If there’s anything last year’s Qantas data breach has taught us, it’s that your online information isn’t as secure as you think it is. While you may think you’ve secured your digital footprint by using ‘strong’ passwords or switching to incognito mode, there’s a world of online trackers and threats waiting for one slip-up to weasel their way onto your devices. And unfortunately, slip-ups do happen from time to time.

Before you purchase with your card details or enter your shipping address, we at PCMag have a couple of tips to make sure your data is secure while browsing online:

Regularly Change Your Passwords

Though this seems pretty obvious from the outset, remembering to regularly change your passwords is harder than you think—especially when you’re one to forget easily. Yet, the first and best way to maintain your security is to switch up your credentials every few months. If you often struggle thinking of a strong password, you can always rely on Bitdefender’s Password Manager to store or generate a password mixed with letters, numbers, and symbols. Your online security will be stronger than ever.

Be Wary of Suspicious Links and Attachments

Using phishing emails or links to infect your devices is a hackers’ favourite way to get your personal details. So, the last thing you want to do when a dubious email or link makes its way into your inbox or messages is click it. However, if you do, make sure you don’t enter in any personal or banking details. If you’re unsure about any links or texts you’ve been sent, Bitdefender’s Scamio and Email Protection software will scan your online activity and inbox for any devious threats lurking beneath the surface. You’ll be fully aware of any threats to your information in no time.

Trust in Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

There’s no such thing as being “overly secure,” and setting up two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts is a great example. A security method meant to shield your accounts from phishing or hackers, 2FA pairs your password with an additional layer of identity verification—ranging from PIN codes and personal questions to security tokens and smart keys. Should any break-ins or data breaches occur, you’ll be thankful this extra layer of protection will keep your information protected.

Keep Your Devices Updated

We’ve all been frustrated by a random system update. However, updating your devices with the latest software protects your tech from vulnerabilities hackers often exploit. Though you might hesitate to install a major operating system update (or simply don’t have the time and energy to sit through the update), any weaknesses will be patched up quickly and easily so your system runs smoothly and safely. Not only that, keeping your system, browser, and apps up-to-date also helps extend the life of your devices.

Invest in Antivirus Software

You know what they say: it’s an oldie but a goodie. Investing in robust antivirus software is a surefire way to maintain the security of your personal data. One of our personal favourite Antivirus suites of 2026, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, keeps your devices protected against the Trojans, ransomware or spyware that try to set up shop on your devices. Yet, if you’d prefer an even higher level of protection, Bitdefender Ultimate Security comes equipped with an unlimited VPN, anti-tracker extension, and comprehensive email and SMS protection. Check out our extensive coverage for more information.

Stay On Top of Your Cyber Security Needs

Hackers and online scammers will stop at nothing to get hold of your personal information, but you don’t need to suffer at the hands of a data breach you can’t prevent. While you can always rely on us here at PCMag to keep you informed on the best security suites on the market, Bitdefender is the next best one-stop-shop for keeping your life confidential—and you can always check out the Bitdefender blog for more online security tips and tricks, too.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition is easy for people that watch Conference Championship week.

As we’ve shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the “common threads between words.” And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we’ve served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today’s puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT‘s latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication’s sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there’s only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here’s a hint for today’s Connections: Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Basketball no-no’s

• Green: Next round of the tournament

• Blue: Women’s coaching GOATs

• Purple: CBB conference champions

Here are today’s Connections: Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today’s connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Basketball Fouls

• Green: First Words in NCAA Tournament Rounds

• Blue: Women’s College Basketball Coaches

• Purple: Teams Qualified for the 2026 Men’s NCAA Tournament

Looking for Wordle today? Here’s the answer to today’s Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today’s puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today’s Connections: Sports Edition #538 is…

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Basketball Fouls – BLOCK, CHARGE, HOLD, REACH-IN

• First Words in NCAA Tournament Rounds – ELITE, FINAL, SECOND, SWEET

• Women’s College Basketball Coaches – AURIEMMA, CLOSE, IVEY, STALEY

• Teams Qualified for the 2026 Men’s NCAA Tournament – GONZAGA, HIGH POINT, QUEENS, TROY

Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.

If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Connections.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you love to be in control.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that’s captured the public’s attention. The game is all about finding the “common threads between words.” And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we’ve served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today’s puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today’s Connections solution. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT‘s latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications’ Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there’s only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here’s a hint for today’s Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

Here are today’s Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today’s connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Greedily control

• Green: Toothed wheels

• Blue: Portmanteaux

• Purple: Bull___

Looking for Wordle today? Here’s the answer to today’s Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today’s puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today’s Connections #1007 is…

What is the answer to Connections today

• Greedily control: BOGART, CORNER, HOG, MONOPOLIZE

• Toothed wheels: COG, FEAR, PINION, SPROCKET

• Portmanteaux: BLOG, MOTEL, SMOG, SPORK

• Bull___: DOG, DOZE, FROG, HORN

Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today’s puzzle.

If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Connections.