Hacker tried to sell access to BBC server -- report
The server has since been secured, but it was on the open market for cybercrooks last week, reports Reuters.
Lance WhitneyContributing Writer
Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer and a former IT professional. He's written for Time, CNET, PCMag, and several other publications. He's the author of two tech books--one on Windows and another on LinkedIn.
A Russian hacker wasn't exactly in the Christmas spirit when he reportedly tried to sell access to a BBC server on December 25.
Apparently first spotted by cybersecurity firm Hold Security, the recent attack hit a BBC FTP server and was conducted by a "notorious Russian hacker" known as "Hash" and "Rev0lver," Reuters reported on Sunday. No evidence has turned up indicating that the hacker stole any actual information.
But "Hash" attempted to make a Christmas Day profit out of his exploits, according to Hold Security founder Alex Holden. The hacker tried to sell access to the server to fellow cybercriminals, Holden told Reuters. "Hash" even showed other hackers certain information that could only be obtained by someone who controlled the server.
Holden confirmed the discovery in an e-mail sent to CNET:
We discovered the situation through our Deep Web Monitoring service. As a part of the service to our customers, we search the Deep Web (hacker forums and other communications) for any evidence of breaches of our customers' data. However, we often see other hacker activities like this one. In short, we saw hacker "Hash" trying to sell access to the BBC server. As a proof, he was offering a screenshot of his access which we found to be credible. To-date we saw no evidence that he was successful in selling this access or if any other data had been taken from BBC.
Holden told CNET that he doesn't know exactly how the hacker gained access to the server. But based on Hash's profile, the hack may have been achieved through stolen credentials. Selling access to a compromised server is also a common tactic among hackers, according to Holden.
"When hackers get access to a high-value or at least well-known target that they are unable to monetize themselves, they turn to their community with offer to sell," Holden explained to CNET. "The value is usually based on access level and data on the target. For a sale like that, a proof is always required."
The server has since been secured, a person familiar with the cleanup effort told Reuters. But the BBC itself has been mum about the matter, telling Reuters that "we do not comment on security issues."
Update, 11:24 a.m. PT:Added more information from Hold Security founder Alex Holden.
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Our Readers Chose Their Top 100 Tech Buys of 2025. Most Are Already Discounted for Black Friday
Here's everything you loved this year and if you haven't bought it yet, it's probably on sale right now, giving you one more chance before the end of 2025.
Aashna GheewallaAssociate Writer
Aashna Gheewalla is an Associate Writer at CNET. She previously worked as a Deals Writer at Wirecutter and a Health Advocacy Writer at GoodRx. She spends her free time teaching and practicing Pilates and trying out different restaurants.
In 2025, we've seen so many spectacular new tech products being released all from brands we love, such as Apple, Google and Samsung. Throughout the year, we've been showing you the latest items and the best deals readers could wish for. From brilliant smart home gadgets to a sleigh full of AI-powered tech and so much more, we've heard and seen all of the products readers enjoyed buying the most. If you're on the hunt for the best holiday gifts, search no further. Since it's almost Black Friday, a ton of these items are down to record low prices, meaning you can save upwards of hundreds of dollars.
The CNET Readers' Choice Top 100 of 2025 features the most-loved tech, home and lifestyle products that readers actually purchased, making it your essential holiday gift guide. If you want to get the biggest bang for your buck without tirelessly scouring the internet or ChatGPT for the absolute best deals, consider your stocking stuffed.
No matter what you're looking for -- from the sharpest noise-canceling headphones to the most powerful robot vacuum or a laptop that can actually keep up with your workflow -- we've got it. We brought you a wide range of new and returning products this year that we thought were truly phenomenal. Here's our favorite 100 products that made the cut.
Watch this: Stop Overpaying: Price-Check Before You Buy on Black Friday
Headphones and earbuds
From wireless earbuds to over-ear headphones, 2025's audio scene delivered serious upgrades. These buds have better battery life, clearer ANC and comfort you can wear all day.
These are our Editors' Choice wireless earbuds, taking the spot for the best wireless earbuds overall of 2025. They have top-notch noise cancellation as well as improved bass and clarity compared to their predecessor. They even have built-in heart rate monitoring and up to eight hours of battery life.
An AirTag is the best way to keep track of everyday items like your keys and wallet. It's also a great way to keep track of your luggage if you are checking in a suitcase.
This year's best laptops are equipped with lightning-fast chips, all-day battery life, and ultra-bright displays that help us get through the work or school day a little easier.
This TV was voted the best smart TV of the year. It has a bright screen and punchy, cinematic images. This makes it great for watching anything, plus it's also great for gamers.
This fan-favorite air fryer is loved by our editors as well. It's super easy to clean as it's almost entirely dishwasher safe. The glass basket gives it a beautiful look and since it has nesting abilities you won't need a lot of storage room.
This is the best smart lock of 2025. We love it because it has a stylish design and works with the Airbnb app and ADT Plus. It also has voice assistant support for Alexa, Google and Siri and options for codes, fingerprints and more.
If you haven't upgraded your vacuum in a few years, you're in for a treat. This year brought longer runtimes, self-emptying bases and robot vacs that don't knock into things.
Approximate Price $180Self-empty dock NoMopping functionality NoReplaceable battery YesVacuum type Cordless stickAnti-allergy filter (HEPA) NoBin capacity 0.65 litersWeight 10.45 poundsBattery life/runtime 55 mins
The LVAC-200 is one of our top budget vacuum picks of the year. It's cordless so you can take it anywhere you need. It runs for almost an hour at a time and does and excellent job picking up all dirt and debris, including pet hair.
ExpressVPN is CNET's Editors' Choice for the best VPN overall. It's super easy to use across platforms and it has a strong commitment to transparency, privacy and security.
The Apple Watch 10 is no longer the latest Apple Watch, but it still makes for an incredible smartwatch. It feels incredibly light but has a big screen for better readability, especially on the smaller case. And with a 1Hz refresh rate, it also has a ticking second hand.
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.Reviews ethics statement
Sorry, Grandma, This 12-Minute Baked Potato Is Better Than Yours
Yes, you can cheat the system and get a perfect baked potato in a fraction of the time.
David WatskyManaging Editor / Home and Kitchen
David lives in Brooklyn where he's spent more than a decade covering all things edible, including meal kit services, food subscriptions, kitchen tools and cooking tips.
David earned his BA from Northeastern and has toiled in nearly every aspect of the food business, including as a line cook in Rhode Island where he once made a steak sandwich for Lamar Odom.
Right now he's likely somewhere stress-testing a blender or tinkering with a toaster. Anything with sesame is his all-time favorite food this week.
That rock-hard potato takes too long. Here's the shortcut to fluffy, crispy perfection.
Arielle Burton/CNET
Want to hear a potentially controversial take? Waiting 60 minutes for a baked potato to cook in the oven is a waste of time and energy. Sure, it's a classic comfort food, but nobody has the patience for that kind of wait on a busy weeknight. And if you're in charge of holiday dinner this year, you're probably going to want to get food on the table fast.
The air fryer is obviously superior for getting that steakhouse-style crispy skin, but the real game-changer is a specific speed hack. By jump-starting the cooking process in the microwave and finishing in the air fryer, you can get a perfect, fluffy potato in just 12 minutes. It's the ultimate hybrid method that makes the traditional oven route feel completely obsolete.
Don't believe us? Try it for yourself.
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Step 1: Poke 10 to 12 air holes in the potato using a fork and salt liberally.
Step 2: Microwave the potato on high for 8 to 10 minutes or until it's fork-tender and cooked through.
Step 3: Slice the potato halfway through and toss with melted butter or olive oil. You can also stuff the potato with cheese or bacon bits.
Step 4: Air fry on high, skin side up, for 2 minutes.
Step 5: Flip and cook for another two minutes until desired crispiness is achieved. (If topping with cheese, veggies or bacon, cook skin side down only.)
Feel free to stuff or top the potato to your heart's content.
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.Reviews ethics statement
The 'Magic Number' for Your Thermostat That Will Save You Hundreds This Winter
If your heating bill is too high, adjusting your thermostat to this temperature is the best fix.
Mike De SocioContributor
Mike De Socio is a CNET contributor who writes about energy, personal finance, electric vehicles and climate change. He's also the author of the nonfiction book, "Morally Straight: How the Fight for LGBTQ+ Inclusion Changed the Boy Scouts-And America." His path in journalism has taken him through almost every part of the newsroom, earning awards along the way from the Boston Press Photographers Association and the Society of Professional Journalists. Mike recently became a certified electric coach and aims to drive climate action through electrification education. As an independent journalist, his work has also been published in Bloomberg, The Guardian, Fortune and beyond.
ExpertiseEnergy | Climate change | Personal financeCredentials
Journalism awards from the Boston Press Photographers Association, the Society of Professional Journalists and Boston University
This is the easiest way to lower your winter energy costs without freezing in your own home.
Grace Cary/Getty Images
Keeping your home warm during the winter months usually comes with a painful trade-off: a heating bills that completely destroys your monthly budget. But you don't have to resort to wearing a parka on your couch or shivering under three blankets just to keep costs down.
The secret isn't suffering -- it's strategy. Instead of mindlessly cranking up the furnace, a few smart adjustments can keep the heat in and the costs manageable. Finding the perfect thermostat setting for efficiency is the biggest factor, but there are other simple tweaks that stop your energy usage from skyrocketing. Here's how to stay cozy this season, without breaking the bank.
Don't miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.
This is the ideal thermostat temperature for the winter
In the winter, experts recommend that you set your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you're home, and 60 to 65 degrees when you're asleep or away.
You can set it higher, but that will reduce efficiency and lead to higher energy bills. It also depends on the weather outside, said Julian Picard, owner of HVAC company Centerline Mechanical. If it's 20 degrees Fahrenheit outside, maybe don't set your thermostat to 80 degrees, he advised.
Then there's the question of changing the temperature at night or when you're not home. The Department of Energy suggests you turn your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees from its normal setting for 8 hours a day, saying that can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling.
Picard suggested a smaller change: Lower the temperature by just four degrees when you're away or asleep. This means your system won't have to work quite as hard to get back to temperature.
"You don't want to have drastic changes in temperature," said Mahlie Dukes, franchise owner of WIN Home Inspection in Indiana.
You should also get to know your specific heating system. If you notice, for example, that your home never gets up to the temperature you set, that could be a sign that your system is improperly sized for your home, Picard says. And it's a cue to lower your thermostat setting so your HVAC won't constantly be working on overdrive.
In the summer, the ideal temperature for your thermostat is 75 degrees Fahrenheit to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you're home, and 80 degrees Fahrenheit when you're away or asleep, Dukes said. The Department of Energy suggests 78 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, 82 degrees Fahrenheit when you're sleeping and 85 degrees Fahrenheit when you're not home.
Most importantly, you want to make sure your system can handle the settings. If you notice that the house never gets as cool as your thermostat setting, that probably means your system is not sized well for your home, and you might want to ease up on the cooling. You may also want to check on how well sealed your doors and windows are and how well insulated your home is.
Air conditioners can only really cool your home to 15 to 20 degrees below the outdoor temperature, so setting the thermostat too low can result in your system running without being effective.
Watch this: Easy Ways to Lower Your Utility Bills and Save Money
Does it matter what type of HVAC you have?
Yes and no. The same general temperature recommendations apply regardless of the type of HVAC you have in your home, Picard says.
However, your results may vary depending on the type and size of your system. Systems that are over- or undersized for your home will run inefficiently, leading to higher heating and cooling costs.
This is why Picard recommends that you have an HVAC professional inspect and clean your system annually. These pros can tell you how best to use your specific system for the best comfort and efficiency, he said.
Avoid this common thermostat mistake
Say your home is quite a bit colder than you'd prefer, and you want it to be perfect now. It may be 65 degrees Fahrenheit inside, and you may want it to be 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Don't set it to 75 in the hopes that it will warm it up faster. Most HVAC units have two settings -- on or off -- and there's no getting to 70 degrees Fahrenheit any faster.
Set your thermostat to the temperature you want it to be. Setting to a warmer or cooler temperature than you actually desire in the hopes that will speed things along will just result in overcooling or overheating -- and overspending on your energy bills.
Is your thermostat in the wrong place?
Your thermostat knows how to set the temperature because it has a thermometer in it. So if your thermostat is in the wrong spot, it won't give you an accurate reading of the temp in your home.
You want to avoid having your thermostat in a location that sees frequent changes in temperature or humidity, like in the kitchen or the bathroom. If it's on an exterior wall, it might be more sensitive to outdoor temperature changes.
Instead, try to position your thermostat on an interior wall in a location like your living room.
If your thermostat supports external room sensors, having sensors in other locations, like a bedroom, can help you better regulate the temperature in the rooms where you spend most of your time.
Save money by setting your thermostat
Reducing your energy bills this year doesn't have to be hard.
"There's a huge misconception that in order to be energy efficient, you must be uncomfortable," Picard said.
Homeowners can also look at areas beyond their thermostat. Investing in good insulation, for example, can greatly reduce how much strain you put on your HVAC system.
"You'd be surprised how much energy we blow right through our attics," Picard said.
That annual inspection and maintenance appointment can also help save you money. Picard said buildup within your HVAC system can lead to efficiency losses of up to 10% annually, which you'll see on your energy bill. That's why having it cleaned every year is a good move.
And if you're in the market for a new HVAC system, it's a great time to take stock and make sure what you have fits your specific home.
Here Are 23 Ways to Save On Your Electric Bills Right Now
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.Reviews ethics statement
Our Readers Chose Their Top 100 Tech Buys of 2025. Most Are Already Discounted for Black Friday
Here's everything you loved this year and if you haven't bought it yet, it's probably on sale right now, giving you one more chance before the end of 2025.
Aashna GheewallaAssociate Writer
Aashna Gheewalla is an Associate Writer at CNET. She previously worked as a Deals Writer at Wirecutter and a Health Advocacy Writer at GoodRx. She spends her free time teaching and practicing Pilates and trying out different restaurants.
In 2025, we've seen so many spectacular new tech products being released all from brands we love, such as Apple, Google and Samsung. Throughout the year, we've been showing you the latest items and the best deals readers could wish for. From brilliant smart home gadgets to a sleigh full of AI-powered tech and so much more, we've heard and seen all of the products readers enjoyed buying the most. If you're on the hunt for the best holiday gifts, search no further. Since it's almost Black Friday, a ton of these items are down to record low prices, meaning you can save upwards of hundreds of dollars.
The CNET Readers' Choice Top 100 of 2025 features the most-loved tech, home and lifestyle products that readers actually purchased, making it your essential holiday gift guide. If you want to get the biggest bang for your buck without tirelessly scouring the internet or ChatGPT for the absolute best deals, consider your stocking stuffed.
No matter what you're looking for -- from the sharpest noise-canceling headphones to the most powerful robot vacuum or a laptop that can actually keep up with your workflow -- we've got it. We brought you a wide range of new and returning products this year that we thought were truly phenomenal. Here's our favorite 100 products that made the cut.
Watch this: Stop Overpaying: Price-Check Before You Buy on Black Friday
Headphones and earbuds
From wireless earbuds to over-ear headphones, 2025's audio scene delivered serious upgrades. These buds have better battery life, clearer ANC and comfort you can wear all day.
These are our Editors' Choice wireless earbuds, taking the spot for the best wireless earbuds overall of 2025. They have top-notch noise cancellation as well as improved bass and clarity compared to their predecessor. They even have built-in heart rate monitoring and up to eight hours of battery life.
An AirTag is the best way to keep track of everyday items like your keys and wallet. It's also a great way to keep track of your luggage if you are checking in a suitcase.
This year's best laptops are equipped with lightning-fast chips, all-day battery life, and ultra-bright displays that help us get through the work or school day a little easier.
This TV was voted the best smart TV of the year. It has a bright screen and punchy, cinematic images. This makes it great for watching anything, plus it's also great for gamers.
This fan-favorite air fryer is loved by our editors as well. It's super easy to clean as it's almost entirely dishwasher safe. The glass basket gives it a beautiful look and since it has nesting abilities you won't need a lot of storage room.
This is the best smart lock of 2025. We love it because it has a stylish design and works with the Airbnb app and ADT Plus. It also has voice assistant support for Alexa, Google and Siri and options for codes, fingerprints and more.
If you haven't upgraded your vacuum in a few years, you're in for a treat. This year brought longer runtimes, self-emptying bases and robot vacs that don't knock into things.
Approximate Price $180Self-empty dock NoMopping functionality NoReplaceable battery YesVacuum type Cordless stickAnti-allergy filter (HEPA) NoBin capacity 0.65 litersWeight 10.45 poundsBattery life/runtime 55 mins
The LVAC-200 is one of our top budget vacuum picks of the year. It's cordless so you can take it anywhere you need. It runs for almost an hour at a time and does and excellent job picking up all dirt and debris, including pet hair.
ExpressVPN is CNET's Editors' Choice for the best VPN overall. It's super easy to use across platforms and it has a strong commitment to transparency, privacy and security.
The Apple Watch 10 is no longer the latest Apple Watch, but it still makes for an incredible smartwatch. It feels incredibly light but has a big screen for better readability, especially on the smaller case. And with a 1Hz refresh rate, it also has a ticking second hand.
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