $2 billion investment in a computer assembly factory suggests a facility of considerable size and capacity. Industry experts anticipate that this will be one of the most extensive high-tech facilities in the region and a major player in global computer manufacturing.Lenovo's move is part of a broader trend among leading PC makers to reduce their reliance on manufacturing in China. By adding Saudi Arabia to its list of production locations, which already includes Argentina, Brazil, China, Germany, Hungary, India, Japan, Mexico, and the US, Lenovo further diversifies its global manufacturing footprint.Other tech firms are increasingly looking to Saudi Arabia for similar reasons. Huawei, for example, received a 100% investment license in Saudi Arabia for developing telecommunications infrastructure supporting the country's 5G rollout. In partnership with local entities, Alibaba Cloud created a presence in Riyadh to deliver high-capacity cloud services. SoftBank Group has formed a strategic alliance with Saudi Arabia to develop next-generation industrial robots, and in 2023, Human Horizons, a Chinese EV maker, signed a $5.6 billion deal to establish a research, development, and manufacturing joint venture in the Middle-Eastern nation. Similarly, Enovate, another Chinese EV start-up, entered into a joint venture with Saudi Sumou Holding to set up a $500 million manufacturing plant in the Kingdom.

In brief: Identifying which USB standard is being used can be a pain for users looking to purchase cables or docking stations. Terms like "USB 3.2 Gen 2" leave people scratching their heads due to their ambiguity. Thankfully, those names are finally being phased out, thanks to a new USB labeling system. The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) has rolled out updated logos that ditch the perplexing nomenclature, according to a report by PCWorld, offering more straightforward speed ratings.For instance, if you spot a USB4 hub labeled "USB 80Gbps" on the side of the box, you'll know you're getting the latest and greatest USB technology with a blistering 80 gigabits per second transfer speed.A step below that will be marked "USB 40Gbps," which is still quite fast. The approach also extends to older USB specs, so you might see a "USB 20Gbps" logo for USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 devices, or "USB 10Gbps" for USB 3.2 Gen 2 gear.The new labeling extends to cables, too the new logo will indicate both data transfers and charging speeds, which will go up to 240W. That's exactly the kind of power you'll need for massive 500W bricks capable of charging five laptops at the same time.Furthermore, laptop manufacturers are expected to start printing these labels across their devices. USB-IF representatives informed PCWorld that Dell may begin to label its USB ports. // Related StoriesUltimately, it's great that users won't need to squint to read the fine print or cross-reference spec sheets once the labels gain popularity.For the uninitiated, the USB naming debacle reached peak absurdity back in 2019 with the unveiling of "USB 3.2". Instead of simplifying things, the new spec piled on more inscrutable labels like "Gen 2x2" and "SuperSpeed USB 20Gbps". Distinguishing between USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps), Gen 2 (10Gbps), and Gen 2x2 (20Gbps) was enough to make anyone's head spin. To make matters worse, these new monikers replaced the already confusing terminology from older USB versions. The new, simpler system is a welcome one.