I've used a lot of routers throughout my time on the internet, from ISP routers that have locked-down services to routers I kept way longer than I should have. Still, on every one that I could change settings on, I've always changed the same set of security settings before starting to use the internet. These core settings go a long way toward making your home network more secure and cut off access to botnets, automated hacking, and more.

Sonic Rumble opened its doors for pre-registration in December 2024, with a May 8th, 2025 release date scheduled for the game. Sega and Rovio asserted that they would be working diligently on the game during the pre-launch period, gathering feedback from players and the community at large.

When it comes to Docker containers, the most popular or readily available options aren’t always the most efficient or feature-rich. While Docker undeniably offers excellent value, certain containerized solutions proved to be more time-consuming to configure or ultimately lacked the necessary features I required in my workflow. In several instances, exploring both open-source and even some carefully chosen closed-source alternatives proved to be more effective than their Dockerized counterparts.

Threads is getting a new transparency feature that allows users to see how their accounts are being reprimanded for breaking the platform’s rules. Video ads are also making their debut on the platform. The new account status dashboard is similar to existing account features on Instagram and Facebook, showing when posted content has been removed or lowered in feeds. It also shows posts that can’t be recommended to other users because they violate the Threads community guidelines, and tells users if they’ve been blocked from using certain features on the platform. If Threads users believe they have been penalized erroneously, the account status dashboard can facilitate an appeal.The feature aims to give users more clarity when action is taken against their account, make it easier to avoid being penalized in the future, and restore content or features they believe have been mistakenly restricted. The account dashboard is rolling out to Threads users now and can be accessed from the “account” section in the settings menu.Threads is also ramping up its monetization efforts, with Meta announcing on Thursday that it will soon begin testing video ads on the platform. Meta said at IAB NewFronts that a “small number” of 19:9 or 1:1 videos will be trialed by advertisers to appear in Threads users’ feeds between organic content. This follows advertising being first introduced to the platform in January and then globally expanded last month.Meta’s ad expansion will also be felt on Facebook and Instagram. A new “short-form video solution” trial will show ads next to popular Reels videos to piggyback on engagement, while new branded partnership ad formats will be rolling out to both Facebook and Instagram, including Facebook Live.

As far as PC overheating is concerned, SSDs are often the last components you think about. CPUs and GPUs are usually the ones that you need to worry about. However, if you've been running your SSD without a heatsink, and suddenly start noticing some unusual behavior, it might be time to slap on a heatsink. High-performance SSDs, whether Gen4 or Gen5, can require a heatsink to stay cool and avoid thermal throttling. If your NVMe SSD never came with a heatsink and your motherboard doesn't have one either, you might have to consider an aftermarket one.

Netflix is removing the last two shows listed on its Interactive Specials page: Black Mirror: Bandersnatch and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend, reports What’s on Netflix. The two specials will be pulled on May 12th, 2025, according to the publication, so if you want to watch them, you’ll want to catch them soon.Bandersnatch wasn’t Netflix’s first interactive special, but it was arguably the platform’s most famous. It was a dark, choose-your-own-adventure-style movie, and after it launched, Reddit detectives immediately went to work to decode the many choices throughout the film. (Though it didn’t work on every device that could play Netflix.)As of late, however, Netflix has been moving in a different direction with its interactive experiences, focusing more on its mobile games library (which has a Black Mirror-themed game) and testing cloud-streamed games over TVs. The new design for Netflix on TVs was even created in part to help people better find games they might like.The removals perhaps shouldn’t be surprising following Netflix’s decision late last year to pull all but four of its interactive specials from its catalog. “The technology served its purpose, but is now limiting as we focus on technological efforts in other areas,” spokesperson Chrissy Kelleher told me ahead of those removals.The other two interactive shows that stuck around were Ranveer vs. Wild with Bear Grylls and You vs. Wild. What’s on Netflix says they were removed in January of this year, but I’m seeing noninteractive versions of the show available to watch.Netflix spokesperson Jessica Braslow declined to comment.

With summer steadily approaching, you might already be making plans for upcoming trips. And while you'll already have plenty of tech with you for the adventure, there's a good chance that a travel router isn't part of your current setup. Now, we know what you're thinking, and yes, many places already provide free Wi-Fi.

Ecco the Dolphin is ready to save the world (and ocean) from extraterrestrial beings once again. On Monday (May 5th), Ed Annunziata, Ecco's original creator, spoke with Xbox Wire to celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The conversation covered a variety of topics such as movies and games that would be perfect to watch and or play to commemorate the cultural occasion.

Take-Two and Rockstar have announced that Grand Theft Auto VI won't be releasing until May 26, 2026, leaving a massive hole in the 2025 video game release calendar. While there won't be anything on the same scale as GTA VI, there are still massive and exciting games coming out this year. As for what can fill that void, we've got games about crime, great open worlds, and massive scale to try and satisfy the blockbuster cravings the decade-long wait for the next Grand Theft Auto has caused. Here are the games you can check out.

The moment the white smoke appeared above the Sistine Chapel, I immediately turned on my television, because I wanted to see who the new pope would be, and then hopped on social media, because I knew that the internet could tell me more about the new pope faster than television could. That, and the memes would be good. The memes came first, naturally, flying in harder and faster than they ever did with Pope Francis, because the new pope was American. Not just that - Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, was from Chicago, with a bio full of cultural touchstones that the American meme economy grasped immediately: Did the pope ever drink Malort? Was the pope a Cubs or a Sox fan? Was God going to intercede on behalf of the Knicks in the NBA playoffs because the pope graduated from Villanova? The next wave of information was, I'd suspected, going to be news and articles about his upbringing, pastoral history and religious stances - things that would tell the world what sort of leader this new pope would be. And then someone I followed posted a screenshot from an X account with the handle @drprevost: three retweets, over the past three months, that linked to articles harshly cri …Read the full story at The Verge.

Everyone knows that the File Explorer Microsoft includes with Windows 11 is fine, but not much more than that. There are plenty of alternatives out there for those wanting to boost their productivity while browsing and managing their files, but I have to say my personal favorite remains File Pilot.

Working with a laser engraver at home can be a fun and rewarding hobby, but it also comes with real risks if you’re not careful. These machines concentrate focused beams of light hot enough to burn through wood, acrylic, leather, and more, so creating a safe environment is essential. A good setup isn’t just about ventilation and goggles; it’s about building habits and protections that prevent accidents before they start. Whether you're new to laser engraving or upgrading your workspace, these five rules are non-negotiable.