Google’s quantum computing lab just achieved a major milestone. On Monday, the company revealed that its new quantum computing chip, Willow, is capable of performing a computing challenge in less than five minutes — a process Google says would take one of the world’s fastest supercomputers 10 septillion years, or longer than the age of the universe.

Along with more powerful performance, researchers also found a way to reduce errors, something Google calls “one of the greatest challenges in quantum computing.” Instead of bits, which represent either 1 or 0, quantum computing uses qubits, a unit that can exist in multiple states at the same time, such as 1, 0, and anything in between.

As noted by Google, qubits are prone to errors because they “have a tendency to rapidly exchange information with their environment.” However, Google’s researchers discovered a way to reduce errors by introducing more qubits to a system and were able to correct them in real time. Their findings were published in Nature.

“This historic accomplishment is known in the field as ‘below threshold’ — being able to drive errors down while scaling up the number of qubits,” Google Quantum AI founder Hartmut Neven writes on Google’s blog. “You must demonstrate being below threshold to show real progress on error correction, and this has been an outstanding challenge since quantum error correction was introduced by Peter Shor in 1995.”

Willow, which has 105 qubits, “now has best-in-class performance,” according to Neven. Microsoft, Amazon, and IBM are working on quantum computing systems of their own.

Google’s next goal is to perform a first “useful, beyond-classical” computation that is both “relevant to a real-world application” and one that typical computers can’t achieve. Going forward, Neven says quantum technology will be “indispensable” for collecting AI training data, eventually helping to “discover new medicines, designing more efficient batteries for electric cars, and accelerating progress in fusion and new energy alternatives.”

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League only came out in February, but the game’s final season, which starts tomorrow, is going to be its last. Season 4 Episode 7 launches on Tuesday, and Episode 8, which is set to release on January 14th, 2025, will “serve as the last seasonal Episode for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League,” developer Rocksteady announced on Monday.

After the release of the final content, the game will still be available to play online, according to a WB Games FAQ. But the game is also getting an offline mode tomorrow — which had been previously announced, though without a specific date beyond “2024” — that will let you play the main story and all seasonal story mission content without an internet connection.

The game has had a troubled history. The game was originally set to release in 2022 before being delayed multiple times. And a largely unsuccessful launch — in our review, we said the game “hides its brash personality under a generic looter shooter” — resulted in Warner Bros. Discovery announcing in May that it would be taking a $200 million loss on the game.

VPNs (virtual private networks) are a powerful tool for securing your internet connection. They protect your data by encrypting it, making it harder for hackers or even your internet service provider (ISP) to see what you’re doing online. But how should you set up a VPN? Should you install it on each device or run it on your home network through a router? We will break down the pros and cons of both methods to help you make the right decision.

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How VPNs work

VPNs operate through two primary mechanisms: IP address masking and data encryption. When you connect to a VPN, it hides your real IP address by assigning you a new one from their server network, effectively preventing websites and cyber criminals from tracking your location or identifying you based on your IP address.

Simultaneously, VPNs encrypt all data transmitted between your device and the internet, rendering it unreadable to anyone who might attempt to intercept it. This encryption process ensures that sensitive information, such as credit card details, remains confidential throughout your online activities. By combining these two powerful features, VPNs create a secure tunnel for your internet traffic, significantly enhancing your online privacy and security.

VPN on devices vs. router: What’s the difference?

Understanding the difference between using a VPN on individual devices vs. setting it up on your router is crucial for maximizing your online security and privacy.

VPN on a device

Most people are familiar with using a VPN app on their phone, laptop or tablet. In this setup, the device connects directly to the internet through the VPN, keeping that device’s internet activity secure.

VPN on a router

With a VPN router, instead of installing a VPN on each device, the router connects to the VPN. This means every device connected to your Wi-Fi – whether a smartphone, laptop, gaming console or even a smart TV – automatically uses the VPN, even if that device doesn’t support VPN apps.

A home router (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Why use a VPN router?

There are several advantages to running a VPN directly on your router.

1) Protect all the devices on your network

A VPN router ensures that every device on your network is protected, even those that don’t support VPNs, like smart home devices or certain game consoles. Once the router is set up with a VPN, it encrypts the internet traffic of all connected devices.

2) Set it and forget it

Installing or managing VPN software on every device is unnecessary with a VPN router. Once the router is configured, you can sit back and enjoy a protected internet connection across your entire home network. However, it’s a good idea to occasionally check that the connection is working properly using tools like DNS leak tests.

3) Increased privacy

Using a VPN prevents your ISP from seeing which websites or services you’re using. This is particularly useful if you’re concerned about privacy or want to access geo-restricted content, such as streaming services like Netflix or gaming platforms.

A home router (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Are there any downsides to VPN routers?

While VPN routers are convenient, they do come with a few potential drawbacks.

1) Cost

Most basic routers provided by your ISP don’t support VPN connections. You’ll likely need to purchase a more advanced, VPN-compatible router, which can be pricier, starting at around $50 and going much higher for premium models.

2) Speed and performance

Encrypting all the traffic in your home network requires processing power. If you have a lot of devices connected at once, a primary router might struggle to keep up. In this case, a higher-end router with more processing power is recommended.

3) Less flexibility

When you use a VPN app on a device, switching server locations, adjusting security settings or choosing different VPN protocols is easy. Making these changes on a VPN router requires logging into the router’s settings, which can be more time-consuming and complicated.

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How to set up a VPN on a router

Setting up a VPN on your router may seem complex, but it significantly enhances your digital security, especially when paired with a robust router. Here’s how to approach this process.

Choose a compatible VPN service: Select a VPN provider that supports router installations. Look for services that offer comprehensive guides and customer support to assist you through the setup.

Select the right router: Ensure your router is VPN compatible and has strong security features. Opt for routers that support the latest Wi-Fi encryption standards, such as WPA3, and have built-in firewalls to protect against external threats. This will provide a solid foundation for your VPN connection.

Install the VPN: Follow your VPN provider’s step-by-step instructions to configure the service on your router. This typically involves entering your login credentials, installing necessary certificates and selecting a server location.

Test your connection: Once configured, verify that your VPN is functioning correctly by testing the connection. Ensure that all devices connected to the router are protected by the VPN.

Leverage additional security features: Take advantage of your router’s features such as guest networks and parental controls to enhance security further. A separate guest network prevents unauthorized access to your main network, while regular firmware updates from the manufacturer help mitigate vulnerabilities.

By integrating these steps, you not only set up a VPN but also fortify your home network against potential cyber threats.

Image of a VPN being used on a laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Should you use a VPN on a router or device?

When to use a VPN on a device:

• If you only need protection on a few devices, installing the VPN directly on your devices might be easier if you mostly use the internet on your phone and laptop.
• If you want flexibility, using a VPN app lets you quickly switch servers, change settings or disconnect the VPN when needed.

When to use a VPN on a router:

• If you have many devices, a VPN router is ideal if you have many devices connected to your Wi-Fi, especially if some of those devices don’t support VPN apps.
• If you want whole-home protection, a VPN router protects every device on your network, providing seamless security without the need to install apps on each one.

Find the perfect VPN software

When selecting a VPN on a device, you’ll want to choose trusted providers known for robust encryption and no-log policies to ensure your privacy. Whether for sensitive tasks or everyday use, reputable VPN services will boost your security and speed. For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

What aspects of online privacy and security are most important to you when browsing the internet at home? 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.