Anthony Spadafora
Anthony Spadafora is the senior security and networking editor at Tom’s Guide where he covers everything from data breaches and malware to password managers and the best way to cover your whole home or business with a strong Wi-Fi signal.
Before joining the team, he spent three years covering cybersecurity and B2B tech for ITProPortal while living in South Korea. After moving back to the US. Anthony joined the TechRadar Pro team where he covered these topics along with VPNs, web hosting, online collaboration software and video conferencing. He also has his ears to the ground and is on the lookout for the next major cyberattack or data breach.
Based in Houston, Texas, Anthony also handles VPN testing for both Tom’s Guide and TechRadar. As someone who has worked from home exclusively since 2018, he has reviewed dozens of standing desks and has taken a closer look at other essential remote working accessories. As part of these reviews, Anthony frequently rearranges desk setups which is why he’s such a big advocate for cable management and keeping things organized. When he’s not writing, he can be found tinkering with PCs and game consoles, managing cables and making upgrades to his smart home.
Latest articles by Anthony Spadafora
![Graphic representing the protection a VPN provides with the text 'Our VPN testing results 2024' next to it.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/h34WnTCT5o4FxJ8jZEeNQh-320-80.jpg)
Our latest VPN testing results
By Mo Harber-Lamond published
Fresh results We're constantly testing the best VPNs, and here are the results of our last round of expert reviews in 2024.
![Google Pixel 8 Pro hands-on.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/McfApMbxx8ek8iKL5a86fG-320-80.jpg)
Google just fixed two major Pixel zero-day flaws — update your phone right now
By Anthony Spadafora last updated
Recently patched zero-day vulnerabilities could have let an attacker unlock your Pixel phone without a PIN to steal your data.
![best pdf editors](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jJUugcf5gn8gyzad5Fgz7b-320-80.jpg)
Best PDF editors in 2024
By Anthony Spadafora last updated
The best PDF editors let you do even more with PDFs to help boost your productivity and improve your workflow.
![Best USB flash drives](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QK2F93LgkJ3aeGo2QcMjAS-320-80.jpg)
Best USB flash drives in 2024: Top USB memory sticks
By Anthony Spadafora last updated
The best USB flash drives make it easy to bring your data with you as you can store, transfer and back up your files on physical media.
![A picture of a skull and bones on a smartphone depicting malware](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MKZXHBEXXXQw7syUEuWt9-320-80.jpg)
This notorious Android banking trojan now lets hackers remotely control your phone — how to stay safe
By Anthony Spadafora published
The Vultur banking trojan is back and even more dangerous after a new upgrade that adds a file manager and improved remote control capabilities.
![The Gigabyte M28U gaming monitor on a desk with an Xbox and gaming laptop](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bxnTGRAQL9s5PRX6rGH949-320-80.jpg)
I took a big risk on this $399 gaming monitor — and it really paid off
By Anthony Spadafora last updated
Gaming monitors with all the bells and whistles cost a lot more than a regular monitor which is why I bought an open box one instead.
![MacBook Pro 16-inch 2021 sitting on a patio table](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wKaEoNvjNpRkyZH74YAq2B-320-80.jpg)
Macs under threat from info-stealing malware spread through ads and fake software — don’t fall for this
By Anthony Spadafora published
Mac users are currently being targeted by two new campaigns spreading the Atomic Stealer and Realst malware strains.
![MacBook Air M2 vs Dell XPS 13 Plus](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/79AeSjqGeYVuhvQC6MjoVP-320-80.jpg)
Tom's Guide asks: What's the perfect laptop screen size?
By Alex Wawro published
From 13-inch ultraportables to 18-inch gaming juggernauts, there's a lot of different screen sizes to choose from when buying a laptop. Tom's Guide editors discuss: Which is best, and for what?
![The Opal Tadpole webcam on a desk](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ayCHr8TwJA8v6jgSmoy5Sj-320-80.jpg)
I might be done with laptop cameras for good after trying the world's smallest webcam
By Anthony Spadafora last updated
The Opal Tadpole is a tiny webcam that clips onto the lid of your laptop and its cable even has a built-in mute switch.
![A person that looks like Dracula menacingly holding an iphone](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HDUQ4iwjtM6npmtWXaAcn3-320-80.png)
Darcula phishing service targets iPhone users through iMessage — how to stay safe
By Anthony Spadafora last updated
Darcula is a new phishing-as-a-service platform that uses fake domains to spoof popular brands in order to steal credentials.
![Eric Cartman and Stan Marsh at a Bulls*t Trial in South Park: Snow Day](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3m7RKqdpM7HBJFEvp4JoN-320-80.jpg)
South Park: Snow Day isn’t the game I wanted but it finally turned me onto roguelites
By Anthony Spadafora published
South Park: Snow Day has the heart of past games in the series but its gameplay mechanics and focus on co-op could be a turnoff for all but the biggest South Park fans.
![An iPhone flooded with password request notifications](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VrBHqy2s5m5PJbRu2BHUki-320-80.jpg)
iPhone users under threat from new ‘reset password’ attack — how to stay safe
By Anthony Spadafora last updated
Hackers are targeting iPhone uses with an advanced phishing attack that starts with multiple password reset attempts followed by a fake Apple Support call.
![One phone with skull and crossbones on screen among several other clean-looking phones.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gwfFXM6EmU37ZTAj75i5hQ-320-80.jpg)
Hackers are using these Android apps on the Play Store to stage attacks — delete them all right now
By Anthony Spadafora published
Researchers have discovered 28 Android apps posing as free VPNs and other utilities that are turning infected smartphones into proxies.
![Playing South Park: Snow Day on the Steam Deck](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Pn3MHXDx2y4vKHBybXW7R8-320-80.jpg)
I beat South Park: Snow Day without any help — these are my top 3 tips for a solo playthrough
By Anthony Spadafora published
South Park: Snow Day is a departure from previous games in the series with its focus on multiplayer but thanks to the offline, single-player mode, you can still experience the story by yourself.
![A desk setup with a monitor light bar on top of the monitor](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/epk3qoDs7YVmFDJTDzHwFd-320-80.jpg)
I added this $50 monitor light bar to my desk setup, and it’s a game changer for how I work
By Anthony Spadafora published
From eliminating glare and reducing eye strain to just adding a bit more light to your home office, monitor light bars are an inexpensive accessory that can make your desk setup pop.
![MacBook Pro 2021 (16-inch) on a patio table](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/76BX7qw85vqQucCvUnTHHQ-320-80.jpg)
Unpatchable vulnerability discovered in Apple M1, M2 and M3 chips — what you need to know
By Anthony Spadafora published
Researchers have discovered an unpatchable security flaw in Apple’s M-series chips that can allow an attacker to break encryption and access a Mac’s cryptographic keys.
![How to turn on Chrome dark mode](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PsUPfaUQUFbjt9usEyvubj-320-80.jpg)
Google is testing the ultimate dark mode for Chrome — here’s how to turn it on
By Anthony Spadafora last updated
The latest version of Chrome brings back Google’s official dark mode for all websites so that you don’t have to use a third-party extension anymore.
![Phone scam showing an unknown caller on a phone screen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/muFWf5MSX7498TMTJZvtv7-320-80.jpg)
FTC just issued warning over this scam stealing thousands from Americans — how to stay safe
By Anthony Spadafora published
The FTC has released new guidelines to help Americans identify potential scammers who could be trying to impersonate the government agency over the phone.
![iPad Air 5](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6gohnR7zHfTCHMKodkUtEJ-320-80.jpg)
New iPad Air already shipping to US ahead of launch — and there’s a new size this time around
By Anthony Spadafora published
Apple has yet to announce the new iPad Air and iPad Pro but their launch could be imminent with a renowned leaker claiming they’ve already started shipping to the U.S.
![MacBook Air 15-inch M3 connected to two monitors](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d8nPWABPwjEb4MrRH2Zz7A-320-80.jpg)
M3 MacBook Air sees huge performance drop when connected to two monitors — what you need to know
By Anthony Spadafora last updated
The new MacBook Air M3 can connect to two displays at once but performance takes a serious hit when doing so with the laptop in clamshell mode.
![Framework Laptop review](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PYiLH9mwfkUZqYYhtJgxki-320-80.jpg)
Tom's Guide answers: What ports do you really need on your next laptop?
By Anthony Spadafora last updated
Does using a laptop docking station make up for the fact that laptops have fewer and fewer ports these days? Tom’s Guide staffers weigh in on this tricky question.
![mesh Wi-Fi router](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NeYAv6MynuASHD3ESmQch4-320-80.jpg)
What is a mesh Wi-Fi router, and do you need one?
By Anthony Spadafora last updated
A mesh Wi-Fi system or mesh router is the perfect solution for better wireless coverage in larger homes, especially if you have dead zones.
![Super Mario Bros. Wonder on a Nintendo Switch with a Mario-themed wall in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/P3k7sGxLs3yAEgE2WVnj5N-320-80.jpg)
I played the 3 latest Mario games on Nintendo Switch for Mario Day — and there's a clear winner
By Anthony Spadafora published
From puzzlers to RPGs to classic 2D Mario with a twist, there are plenty of great new Mario games to play on your Switch this Mario Day.