Latest news with #internetusers
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
I couldn't figure out why I had a small pink smiley face in my washing machine... but there's a simple answer
A baffled father who discovered a mysterious, tiny pink smiley face lurking in his washing machine has finally uncovered the surprisingly simple truth behind the sudsy find. The Reddit user, strawberrybalsamic, was left dumbfounded this week after spotting a miniature, bright pink smiley face staring up at him from inside the washing machine - its seemingly unexplainable origin leaving him completely puzzled. In search of answers, he turned to Reddit's popular 'What Is This Thing' forum, hoping someone could solve the bizarre discovery. 'Found in my washing machine,' the father captioned the post, which was shared on Wednesday. 'Small, pink face?' he added. 'Doesn't seem to dissolve, has no odor.' Alongside his post, the father shared two photos of the grinning, unexpected laundry intruder - one showing its face head-on, and another flipped upside down to reveal a lighter pink underside. Rather than providing clarity, the mystery only deepened when he shared additional details about the strange discovery just a short time later. 'It is a little powdery but I found it at the end of a washer cycle so I don't think it dissolves,' the father wrote. 'One side has the smiley face or maybe an arrow with two dots?' he added. 'The other side seems broken off.' 'Googling only comes up with ecstasy, which seems unlikely.' The post racked up more than 6,000 impressions, sparking a flood of theories from curious online sleuths. One determined user wrote: 'It looks like the top of a croc charm'. 'It might be a kids mini eraser,' said another. 'My kids get them a lot in gift bags for birthdays or prize rewards at school. That wouldn't break down in the wash, but could become discolored.' Another user chimed in confidently: 'IT'S A MAGNET! I have the same ones!!' 'It would be a plastic "mixer" to put in slime,' suggested a fourth user. 'You give no indication of size, but it looks like a rubber stamp, broken off the handle,' another user theorized. 'Teachers use those to mark papers.' In response, the father shared a third photo of the powdery object, lying flat on his hand and smiling directly at the lens. At last, the secret behind the laundry room enigma was laid bare for good - and one user guessed correctly. The strange smiley face turned out to be the tip of a small toy commonly used by kids - a mini stamper. 'Do you have any kids?' the user who cracked the case asked the father. 'This looks like the rubber part from a cheap stamp, like the one at the end of the marker.' In response, the father wrote: 'I do! We don't have any markers like that, but maybe they picked it up somewhere.' What really sealed the deal was the photo the user shared after the father's reply - a screenshot of a Lakeshore brand set of eight mini stampers, featuring one adorned with the exact same pink smiley face. These stampers are colorful, handheld tools that imprint fun designs like paw prints, hearts, stars - and of course, smiley faces - onto paper. Each one fits comfortably in the palm and is typically made of lightweight plastic, with a foam or rubber stamp at the base - explaining why the pink appeared more discolored on one side. 'That is practically identical, so I think it's solved!' the father replied to the shared photo. Finally, he updated the thread with a triumphant 'Solved!' - officially bringing the bizarre case of the pink smiley face to a satisfying close. Designed for arts and crafts, the specific pink mini stamper comes in a set of eight, featuring cheerful simple images perfect for decorating cards, notebooks or school projects. As two users correctly suggested, the stampers are also commonly used by teachers when grading children's work, adding a cheerful, colorful image as a token of encouragement. Somehow, the pink smiley face stamper found its way into the washing machine - catching an unsuspecting father totally off guard - before revealing itself as nothing other than a jolly, unexpected surprise.
Gizmodo
26-05-2025
- Gizmodo
The Best Free VPN for Brazil (Tried and Tested by Experts)
With over 181 million internet users, Brazil is one of the most connected countries on the planet. But more time online means greater exposure to tracking, surveillance, and those frustrating 'this content isn't available in your region' messages. That's where VPNs come in—and it's no surprise that millions of Brazilians use them daily. Here's the catch: most free VPNs for Brazil are either painfully slow, completely unsafe, or totally useless for streaming and browsing. Still, if you know where to look, a few services offer solid performance without charging a cent—no sketchy browser extensions or shady privacy trade-offs. We tested the top free VPN services in Brazil to find out which ones actually work and which are scams. Why You Might Actually Need a Free VPN in Brazil You'd think free VPNs are only useful for Brazilians trying to leave the country online, but the real value often works the other way around. Many people abroad want to stream Globoplay, access Brazilian banking apps, or stay in touch with local content, and for that, you need a Brazilian IP. The problem? Most free VPNs don't have Brazilian servers. That's where a premium service like NordVPN comes in with real servers in Brazil that work seamlessly, even if you're on the free trial. Still, free VPNs serve another purpose inside Brazil: protecting privacy, dodging price discrimination, and bypassing regional restrictions. Let's break it down. Brazil's Internet Is Open But Not Always Safe While Brazil doesn't impose heavy-handed censorship like some countries, it's far from frictionless. Surveillance is on the rise, targeted advertising is out of control, and data tracking by telecoms and app networks is often buried under vague 'terms of use.' That's where a VPN for Brazil (even a free one) steps in. It gives you a private, encrypted tunnel that hides your online activity from ISPs, app trackers, and even shady hotspot owners. Streaming Limits and Regional Lockouts Are a Real Thing If you've ever traveled and tried to access Brazilian content abroad, you know the frustration. Most streaming platforms, such as Globoplay, BandPlay, and even certain YouTube channels, block users outside Brazil. But here's the kicker: free VPN apps don't offer any Brazilian servers. So even if the VPN works perfectly, it won't help you watch BBB or stream local futebol matches. That's why NordVPN stands out. It offers real Brazilian servers, fast speeds, and zero data throttling during its free 30-day money-back window. Public Wi-Fi Is a Playground for Data Snoops Public networks are convenient and notoriously insecure. Whether you're on a college campus, in a Rio mall, or waiting at Guarulhos airport, an open Wi-Fi network can expose your data to anyone smart (or shady) enough to sniff traffic. A VPN encrypts your connection instantly, making it much harder for anyone to see what you're doing, whether you're checking your messages, sending work emails, or doom-scrolling through Twitter. Free VPNs Are a Lifeline If You Pick the Right Ones We're not here to romanticize free VPNs for Brazil. Most are slow, limited, and packed with annoying restrictions. But a few (the ones we've tested and trust) can genuinely improve your online privacy and let you reach content that would otherwise be blocked. Just know that unless you're using something like NordVPN, you probably won't be able to stream Brazilian content from outside the country. That's not a flaw, that's just the limit of what 'free' usually gets you. Best Free VPN for Brazil to Grab in 2025 Brazil doesn't mess around when it comes to internet use. We're talking full-on streaming, mobile-first browsing, and a healthy distrust of anyone trying to log your clicks. So when it comes to VPNs, Brazilians don't just want any free option. They want one that's actually fast, doesn't sell your data to some offshore ad company, and here's the hard part, offers real servers in Brazil. We tested dozens of VPNs that claimed to be free and 'unlimited,' and spoiler: most of them choked. The ones below didn't. Whether you're abroad trying to stream Globoplay or inside Brazil looking to browse safely on public Wi-Fi, these are the only free Brazil VPNs that hold up. 1. NordVPN — The Best VPN Offering a Free Trial for Brazil If you're outside Brazil and want to access local content like Globoplay, BandPlay, or Netflix BR, even the best free VPNs won't cut it, as they simply don't offer Brazilian servers, but NordVPN does! It's not Brazil's top VPN by coincidence, but it's only free for a limited time. We'll explain below. Servers in Brazil: Most free VPNs skip over Brazil entirely, but NordVPN has over 20 real servers, not virtual ones. We tested multiple ones from Europe and the U.S., and all gave us flawless access to Globoplay, BandPlay, and regional Netflix content without triggering any region errors. Streaming access: We streamed full episodes of Vai na Fé and Sob Pressão on Globoplay while connected to Brazilian servers, all in HD without buffering or audio delay. Even during primetime hours, NordVPN's bandwidth stayed consistent, and we didn't hit any content restrictions. Note that you can also count on it to watch American TV from Brazil (and much more). Speed performance: Thanks to NordVPN's NordLynx protocol, speeds were 85–90% of our base connection. That's more than enough for high-definition video, mobile streaming, or casting to a smart TV without lag. On slower hotel Wi-Fi networks, it was still fast enough to stream 1080p reliably. Privacy & Security: NordVPN comes with AES-256 encryption, a strict no-logs policy independently audited by Deloitte, and leak protection. It also has a kill switch that cuts our internet off the second the connection drops, so no real IP leaks, even temporarily. Compatibility: We used NordVPN across Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, and Fire TV Stick, and the setup took under 3 minutes each time. Obfuscation requires one settings toggle, and the interface is sleek and lag-free. Cost & trial: NordVPN isn't free forever, but with a 30-day money-back guarantee and premium-level features, it's the most reliable temporary free VPN for Brazil. For anyone looking to stream Brazilian content from abroad, it's the only service in our tests that hit all the marks. Try NordVPN Now Pros Over 20 real servers in Brazil for access Unblocks Globoplay, Netflix BR, and others Obfuscation bypasses stealth detection Fast speeds Apps for every major platform Try it risk-free with a 30-day guarantee Cons Obfuscation is not enabled by default 2. Proton VPN — Unlimited Free Data, But No Brazilian Servers If your top priority is online privacy inside Brazil, Proton VPN is one of the best free VPNs around. But if you're trying to access Brazilian content from abroad, there's a major caveat: Proton VPN's free plan doesn't include servers in Brazil. Servers available: Proton VPN's free plan includes access to servers in the United States, Netherlands, Japan, Romania, and Poland. These are great for general browsing, securing public Wi-Fi, or accessing international content, but they won't help if you're looking to stream Brazil-only platforms from outside the country. Streaming access: We tested multiple streaming services while connected to Proton VPN's free servers. YouTube and Spotify worked fine, but anything requiring a Brazilian IP, like Globoplay or RecordTV Play, immediately returned geo-block errors. For Brazil-specific streaming, this VPN won't help. Speed performance: Speeds were stable during tests. We hit about 70–80% of our base connection on the Netherlands server, which was plenty for web browsing, video calls, and HD YouTube streams. And with unlimited free data, there's no sudden cut-off after a few GBs. Privacy & security: Proton VPN shines here. It offers strong AES-256 encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and is based in privacy-friendly Switzerland. There's also DNS leak protection and a kill switch on all platforms. Compatibility: The free app works across Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux, and setup is quick. It's one of the rare free VPNs that doesn't shove ads or trackers into your experience. Try ProtonVPN Now Pros No ads, logs, or shady monetization Great privacy (based in Switzerland) Cross-platform support and clean apps Cons No Brazilian servers Doesn't unblock local platforms 3. — Secure Free VPN With Great Privacy If you're in Brazil and looking for a reliable free VPN for short bursts of encrypted browsing or app access, is a strong contender. While it's not unlimited like Proton VPN, it comes with 10GB/month of free data, no ads, and a good track record for user privacy. But just like other free VPNs on this list, it doesn't offer Brazilian servers on the free plan, so it's not ideal for accessing Brazilian TV channels from abroad. Servers available: The free plan gives you access to servers in the US, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, and Finland. That makes it useful for securing your traffic inside Brazil or unlocking international content. However, you won't get a Brazilian IP, so Globoplay, RecordTV Play, or Netflix BR won't work if you're trying to stream them from outside the country. Speed and performance: surprised us here. Despite the data cap, speeds were fast and reliable for most use cases. We streamed YouTube in HD, downloaded files, and jumped between apps without lag. Once you hit the 10GB limit, you'll either have to wait until the next cycle or upgrade to a paid plan. Privacy & security: has been around for a while and has a strong no-logs reputation. It supports OpenVPN and WireGuard, includes a kill switch, and has built-in protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, all available even in the free version. Great if 10GB is enough: If your usage is light and you just want solid privacy with short-term data coverage, delivers more than most free VPNs. But again, it's not for Brazilian streaming access from abroad, and you'll want NordVPN for that. Pros 10GB/month free data with no ads OpenVPN and WireGuard support Runs on all major devices and platforms Cons No Brazilian servers on the free plan 10GB limit may not be enough 4. Hotspot Shield — Fast Daily VPN Use, But No Brazil Access If you're in Brazil and just need a quick, simple way to protect your traffic on public Wi-Fi or browse securely while traveling, Hotspot Shield's free plan offers a clean, no-signup experience. You get 500MB of data per day, which totals about 15GB per month, which is enough for basic tasks. Servers available: The free plan locks you into a single US-based server. You can't choose other regions, and there are no options for South America at all. That's fine for encrypted browsing or checking international sites from inside Brazil, but you won't be able to get a Brazilian IP, so Globoplay, Netflix BR, and local platforms won't work if you're outside the country trying to stream them. Speed and performance: Despite the data limits, Hotspot Shield is fast. It uses its own Hydra protocol, and we were able to browse, stream short YouTube videos, and use messaging apps with no lag. The connection held steady during testing, and it recovered quickly after reconnections or mobile network switches. Privacy & security: Hotspot Shield doesn't log your activity on the free plan, and it offers basic encryption, malware blocking, and a built-in kill switch on desktop. It's not quite as robust as Proton VPN or NordVPN on the privacy side, but it's good enough for casual users who just want a little protection without handing over an email address. Solid for light use, but no Brazil access: If you're in Brazil and just want a quick, lightweight VPN for daily browsing, Hotspot Shield is easy to recommend. But if you're trying to stream Brazilian content from abroad or need long-session support, the 500MB/day cap and lack of local servers are serious limitations. Pros Fast speeds with the Hydra protocol No account or email required to start Simple with clean mobile and desktop apps Cons No Brazilian servers — US location only Daily data cap limits video streaming Can't access Brazil-only platforms Wrapping Up Most free VPNs can't provide you with a Brazilian IP address, and the ones that try often fall short on streaming, speed, or security. Whether you're looking to access Globoplay, BandPlay, or Netflix BR from outside Brazil, or just want reliable, private browsing at home, NordVPN is the only 'free-for-now' VPN that checks every box. With real servers in Brazil, consistently fast speeds, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, NordVPN is the only choice we confidently recommend if you're serious about staying connected to Brazilian content with no compromises. Try NordVPN Risk-Free
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
I went to mow my lawn was baffled after finding white and pink balls on it but they have a simple purpose
A bewildered homeowner who discovered mysterious pink and white balls suddenly covering his freshly mowed lawn has shared the surprising explanation behind the bizarre garden invasion. The confused gardener, who posts on Reddit as BayGullGuy, was left scratching his head last week after spotting the peculiar pellets scattered across his grass that seemingly appeared out of nowhere. The user turned to the popular 'What Is This Thing' forum for answers, where many Reddit users gave their reactions. 'I mowed my lawn last night and this wasn't here. Now it's all over my lawn,' he wrote. 'Doesn't seem to be in my neighbors yard. The white ones I can kinda scrape a bit off with my thumbnail. The pink ones almost feel like plastic.' Adding to the mystery, he confirmed: 'We don't have a lawn care service.' He shared a photo accompanying his post which revealed dozens of small, round pellets - approximately half pink and half white - generously sprinkled across his recently cut grass. The post sparked a flurry of theories from fellow internet users. Many pointed to the same guess. 'Fertilizer, the type that many lawn care companies use,' one user wrote. 'Even if you don't have a contract with one of these companies, they often make mistakes. I had my lawn fertilized twice by a company that my neighbors use.' Another warned: 'Just a suggestion, but if it's fertilizer you need to water quickly or it can/will damage your yard.' A third explained the mix-up, writing: 'Someone fertilized with weed and feed for you. Is it close to the neighbor's yard? Broadcast spreader aren't always that accurate when applying.' Some highlighted how lawn care companies occasionally treat the wrong property, with one commenter reassuring the original poster. 'You might not have a lawn care service, but that doesn't mean that someone didn't make a mistake, and do your lawn anyway,' they wrote. The confused gardener, who posts on Reddit as BayGullGuy, was left scratching his head last week after spotting the peculiar pellets scattered across his grass that seemingly appeared out of nowhere The user turned to the popular 'What Is This Thing' forum for answers, where many Reddit users gave their reactions In an update marked 'Solved!', the relieved gardener revealed: 'Talked to a neighbor. A lawn care service (that I didn't sign up for) came and did my lawn by mistake' The truth behind the garden mystery was finally revealed. In an update marked 'Solved!', the relieved gardener revealed: 'Talked to a neighbor. A lawn care service (that I didn't sign up for) came and did my lawn by mistake.' Earlier this month, on the same 'What Is This Thing' forum, a sofa owner who spent years questioning what the bendy part of his couch is finally learned the strange feature actually had a simple explanation. The Reddit user, Necessary-Comedian78, shared an image of his sofa on the popular r/whatisthisthing forum, sparking an online debate after questioning the 'mysterious folding mechanism'. 'What's the function of this folding thing in the back of my couch?' the confused owner wrote alongside a photo of the furniture item. 'I've had this couch for years and for the life of me can't figure out what it's intended for.' They added: 'It's very uncomfortable if I put the cushions back when it's folded because they don't have enough support.' The post quickly went viral with hundreds of users rushing to solve the mystery that had been troubling the homeowner for years. The real reason behind the mysterious folding mechanism turns out to serve a practical purpose that many furniture owners remain completely unaware of. Many users highlighted the design function allows furniture manufacturers to create larger pieces that can still get through standard doorways. 'It's just to make the back flush with the arms - the cushions should sit flush as well if you put them on the seats - so it's more compact for shipping and storage,' explained one commenter.
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Simple math riddle leaves people confused. Can you solve the grade-school problem in under 60 seconds?
A seemingly straightforward math puzzle has left social media users scratching their heads after being shared on X. User BholanathDutta posted the brain teaser with the caption 'Can you solve this', presenting what appears to be a simple math problem that follows an unusual pattern. The riddle reads: 22 + 4 = 24 13 + 6 = 18 60 + 2 = 82 67 + 9 = ? Can you solve the grade-school problem in under 60 seconds? At first glance, the equations don't seem to follow normal mathematical rules. Users shared their responses in the comments. Most replies confidently stated the answer was '69', while others suggested '96.' But the key to solving the riddle lies in recognizing that the 'answers' aren't actually the sum of the two numbers, but rather the two numbers written side by side. For 22 + 4 = 24, the solution combines 2 (from 22) and 4 to make 24. Similarly, 13 + 6 = 18 takes the 1 from 13 and combines it with 6 to create 18. Following this pattern, 60 + 2 = 82 uses the 8 from 60 (6+0) combined with 2, and 67 + 9 should equal 69 by combining 6 from 67 with 9. The final answer is 69. The riddle joins a long list of viral math puzzles that have stumped internet users. Earlier this month, another basic-looking math puzzle went viral for a very unexpected reason: the answers seem totally wrong - until you crack the hidden pattern. The puzzle reads: 3 + 4 = 19 5 + 6 = 4 1 2 + 8 = 66 5 + 1 = ? At first glance, none of these make sense. According to standard math, 3 plus 4 is 7 - so how do we get 19? Same goes for the rest. It's clearly not traditional arithmetic. But look a little closer, and you'll find a sneaky twist hiding in plain sight. The trick is this: each equation follows the formula a + b². That is, take the first number, then add the square of the second number. For the first line, 3 + 4 becomes 3 + 4². That's 3 + 16, which equals 19. For the second, 5 + 6² equals 5 + 36 - giving us 41. The third: 2 + 8² equals 2 + 64, which is 66. It fits perfectly. Now apply the same logic to the final equation. We have 5 + 1². That's just 5 + 1. The final answer? 6.
South China Morning Post
11-05-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Hongkongers left outraged after clip shows hiker removing MacLehose Trail marker
An online video showing a man removing a distance marker from Hong Kong's MacLehose Trail has sparked anger among internet users, who have warned that the act could have put hikers in need of emergency rescue at even greater risk. Advertisement The 21-second clip was circulating widely on Chinese social media platform RedNote and shows the man pulling up marker No 148 on a section of the trail at Tai Mo Shan. Speaking in Mandarin, the individual can be heard making light of the situation and saying something that roughly translates to 'easily handled MacLehose Trail' as he hoists the pole onto his shoulder and jogs a short distance. The man in the video also says: 'Goodbye to this 148, don't even think about taking photos here; I'm taking it away.' Later in the clip, he returns the marker to its original position and says: 'that was too tiring'. Advertisement The social account features content about camping in locations across mainland China.
