Karissa was Mashable's Senior Tech Reporter, and is based in San Francisco. She covers social media platforms, Silicon Valley, and the many ways technology is changing our lives. Her work has also appeared in Wired, Macworld, Popular Mechanics, and The Wirecutter. In her free time, she enjoys snowboarding and watching too many cat videos on Instagram. Follow her on Twitter @karissabe.
By Karissa Bell
The best VPN for MacBooks
Take care of your most precious property.
By Karissa Bell and Joseph Green
![Laptop in dark room](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/roundups/00HgVzyTnQr8Fwldcgw59ul/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1619478782.jpg)
![Laptop in dark room](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/roundups/00HgVzyTnQr8Fwldcgw59ul/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1619478782.jpg)
Getting a new MacBook Pro? You still need a VPN — here's why.
Apple's built-in security tools can't protect you from online snooping.
By Haley Henschel and Karissa Bell
![MacBook laptop](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/roundups/07abBDKWcdA3dle4t7cjTVt/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1632967506.jpg)
![MacBook laptop](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/roundups/07abBDKWcdA3dle4t7cjTVt/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1632967506.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Review: Better sound and battery, but these are no AirPods Pro
An improvement on the original in important ways.
By Karissa Bell
![Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Review: Better sound and battery, but these are no AirPods Pro](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/reviews/03Hadmm2pzXlOwpou7QNHBJ/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623388747.jpg)
![Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Review: Better sound and battery, but these are no AirPods Pro](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/reviews/03Hadmm2pzXlOwpou7QNHBJ/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623388747.jpg)
Apple might finally let you ditch its Maps and Mail apps forever
The change would be welcome.
By Karissa Bell
![Apple might finally let you ditch its Maps and Mail apps forever](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03CmlpqfXw5CLOHaXZDdtdh/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623388776.jpg)
![Apple might finally let you ditch its Maps and Mail apps forever](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03CmlpqfXw5CLOHaXZDdtdh/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623388776.jpg)
Alleged Huawei spy was caught disguised as 'Weihua' employee
Nope, not obvious at all.
By Karissa Bell
![Alleged Huawei spy was caught disguised as 'Weihua' employee](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/01o56JlDl8xNhv25OSzgFQW/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623388689.jpg)
![Alleged Huawei spy was caught disguised as 'Weihua' employee](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/01o56JlDl8xNhv25OSzgFQW/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623388689.jpg)
European privacy officials swipe left on Facebook's dating service
Facebook is delaying its plans one day before its planned launch.
By Karissa Bell
![European privacy officials swipe left on Facebook's dating service](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/00V7VKqm6SQWvUvCkxdPECg/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623388681.png)
![European privacy officials swipe left on Facebook's dating service](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/00V7VKqm6SQWvUvCkxdPECg/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623388681.png)
WhatsApp has more than 2 billion users
The Facebook-owned app is more dominant than ever.
By Karissa Bell
![WhatsApp has more than 2 billion users](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02edNQdPzqBDugW7s6tEXJf/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623388678.jpg)
![WhatsApp has more than 2 billion users](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02edNQdPzqBDugW7s6tEXJf/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623388678.jpg)
Hands-on with Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip: This time it might work
What it's like to use Samsung's new foldable flip phone.
By Karissa Bell
![Hands-on with Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip: This time it might work](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/07qBWOGC6PdGw5fvzJc5FF8/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623388663.jpg)
![Hands-on with Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip: This time it might work](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/07qBWOGC6PdGw5fvzJc5FF8/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623388663.jpg)
What to expect at Samsung's Unpacked event
Three new flagships, a purple foldable, and upgraded Galaxy Buds.
By Karissa Bell
![What to expect at Samsung's Unpacked event](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02B6CAYhPnir1qs2Oo2ItHC/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623388616.jpg)
![What to expect at Samsung's Unpacked event](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02B6CAYhPnir1qs2Oo2ItHC/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623388616.jpg)
Instagram really does show you some accounts more often. Now you can see who.
The app will now categorize your follows by how often you see and interact with their posts.
By Karissa Bell
![Instagram really does show you some accounts more often. Now you can see who.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02CRn7QYuD7amDsKVwAECDN/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623388596.png)
![Instagram really does show you some accounts more often. Now you can see who.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02CRn7QYuD7amDsKVwAECDN/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623388596.png)
Samsung's upgraded Galaxy Buds+ will be iPhone-friendly, according to leak
The buds will have better sound and battery life, according to a leaked spec sheet.
By Karissa Bell
![Samsung's upgraded Galaxy Buds+ will be iPhone-friendly, according to leak](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/05n2XFjr2GihJkOeTNPJep7/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623388569.jpg)
![Samsung's upgraded Galaxy Buds+ will be iPhone-friendly, according to leak](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/05n2XFjr2GihJkOeTNPJep7/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623388569.jpg)
Twitter will label deepfakes and other 'manipulated media'
The new rules will will also apply to politicians.
By Karissa Bell
![Twitter will label deepfakes and other 'manipulated media'](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/001sBIwVWGH98G0uUqd11bk/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623388558.jpg)
![Twitter will label deepfakes and other 'manipulated media'](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/001sBIwVWGH98G0uUqd11bk/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623388558.jpg)
Google finally discloses YouTube ad revenue and it's mind boggling
YouTube's ad revenue topped $15 billion in 2019 and it's growing quickly.
By Karissa Bell
![Google finally discloses YouTube ad revenue and it's mind boggling](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/00MZhun94uLCclj9BEIFe5L/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623388546.jpg)
![Google finally discloses YouTube ad revenue and it's mind boggling](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/00MZhun94uLCclj9BEIFe5L/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623388546.jpg)
Byte is already incredibly popular. But can it overtake TikTok?
Byte has already eclipsed its predecessor by one metric.
By Karissa Bell
![Byte is already incredibly popular. But can it overtake TikTok?](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02ATrSpK0hJeE6wOCobhExj/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1614273817.png)
![Byte is already incredibly popular. But can it overtake TikTok?](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02ATrSpK0hJeE6wOCobhExj/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1614273817.png)
Here's what Mark Zuckerberg really meant by being 'understood'
"This is the new approach and I think it's going to piss off a lot of people."
By Karissa Bell
![Here's what Mark Zuckerberg really meant by being 'understood'](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03KcbVFK3KVmZEJQtyhhtIq/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623388529.jpg)
![Here's what Mark Zuckerberg really meant by being 'understood'](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03KcbVFK3KVmZEJQtyhhtIq/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623388529.jpg)
Facebook will remove some coronavirus conspiracy theories
The update comes after other platforms have taken action to prevent the spread of conspiracy theories.
By Karissa Bell
![Facebook will remove some coronavirus conspiracy theories](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/06chgXqwoyms8xwmJOSWRgB/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623388511.jpg)
![Facebook will remove some coronavirus conspiracy theories](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/06chgXqwoyms8xwmJOSWRgB/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623388511.jpg)
Twitter knows it has an echo chamber problem. Topics could fix that.
Twitter's plan to spur user engagement is starting to take shape.
By Karissa Bell
![Twitter knows it has an echo chamber problem. Topics could fix that.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/067hmaA741yVcxIt44YpdFB/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623388502.png)
![Twitter knows it has an echo chamber problem. Topics could fix that.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/067hmaA741yVcxIt44YpdFB/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623388502.png)
Snapchat's Bitmoji TV cartoon show is here and it's really, really weird
The cartoon series is live now in Snapchat Discover.
By Karissa Bell
![Snapchat's Bitmoji TV cartoon show is here and it's really, really weird](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/06TwUZJjFCgfWFv6fdKIHke/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623388480.png)
![Snapchat's Bitmoji TV cartoon show is here and it's really, really weird](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/06TwUZJjFCgfWFv6fdKIHke/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623388480.png)
Mark Zuckerberg doesn't need to be 'liked'
The founder of the company that made the like button doesn't care about being popular.
By Karissa Bell
![Mark Zuckerberg doesn't need to be 'liked'](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/04j13bLAFrYZonutj7joJiP/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623388491.jpg)
![Mark Zuckerberg doesn't need to be 'liked'](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/04j13bLAFrYZonutj7joJiP/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623388491.jpg)
Twitter will tweak search results to fight coronavirus disinformation
The company did the same to prevent the spread of vaccine conspiracy theories.
By Karissa Bell
![Twitter will tweak search results to fight coronavirus disinformation](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03vKcYkFcPMs5sluR7l2bTc/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1614273792.jpg)
![Twitter will tweak search results to fight coronavirus disinformation](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03vKcYkFcPMs5sluR7l2bTc/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1614273792.jpg)
Google Translate will soon be able to transcribe audio
Google's translation tech is about to get even more useful.
By Karissa Bell
![Google Translate will soon be able to transcribe audio](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/00bPTpqwL3MlAW3ebhWfabK/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1614273779.jpg)
![Google Translate will soon be able to transcribe audio](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/00bPTpqwL3MlAW3ebhWfabK/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1614273779.jpg)