close Your iPhone has a hidden folder eating up storage space without you even knowing The CyberGuy offers some little-known tricks to free up storage. Using a PC is all fun and games until you run out of storage. We’ve all been there, and the problem becomes more frequent if you’ve been using your PC for years. Over time, the hard disk starts filling up with everything, including PDFs, video files, random screenshots, and duplicate photos transferred from an SD card or your phone.Once your PC’s storage fills up, it slows down because the resources required to process tasks become limited. I will discuss some proven methods to reclaim valuable space and improve your computer’s performance.If you’re not a PC user, find more ways to free up space on these devices: iPhone | Android | MacJOIN THE FREE CYBERGUY REPORT: GET MY EXPERT TECH TIPS, CRITICAL SECURITY ALERTS, AND EXCLUSIVE DEALS — PLUS INSTANT ACCESS TO MY FREE ULTIMATE SCAM SURVIVAL GUIDE WHEN YOU SIGN UP! A Windows PC. Empty recycle binWhen you delete something on your PC, it remains in the Recycle Bin and still takes up space on your hard disk. The Recycle Bin usually holds deleted files for 30 days, but if you need to free up space right away, emptying it is a good first step. Note that "Recycle Bin" is the term used on Windows. To free up disk space from the Recycle Bin:Search for Recycle Bin on your desktop and right-click it.Select Empty Recycle Bin.Confirm the deletion.HOW TO FREE UP SPACE ON YOUR ANDROID Step to empty recycle bin on PC. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Delete unnecessary appsAfter clearing the Recycle Bin, the next step is to delete unnecessary apps. Unused applications take up valuable storage space and can slow down your system. Removing them will free up space and improve performance on your Windows PC.Go to SettingsClick AppsSelect Installed apps.Sort apps by size to find large ones.Click an app and select Uninstall. Image of Installed apps on a PC. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Delete the files you don’t needTake some time to go through your files and delete anything you no longer need. Old documents, large video files, duplicate photos, and outdated downloads can take up a surprising amount of space. If you are unsure about deleting certain files, move them to an external drive or cloud storage before permanently removing them from your Windows PC.Open SettingsClick System.Select Storage.YOUR IPHONE HAS A HIDDEN FOLDER EATING UP STORAGE SPACE WITHOUT YOU EVEN KNOWING Steps to delete the files you don’t need on a PC. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Click Temporary files. Steps to delete the files you don’t need on a PC. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Check the boxes for items like temporary files, downloads and recycle bin. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Click Remove files.You can also use Disk Cleanup: Type "Disk Cleanup" in the Start menu, select a drive and choose files to delete.Enable Storage Sense on WindowsIf you’re using Windows, Storage Sense is a built-in feature that can automatically free up space by removing temporary files and old items from the Recycle Bin. How to enable storage sense on Windows:Open Settings and go to System > Storage.Click on Storage Sense and toggle it On.Under the Configure cleanup schedules section, choose how often it should run (every day, week or month). Once enabled, Storage Sense will automatically clean up space based on your preferences.Transfer files to external storageChoose the right external drive: Opt for an external hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD) that suits your needs. SSDs offer faster speeds and better durability, while HDDs provide larger capacities at lower costs.Transfer files: Connect your external drive, copy your files to it and verify that all files are successfully transferred.Delete original files: After verifying the transfer, delete the original files from your PC to free up space. On Windows, use File Explorer to delete files and empty the Recycle Bin. On Mac, use Finder to move files to Trash and then empty it.Consider cloud storageCloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox and Microsoft OneDrive offer convenient, flexible options for storing large files without consuming your laptop’s limited space. These services allow you to securely store your photos, videos and documents in the cloud, freeing up valuable storage on your device. One significant advantage of cloud storage is accessing files from any device with an internet connection, whether on your phone, tablet or another computer.Most cloud services provide a certain amount of free storage (typically between 2GB and 15GB) before upgrading to a paid plan. For instance, Google Drive offers 15GB of free storage shared across Google services, while Dropbox provides 2GB for free with options to upgrade for more space. OneDrive provides 5GB for free, but Microsoft users can get additional storage through Office 365 subscriptions, granting access to the Microsoft Office suite.Additionally, cloud storage services come with features like automatic syncing and backup, making it easier to organize and safeguard your files. This can be particularly helpful for large photo and video libraries, which can be set to upload automatically from your phone or computer. With features like file versioning and collaboration tools, cloud platforms offer more than just storage  — they enhance productivity and allow seamless file sharing with friends, family or colleagues.Finally, many cloud storage providers offer encryption and other security measures to protect your files for added peace of mind. However, it would be best always to take extra precautions, such as enabling two-factor authentication and using strong, unique passwords, to ensure your data is safe. Kurt’s favorite cloud services can be seen here.Protect your data: Essential security steps after managing storageAfter you've freed up space on your PC-whether by deleting old files, moving data to an external drive or leveraging cloud storage, it's just as important to make sure your valuable information stays secure. The following steps will help you protect your files and personal data from cyber threats and accidental loss.1. Use strong passwords: Create unique, complex passwords for all your accounts and devices. Consider using a password manager to generate and store secure passwords. Get more details about my best expert-reviewed Password Managers of 2025 here.2. Enable encryption: Encrypt your external hard drives and cloud storage accounts to add an extra layer of protection to your data.3. Implement two-factor authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA on all accounts that offer this feature, especially for cloud storage services.4. Install and maintain strong antivirus software: Use a strong antivirus program and keep it updated to protect against malware and other security threats. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.5. Regularly update your operating system and applications: Keep your devices and software up to date to ensure you have the latest security patches.6. Be cautious with public Wi-Fi: Avoid accessing sensitive information when connected to public networks, or use a VPN for added security. Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service can enhance your privacy by encrypting your internet traffic, making it harder for hackers and third parties to intercept your data, especially on public Wi-Fi. A VPN masks your IP address, helping to obscure your location and online activity. While VPNs don’t directly prevent phishing emails, they reduce the exposure of your browsing habits to trackers that may use this data maliciously. With a VPN, you can securely access your email accounts from anywhere, even in areas with restrictive internet policies. 7. Backup your data regularly: Create multiple backups of your important files, including at least one offline copy.8. Use secure file transfer methods: When sharing files, use encrypted transfer methods or password-protected links.By following these steps, you can significantly enhance the security of your data and protect yourself from potential cyber threats.Kurt’s key takeawayYour PC’s storage can fill up fast, but you can always free up some space. I personally prefer storing images and videos that take up too much space on an external drive. This way, I can access them whenever I need to while keeping my PC storage free. If an external drive feels like too much of a hassle, you can always opt for cloud storage. Windows supports a range of cloud storage options, including its own services like OneDrive.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPWhat's the most surprising thing you've found taking up space on your computer?  Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/ContactFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/NewsletterAsk Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

New owners of VPNSecure have been taking major flak recently after unexpectedly cancelling all lifetime subscriptions for users of the VPN service. The owners claimed that they didn’t know about the lifetime subscriptions when they first bought VPNSecure and are now unable to continue honoring them. Per Ars Technica, the first complaints from users losing their lifetime access began in March of this year. In April, users with lifetime subscriptions received an email stating, “To continue providing a secure and high-quality experience for all users, Lifetime Deal accounts have now been deactivated as of April 28th, 2025.” In response to a sudden wave—24 pages in total—of negative 1-star customer reviews on TrustPilot, a representative for the provider clarified, “In 2023, we acquired only the infrastructure and brand in a distressed asset sale after that company shut down. No contracts, payment data, or customer obligations were transferred.” VPNSecure has apologized to customers who were caught off guard by the sudden cancellations but reinforced its new position by saying it “never will” sell lifetime subscriptions. The whole ordeal seems to have been bungled from the start, but the company drew further ire with the way in which it so abruptly cut subscriptions. While it may have mitigated some of these issues by giving more advanced notice of the cancellations, it was never going to be an easy pill to swallow for previous lifetime plan holders. Adding insult to injury, there is no evidence that VPNSecure is offering refunds to those who purchased lifetime subscriptions. Instead, it’s offering affected users “an exclusive deal starting at just $1.87/month to continue using the service.” Insert eyeroll here. The whole ordeal is a great reminder that lifetime subscriptions are rarely as trustworthy as advertisements lead you to believe. Should the company ever go out of business or be sold, these previous ‘guarantees’ can be nothing but hot air. If you happen to be someone affected by these cancellations or are just looking for a VPN service that you can trust, refer to our list of the best VPNs.

Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Outstanding performance Good display Useful battery life Bright display with anti-reflective coating Excellent build quality Cons High price for 5G No OLED No camera flash Few innovations since 2022 Our Verdict While we’d have liked to see the inclusion of an M4 chip instead of the M3, Apple’s new iPad Air is well worth a recommendation, offering an excellent display and strong performance for years to come. Paired with a good keyboard case, it could even replace your MacBook. Our only caveat is that the previous model with the M2 chip, which you can find at a lower price, might be an even better buy. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: iPad Air 11 Zoll (M3, 2025) New Refurbished Retailer Price €648 View Deal €669 View Deal €669 View Deal €673 View Deal €630.2 View Deal 629,00 € View Deal 634,60 € View Deal 638,90 € View Deal 644,00 € View Deal 648,00 € View Deal 648,00 € View Deal 660,05 € View Deal 679,99 € View Deal €680.38 View Deal 699,00 € View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price iPad Air M3 11 (2025) 7. Generation 128 GB – WLAN – Blau €649 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket The iPad Air has consistently been the best choice for most users, and this remains true of the new version, which offers the best balance of price and features among Apple’s tablets. Thanks to its new M3 chip, it has become significantly more powerful than the previous M2 model. However, this is otherwise quite a minor update. Surely you would expect a new iPad to boast the very latest chip (the M4 is currently available on the iPad Pro), a new design and some cool new features? Regardless of expectations, the iPad Air has remained visually unchanged for three years; this one looks exactly the same as the models from last year and 2022. Apple hasn’t even given the Air any new colors for 2025. The iPad Pro, by contrast, was given a more innovative, thinner design last year, higher performance and an impressive OLED display. The Pro models bring in the most money, which might suggest deliberate neglect of the Air models. Still, the iPad Air could be back next year with a new design. For now, let’s see if the new M3 Air is the right tablet for you. Design and build quality: Superb The iPad Air is an elegant device with first-class workmanship. The tried-and-tested aluminum frame makes the tablet solid and attractive, and iPads can generally be relied upon to remain presentable even after several years of intensive use. Externally, you won’t notice any difference from the previous model. Even the dimensions are exactly the same, down to a tenth of a millimeter; only the weight of the 11-inch model has fallen by 2g. The color options are again Space Gray, Starlight, blue, and purple. The colors are significantly less gaudy than those of the 11th-gen iPad and struck us as very subtle: even blue and purple look “grown-up” and the Starlight finish is barely distinguishable from silver. The 11-inch model in particular feels light and sturdy at the same time. With a weight of 460g, this can be used with one hand, while the 13-inch model is significantly heavier at 616g. However, even the large model is just half the weight of a MacBook Air. The Air has an appealing and successful design.Eugen Wegmann Benefits of the M3 chip The most important new feature of the iPad Air is the M3 chip, but you shouldn’t expect too much. On its website, Apple promises a significant increase in performance. The new Air, it says, is “nearly 2x faster than the iPad Air with M1 chip.” That’s not wrong, but it’s also a little misleading; the M1 model came out back in spring 2022. The comparison with the M2 model from last year, by contrast, is less flattering: in our tests the performance leap was rarely noticeable in everyday use. So we should think of this as a small refresh for the iPad Air, a kind of “speed bump.” For a proper speed boost, Apple would have needed to install the M4, and it’s pretty obvious why the company didn’t. The performance gap between the Air and the expensive top model has to be maintained. Still, while it doesn’t represent a startling improvement on the M2, don’t entirely write off the benefits of the new chip. Not only does it have a higher clock rate, it also offers new features such as support for hardware ray tracing–an important consideration for certain high-end games. The new media engine of the M3 supports higher resolutions and can now play HEVC videos up to 8K and H264 videos up to 4K, as well as using the ProRes and ProRES RAW formats. AV1 decoding is also supported, which could be very useful if you want to edit videos on the iPad. Performance: Moderate improvements The iPad doesn’t feature the same M3 chip that Apple used in the MacBook Air, and which was available in two versions (8-core CPU and 8-core GPU, and 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU). Instead, the iPad Air gets a third version of the M3 with an 8-core CPU and a 9-core GPU. Graphics performance therefore sits between the two earlier versions. The M3 brings a solid performance leap in single-core performance, since the M3 chip is clocked significantly higher than the M2. In the Geekbench 6 benchmark the M3 iPad scored 3,019 points to the M2 iPad’s 2,584 points. That’s almost 15 per cent more performance, which is available for tasks such as web surfing or Apple Intelligence. In the multi-core test, the M3 scored 11,749 points to the M2’s 10,074, an improvement of around 17 percent. This higher multiprocessor performance is helpful for more complex apps, such as image and video editing. The Geekbench 5 benchmark illustrates the current models’ improved performance.Foundry But when it comes to GPU performance the new chip offers far less improvement. In the 3D Mark Wildlife Extreme test, the M2 scored 6,443 points and the M3 managed just three points more at 6,446. In the Geekbench GPU test, things were a little better, at 46,007 points vs 41,902, but still below a 10 percent increase. However, the performance remains excellent in comparison with other iPads. The iPad (A16), which was launched at the same time, is less than half as quick in terms of graphics performance and scored just 20,123 points in Geekbench’s graphics benchmark. We also test how long a CPU can sustain top performance. (Performance levels often drop rapidly when the device heats up, as iPads have to cope without a fan.) According to our APSI test running 20 minutes of full load, the Air’s throttling remains within acceptable limits at 86.57 percent. Note that the new iPad Pro is better at 90.62 percent, and the 11th-gen iPad, with its far less powerful A16 CPU, heats up even less and performs even better with 93.94 percent. The Air supports the fast new Wi-Fi 6E standard, whereas the iPad A16 still has to make do with Wi-Fi 6. If you pay extra for cellular connectivity, which adds $150 to the price, then you can enjoy 5G support via eSIM. Storage performance: Nowhere near the iPad Pro The M3 gets the headlines, but don’t underestimate the importance of the iPad’s internal SSD when it comes to performance. Our 1TB model in the test delivered what we’d regard as adequate performance, achieving 1,646 MB/s when reading and 1,380 MB/s when writing. But this doesn’t come close to the performance of an iPad Pro M4, where we measured 3,362 MB/s and 2,017 MB/s for reading and writing respectively. It’s also possible to connect an external SSD via USB-C. As an experiment, we transferred some large video files between the iPad Air and a Lacie Thunderbolt SSD. We saw speeds of up to 700 MB/s via the Files app, which puts the Air somewhere in the iPad midfield: the 11th-gen iPad managed only 37 MB/s in the same test, but the iPad Pro M4 achieved 2,200 MB/s. Display: Lacking some Pro features As usual, the biggest difference between the iPad, iPad Air and iPad Pro product lines is the screen. With the iPad Air, you get a good 11- or 13-inch panel with IPS technology, which is still common among tablets and laptops. The resolution is 2360 x 1640 pixels (11 inches) or 2732 x 2048 (13 inches). At 600 nits, the 13-inch model is brighter than the 11-inch model, which only reaches a maximum of 500 nits. However, both displays are bright enough to work with outdoors. Compared to the cheaper 11th-gen iPad, the display scores points with a useful anti-glare coating, which means it reflects significantly less than the basic iPad. More advanced technologies such as OLED (and previously mini-LED) are unfortunately reserved for the Pro models, which support HDR content better as a result. An OLED display can also be considerably more frugal in terms of battery consumption. In addition to the sRGB color standard, the iPad Air supports the larger P3 color space, which is primarily used in the video sector. A matte display is only available as an option for the iPad Pro, and ProMotion is a Pro exclusive too. Gamers would certainly appreciate a faster display, but will have to make do with 60Hz on the Air. For most users, however, the lack of ProMotion is not a big deal. Size: Should you get the 11-inch or 13-inch model? For a long time, if you wanted a big 13-inch screen, you had to go for the iPad Pro. But since last year, the Air has also been available with a 13-inch screen too, and buyers are spoilt for choice. Ultimately, every buyer has to decide for themselves which form factor is better for them. Bigger doesn’t always mean better: the 11-inch model is easier to handle, especially if you’re using it on the move. It’s also significantly lighter. In my opinion, there are two main arguments in favour of the 13-inch Air. If you often use the device with an external keyboard, you’ll probably be more productive with the larger model. Managing several apps with Split View or Stage Manager is also more practical at this size. In my opinion, Stage Manager only really makes sense with these larger displays. On a 13-inch model, a single Safari window in full-screen mode is simply too large. With Stage Manager, you can have several apps open and work with Word, Mail, and Safari at the same time, just like on a Mac. In addition, an iPad with a 13-inch display is ideal as an external Mac display. If you use a small iMac as your main device, you can integrate the iPad as an additional display if required. While an 11-inch iPad is a little too small for this role, a 13-incher is really useful. My take is that the 11-inch model is better for consumption, and the 13-inch model is better for work. Battery life: Solid Battery life has hardly changed compared to the previous model. According to Coconut Battery, the battery of our (13-inch) test unit had a capacity of 9782 mAh, and this offers enough power for a day of office work and web surfing. Apple promises up to 10 hours of web browsing over Wi-Fi or video playback, but bear in mind that the company bases that figure on testing with a screen brightness of just 50 percent. In our tests we use maximum brightness, which is a lot more demanding. In our video test, where we let a current movie run in a continuous loop, the 13-inch Air lasted six and a half hours, which is a good result. In our second test, where a website is called up at rapid intervals, the Air lasted almost eight hours. This is all fine, but the unflattering comparison with the iPad Pro illustrates the drawbacks of an IPS screen: thanks to its efficient OLED display, the iPad Pro M4 lasted three hours longer in the surfing test and twice as long in the video test. The M3 chip can consume a lot of battery power when it’s at maximum load, for example when gaming or using 3D apps. This is a clear difference from iPads with a slow CPU such as the 10th-gen iPad. Having a slow CPU has plenty of drawbacks, but it reduces battery consumption. Keyboards, cases, and other accessories Apple has introduced a new keyboard alongside the new iPad Air, and this has led to a somewhat confusing range of accessories to choose from. Apple still sells a version of the Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air M2 (from $299 for the 11-inch version), in either black or white. But now there’s a new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air M3, which is only available in white. The price for the 11-inch version is $269/£269, while the 13-inch version costs $319/£299. Apple has improved the keyboard compared to the previous version in a number of ways. For example, there’s a set of function keys, while the trackpad is larger. And it’s important to note that, rather confusingly and contrary to what its branding might suggest, this new accessory is compatible with the iPad Air M2 (and indeed the 4th- and 5th-gen Airs) as well as the iPad Air M3. However, there are a few compromises compared with the iPad Pro’s Magic Keyboard; only the Pro version offers a glass trackpad and backlit buttons. It’s rather annoying that if you ever switch from the iPad Air to the iPad Pro, you’ll also have to factor in the (not inconsiderable) cost of a new keyboard if you want to get the full benefit of the upgrade. This keyboard is missing a few features from the Pro Magic Keyboard.IDG There are no new Smart Folios, but Apple has dropped their prices. Most third-party cases for the previous iPad Air models will also be suitable for the new model, such as the Logitech Combo Touch. Finally, like its predecessor, the iPad supports both the USB-C Apple Pencil and the more advanced Pencil Pro. Older Pencils can no longer be used. External display: A handy option The M3 Air offers support for an external display with a resolution of up to 6K at 60Hz, compared to a maximum of 4K on the 11th-gen iPad. Don’t underestimate the value of this option. If you connect your iPad to an external display via USB-C with a mouse and keyboard connected, the Stage Manager display option is automatically activated. You can then also use the mouse and keyboard and more efficiently edit long texts or videos. Photo and video: Better at video chats than stills photography The iPad isn’t an obvious choice as a photographic companion, but the new Air, as usual, is equipped with cameras on the front and back. These don’t compare with current iPhone cameras, especially when taking photos indoors: images quickly become noisy. And unfortunately you have to do without a flash, which would have been useful when taking photos of documents. The front-facing camera is positioned on the long edge as has become standard practice for Apple, which is the ideal position for video conferencing. Plus the Center Stage feature allows you to choose between auto-zoom or a wide-angle image. The Air is well equipped for video chats. Video recordings with the main camera are still possible at up to 4K and 60fps, and the Air gets video image stabilisation. Finally, here’s one area where the Air outperforms the iPad Pro: its rear camera module barely protrudes, which is more practical in everyday use. Audio setup: Impressive quality I was impressed by the sound quality of the two speakers located on the sides, which remains strong even at higher volumes. This is not only useful for music and videos, but also for presentations and video calls. In most situations there’s no need to add external Bluetooth speakers. Two integrated microphones ensure good recording quality during video conferences. The iPad Pro offers even better sound quality thanks to its four speakers and five microphones, but the Air is already at a high level in this area. Summary: The sweet spot Overall, the iPad Air is convincing. The iPad Pro is even better, but far too expensive. The iPad A16, on the other hand, is significantly slower and has a poorer display. This feels like a sweet spot. For most users, in fact, the iPad Air is the ideal choice: fast, ergonomic, and equipped with a good display. Our only caveat is that there’s hardly any reason to buy this model rather than the cheaper previous model with an M2 chip, which is barely less powerful; what’s more, there are some excellent deals out there. The M2 Air is, therefore my personal recommendation. Whether you choose the 11- or 13-inch model is up to you. Tech specs iPad Air (M3, 2025)11 inches13 inchesPrice (base model, Wi-Fi)$599$799Price (base model, cellular)$749$949Display11-inch Liquid Retina13-inch Liquid RetinaResolution2360 x 1640, 264ppi2732 x 2048, 264ppiDisplay technologyLED, fully laminated, anti-reflective coatingLED, fully laminated, anti-reflective coatingColor spaceWide color gamut (P3), True ToneWide color gamut (P3), True ToneBrightness500 nits600 nitsChipApple M3Apple M3CPU8-core CPU: 4 performance and 4 efficiency8-core CPU: 4 performance and 4 efficiencyGraphics9-core GPU9-core GPUNeural Engine16-core16-coreMedia EngineHardware accelerated H.264 and HEVC, AV1 decodingHardware accelerated H.264 and HEVC, AV1 decodingMemory8GB8GBStorage capacity128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB128GB/256GB/512GB/1TBCameras12MP wide-angle, f/1.812MP wide angle, f/1.8Front camera12MP landscape format, Center Stage, f/2.012MP landscape format, Center Stage, f/2.0Speaker, microphoneStereo speakers in landscape format, 2 microphonesStereo speakers in landscape format, 2 microphonesSensorsTouch ID in the power buttonTouch ID in the power buttonConnectionsUSB 3 (up to 10 Gbit/s), Smart ConnectorUSB 3 (up to 10 Gbit/s), Smart ConnectorPencil (optional)Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C)Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C)Wi-FiWLAN 6E (802.11ax) with 2×2 MIMOWi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with 2×2 MIMOBluetooth5.35.3Mobile data5G/LTE/UMTS/HSDPA5G/LTE/UMTS/HSDPASIM cardeSIMeSIMColorsSpace Gray, Starlight, purple, blueSpace Gray, Starlight, purple, blueBatteryLithium polymer, 28.93 WhLithium polymer, 36.59 WhSurfing Wi-Fi10 hours10 hoursMobile surfing9 hours9 hoursDimensions (W/H/D)178.5 x 247.6 x 6.1mm214.9 x 280.6 x 6.1mmWeight460g (Wi-Fi); 460g (cellular)616g (Wi-Fi); 617g (cellular)Table: Thomas Armbrüster

Email continues to be the primary attack vector for cybercriminals targeting organizations across all industries. These attacks arrive disguised as legitimate communications, often mimicking trusted senders and creating a false sense of security that bypasses technical defenses by taking advantage of human error. Understanding the distinctions between business email compromise (BEC) vs phishing is crucial, as both represent sophisticated yet very different threat methods. The financial impact of email-based threats has reached unprecedented levels. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, BEC scams resulted in over $2.77 billion across 21,442 reported incidents in 2024 alone. What makes a BEC attack different from a typical phishing email is its highly targeted nature. While phishing often involves mass distribution of generic threats designed to lure people in, BEC attacks specifically impersonate executives or trusted partners to target individuals with financial authority. The 2023 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report also revealed that phishing attempts increased by 18% year-over-year, with 74% of breaches in financial services involving phishing as the initial attack method. Organizations can significantly strengthen their security posture through a combination of employee awareness training and effective security controls. Teaching staff how to identify suspicious emails represents a critical first line of defense, while implementing email authentication protocols provides essential protection.  DMARC solutions for businesses, like those provided by EasyDMARC, help organizations verify sender legitimacy, prevent domain spoofing, and block unauthorized emails before they reach employee inboxes, effectively neutralizing these threats before they can exploit various vulnerabilities. This multi-layered approach not only protects sensitive information but also preserves business continuity, shields organizational reputation, and maintains the trust that customers and partners place in your digital communications. In this article, we’ll go over what a BEC attack looks like, what makes a BEC attack different from a typical phishing email attack, recent trends, and what you can do to prevent these types of attacks.  Key Takeaways for BEC vs Phishing BEC attacks and phishing attacks are similar in that they both use social engineering tactics, typically involve email as an attack vector, and the end goal is often financial gain, data theft, or unauthorized access. While BEC attacks and phishing are similar, BEC issues are far more sophisticated and personalized to the target.  Best practices for preventing BEC attacks include training employees, using MFA, and implementing DMARC protocols.  What is a BEC Attack? BEC attacks are sophisticated email scams that target organizations, often with financial motives or to gain access to sensitive information. These highly targeted attacks involve cybercriminals impersonating executives, trusted vendors, or business partners to manipulate employees into taking actions that benefit the attacker. Unlike mass phishing campaigns that cast wide, generic nets, BEC attacks are meticulously researched and personalized. Attackers often spend weeks studying their targets’ organizational structures, business relationships, and communication patterns before launching their assault. They identify key individuals with financial authority or access to sensitive information, then craft convincing impersonations designed to exploit established relationships. The most common BEC scenario involves an urgent wire transfer request that appears to come from a company executive. For example, an employee might receive what looks like an authentic email from their CEO requesting an immediate wire transfer to a vendor. The message often emphasizes urgency and discretion, discouraging verification through normal channels. When the employee complies, the funds are transferred directly to the attacker’s account and typically moved multiple times within hours, making recovery virtually impossible. The financial damage from BEC attacks can be devastating. But beyond immediate financial losses, organizations face potential regulatory penalties, litigation costs, reputational damage, and lost business opportunities. In one case, a multinational corporation lost $47 million in a single BEC attack when an executive was tricked into authorizing multiple transfers for a supposed acquisition. How to Prevent Business Email Compromise Attacks The best way to prevent BEC attacks is by using a multi-layered approach, combining employee training, multi-factor authentication, and email security protocols. Employee Training Regular security training equips employees with the right tools to spot dangerous emails before they do damage. Teaching staff to adhere to email security best practices is a great way to ensure your employees are helping build a security-conscious culture. Multi-Factor Authentication Multi-factor authentication (MFA) provides multiple layers of defense through different authentication factors. These typically include something you know (like a password), something you have (such as a smartphone), and something you are (biometric data like fingerprints). Even if a password is compromised, these additional authentication layers prevent unauthorized access, dramatically reducing the risk of account infiltration. The multiple verification steps create a robust security mechanism that goes far beyond traditional password protection. Email security protocols like DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), SPF (Sender Policy Framework), and DMARC (Domain-based Message, Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) provide critical layers of protection against email spoofing and phishing attempts. These protocols work together to verify the authenticity of email senders and prevent unauthorized use of domain names. To best identify email security issues, users can use tools like SPF lookups, DKIM Record Checkers, and DKIM Record Generators. However, these tools can only go so far.  To ensure the best possible protection against BEC attacks, organizations must have DMARC properly set up to achieve the most secure email authentication. To do so, users can make use of online DMARC solutions to help them implement the strongest DMARC policies and get support with the continual monitoring of their domains.  Start Your 14-day Free Trial What is a Phishing Attack?  A phishing attack is one in which attackers impersonate trusted entities to trick victims into revealing sensitive information. They typically arrive via email, text messages, or social media, masquerading as legitimate communications from banks, service providers, colleagues, or other trusted sources.  Today’s phishing attacks have evolved far beyond the obvious grammatical errors and implausible scenarios of early attempts. Modern phishing emails often feature perfect spelling, convincing logos, and accurate sender information. They create a false sense of urgency, leverage fear or curiosity, and provide seemingly legitimate reasons for immediate action. The most common phishing scenario involves an email claiming to be from a trusted organization, alerting the recipient to a supposed account problem requiring immediate attention. Recent phishing statistics reveal that the most targeted industry in 2024 was the IT sector. This industry faces greater risk due to its critical role in infrastructure and access to valuable data. Cybercriminals exploit software vulnerabilities and employee susceptibility to phishing scams to gain access to sensitive information and important systems.  The Evolution of Phishing Since their inception in the 90s, phishing attacks have progressed significantly. Early attacks often contained obvious red flags like poor grammar and unlikely scenarios. Since then, cyber criminals have refined their tactics, creating more convincing messages that mimic legitimate organizations with increasing accuracy.  Modern attacks often include spear phishing, which targets individuals through the use of personal relevant information, clone phishing, which replicates legitimate emails but replaces attachments with malicious versions, vishing, involving voice phishing via phone calls, and pharming, which redirects website traffic to fake sites without user interaction. Today’s most sophisticated phishing attacks employ AI-generated content that can adapt to targets in real-time, creating highly personalized and convincing communications. According to SlashNext’s 2023 State of Phishing Report, AI-enhanced phishing attacks increased by 1,265% in 2022 alone, with attackers using machine learning to craft increasingly convincing messages. The Real Cost of Phishing The damage from phishing attacks extends far beyond initial credential theft, creating long-lasting consequences for organizations that fall victim to them. When attackers gain access to accounts or systems, they can steal sensitive data, including financial information and intellectual property. These breaches often lead to substantial financial loss, with the average cost of a data breach reaching $4.45 million in 2023.  Even more devastating can be the deployment of ransomware across corporate networks, as seen in high-profile cases where companies paid millions in ransom and still faced weeks of operational disruption. The repercussions continue to ripple outward as cybercriminals establish persistent access for extended campaigns, sometimes maintaining hidden footholds for months before being detected. Using compromised accounts, attackers frequently target an organization’s partners and customers, exploiting established trust relationships to spread their reach.  This cascade effect severely damages brand reputation and erodes customer confidence, as demonstrated when major retailers experienced phishing breaches that led to measurable customer churn and required expensive brand rehabilitation campaigns. The combined impact of regulatory fines, litigation, remediation costs, and lost business opportunities often transforms what seemed like a simple email attack into an existential threat for many businesses. Recent Trends and Emerging Threats Phishing threats continue to evolve at a rapid pace. Recent trends include: QR Code Phishing: Attackers embed malicious QR codes in emails that direct victims to credential-harvesting sites MFA Bypass Techniques: Sophisticated phishing kits that can intercept and replay authentication tokens in real-time AI-Generated Content: Using large language models to create highly convincing and contextually appropriate phishing messages Collaboration Platform Targeting: Focused attacks on workplace tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Google Workspace How to Prevent a Phishing Attack To best prevent phishing attacks, as with BEC attacks, we recommend a multi-layered approach, combining technical solutions like DMARC, human awareness including security training, and organizational processes like MFA.  Detecting email security vulnerabilities requires specialized tools such as SPF lookup utilities, DKIM record verification and generation tools, DMARC verification services, and phishing link checkers.  For optimal defense against phishing attacks, organizations should implement properly configured DMARC protocols to maximize email authentication security. Dedicated DMARC solutions like EasyDMARC offer assistance in deploying robust DMARC policies and providing ongoing domain monitoring support. Get Started Now Is Business Email Compromise the Same as Phishing? BEC and phishing attacks are closely related and often overlap, as both rely on deception to trick victims into taking harmful actions. However, they differ in execution, targeting, and sophistication. Similarities Between BEC and Phishing  Both use social engineering tactics to manipulate victims. Both typically involve email as the primary attack vector. The end goal of both is often financial gain, data theft, or unauthorized access. Differences Between BEC and Phishing  Targeting: BEC attacks are highly targeted, often aimed at specific individuals like executives or finance personnel, while phishing is usually broader and sent to large groups. Tactics: BEC relies on impersonation and pretexting without malware or links, whereas phishing often uses malicious links or attachments to compromise systems. Complexity: BEC attacks are generally more sophisticated and customized, requiring research and planning, whereas phishing is typically automated and generic. EasyDMARC Can Prevent BEC Attacks and Stop Phishing As cyber threats continue to evolve, organizations must understand the nuances between BEC and phishing attacks to build more effective defenses. Both attack types exploit human trust and communication habits, but BEC attacks stand out for their precision, research, and high financial stakes, while phishing typically relies on volume and opportunism. Regardless of the method, email remains the most exploited vector, making email security a critical priority. At EasyDMARC, we equip businesses with the tools needed to identify, categorize, and neutralize both BEC and phishing threats, as well as countless other attacks. By implementing email authentication protocols like DMARC, SPF, and DKIM, organizations can verify sender identity and prevent domain spoofing.  Our platform also offers powerful tools to help users detect weaknesses and take action before attackers can exploit them. Features like real-time alerting and aggregate reporting give organizations the visibility and agility needed to respond quickly and decisively to suspicious activity. Looking ahead, phishing attacks continue to rise year upon year, becoming increasingly targeted and convincing. Meanwhile, BEC attacks are growing in sophistication and financial impact. The most effective way to stay ahead of these evolving threats is by adopting a proactive, layered defense strategy that includes email authentication. With the right tools, policies, and training in place, organizations can significantly reduce their exposure and build long-term resilience against the next wave of email-based attacks. Frequently Asked Questions What is a BEC cyber attack? A Business Email Compromise (BEC) cyber attack is a type of email fraud that targets businesses and organizations to trick employees, executives, or partners into transferring money or sensitive information to the attackers. It typically involves the spoofing or compromising of a legitimate business email address to manipulate the victim into taking actions that result in financial or data losses. Attackers will often impersonate other people at the company, particularly management or higher-ups. What is an example of a BEC? BEC attacks almost always involve impersonation of a company employee, so they often begin with an email from an attacker impersonating someone at the company. In some cases, the attacker will target the company’s accounts payable department with an email containing a malicious link or attachment. Once the link is clicked, the attacker can gain access to the accounts payable email, making stealing money much easier.  Here is an example of what an email from a BEC attack may look like. “Hi [Employee Name],I need you to process an urgent payment of $100,000 to [Vendor Name]. This payment is time-sensitive, and we need it completed by the end of the day. Please wire the funds to the following account:Account Number: 1234567890  Routing Number: 987654321  Bank Name: [Fake Bank Name]Let me know once it’s done. This is very important.Best,  [CEO Name] What makes a BEC attack different than a typical phishing? A Business Email Compromise (BEC) attack differs from a typical phishing attack in several key ways. While both types of attacks use social engineering to manipulate victims into taking actions that benefit the attacker, BEC attacks are usually aimed at businesses, focusing on financial transactions or stealing confidential data. The emails appear legitimate, making it harder to detect, and often involve impersonating high-level employees. On the other hand, phishing is usually more generic and aimed at a wide audience, trying to trick victims into clicking on malicious links or downloading malware to steal personal information, such as login credentials. Phishing emails often include suspicious links or attachments, while BEC emails are more subtle and business-focused. Who do BEC attacks typically target? Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks typically target specific individuals within an organization who have access to financial transactions, sensitive company data, or the ability to authorize actions such as fund transfers. The attackers often focus on individuals who are more likely to be tricked into complying with requests that appear legitimate. What is the difference between BEC and EAC? BEC involves attackers impersonating executives or trusted partners to trick employees into transferring money or sensitive data. It’s highly targeted and often financially motivated. In contrast, EAC (Email Account Compromise) occurs when an attacker gains unauthorized access to an individual’s email account to steal information or monitor communications. While BEC focuses on financial fraud, EAC is generally more about unauthorized access and data theft. What is the best way to prevent BEC attacks? The best way to prevent BEC attacks is employee training. Teaching your employees what to look for gives them the knowledge needed to recognize when an email looks suspicious and trains them not to click on links or attachments in emails.  Other effective approaches include using multi-factor authentication and implementing email authentication protocols like DMARC, DKIM, and SPF. Services like EasyDMARC makes implementing these protocols easy, fast, and secure. 

Grapezard Member Nov 16, 2017 8,356 Yup, the legendary dogs beasts cats of Johto. Which is your favorite? You got Entei, the Volcano Pokemon. Suicune, the Aurora Pokemon. and Raikou, the Thunder Pokemon.   mopinks Member Oct 27, 2017 32,684 I'm not crazy about any of em but I'll give it to suicune   AgentStrange Member Oct 25, 2017 4,998 None. I take Zoloft. Entei   DanteSparda504 Member Nov 2, 2017 4,829 Birmingham, AL Suicune is my favorite. I think the only forgettable one is Raikou.   Rustyspider13 Shinra Employee Member Nov 16, 2023 3,584 Suicune, there is a majestic nature about it. Never used any of them in battle though.   RochHoch One Winged Slayer Member May 22, 2018 21,257 Can I cheat and say Raging Bolt What a beautifully silly creature  nsilvias Member Oct 25, 2017 29,958 raikou is where its at. entei is a loser   nsilvias Member Oct 25, 2017 29,958 RochHoch said: Can I cheat and say Raging Bolt What a beautifully silly creature Click to expand... Click to shrink... how do you go from sabre tooth dog to a giraffe   Hero Prinny Member Oct 25, 2017 3,826 DanteSparda504 said: Suicune is my favorite. I think the only forgettable one is Raikou. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Thats cause TPC never did anything with it. Entei got a movie & suicine got a movie and a game. They told poor raikou to go kick rocks   Shuckle Member Mar 30, 2018 598 Suicune is the coolest and was really fun to play in Gen 3 I think. Substitute/Calm Mind/Surf/Rest or Ice Beam if I recall was a really powerful moveset.   RochHoch One Winged Slayer Member May 22, 2018 21,257 nsilvias said: how do you go from sabre tooth dog to a giraffe Click to expand... Click to shrink... Alternate timelines that don't make sense, apparently. Must be from an unga bunga Flinstones universe full of dinosaur Pokemon   TheAggroCraig This guy are sick of the One Winged Slayer Member Nov 6, 2017 7,286 Suicune is the best of the GSC legendaries, but Raging Bolt is by far the best of the paradoxes.   DoctorPlayer MD "This guy are sick" Member Feb 4, 2021 2,728 Brazil All 3 of them are great, but Suicune's my favorite.   Foolish Member Jun 23, 2022 1,507 Okay so Raikou has the most fun name to say. Raikou. Hell yeah. Love it. But I don't like its purple hair that runs down its back. Feels excessive to the design and is way too similar to what Suicune has going on. And the tail feels weirder the more you look at it. Entei has the best design of the lot. Simultaneously comes across as both a lion and also some pure fantasy beast. And those black bands on its legs give the impression that it was once shackled in chains, and has now broken free. So good. I think the purple mane on Suicune clashes way too much with its other colors, and I think its face looks weird. And it cursed my childhood for years because I could not, for the life of me, figure out how its name is supposed to be pronounced. Entei >> Raikou >>>>> Suicune  Faiyaz Member Nov 30, 2017 6,599 Bangladesh Entei is the fucking GOAT   mrmickfran The Fallen Oct 27, 2017 33,133 Gongaga Suicune my beloved   Beren One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 4,992 Enter, but that's definitely due to my exposure to the third movie. Suicune is definitely cool and I won't knock anyone for picking that one. Raikou was great competitively but it just couldn't compete. Had no idea what the vibes were.  NetOpWibby Member Nov 15, 2017 75 Carina Nebula SUICUUUUUNE Gimme Pokémon Crystal with Breath of the Wild mechanics and I'm good for a decade.  -Le Monde- Avenger Dec 8, 2017 14,228 My favorite legendary trio. Really hard to choose. Probably Raikou  ForteanMan Member Oct 25, 2017 571 Dongguan, China Think it's Suicune for me largely because of Pokémon Crystal.   StrappingYoungLance Member Oct 27, 2017 7,764 Melbourne, Australia Picking Suicune is for mids.   Bucca Member Oct 25, 2017 5,435 Suicune the GOAT   mnk Member Nov 11, 2017 7,937 Raikou's the only one I like.   Lightsong Member Nov 11, 2022 9,346 Suicune! I also like the dino version:   Dogui Member Oct 28, 2017 10,911 Brazil Suicine is the only not fugly one.   Rocky Road Member Jun 1, 2018 1,006 Suicune is gonna be the most popular due to Crystal, I'm interested in what a straight Entei vs Raikou would be if all the Suicune voters had to vote for one of those two   Buzzkiller_20 Corrupted by Vengeance Member Oct 27, 2017 2,522 I like Entei because of the movie, Suicune design wise, and Raikou because of the bond i had with him in Heartgold. Helped me beat the game and beat Pearl as well when I transferred him over. It's hard to choose which one i like the most, but i think i will give it to Suicune. His design is great and water types are my favorite, so I choose Suicune.   hydruxo ▲ Legend ▲ Member Oct 25, 2017 22,672 They're all about even for me but Suicune has an ethereal vibe to it that puts it over the edge for me   Bishop89 What Are Ya' Selling? Member Oct 25, 2017 42,657 Melbourne, Australia mopinks said: I'm not crazy about any of em but I'll give it to suicune Click to expand... Click to shrink... Exactly this   Stencil Mailing His Own Damn Business Member Oct 30, 2017 13,464 USA I suppose Raikou is a very distant second to Suicune. But Suicune is far and away the coolest and best. Poor Entei.  MimicBox82 Member Jan 9, 2018 5,406 Sweden Suicune is the cutest, so I'll go with that.   HardRojo One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 28,818 Peru Raikou, always. RochHoch said: Can I cheat and say Raging Bolt What a beautifully silly creature Click to expand... Click to shrink... Not whatever this monstrosity is. And yeah, someone's gonna claim "well, that's not Raikou".   Shoichi Member Jan 10, 2018 12,459 favorite typing is water pokemon, so Suicune has been one of my favorites since Crystal.   Tsaki Member Feb 12, 2019 419 youngster: Suicune teenager: Raikou adulthood: Entei  Silver9 Saw the truth behind the copied door Member Oct 31, 2017 1,228 Suicune is a majestic pokemon.   Rouk' Member Jan 10, 2018 9,530 To this day, I still don't understand why Raikou is the least popular   Kneefoil Member Oct 25, 2017 4,945 Entei's the coolest, for sure. Suicune's the most iconic these days, though.   onibirdo Member Dec 9, 2020 3,555 I recently watched ProZD's Pokémon ranking videos. He calls Entei "your angry dad as a Pokémon" which is weirdly accurate.  

Published May 14, 2025 10:00am EDT close ‘CyberGuy’ explains dark side of PayPal, how to stay safe Kurt Knutsson has advice to protect information from cybercriminals who are seeking new ways to gain login credentials and full control of computers and bank accounts. Online scams are becoming more dangerous and convincing every day. Cybercriminals are finding new ways to gain not just your login credentials but full control of your computer and your bank accounts.Take John from King George, Virginia, for example. He recently shared his alarming experience with us. His story is a powerful warning about how quickly things can escalate if you respond to suspicious emails.Here is what happened to John in his own words: "I mistakenly responded to a false PayPal email notifying me of a laptop purchase. The message looked real, and I called the number listed. The person on the phone gave me a strange number to enter into my browser, which installed an app that took control of my PC. A warning popped up saying 'software updating – do not turn off PC,' and I could see my entire file system being scanned. The scammer accessed my bank account and transferred money between accounts. He told me to leave my PC running and go to the bank, keeping him on the phone without telling anyone what was happening. I shut everything down, contacted my bank, and changed my passwords."John’s quick thinking in shutting down his computer and alerting his bank helped minimize the damage. However, not everyone is as lucky. Fake PayPal scam email (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)How this scam worksThis type of scam is known as a remote access scam. It often begins with a fake email that appears to come from a trusted company like PayPal. The message claims there is an issue, such as an unauthorized charge, and urges the victim to call a phone number or click a link. WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?Once the scammer makes contact, they guide the victim to enter a code into their browser or install a program, claiming it will fix the problem. In reality, this grants the scammer full control of the victim’s computer. Once inside, scammers often search for sensitive files, access banking websites, steal login credentials or install malware to maintain long-term access. Even if the immediate scam is stopped, hidden malware can allow scammers to reenter the system later. A hacker at work (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Key takeaways from John's experienceJohn’s close call highlights several important lessons.Fake emails are harder to spot than ever: Scammers create emails that look almost identical to real ones from trusted companies like PayPal. They copy logos, formatting and even fake customer support numbers. Always double-check the sender’s email address and verify communications by visiting the official website or app directly instead of clicking links inside emails.Remote access scams can escalate fast: Once scammers gain control of your device, they can steal sensitive data, move funds between accounts and install hidden malware that stays behind even after the scammer disconnects. It often takes only minutes for serious damage to be done, making fast recognition critical.Psychological pressure plays a big role: Scammers rely on creating a sense of urgency and fear. By keeping you on the phone and urging secrecy, they isolate you from help and rush you into making bad decisions. Recognizing when you are being pressured is key to breaking the scammer’s control.Fast action can make all the difference: By quickly disconnecting his computer and contacting his bank, John limited the scammer’s access to his accounts. Acting within minutes rather than hours can stop further theft, block fraudulent transactions and protect your sensitive information from being fully compromised.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE A warning on a laptop home screen (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)How to protect yourself from remote access scamsTaking simple but strong security steps can protect you from falling victim.1. Never call a number listed in a suspicious email: Scammers often set up fake phone numbers that sound professional but are designed to manipulate you into handing over control or information. Always find verified contact information through a company's official website or app, not links/numbers provided in suspicious messages.2. Be skeptical of unusual instructions: No legitimate company will ask you to install software or enter strange codes to protect your account. If anything seems unusual, trust your instincts and stop the communication immediately.3. Install strong antivirus software on all devices: Antivirus programs can detect suspicious downloads, block remote access attempts and help prevent hackers from taking over your system. Having strong antivirus protection installed across all your devices is the best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware and attempt to access your private information. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.4. Use identity theft protection: These services monitor financial accounts, credit reports and online activity for signs of fraud, alerting you to suspicious transactions. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.5. React immediately if you suspect a scam: Disconnect your device from the internet, contact your bank or credit card company immediately and change your passwords, especially for banking and email accounts. Monitor your accounts closely for unauthorized activity and report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission as well as the company that was impersonated. Acting quickly can prevent further access and limit the damage scammers can cause.6. Use multifactor authentication (MFA): MFA adds a critical layer of security beyond passwords, blocking unauthorized logins even if credentials are stolen. Enable MFA on all accounts, especially banking, email and payment platforms, to stop scammers from bypassing stolen passwords.7. Update devices and software immediately: Regular updates patch security flaws that scammers exploit to install malware or hijack systems. Turn on automatic updates wherever possible to ensure you’re always protected against newly discovered vulnerabilities.8. Employ a password manager with strong, unique passwords: Avoid password reuse and use complex passphrases to minimize credential-stuffing attacks. A password manager generates and stores uncrackable passwords, eliminating the risk of weak or repeated credentials. Get more details about my best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 here.9. Never share screen access or grant remote control: Scammers exploit screen-sharing tools to steal passwords and manipulate transactions in real time. Legitimate tech support will never demand unsolicited screen access; terminate the call immediately if pressured.10. Invest in personal data removal services: These services automate requests to delete your personal information from data brokers and people-search sites, reducing publicly available details scammers could exploit for phishing or impersonation. While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.Kurt’s key takeawaysJohn’s story is a reminder that online scams are evolving quickly and becoming more aggressive. Staying skeptical, verifying all suspicious messages and acting quickly if something feels wrong can make the difference between staying safe and losing sensitive information. Protect your devices, trust your instincts and remember it is always better to be cautious than to take a risk with your security.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPHave you or someone you know been targeted by a scam like this? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

It’s been less than a year since the world’s largest dam removal project was completed along 420 miles of the Klamath River, near the border of Oregon and California. But if you look at the river now, you might not know that four dams had ever been in place. Instead of concrete walls and artificial reservoirs, the river is now free-flowing—and parts of the former infrastructure have been replaced by wildflowers that are in bloom. Iron Gate Dam, circa 2023 [Photo: Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images] “It’s been an incredible transition,” says Ann Willis, California regional director at American Rivers, a nonprofit that supported Native American tribes in a decades-long fight to take out the dams. “It’s really strange and wonderful to stand on the bridge that goes across the Klamath River and look upstream where Iron Gate Dam used to be. I used to imagine a river above it, and now I see the river.” Construction crews remove the top of the cofferdam that was left of Iron Gate Dam, allowing the Klamath River to run in its original path for the first time in nearly a century near Hornbrook, California, in August 2024. [Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images] The dams were built between 1918 and 1962 to provide hydropower, and immediately blocked salmon from migrating. Over time, the ecosystem started to collapse. By 1997, coho salmon in the river were listed as endangered. (The river was once the third-largest salmon fishery in the continental U.S.) In 2002, when the federal government diverted water to farms instead of letting it flow downstream in the river, tens of thousands of salmon died. Local tribes like the Yurok—who have lived by the river for at least 10,000 years, and who consider salmon a central and sacred part of their culture—started the long fight to take out the dams. Beyond the direct impact on fish, the dams impacted the larger environment as the flow of nutrients down the river stopped. Willis compares dams to a blockage in human arteries that eventually lead to a heart attack. “When you put a dam in a river, there’s an entire living network of things that depends on the flow of the river—the patterns and relationship of the river and its flow with the land around it,” she says. “When you block it, you start this long process of decline. That’s the bad news. The good news is one of the fastest ways to resuscitate a river and its surrounding ecosystem is to simply remove the dam.”  Copco No. 1 prior to removal [Photo: Daniel Nylen/courtesy American Rivers] The advocacy was a challenge. But the tribes and environmental groups behind the campaign were helped by the fact that it was ultimately more expensive for the power company to keep the aging dams in place than to get rid of them. The power that the dams provided was also relatively easy to replace, since it made up only 2% of the utility’s power generation. (The utility’s overall plan to meet power needs includes more investment in renewable energy, more energy efficiency, and a small amount of natural gas.) In 2016, after years of negotiation, the power company transferred the dams to a nonprofit in charge of their removal. In 2022, the federal government greenlit the plan, which had a cost of around $450 million, funded both by California state bond money and by utility customers. From top: Before the removal of Copco No. 2, and after. [Photos: Shane Anderson/Swiftwater Films/courtesy American Rivers] The dams were taken out in phases, with the smallest removed in 2023 and the rest last year, all carefully timed to avoid disrupting fish that might try to swim through the area. First, the reservoirs were drained. Then demolition crews blew up larger concrete structures. Dump trucks cleared away rocks, dirt, and sand, returning some of the material to the hillsides it was carved out of decades ago. The former Copco reservoir site [Photo: Matt Mais/Yurok Tribe] Plans for restoring plant life started earlier. A crew of primarily Yurok tribe members began collecting seeds from native flowers and trees in 2019. Most of the seeds went to nurseries, where they were grown in fields to produce more flowers and even more seeds. “There were over 2,000 acres that needed revegetation,” says Joshua Chenoweth, an ecologist who worked with the Yurok tribe on the project. “Because it’s so large, you can’t collect enough seed to just throw it back on the landscape.” [Photo: Matt Mais/Yurok Tribe] The crew eventually spread billions of seeds using a variety of methods, from hand-planting to using a helicopter in areas where it was too dangerous to walk. Right now, the hills are covered in California poppies and a mix of other plants. “The hand-seeding exceeded my wildest expectations,” Chenoweth says. [Photo: Matt Mais/Yurok Tribe] The fish also came back faster than scientists expected. “The dam removal was officially complete on September 30,” says Willis. “The first salmon was detected swimming upstream into that ancestral habitat in three days, which was just shocking. Then, within a month, 6,000 salmon were detected swimming upstream. I don’t think anyone expected this quick of a response at this really large scale.”

Maybe your gaming laptop doesn’t have enough storage. Or you simply want an easy way to make your game library portable. An external SSD can fix both of these issues (and more) by providing an easy way to expand storage that you can take on the go. But choosing an external SSD means sorting through a dizzying array of options, and making a poor choice can leave you feeling hard done by. Lucky for you, we’ve done the testing and can offer some sure-fire recommendations that are guaranteed to help, and not hinder, your gaming setup. Why you should trust us: We are PCWorld. Our reviewers have been putting computer hardware through its paces for decades. Our external drive evaluations are thorough and rigorous, testing the limits of every product — from performance benchmarks to the practicalities of regular use. As consumers ourselves, we know what makes a product exceptional. For more about our testing process, scroll to the bottom of this article. Scroll below our recommendations to learn about other external SSDs for gaming that did not make our list. Lexar SL600 Blaze – Best 20Gbps external SSD for gaming Pros Good 20Gbps performer Top bang for the buck Five-year warranty Cons 4TB model not yet available The competition is very close in the top tier of 20Gbps external drives, with the big-name contenders trading wins up and down the benchmark charts. But a winner is a winner, and in the end, the Lexar overtook our previous champ, Crucial’s X10 Pro, even if only by a hair. The upshot is that you can expect excellent performance from the Lexar SL600. It also comes in a uniquely shaped form factor, complete with an opening to accommodate a lanyard, for easy toting. Gamers might appreciate that you can even add some bling by opting for the SL660 variant, which features RGB lighting within its miniature handle. The drive comes with the standard five year warranty. When performance is this closely matched among products, the determining factor should be price. And here, too, the SL600 is neck-and-neck with the Crucial X10 Pro, and priced slightly to significantly cheaper than some of its competitors, at least as of this writing — particularly at the 2TB level. Read our full Lexar SL600 20Gbps USB SSD review Teamgroup M200 – Best budget 20Gbps external SSD for gaming Pros Fast everyday performance Available in up to 8TB (eventually) capacity Attractively styled Cons No TBW rating Company will change components if shortages demand Writes slow to 200MBps off cache The Teamgroup M200 provides excellent bang for your buck with 20Gbps transfer rates and up to 4TB of storage for a very reasonable price. It has great everyday performance, too. Its slick military-style design is based on the CheyTac M200 sniper rifle—a perfect fit for those late night frag sessions. Unfortunately, Teamgroup doesn’t provide a TBW rating or official IP rating for the M200 so it’s more difficult to compare it as a whole to its competitors. However the M200 is a fast, extremely well priced external SSD with a gamer-friendly design that will look good and perform well in almost any setup. Read our full Teamgroup T-Force M200 20Gbps USB SSD review PNY RP60 20Gbps USB SSD – Best rugged 20Gbps external SSD for gaming Pros Handsome, IP65-rated design (dust-proof, water-resistant) Good 20Gbps performance Nice flat Type-C USB ribbon cable Cons USB port plug tether is difficult to reinsert. Best Prices Today: Retailer Price PNY $99.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket If you tend to take your gaming drive everywhere, and/or you’re not the most careful person with hardware, a ruggedized external SSD is a practical answer. The PNY RP60 offers more than just a rugged IP65-rated exterior that protects against dust and water droplets; and while very handsome and lightweight to boot; the drive is also an admirable performer, even besting one of the fastest 20Gbps drives we’ve tested — the Crucial X10 Pro — in a couple of our tests. The RP60 is also competitively priced at $100 and $180 for 1TB and 2TB, respectively. Read our full PNY RP60 20Gbps USB SSD review Sabrent Rocket Nano V2 – Most portable 20Gbps external SSD for gaming Pros Extremely small profile Shock-absorbing silicone jacket Top-flight packaging Good overall performance Cons A tad behind the 20Gbps curve performance-wise Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Sabrent $119.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket If you’re after a very small SSD that you can easily fit into a pocket, the Sabrent Rocket Nano V2 is that. This USB 3.2×2 20Gbps drive measures a petite 2.73 inches long, 1.16-inches wide, and 0.44-inches thick. It weighs a dainty 1.7 ounces. Of course, you’ll probably want to slide on its included shock-absorbing silicone jacket (shown in picture), which will add .06 inches to all its dimensions, while giving it a badass look. But looks aside, the Nano V2 is a solid performer. It wasn’t quite at the same level as our top picks in everything, but it traded wins and losses within the pack. For instance it was second only to the Crucial X10 Pro in our 450GB write test. And it took the top spot in CrystalDiskMark 8’s random writes, and was very competitive in random reads. This wee drive also comes in up to 4TB capacities, making it an all-around good choice if you’re looking to get a lot of storage and performance in a tiny package. We’re also fond of its five-year warranty and the nifty metal box it comes in, which can be repurposed for other uses. Read our full Sabrent Rocket Nano V2 review Adata SE920 EX – Best USB 4 external SSD for gaming Pros Fastest external storage we’ve tested (at 40Gbps) Affordable for the ilk Stylish enclosure Available up to 4TB Also fast on the Mac Cons Pricier than USB 3.2×2 (20Gbps) A USB 4 external SSD isn’t for everyone. Not only does your PC need to support the spec in order to take advantage of the 40Gbps transfers, but you’ll also need to be willing to pay a premium for the privilege. If you’re ready to enter the club, however, the Adata SE920 EX will reward you with the fastest USB 4 performance that we’ve experienced, and at a much more affordable price than our previous pick for USB 4, the OWC Express 1M2 — we’re talking $180 for a 1TB Adata SE920 versus $250 for the OWC drive. And if you want a lot of capacity, the Adata SE920 EX comes with up to 4TB, for a reasonable $500 (compared to OWC’s $598.99). In almost every benchmark, the SE920 EX beat the OWC Express 1M2 at 40Gbps performance, albeit by small margins. It also comes with a nifty built-in fan, which is activated by sliding open the enclosure. This kept our drive noticeably free of heat during our benchmark tests. The SE920 EX is also quite portable at 4.13 inches long by 2.52-inches wide by 0.62-inches thick, and weighing 7 ounces — another advantage it has over the bulkier OWC Express 1M2. In the end, the choice for a USB 4 external SSD is clear. Alternative option: You can get record-breaking performance by rolling your own USB 4 external SSD, using Ugreen’s CM642 enclosure. In our tests, the $110 enclosure combined with an NVMe SSD bested the performance of the two external USB 4 SSDs above. Read our full Adata SE920 USB4 SSD review Other external drive reviews: Sandisk Extreme Pro SSD with USB4: There’s a lot to like about this rugged, handsome design and relative affordability. But connection issues and comparably lackluster 40Gbps performance left me unamazed. PNY Pro Elite V3: This 10Gbps, Type-C USB stick is fast, but what really won me over is its clever, retracting physical design and svelte form-factor. Addlink P21: Good 20Gbps performance and a striking design are a winning formula for this external SSD. Seagate Ultra Compact SSD: This 10Gbps USB thumb drive delivers far better performance than generic 5Gbps or 400Mbps types, as well as free data recovery and other software perks. Corsair EX400U: While Corsair’s EX400U is on the slow side for a USB4 external SSD, it’s also less expensive than the competition. Ugreen CM642 USB4: Fast, handsome, rugged, and easy to use, Ugreen’s CM642 USB4 SSD enclosure is a great way to roll your own high-performance external storage. Corsair Flash Survivor: If you’re after an eminently portable USB stick with 10Gbps/NVMe speed that’s also weatherproofed, ruggedized, and looks burly as hell, this is the drive for you. Seagate Game Drive SSD: Targeted at PS4/PS5 owners, the 10Gbps SSD is very fast for its class, and attractively styled, complete with a Playstation logo, but it’s relatively pricey. Lexar Armor 700: Like the PNY RP60 above, the Lexar Armor 700 is a 20Gbps drive that can withstand some abuse — perfect for the gamer on the go, or the accident-prone. Its IP66 weatherized body is attractive, its performance is competitive. It’s also a bit pricey. Teamgroup PD20M: This little 20Gbps drive comes with a handy travel case and is one of the lightest portable drives we’ve tested. The only problem is, its performance slows considerably once its 20GB of cache has been tapped. Best for light-duty chores. Adata SD810: This is a solid 20Gbps drive, as long as you aren’t in the habit of writing very large amounts of data to it on a regular basis, because in our tests, the drive slowed down considerably in that scenario. That being said, the 4TB capacity is a particularly good value at just $300. Lexar SL500: A stablemate of the Lexar SL600 — our pick for best 20Gbps external drive — the SL500 stands out for its very slim and attractive form factor. It has almost identical performance to the SL600, with the exception of performing slower than its sibling in our 48GB file writes. How we test Drive tests currently utilize Windows 11, 64-bit running on an X790 (PCIe 4.0/5.0) motherboard/i5-12400 CPU combo with two Kingston Fury 32GB DDR5 4800MHz modules (64GB of memory total). Both 20Gbps USB and Thunderbolt 4 are integrated to the back panel and Intel CPU/GPU graphics are used. The 48GB transfer tests utilize an ImDisk RAM disk taking up 58GB of the 64GB of total memory. The 450GB file is transferred from a 2TB Samsung 990 Pro which also runs the OS. Each test is performed on a newly formatted and TRIM’d drive so the results are optimal. Note that in normal use, as a drive fills up, performance may decrease due to less NAND for secondary caching, as well as other factors. This can be less of a factor with the current crop of SSDs with far faster late-generation NAND. Caveat: The performance numbers shown apply only to the drive we were shipped and to the capacity tested. SSD performance can and will vary by capacity due to more or fewer chips to shotgun reads/writes across and the amount of NAND available for secondary caching. Vendors also occasionally swap components. If you ever notice a large discrepancy between the performance you experience and that which we report, by all means, let us know. To learn more about our testing methodology see PCWorld’s article on how we test external SSDs. Further reading: How to make your own external SSD and save some cash

The Trump administration's plan to accept a luxury jet donated by the Qatari government to use as Air Force One raises significant security concerns, intelligence experts and government officials say, as President Donald Trump said it would be "stupid" not to accept a free plane.Trump on Monday defended the administration's plans to receive a luxury jet donated by the Qatari government during remarks at the White House, calling the donation a "very nice gesture.""I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer. I mean, I could be a stupid person and say, 'No, we don't want a free, very expensive airplane.' But it was, I thought it was a great gesture," he said.MORE: Trump admin live updatesRhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, slammed the move, arguing that using the plane as Air Force One would "pose immense counterintelligence risks by granting a foreign nation potential access to sensitive systems and communications.""This reckless disregard for national security and diplomatic propriety signals a dangerous willingness to barter American interests for personal gain," Reed said in a statement Monday. "It is an affront to the office of the presidency and a betrayal of the trust placed in any U.S. leader to safeguard the nation's sovereignty."Air Force One a 'high-value target'Air Force One sits on the tarmac, May 12, 2025, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.Win McNamee/Getty ImagesThe primary aircraft used in the current Air Force One fleet includes two aging Boeing 747-200 jumbo jets that have been operational since 1990. Despite flying for more than 35 years, the current pair of Air Force One jets are considered some of the safest and secure aircraft in the world.Many of the security features on the plane remain classified. It has anti-missile defenses or countermeasure systems to protect against surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles, and the communication devices can also withstand the pulse of a nuclear blast. It is also outfitted with sophisticated communications capability to allow the president to securely run the country from the plane and protect him from cyberattacks."It's designed to transport the president in a safe way and be able to withstand physical attacks, but to also ensure that the president maintains communication with military, his cabinet, other government leaders in a safe and secure manner," said John Cohen, an ABC News contributor and former acting Homeland Security official. "Any building or vehicle or airplane that the president is located is a high-value target for foreign intelligence services who want to gather as much information about the president."Air Force One can also remain in the air for several days due to its ability to refuel in midair. The plane also houses a small medical facility where doctors could perform surgery if needed.All of these systems would likely need to be installed on the Boeing 747-8 that Trump would receive as a gift from Qatar.MORE: Trump defends Qatar jumbo jet offer, says it would be 'stupid' to turn away free planeA jet donated by Qatar would also be a "counterintelligence nightmare," ABC News contributor Darrell Blocker, a former CIA field operative, said."If you go back to almost anything that is given by a foreign government, there are regulations and restrictions and guidelines for ensuring that they're not being bugged, and a plane would be an absolute nightmare to be able to confirm that it's not," Blocker told ABC News Live on Monday. "From an intelligence perspective, it's not the brightest move."Blocker cited that when the U.S. embassy was being built in Moscow in the 1980s, the U.S. had to "take it down to its bare bones" because the Russians "put bugs through every room, every facility.""I think the people of Troy, when they accepted that horse, regretted it after the fact also," he said.The complexity and time needed to retrofit and inspect the plane raise questions on cost and a timeline."Even under the best of circumstances, it's going to take a significant effort for the military to be satisfied that the aircraft is constructed safely, that it's not compromised from the standpoint of intelligence collection capabilities being planted on it, and that it is built in a way that it will be able to assimilate the sensitive communications and countermeasure capabilities that are that are present on any plane that's Air Force One," Cohen said. "To be done right, it's not going to happen quickly.""In order to adequately ensure that this airplane -- which was operated by a foreign government that happens to have a relationship with Iran and China and Russia -- in order to ensure that that plane has not had collection capabilities introduced into it when it was constructed, they're gonna have to basically tear it down to the airframe," he added.White House working on 'legal details'Both the U.S. Air Force and the Department of Defense referred questions to the White House when asked about the possible transfer of the Qatari-owned Boeing 747 to the Department of Defense."The plane will be donated to the Department of Defense, and as with any foreign gift given to the United States Government, all proper safety and security protocols will be followed," White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told ABC News.House Speaker Mike Johnson said Monday he would not comment on Trump preparing to receive the jet from Qatar because he hasn't seen the "details."The White House is working on the "legal details" of the Qatari government's donation to the Defense Department, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday in an appearance on Fox News."But, of course, any donation to this government is always done in full compliance with the law. And we commit ourselves to the utmost transparency and we will continue to do that," Leavitt added.President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on his way to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 12, 2025.Manuel Balce Ceneta/APTrump said during remarks at the White House on Monday that he doesn't plan to use the plane after he leaves office. Pressed by ABC News Senior Political Correspondent Rachel Scott on what he would say to people who view the luxury plane as a personal gift to him, Trump said it was not a gift to him but "a gift to the Department of Defense."Sources familiar with the proposed arrangement told ABC News that the plane would be a gift that is to be available for use by Trump as the new Air Force One until shortly before he leaves office, at which time ownership of the plane will be transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation.If a private contractor were able to complete the modifications needed to the donated plane before the end of Trump's presidency, many of the systems installed would then need to be removed should the Trump presidential library foundation take possession of the plane upon Trump leaving office due to the sensitive nature of the technology.Ultimately, Cohen said he suspects that members of the intelligence community and the military will assess the risk to national security and "the level of effort to minimize the risk to national security.""If they're doing their job, the president's national security team will explain to him the level of risk that exists if a foreign intelligence service were able to introduce collection capabilities that could intercept face-to-face communications on the plane, electronic communications coming from the plane," Cohen said. "They should also be explaining to him the level of effort that it will involve in order for that risk to be mitigated. And with that information, he can then make an informed decision on whether and under what conditions to accept the airplane."

Comments from NISTA’s Matthew Vickerstaff come as ministers weigh up benefits of relaunching initiative next monthThe government’s new infrastructure advisory body has said ministers would need to “learn from the mistakes” of the past if a new generation of PFI contracts are launched as part of the upcoming infrastructure strategy. Matthew Vickerstaff, deputy chief executive of the The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA), said there was still a “constant drumbeat” of construction issues on schools built through private finance initiatives (PFI). Matthew Vickerstaff speaking at the Public Accounts Committee yesterday afternoon Chancellor Rachel Reeves is understood to be considering reinstating a form of private financing to pay for public projects, including social infrastructure schemes such as schools, ahead of the launch of its 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy next month. It would be the first major rollout of PFI in England since 2018, when then chancellor Philip Hammond declared the successor scheme to the original PFI programme as “inflexible and overly complex”. >> See also: PFI: Do the numbers add up? Speaking at a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament yesterday, Vickerstaff highlighted issues that had blighted historic PFI schemes where construction risk had been transferred to the private sector. “Just what we’re seeing on school projects, leaking roofs is a consistent, constant drum beat, fire door stopping, acoustics, lighting levels, the ability of classrooms to be operable in a white board environment, problems around leisure centres or sports facilities, contamination of land, latent defects of refurbishments on old buildings creating real problems,” he said. “The dash to get the schools ready for September, I cannot tell you how many PFI schools have that problem, and we need to get the private sector to fix it.” But while Vickerstaff said he was “ambivalent” about a new generation of PFI contracts, he argued contractual arrangements on new schemes could contain less risk for the public purse if the government did decide to opt for this route in its infrastructure strategy. “I would say that compared with 25 years ago, the asset management, the building information systems and computer aided facilities management has vastly improved so we’re dealing with a generation of contracts that would certainly by improved whether it’s public sector or private sector,” he said. “I’m ambivalent but what we need to make sure is that we learn from the mistakes and definitely get them to fix what we’re experiencing in some situations.” Vickerstaff added: “In terms of lessons learned, making sure construction is monitored by a clerk of works and independently certified would be a really important factor moving forward, because construction defects have been a problem because the construction contracts whether it be public sector or private sector have not been well monitored or controlled.” Meanwhile, a new report by PwC has called on the government to explore a new generation of public-private finance in order to address the deficit in infrastructure including schools and healthcare. The research, published today, found “strong market appetite” for a new model of public-private partnerships which could be based on the Mutual Investment Model developed in Wales. PwC corporate finance associate director Dan Whittle said: “There is a strong view that public-private finance has a valuable role to play as a strategic tool to close the UK’s infrastructure gap, particularly at a time when we are constrained by fiscal rules. “There is no need to reinvent the fundamentals of the PPP model. What must continue to evolve is how we implement this model with refined risk allocation to reflect the current appetite of the market, smarter contract management, and a genuine partnership approach.” The government is expected to unveil its infrastructure strategy alongside its spending review in June.