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TABLE OF CONTENTSRestoring a hacked computer to normal can be a time-consuming process, but it is generally doable.gettyHackers are a busy bunch, with more than 300 million computers hacked every year and there's a dizzying range of ways in which a computer or laptop can be compromised. Criminals often, for example, use phishing attacks, sending emails to persuade you to click on a malicious link, which then installs malware on your machine. In other cases, a hack of a company exposes your password, which may be sold on the dark web. Once they've got control, hackers can do all sorts of damage, from spying on you to to stealing financial details such as credit card numbers. We look at the signs that your computer or laptop has been hacked, and the steps you should take if it has.How To Tell If Your Computer Is HackedThere are a number of signs that your PC may have been hacked, some more obvious than others. These include slow performance, or your computer freezing or crashing signs that the device is working hard for someone else.You may spot the appearance of programs that you didn't install yourself, changes to your browser home page, search engine or extensions, or a plague of unexpected pop-ups. Unexpected emails may be sent or received, or your password changed, and unauthorized logins or new accounts may appear. Your browser may act oddly, redirecting you to unwanted websites, and unasked-for files may be downloaded. And a warning from your anti-virus package that it's detected and removed malware may not mean you truly have the all-clear if you're getting repeated messages, it's possible that the package is failing to finish the job.Sign 1: Sluggish PerformanceA common first sign that your PC has been hacked is that its performance suddenly slows down. Websites may take a long time to load, and opening files or loading applications may take longer than usual. The machine may freeze or crash. These are all signs that you may have malware running in the background on your PC, or that unauthorized programs are consuming system resources.Sign 2: Unexpected Programs Or Pop-Ups AppearIf programs appear on your desktop that you haven't installed, this is a strong sign that your computer or laptop has been hacked. You may also see vast numbers of pop-ups on your screen often pretending to be an anti-virus package warning you that you've been hacked and suggesting that you click on them.Sign 3: Changes To Your BrowserAnother sign that your computer has been hacked is a change to your browser settings. Your home page may look different, or unwanted toolbars and extensions may appear. The aim of the hackers is to get you to click on malicious websites containing malware, or sites that could steal your personal information.Sign 4: Unusual Email ActivityCompromising a PC user's email is one of the most common ways that a computer can be hacked, with the hackers then using the account to spread malware or carry out phishing scams. If you or your contacts spot suspicious emails coming from your email address, it's a strong sign that this has happened.Sign 5: Unauthorized Log-In AttemptsYou may start getting alerts from your email provider or other accounts that there have been log-in attempts that weren't made by you. If you spot attempts to access your accounts from unfamiliar devices or locations, the chances are that a hacker is to blame.What Should You Do If Your Computer Is Hacked?If you discover that your computer or laptop has been hacked, you'll need to act fast. The first thing is to disconnect your machine from the internet to stop the hacker having access.You'll then need to go through the long and rather tedious process of changing passwords on every single application or service that you have installed on your computer. And you should remove any external drives to prevent the malware from spreading any further and consider wiping your hard drive after backing everything up, of course. Finally, it's a very good idea to notify your contacts about what's happened to make sure they don't fall victim themselves.1. Disconnect And Quarantine Your PCIf you discover that your PC has been hacked, the first thing you should do and you should do this immediately is unplug your machine, and disconnect it from the internet by turning off the wifi through the machine's settings. This prevents the hacker from continuing to remotely control your computer and means they can't gather any more personal or financial information than they already have.2. Change Your PasswordsIt's a bit of a heart-sink job, and will probably be pretty time-consuming, but it's vital to change all your passwords. You should start with banking or financial apps and shopping sites anything that might have your financial details and then move on to email, Facebook, other social networks and the rest. Make sure your passwords are unique and hard to guess, and include upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols3. Remove External DevicesIf you've got any USB flash devices or external hard disks connected to your PC, now is the time to disconnect them. First, go to the relevant folder and click eject. To be on the safe side, it's also a good idea to delete your computer's hard disk making sure that you back everything up first and reinstall your operating system.4. Run A Full System ScanThere's no point doing all of this if there's a threat still lurking within your computer, and advanced malware can often hide in system processes. Use a package you trust and certainly nothing that's prompted you to use it via a pop-up. Make sure it's a full-system scan, including hidden files and folders. If the package identifies anything suspect, delete it immediately.5. Notify Your ContactsIf your computer has been hacked, there's a strong likelihood that the criminals will try and broaden their attack by targeting your contacts too perhaps by sending them messages encouraging them to click on malicious links. It's a good idea to warn all your contacts on email, social media and the like not to trust any suspicious messages that appear to have come from you.How Can You Protect Your PC From Hackers?Once your computer or laptop has been hacked, you'll want to make sure it never happens again and that means sticking to some basic cyber security practices.Make sure you keep your operating system and software up to date, and that they're automatically installing the latest security patches. This, of course, applies particularly to your anti-virus package. Turn on two-factor authentication in all your apps and services. You may find it useful to use a virtual private network, especially if you use public wifi, and you could also install a firewall. Keep all your files backed up, so that if anything does happen again you have access to all your data. And make sure that you're careful in future never click on any links you're sent unless you're absolutely certain that they're safe.Bottom LineA hacked PC or laptop can lead to serious consequences, from the compromise of your personal data to financial theft. Restoring everything to normal can be a time-consuming process, but is at least generally doable. And if you do fall victim, there are measures you can take to minimize the chances of it happening again.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)Can A Hacker Freeze Your Computer?A hacker won't actually freeze your computer on purpose, but it often happens as a side-effect of their activities and is a common sign that your machine has been compromised.Whats happening is that the criminals are overloading your system with their own activities, opening large numbers of applications that run in the background, and overloading your computers memory. Turning it off by unplugging it and holding down the power button for 30 seconds, waiting a few minutes and then restarting should fix the problem.What Does A Hacked Laptop Look Like?Whether its a desktop computer or a laptop, the signs that you've been hacked are the same. Signs to look out for include sluggish performance, repeated pop-ups or unexplained activity.This can include emails or downloads that you didnt make yourself, as well as password changes or unauthorized logins or changes to your browser home page, search engine or extensions.How Do You Fix A Hacked Computer?Time is of the essence when dealing with a hacked computer or laptop, with your first task being to pull the plug and disconnect it from the internet.After that, you'll need to change all your passwords, remove any external drives to stop the malware spreading and consider wiping your hard drive. You should also inform all your contacts about what's happened and take steps to keep your computer safer in future.How To Tell If Your Mac Is Hacked?Apple Macs are known for their high levels of security but that doesn't mean they're completely unhackable. The warning signs are much the same as those for a PC.This means slow performance or unexpected crashes, the appearance of large numbers of pop-ups, and unwanted data uploads or downloads. Other signs include password changes you didn't make, or changes to your account settings.

Two male automotive designers create design of eco-friendly electric car, choose color using tablet ... [+] computer and futuristic augmented reality hologram. 3D graphics of vehicle developing. VFX animationgettyThe European Union starts an investigation January 30 into its ailing automotive manufacturers as the industry seeks relief from the existential threat of tightening CO2 emissions rules and their unintended consequences.Europeans automakers are struggling to meet the requirements but Chinese manufacturers are ready, willing and able to meet demand for electric vehicles. This is an outcome EU regulators surely didnt plan.EU commissioners, lobby groups and environmental organizations are determined to force the industry to comply.EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (if recovered from sickness) will lead the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the European Automotive Industry. Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes, Stellantis and Renault and their ilk hope the assembled delegates will quickly decide to address their most pressing problem and mitigate the tightening rules designed to force Europeans to buy electric vehicles.The rules tighten significantly in 2025 and continue to squeeze the industry until 2035, when no new internal combustion engine-powered sedans and SUVs will be allowed. The rules threaten the bottom lines of European players. Sales of EVs are stumbling because they are too expensive for Europeans on average wages and are unable to provide the all-round utility that ICE vehicles can.Chinese manufacturers of EVs are way ahead with a 30% cost advantage and the CO2 program is more like a free lunch for the likes of BYD, Geely, Great Wall Motors and SAICs MG that threatens to undermine profits and the viability of Europeans.MORE FOR YOUCan the Strategic Dialogue quickly suggest some changes to the CO2 regime, like stopping the huge fines for missing the timetable, or perhaps spreading them over 5 years, maybe using the money to fund EV research, or cancelling the 2035 ICE end-of-life date?Concept map depicting dialogue between China and the European Union. Basemap and background concept. ... [+] Double exposure hologram.gettyDream on, manufacturers. The Dialogue will more likely be a waffle fest as the delegates preen and posture about advancing climate goals and broader objectives for society.13.2 million Europeans are employed by the industry, representing just over 10% of all manufacturing jobs, and generating over 7.5% of EU GDP, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (known by its acronym in French ACEA).Im afraid it (the progression to banning new ICE vehicles by 2025) will really be a disaster for the European auto industry. We already see the signs of really big troubles. Last year, a lot of important factories shut down, even some with strong and solid market positions and reputations were closing factories and this was something that never happened before in Germany for 60 years, said Federico Millo, professor of automotive internal combustion engines at Politecnico di Torino.Last year, even mighty Volkswagen, in financial trouble because its range of EVs wasnt able to keep pace with the EUs demands, tried to close three German factories in a radical restructuring program. In the event the closures were thwarted, but Volkswagen announced more than 35,000 job cuts and a capacity reduction of about 700,000 vehicles. Production of the Golf hatchback will move to Mexico.The situation is going to become more and more dramatic in terms of decline if the CO2 rules are not changed and the targets revised, Millo said in a telephone interview.Late last year ACEA renewed a call for relief from huge fines manufacturers face for failing to meet vehicle emissions standards.Ola Kllenius, chief executive officer of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Kllenius is now President of ... [+] ACEA. Photographer: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg 2023 Bloomberg Finance LP(EU CO2 rules) must be subject to a reality check and a realignment to make it less rigid, more flexible and to turn the decarbonization of the automotive industry into a green and profitable business model, ACEA President Ola Kllenius (CEO of Mercedes) said in a letter to EU leaders.Renault CEO Luca de Meo has said the European industry faces fines of around 15 billion ($15.6 billion) for missing the 2025 CO2 emissions target.According to Berenberg Bank, Germany, Poland, France, Italy and Czechia have asked the Commission to relax CO2 regulations to avoid weakening an already challenged automotive sector.These pleas from the manufacturers and EU member states has generated much opposition from politicians, lobby groups and environmentalists.EU transport commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas said the EU must stick to the CO2 plan. Green lobbyist Transport & Environment described the industry claim that fines will reach 15 billion as bogus. T&E said the industrys program of new EVs will be more than enough to match the demands in 2025.It is deeply concerning that critical debates on the future of one of the EUs most important climate regulations are being driven by such flawed arguments, T&E said in a statement.Volkswagen said Thursday it will take an estimated 1.5 billion ($1.6 billion) hit to the bottom line this year for exceeding the EUs tougher emissions target.The U.K. has a similar ban on CO2, demanding 80% of new car sales are EVs by 2030 and 100% by 2035. The Labour government is thinking about making 2030 the 100% deadline, while the industry seeks relief.The (U.K.) government must stand firm against calls to water down the law and instead focus on delivering a robust industrial strategy, T&E said.Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas. (Photo by Thierry ... [+] Monasse/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThe European Consumer Organisation, known by its French acronym BEUC, is adamant the rules must remain.Any watering down would be bad news for consumers as it would reduce the affordability and availability of EVs, BEUC spokesperson Andrew Canning told Forbes.In a letter to Commissioner for Climate and Net Zero Wopke Hoekstra, BEUC supported maintaining emissions reduction efforts. The EU should boost the market for affordable electric cars by introducing an electrification mandate for corporate fleets or by extending social leasing schemes.The centre-right political grouping in the European Parliament, EPP, wants to reverse the ICE ban and change to a technology-neutral approach, temporary relief measures to help carmakers avoid being penalized, and help to boost the charging infrastructure."The automotive industry is an indispensable pillar for employment, innovation and prosperity in Europe. At the same time, it faces enormous challenges: unfair competition, high energy costs, a decline in demand, adaptation to climate change and strict regulatory requirements weighing heavily on the sector, the EPP said in a statement.According to the Wall Street Journal, the EPP is the biggest political grouping in the European Parliament composed of national center-right parties such as Germanys Christian Democrats and Spains Popular Party"We demand to return to technology neutrality as the guiding principle, make proposals to avoid penalties for the industry and propose how we can help the industry, the EPP said.Politecnico di Torinos Millo worries that any action taken now to ease the burden on the auto industry is too late, even as the EPP seeks an end to the EU demand that EVs win. That would allow competing technologies like hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fuel cells a role in the market past 2035These huge contractions in the market have already had a dramatic impact in terms of jobs in the EU. Huge damage has already been done, Millo said.Most manufacturers have dramatically reduced their R&D and no one is now developing new engines and new power trains, except for new electric vehicles which are not going to be sold in big enough numbers to compensate for sales of conventional internal combustion engine. This really is a kind of nightmare. We have thrown away supremacy and knowledge which took more than a century to acquire, Millo said.

Rumor mill: New reports have revealed more details about the Trump administration's plans to save TikTok. However, the situation is fluid, as multiple stakeholders scramble to resolve national security concerns while preserving TikTok's operations in the US. The plan to save TikTok involves software company Oracle and a group of outside investors effectively taking control of the app's global operations, two sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations told NPR.Under the proposed deal, ByteDance, TikTok's China-based owner, would retain a minority stake in the company, while Oracle would oversee the app's algorithm, data collection, and software updates. Oracle already provides the foundation for TikTok's web infrastructure.Chinese regulators, who have historically opposed selling TikTok, recently indicated they might not obstruct an ownership change. This shift is interpreted by White House negotiators as a potential opening for a deal that gives American investors a majority stake in the company.Also see: Is MrBeast planning a TikTok takeover? The YouTube star seems ready to make a move"The goal is for Oracle to effectively monitor and provide oversight with what is going on with TikTok," said one person directly involved in the talks. "ByteDance wouldn't completely go away, but it would minimize Chinese ownership."Microsoft is reportedly among other potential investors engaged in the discussions. // Related StoriesA meeting between Oracle officials and the White House took place on Friday to discuss the potential deal, with another meeting scheduled for next week. According to the source, Oracle is interested in acquiring a TikTok stake "in the tens of billions," but other aspects of the deal remain in flux.The White House negotiators have indicated, though, that ByteDance values TikTok's global operations at a minimum of $200 billion, which exceeds the financial reach of the investor groups currently proposing bids, according to the source.The negotiations face several other challenges as well, including appeasing Congress and addressing national security concerns. An anonymous congressional staffer involved in talks about TikTok's future emphasized the importance of demonstrating that ByteDance would not have operational control over the app. "There needs to be no backdoors where China can potentially gain access," the staffer said. One possible solution being discussed is binding legal agreements from the White House, ensuring ByteDance cannot covertly manipulate the app.However, Sarah Kreps, a technology and foreign policy expert at the Brookings Institution, said it would be difficult to prove the absence of Chinese control over data and algorithms. "You can audit millions of lines of code, but it's really hard to show one way or the other," she explained.Also, President Trump's recent comments about the U.S. being entitled to a 50 percent ownership of TikTok have caused confusion among negotiators. "Nobody seems to know what he means with the 50 percent equity comments," said the source involved in the talks.The current negotiations follow the collapse of a previous national security plan involving Oracle, known as Project Texas, which failed to guarantee TikTok's independence from ByteDance. The Biden administration subsequently supported a congressional effort to force ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a nationwide ban.As negotiations continue, TikTok remains unavailable on Apple and Google app stores, depriving the platform of software updates and new downloads. While Trump's executive order was sufficient for Oracle and other web infrastructure companies to restore TikTok's services, Apple and Google have not yet returned the app to their platforms.

Facepalm: UnitedHealth Group has confirmed that the ransomware attack on its subsidiary Change Healthcare last February impacted approximately 190 million individuals across the United States. This staggering figure is nearly double the previous estimate of 100 million people affected. The stolen data trove contains a wide range of personal and medical information. The healthcare giant revealed the latest numbers in an email to TechCrunch on Friday evening."Change Healthcare has determined the estimated total number of individuals impacted by the Change Healthcare cyberattack is approximately 190 million," said Tyler Mason, a spokesperson for UnitedHealth Group. He added that the vast majority have already received individual notification or substitute notice about the breach.Despite the sheer scale of the compromised personal data, UnitedHealth maintains there is no evidence of any misuse of individuals' information resulting from the incident so far. The company also claims it has not discovered any of the stolen electronic medical record databases appearing online during its analysis.The massive data breach, which occurred in February 2024, is now regarded as the largest healthcare-related cyberattack in US history. It caused widespread disruptions and outages across the nation's healthcare system for several months. The enormity eclipses the previous healthcare data breach record holder from 2015 involving Anthem Inc., which impacted around 78.8 million individuals.Change Healthcare, acquired by UnitedHealth in 2022, is one of the largest processors of medical claims and handlers of sensitive health data in the country. The stolen patient data includes names, dates of birth, contact details, government ID numbers such as Social Security numbers, medical diagnoses, test results, treatment plans, insurance information, and even financial data.Investigators have attributed the attack to the notorious Russian cybercrime group ALPHV, also known as BlackCat. The hackers gained initial access using a stolen account credential that lacked multi-factor authentication security, according to UnitedHealth. // Related StoriesThe ALPHV gang then deployed its powerful ransomware, encrypting Change Healthcare's data until ransoms were paid to prevent the information from being published online. However, even with the ransom being paid, some of the stolen data still ended up being leaked on the internet by the hackers.The financial fallout has been severe. Profits for the company dropped by over a third in 2024, falling from around $22.3 billion in 2023 to approximately $14.4 billion last year. The projected total cost of recovery and remediation efforts is estimated to be between $2.3 billion and $2.5 billion.Following the breach, the Office for Civil Rights within the US Department of Health and Human Services recommended that healthcare providers enhance security measures. This includes implementing multi-factor authentication, encrypting patient data, and conducting regular compliance checks to identify potential vulnerabilities.The incident further illustrates how the healthcare sector remains the primary target for bad actors.

Its no secret that Apples entry into the AR/VR segment didnt quite stir the product revolution that the company may have expected. A cumbersome build married to a sky-high asking price for the Vision Pro headset were some of the key woes, but the company has not given up on its dreams.On the contrary, Apple might even expand into the wearable category beyond the domains of XR itself. According to Bloomberg, the company is working on multiple ideas for smart glasses, both with advanced AR optics and those without a sophisticated display unit.Recommended VideosApple is already working on a version of visionOS the Vision Pros software that will run on glasses, says the report, which comes courtesy of Mark Gurmans PowerOn newsletter. The outlet recently reported on an internal program called Atlas that entailed collecting feedback from employees about the market and potential for smart glasses. The idea is to chalk out the plans for what kind of features and perks Apple should ideally offer on a pair of smart glasses.Googles AR smartglasses from Google I/O 2022 GoogleApples work on smart glasses is, once again, late to the domain. Meta has already showcased its Orion AR smart glasses concept, even though it is still a few years from a market release as the company waits for the costs to come down.Google has also confirmed that it is serious about the potential of smart glasses, with Android XR formally laying down the foundations of those plans. There are a few other players out there, such as Halliday and Even Realities, who are taking a more minimalist course for smart glasses.It, however, seems that Apple is not merely content with the premise of XR glasses. The company has apparently paid close attention to the smash hit that was the Meta Stories smart glasses, developed in partnership with Ray-Ban.Its also exploring other types of wearable products, including a rival to Metas Ray-Ban spectacles and even camera-equipped AirPods, adds the Bloomberg report.The Meta smart glasses, equipped with a pair of front-facing cameras, originally arrived as a companion device for social media sharing and serving as a companion for basic tasks like handling calls and music playback.Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsBut in the past few months, they have steadily gained new features, including integration with the Meta AI stack that opens a whole new world of interaction and capabilities for users. The company is reportedly working on a successor that will add a screen for deeper immersion in the coming years.Apple is no stranger to the whole premise. Just look at the Apple Intelligence stack powered by OpenAIs GPT ecosystem and features like Visual Intelligence that uses AI to make sense of the world in the view of a persons eyes, and camera sensors aboard a face-worn device like headsets or smart glasses.However, it is unclear how long it is going to take for Apple to put a pair of smart glasses with or without XR chops on the shelves. But given the lukewarm reception it has amassed for its first XR outing with the Vision Pro headset, the company will likely take its own sweet time perfecting its smart glasses and making sure that they stand out from the competition.Editors Recommendations

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd" Table of ContentsTable of ContentsTransforming the DLSS modelOne frame, two frameThe flagship dilemmaIts hard to say if the RTX 5090 or DLSS 4 won Nvidia more limelight over the past week. The RTX 5090 is undoubtedly the best graphics card you can buy, but a big part of that conversation has involved DLSS 4 and its multi-frame generation capabilities. And for good reason. DLSS 4 is remarkable, enabling gaming experiences like full path tracing in Alan Wake 2at triple-digit frame rates without breaking a sweat.Still, Im worried.DLSS 4 represents a radical change for all RTX graphics cards, from multi-frame generation for the latest RTX 50-series GPUs to a new AI model that reaches down to cards like the RTX 2060 Super. For as impressive as DLSS 4 is, however, Im concerned that the floor will fall out from under it eventually.Get your weekly teardown of the tech behind PC gaming DLSS 4 is a much more significant update than you might believe. The headlining feature is DLSS Multi-Frame Generation or MFG, but this new version has tweaked every aspect of DLSS. That means that, yes, DLSS 4 will retroactively make DLSS better, even for older GPUs that dont support MFG.The big change is that Nvidia went from a convolutional neural network, or CNN, to a transformer model. Some games, such asCyberpunk 2077andAlan Wake 2,let you switch between the different models within the game. However, I suspect most games with DLSS will just stick with the transformer model moving forward. If, for some reason, you prefer the CNN, you can revert to it through the Nvidia app with its new DLSS override feature.DLSS 4 | New Multi Frame Gen & Everything EnhancedNvidia says that the new transformer model has more parameters, but more importantly, transformer models are self-referential. Instead of tracking every pixel throughout the scene, the new DLSS model can track specific pixels to improve image quality in problematic areas. Nvidia has demonstrated this capability, which you can see in the video above. There are clear improvements, but they arent universal.Cyberpunk 2077 - DLSS Transformer ModelAbove, you can see a comparison between the CNN and transformer model inCyberpunk 2077.Without labels or even with them, actually its basically impossible to tell the difference between the two images. I searched and searched, peeping at every pixel, to find some sort of clear difference between the two, and its just not there. Both look great, especially considering Im running in DLSS Performance mode, but I wouldnt say the transformer model is clearly better.Alan Wake 2 - DLSS Transformer ModelThe situation is identical inAlan Wake 2,where, once again, its basically impossible to tell the difference between the two images. Theres a slight difference in the detail on the bench, but Im struggling to attribute that to DLSS when theres some layer of water blurring the camera.But heres the thing the new transformer model doesntneedto be better, especially right now. Whats important is that its just as good as the CNN model, at minimum, and with no hit to performance. Youll see the benefits in some games and situations, but the transformer model isnt a glossy new coat of paint that covers all of DLSS. Treat it like one of Nvidias smaller DLSS updates, which have quietly made the feature better over the past several years.Cyberpunk 2077 - DLSS Transformer Model Scene 2There are some improvements here, too. Take a look at another scene fromCyberpunk 2077above. The new transformer model not only reproduces the reflections more clearly, it also deals with a ton of ghosting in the CNN model. There are these long, obvious trails behind each tail light as the cars pass the camera with the CNN model, and they completely disappear with the transformer model.This will likely improve over time. Nvidia has said that it has a supercomputer thats been improving DLSS for the past six years, and that work isnt stopping with the new transformer model. Although the benefits might not show up everywhere, theyre still a welcome addition. The transformer model is available to all RTX GPUs, and it covers not only DLSS Super Resolution but also Ray Reconstruction.OK, but I know why youre all here. Lets talk about MFG. Exclusive to RTX 50-series GPUs like the RTX 5090, DLSS 4 unlocks up to 4X frame generation one rendered frame alongside three generated ones. There are 75 confirmed games thatll support DLSS 4, though not all natively. Some will have MFG options in the graphics menu, while the rest will need a DLSS Override from the Nvidia app.Jacob Roach / Digital TrendsAnd MFG is really good in DLSS 4. The chart above speaks for itself on that front. In Alan Wake 2,I went from less than 30 frames per second (fps) on the RTX 5090 to well over 200 fps. Thats an exponential increase in performance and with excellent image quality in tow. Latency isnt an issue, either. Nvidia does a wonderful job these days of limiting the latency hit with frame generation, and adding a couple of extra frames into the mix doesnt significantly increase the latency it barely moves the needle.Jacob Roach / Digital TrendsThe situation is the same inCyberpunk 2077.Theres barely any additional latency with frame generation turned on, even up to 4X mode. Add DLSS Super Resolution into the mix to increase the base frame rate and reduce the total latency and youre sitting near 240 fps at 4K. The superpower of MFG is that its multiplicative; if you feed it with a higher base frame rate, youll get a larger performance boost out of it.Jacob Roach / Digital TrendsYoull get the best experience out of MFG if you feed it with at least 60 fps, andMarvel Rivalsis proof of that. In this title, my base frame rate is acceptable, and latency isnt a concern. In a game like this, I dont need to resort to DLSS Super Resolution. I can just use MFG to improve the smoothness of the game with a minuscule hit to the overall system latency.The overall latency only really becomes an issue if its high to begin with; as you barrel toward 0ms, even large spikes or dips in latency only represent a few milliseconds. If you have a higher base frame rate, even a 50% jump in latency might only move you from 20ms to 30ms. With a lower base frame rate, that same jump might move you from 100ms to 150ms. Same percentage, but the experience couldnt be more different. Marvel Rivalsis a good example of this dynamic.However, it also exposes my concern with DLSS 4 moving forward, particularly when it comes to weaker GPUs in Nvidias lineup.Above, you can see a video ofCyberpunk 2077with DLSS MFG running in its 4X mode. Im not using DLSS Super Resolution here, so Im feeding the AI model with a base frame rate of just under 30 fps somewhere around 27 fps if I remember correctly. This isnt how youd want to play Cyberpunk 2077.Theres a constant motion blur over everything, along with a ton of visual artifacts.Im using the RTX 5090 here at 4K, and thankfully you dont need to settle for this experience. Flick on DLSS Super Resolution to increase your base frame rate, and youre off to the races with a smooth experience free of visual artifacts.But we cant all buy an RTX 5090, can we?Something thats important to remember about DLSS is that its at its best when its pushing the next level of visual quality; its at its worst when its making up for hardware that cant hit the mark. DLSS Super Resolution looks and performs best at 4K. At 1080p, the performance gains are smaller and the visual quality is worse. DLSS Frame Generation is spectacular if youre trying to climb into the triple digits when you already have a playable base frame rate. It falls apart with visual artifacts and unmanageable latency if you dont walk in the door with that playable frame rate. The same problems are here with MFG, and theyre magnified.Eventually, Nvidia will move onto RTX 50-series GPUs lower in its product stack. It hasnt officially revealed its budget offerings, but Id be shocked if we didnt see an RTX 5060 at some point. Its sure to be a popular GPU, likely due in no small part to DLSS 4. But will the GPU itself be powerful enough to capitalize on DLSS 4? Will MFG even be an option for players who cant get to that 60 fps mark in demanding games?Jacob Roach / Digital TrendsThe idea brings me back to the Surface Laptop Studio 2. When the laptop was announced with an RTX 4060, I wrote about how Nvidia is enabling a new tier of gaming experiences on hardware that otherwise wouldnt be suited for prestige titles like Cyberpunk 2077.You may get some visual artifacts, and you may not get perfect upscaling. But its at least possible to play these games thanks to Nvidias dedication to shortcuts on the rendering pipeline.That dynamic is thrown off when looking at MFG. It can provide what looks like a high frame rate, but without enough power to back that up, it falls apart. The video above is a clear example of that. My concern is that the bottom of DLSS 4 will fall out from under it when weaker hardware is brought into the mix. You can compromise on upscaling; you can even compromise on frame generation in titles that arent latency-sensitive. Here, with MFG, its hard to accept the compromises if you cant feed the AI with at least 60 fps.This isnt a critique of Nvidia. I dont believe a $300 graphics card or however much the RTX 5060 ends up being should match the experience of a $2,000 graphics card like the RTX 5090. However, it is an important note. Its easy to look at the benchmarks and dream up what DLSS 4 could do for budget GPUs, but Im holding my breath until those GPUs are here to see if theyre powerful enough to even take advantage of the feature.Thats something that will need to be settled once those GPUs are here, though. For now, DLSS 4 is very impressive. If you feed it with at least 60 fps, it feels like wizardry. Add on top of that a new transformer model that promises even larger image quality improvements over time, and its clear that Nvidia wants DLSS to remain at the forefront of PC gaming tech.Editors Recommendations

Apps can add flexibility and freshness to your routine. Just try not to get injured.

HealthIs 8 hours of sleep really the right amount for you? Understanding your personal chronotype could be a better way to approach how much time you should spend in bed 20 January 2025 Dong QiuWould we feel better if we slept a bit more? Possibly but it isnt guaranteed. While we know the amount of sleep the average person needs, there is a lot of variation. To get a better idea about how many hours you require and how and when to get it lets start with the basics.This article is part of special series investigating key questions about sleep. Read more here.According to the US National Sleep Foundation, a typical adult needs between 7 and 9 hours per night, although we begin life needing a lot more newborns sleep 14 to 17 hours, and this gradually decreases through childhood. Teenagers need about 9 hours a night and people over 65 tend to need around 7 to 8 hours. Sex can also be a factor. There are some studies that show women, on average, need about 20 minutes more than men do, says Veena Kumari at Brunel University of London. And there is evidence that humans, just like many animals, tend to sleep a little longer during winter, too.Of course, there are exceptions. A rare genetic trait called familial natural short sleep sees individuals habitually going to bed late and waking up early, thriving on just 4 to 6 hours. We dont know how prevalent this is, says Liza Ashbrook at the University of California San Francisco, who has identified a number of gene variants involved in the trait, but its a minority.Most of us arent that lucky, although the occasional disturbed or shortened night doesnt matter too much. We are able to get through a night with no sleep and more or less function

I'm a psychologist who drives all over Arizona to do psychological assessments.The long drives exhausted me until I got a Tesla Cybertruck, which has self-driving features.People keep flipping me off because of Elon Musk, but they don't understand how this truck helps me.I'm a psychologist who drives long distances to see patients in towns throughout Arizona. When I arrive and step out of my Tesla Cybertruck, I don't have the fatigue that typically comes with driving for hours.On the days I travel, I often have a full schedule of Social Security disability psychological assessments to conduct. It's mentally exhausting work that demands focus and compassion.I credit my Cybertruck, affectionately named Brick House, for helping me arrive for the day without feeling drained.But the general public thinks my truck is a political statement and not something that helps me.I first turned to Tesla because I needed a car with self-driving featuresMy road to driving a Cybertruck began in 2012 when I was a doctoral student commuting weekly from Phoenix to Tucson for an advanced practicum clinical training.Those drives up and down the I-10 were brutal. Sometimes, I'd have to pull over to take a quick nap to finish the drive safely, but I would still arrive home exhausted. During those drives, I often thought about my favorite childhood cartoon, "The Jetsons," and how their cars drove themselves. That was the future I dreamt of. I wanted my car to drive me.In early 2013, I heard about Tesla and its promise of Full Self-Driving. I immediately vowed not to buy another car until I had a Tesla. In 2021, I could finally lease a Tesla Model 3 Long Range with Full Self-Driving, which I affectionately named Ma'Lady.Over the next three years, Ma'Lady and I drove more than 35,000 miles, crisscrossing Arizona and conducting psychological examinations in rural towns. Ma'Lady became more than a car; it was a lifeline that kept me safe on Arizona's backroads and highways. Interestingly, I never experienced any backlash when driving the Model 3.The Cybertruck then became the right vehicle for meIn 2024, a few months after my Model 3 lease ended, I knew I wanted to purchase my next car. Since the vehicle is technically for my business, it needed to be big enough for a specific tax code. The Cybertruck was the only one that fit the bill.My long-awaited Cybertruck reservation eventually came through. But I then hesitated to upgrade to a Cybertruck due to all the controversy surrounding Tesla, the Cybertruck specifically, and Elon Musk.I already bought a different vehicle with driver assist, but it didn't compare to Tesla's Full Self-Driving. The exhaustion I felt after driving for hours in the other vehicle, seeing patients, and writing reports was extreme.A health scare landed me in the ER and reminded me how crucial it is to minimize stress. Tesla's Full Self-Driving significantly reduces the stress of driving all over Arizona. The author using her Cybertruck's Full Self-Driving feature. Courtesy of Danny Earl Mitchell I left the hospital, went to my credit union, picked up my check for the Cybertruck, drove directly to FedEx, and overnighted the check to Tesla. Two days later, I was picking up my Cybertruck.Unfortunately, the Cybertruck draws a lot of attentionThe reactions I get when driving the Cybertruck have been surprising. It's fun to see kids wave and snap pictures of my quirky-looking stainless steel ride. Most are not shy about it. Some ask if it's OK; others will walk up, pose, and take pictures or videos. Their innocent responses are truly heartwarming.What's heartbreaking, though, is how many adults respond. I've been flipped off, mean-mugged, and given many thumbs down. I've also experienced others aggressively merging in front of me and being shouted at in traffic.A close friend even refused to ride in my Cybertruck, sharing his disdain for Tesla's CEO.With the added controversies since the 2025 presidential inauguration and Musk's actions, I'm concerned that people will become more aggressive with their actions toward my Cybertruck and become physical versus just mean-mugging and flipping me off.It's like driving a Cybertruck makes me a target for adults' opinions about Musk. To be clear, I bought the truck before he became a polarizing political figure. I cannot ignore Musk's behavior, and yet, I cannot take back the money I've already spent on buying the Cybertruck.Tesla's Cybertruck keeps me safeMy Cybertruck isn't just a luxury or trying to look cool. Driving my Cybertruck is about functionality and safety. Arizona's two-lane highways, with fatigued drivers and narrow roads, can be dangerous.Tesla's Cybertruck technology keeps me centered, monitors for hazards, and reduces the mental toll of long drives.I'm not financially able to sell or trade in the truck to avoid all the troubles. It's simply not feasible. When it's time for me to purchase another vehicle, I'm sure other auto manufacturers will have a version of Full Self-Driving, and I'll be able to point my dollars toward a more affirming brand.But right now, I'm just leaning into the positives of my Cybertruck.