If you're reading this,????? ?????? ???????? you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for October 8 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 8

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Protective measures

These words will close things off from prying eyes.

Mashable Top Stories Stay connected with the hottest stories of the day and the latest entertainment news. Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

October Prime Day: Here's the latest news on the deals
More Prime Day:Here are the best deals to shop so far

Prime Day deals you can shop right now

Products available for purchase through affiliate links. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

• Fire TV Stick 4K Streaming Device With Remote (2023 Model) — $24.99(List Price $49.99)

• Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 1070Wh Portable Power Station — $448.98(List Price $799.00)

• Ring Indoor Cam 2nd Gen 1080p Camera With Cover (White, 2-Pack) — $59.98(List Price $99.99)

• 75" Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED Series 4K Smart TV — $569.99(List Price $1099.99)

• Blink 2nd Gen Doorbell With Outdoor 4 XR and Sync Module XR — $89.98(List Price $199.97)

• Blink Outdoor 4 XR 2 Camera Kit With Mini 2 Camera — $109.98(List Price $219.98)

• Anker 735 Nano II 65W USB-C Charger — $29.99(List Price $39.99)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Bluetooth, 40mm, Cream) — $184.25(List Price $299.99)

• Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $298.00(List Price $348.00)

• Shark AV2511AE AI Robot Vacuum With XL Self-Empty Base — $297.99(List Price $599.00)

• Black + Decker BPACT14WT 14,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner — $475.94

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words for ways to protect things.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Security.

---

Featured Video For You

---

Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game

---

NYT Strands word list for October 8

• Password

• Lock

• Backup

• Safe

• Security

• Firewall

• Encryption

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 8 SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 8

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games pagehas more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hubfor Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.

Topics Strands